Well, I had a two-week Spanish intensive for the first two weeks I was here in Sevilla. And by intense, I mean INTENSE!! I had 5 hours of Spanish grammar for 10 days with an essay, presentation, and final exam. Phew 15 weeks worth of work in 10 days. But I survived!
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| We practiced commands by giving directions on how to make a hat!! |
During those two weeks I had the opportunity to do some fun things with ISA(my study abroad organization) around Sevilla!
1. La Alcazar
The alcazar is the oldest working palace in Spain!! It was HUGE. It is a mix of spanish, moorish, and arab influences. My camera died before I could take more pictures of the inside of the castle, but I think I got some pretty good ones. This has had many additions built onto as new kings came in throughout the ages. It was very beautiful! And it is right across the street from the university of Sevilla! If you want to know more about this beautiful place...google it! (:
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| This is a bath tub made for one of a king's mistresses. |
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| We weren't really able to see the gardens because there was a huge storm before we got to Sevilla. |
Wow, wow, wow!! I got to visit one of the most, if not the most, iconic building in Sevilla- La Catedral. It is the oldest catholic cathedral in the world.....the world!!!! It is home to the toomb of Christopher Columbus as well. I cannot even explain to you the beauty of this church. The ceiling was so high. It was like it went on forever. It was just beautiful. As we were standing in the garden area of the cathedral, there were working knocking down oranges from the orange trees. The oranges go to the King of Spain! What a royal orange!
Then the most famous point of the Cathedral is the Giralda tower! It takes 34 ramps to get to the top of the tower. In the old days, people would ride donkeys to the top of the tower. I was too tired to go up it that day, but don't worry I will do it eventually!
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| Christopher Columbus' tomb! |
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| The motto of Spain! It means "No he dejado." The short of the story is that Sevilla never abandons its people. I see this motto all over the city and means something special to the people. The story literally gives me goosebumps as one of loyalty and compassion. I feel that I can connect to this. That Sevilla is taking me in as a city and as much as I struggle and try hard to fit in this city doesn't abandon me. I already know a little piece of my heart will always be here. |
3. Las Setas "The mushrooms"
Las Setas is the world's largest wooden structure. The city was trying to build a farmer's market in a plaza and as they were digging....they discovered Roman ruins!!! So they weren't able to build the farmer's market. For years the area was covered with construction because the city didn't know what to with the ruins. So they held a contest for people to design a structure that would go over the ruins and the ruins would be preserved as a museum below. And the winning structure was the Parasol, or Las setas. It provides shade for the plaza and looks like mushrooms. We were able to climb on the top of it and see a fantastic view of the city!!!
Well it sure has been an adventure so far!! Stay tuned for more on my new family!!
Hasta luego!
Courtney
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