Sevilla, mi amor...

It's official... Sevilla is my favorite place in Spain (aside from Alicante of course!). I absolutely adore that city, and wish I could go back at least once or twice a month while I am in Spain. It's absolutely gorgeous and literally the picturesque Spanish town. I am enchanted by this wonderful place that encompasses both big city and small town with the small, winding, clusterfuck of streets that are typical of old European cities. The flamenco aspect was hard to miss, too. Although we didn't get to see a performance, we got to see so much other cool shit. I was just awestruck by all of it. 

La Catedral de Santa Maria de Sede:

This mammoth Church was constructed in the 15th century, after capture of the sit by the Christians. It was built on top of a Moorish mosque (as many Christian churches were during this time) and for this reason part of the Cathedral still has a Moorish influence: the Giralda. This famous tower is so unmistakably Muslim in construct that you have no difficulty distinguishing it from the rest of the Gothic Church. The Christians couldn't let it go unscathed, however: on top of the Giralda they tarnished it's magnificence with a gigantic Gothic style belfry complete with trumpeting angel. It is currently the third largest Catholic Cathedral in the world, and also doubles as the resting place for Christopher Columbus. 

Reales Alcázares de Sevilla
I literally almost couldn't breathe the whole time we were in this place... I was so at peace and felt so serene. Although I'm sure that's what the architects had in mind when they designed it lol It was originally built as a palace for the Almohades, a Moorish group. Subsequently, other monarchs (including the present day Royal Family) have added on to it with their own ideas, and resided there as the official Sevilla residence. Its gorgeous, thats all I can say.

 seal on the outside wall

inside the gates.. this is some of the original Muslim architecture. It's been around since the 1400s!

another entry way... there must have been like 4 lol

The famous Courtyard of the Maidens. It is very scenic and the Muslim use of water was a way to connect God (Allah) with the architecture. There are fountains everywhere!

a duck pond :) and more water lol

Duckies!! and another fountain... lol

this is an overview of the gardens, there had to be like 16 of them. this view reminds me of the Jungle Book haha

one garden... they were gorgeous!

these flowers smelled like BUTTER!!!

El Parque de Maria Luisa/Plaza de Espana:

This famous landmark was originally built to host the 1929 Worlds Fair in Sevilla. It encompasses the whole southern end of the city in roaming gardens of differing themes and a massive structure which captures the attention instantly. It's gorgeous and as you can see, the gardens have a wide range of both styles, and wildlife haha

PEACOCKS! this is a female, but beautiful all the same :)

Just as a side note, all of these photographs are made possible in part by Tyler Cole. I feel I owe him some credit due to the fact that my camera is currently waterlogged. We used his to capture the majority of the weekend :) 

All in all, I had a great time. This weekend is St. Patty's Day and Valencia for las Fallas (although I won't actually get to see the grand fiesta on Saturday). I am curious to see how St. Pat's goes down... I get the feeling it's not quite the same as in the States... I'll let you know though. I bought a green shirt just in case ;)

I hate Carnaval...

Okay, so overall, Carnaval was alright. The music, the dancing, the costumes... it was all over the time and insane! Like nothing you could ever imagine because that just doesn't happen in the US. However, my night was marred by one slight complication: I got pushed in the Mediterranean by a drunk Spanish girl who was mad at me for taking a picture of her boyfriend after he jumped into the sea. Long story short, we were down by the port hanging out and this girl and her boyfriend walk by, fighting. His friends come along and are holding hiim back from her while she is like screaming at him. All of a sudden, he jumps into the port. Just straight up int the water. So all the stupid Americans run over, thinking its a joke. I take a picture and I feel someone poke my chest... it's one of the guy's friends who is telling me in angry Spanish that I shouldn't be taking a picture, it's not funny. I start to apologize and tell him I thought it was a joke, honestly, when I get pushed backwards off the ledge and do a backflip (on accident) into the water. According to my onlooking friends my head was about an inch away from cracking on the cement ledge. I am not sure how it happened, and the only reason I know it ACTUALLY happened is because my phone was glowing from the bottom of the sea and my camera is currently sitting in a bucket of rice while I PRAY it dries out. I'm not holding out hope lol The people that were with me pulled me out, I changed and showered at a friend's house (I owe her some NICE alcohol haha), and then I put on a happy face and we went back to Carnaval. The rest of the night was fun... but honestly, you've never had a buzz kill until you get pushed into hypothermia-capable water. Yupp, any buzz I had goin' on before was floating away into the Mediterranean like the tampons from my purse...

Carnaval 2011!!!

So, this week begins Carnaval, the week-long celebration in Alicante that is equivalent to what we know as Mardi Gras. The concept is the same: people are celebrating big time (and in style) before Ash Wednesday, otherwise known as the beginning of Lent. For the next 40 days, no one is allowed to celebrate, eat meat on Fridays, and in olden times, they had to fast the whole time. Today, we are basically just reminded that now begins the time of mourning for Jesus' death and we await his resurrection. We are expected to give something up as a reminder of this also (if you are Catholic, it is required; if not, its just recommended haha). Carnaval is thought to come from the Latin "carne" meaning meat, and "valle" meaning farewell. Bascially, farewell to the flesh, which is the whole sacrificial part. It is more Roman based, rather than the French based Mardi Gras.The difference between here and the States' version of Mardi Gras however, is that here, they dress up. And I'm not talking masks and beads. I'm talking full out Halloween type costumes. Literally, I have been told by multiple sources that if you are under the age of 50 you are expected to disfrazar (dress up). Everyone has a disfraz (costume). Even the small kids, who, instead of trick-or-treating for candy, just dress up during the day and play in the Rambla (the big main street) which they close off and fill with food and music. There are live bands, dancing, and of course at night, drinking. It is basically one big street party and literally you will be mocked and shunned if you are not properly attired. I have heard that anything goes: American ideas, Spanish ideas, whatever. As long as its a costume of some kind haha When I went costume shopping (there have all sorts of stores here for that, just like at home) I saw everything from Marilyn Monroe to Strawberry Shortcake to Disney Princesses. More common though were more general outfits, the cowboy, the Roman/Greek, all sorts of slutty costumes, the usual lol I was planning on a toga outfit to begin with because surprisingly, that is something I have never been. I ended up finding a cool costume that was super cheap. That the other nice thing here: while Halloween costumes in the States tend to be rather expensive (and its cheaper to put your own together), here they are cheap because EVERYONE does it. Mine was only about 12 euros, which is between 16-18$. I am really excited for this :) Its Halloween all over again, except more alcohol, more food, and more people! Every city does the celebrations differently: some have big parades, some just had open street parties (like Alicante), and others have skits or performances. This is a picture of the Carnaval Queen, who is kind of like the head of the parades we have at home, but super jazzed up.

This was Alicante last year during Carnaval. It is a view from the Rambla where they have the main celebrations. They strung the lights last week and I can't wait to see it all lit up!!! 

Sunny, high of 75

Yupp, thats how the weather has been here for the past week or so. It is supposed to cool down a little bit this week but honestly, I could care less. I was at the beach all weekend and I plan to return as soon as I can :) Barcelona was amazing... very big, very busy, very bright. All the buildings were beautiful, like I can't even tell you how incredible the architecture is there. A lot of it has credit due to Antonio Gaudi, whose works were the theme of our trip. We saw a lot of his famous houses in Barca, and then traveled to Parque Guell where lie his other masterpieces. We got to see La Sagrada Familia, his life work which yet remains unfinished more than 50 years after construction began. Its breathtaking... like I really have no words that can describe it except that there are no words lol We saw the Cathedral of Barcelona, which I was awestruck by. It gave me the chills to be standing inside that place. We got to go out on the two nights we were there too. The nightlife is similar in that everyone goes out super late, but that is where the similarities end. Everyone gets so much more dressed up there, and the clubs are huge! We had to take a metro to get to the other side of the city where the clubs were, and honestly although it was fun and very interesting to see such a new big place, I prefer Alicante and it's very own Barrio. Smaller, but there are so many different options that you can't go wrong and there is something for everyone. We also went on a wine tasting (called a bodega) on the way there. The bus was about 6 or 7 hours, and so it was nice to get off the bus for a little and stretch our legs... and drink some famous wine haha This place is called Cordoniu, and it was the first winery in Spain. The history was amazing, and the wine was delicious too :) It was so wonderful to get back to Alicante on Sunday night and fall into my bed... I hope to be falling onto a towel in the sand for the next few days!

Barca Barca Barca!

So we officially have about 2 days until we head to Barcelona. I am thrilled... we leave at 7:30 in the AM on Friday morning and drive for about 6 hours. The weekend will be so insane. And I don't just mean partying, cause honestly that will be amazing, but I am there to see the sights, not get drunk off my ass. I think there are a lot of the kids in our program that might not agree with me, but whatever. There is a phrase in Spanish "Vale la pena". It literally means Is it worth the hardship?, and in English we would say Do the means justify the ends? I am finding that this phrase applies a lot to the things and people in my life here. There are too many examples to explain that properly, but for example, Barca. Would it really be worth it for me to go out Tuesday night to Beer Pong, Thursday night until the wee hours when I have to meet at 6:50 AM, and then take a 6 hours bus ride when I already get carsick to begin with? And on top of all this, I have a minor head cold. To me, I don't vale la pena, and I know that I will be much happier if I do things my own way than giving in to others just for the sake of the crowd. Regardless, I definitely and super emocionada (very excited!) to head to the city... I have heard such wonderful things and although we won't get to make it to the Barca - Bilbao game, we will get to visit the Sagrada Familia, the amazingly inventive and beautiful cathedral designed by Antonio Gaudi. His masterpiece yet remains unfinished, but the work continues and I can't wait to see it. The vale is definitely worth the pena where that in concerned...

Una mes

So it just occurred to me that tomorrow marks one month that I have been here in Spain, in Alicante. It seems unreal, and does not feel like a whole month at all. That sounds so cheesy, I know lol Like when you are in middle school and you have been dating someone for a month and you're like, "Omg, I'm in love!" But really, I'm in love with this place... there are things that bug the shit out of me. Like the fact that my house is ALWAYS 100% of the time colder than the outside temperature. Or that when I think I'm getting a great deal when something is on rebaja for only 10 euro, I am actually spending almost 20$. And of course, walking everywhere is hard for a girl who doesn't wear tennis shoes unless she is working out. But honestly, the amount of things I dislike are very few compared to those que me encantan (that enchant me). I love the people here, they are so friendly. And even though I hate having to take the bus to class everyday, I love to people watch for the half hour long ride. And of course, who DOESN'T love el Barrio? That bar district could top Columbus's any day of the week by a long shot... the weather, the beach, the food, the sangria, mi madre, my new friends, even the school work... I really do love this place. Even after only one month.

Oh boy...

Man do I have a lot to fill you guys in on... last week was pretty boring, so it´s mostly this weekend that has anything worth mentioning. I kind of settled into a routine during the first two weeks of class from 9-11, a short break for a snack, and then class again from 11:30-1:30. Then I either went to the gym for a half hour or so, or just went home. I would eat lunch with mi madre, take a siesta (normally), and then either go out, do homework, or shop :) Then I would have dinner around 8 or 9, and skype with my family around 11. It was hard because even though I got to siesta most days, I still had to get up at 6:45 to catch the bus every morning. So this week (which brought later classes!) was a very welcome break. But the interesting stuff starts with the weekend...

Friday night was pretty typical, a bunch of us met us and we got some tapas before heading to the Barrio for some fun ;) This time though, we went to this little taparia close to my house where the waiter, who apparently was  fan of a couple of the girls and of Americans in general, gave us free shots of tequila to start out the night. Always a nice kick-off... haha. Barrio, dancing, Spanish boys, chupitos (shots), more dancing, taxi ride home because heels are killing your feet, end scene.

Saturday I woke up around noon and lounged in my PJs for a while before I heard the doorbell ring. I guess I had forgotten that my family was coming over because soon my madre was calling me and telling me there was someone to see me... I open my bedroom door to find the cutest pint sized little tot EVER staring me in the face with Spongebob Squarepants in one hand and a ball in the other. I was in love... this little mass of adorableness is known as Borga, my madre's grandson. He is sooooooo freaking cute!!! He had been sick with what they thought was the chicken pox for about a week so I hadn't been able to see him (or any of my family for that matter) and I guess Saturday was when he got better. Soon after my brother and his girlfriend arrived who I also really liked. We had a big family lunch of chicken paella (which mi madre makes soooo well!) and talked. They all said I speak Spanish really well. Boy, have I got them fooled! haha And my new cuñada (sister in law) Esther invited me to a bar that she works at called Pixies. She said she was working Saturday night and that she would get me and my friends some shots...

Boy, did she EVER! We got there and right away it was tequila shots, on the house. It was a secret from her boss, who was there, but then later he took one with us too! We knocked a few back, talked a lot, and then left to DANCE!!! We ended up finding a lot of other kids from our group and went to this place with 3 floors all made for dancing. My favorite :) We danced the night away and then walked home because the next dayyyyy...

I got to go to Plaza de Toros and watch a mock bull fight with my madre! Her co-worker's daughter is actually in the bull-fighting school here in Alicante, and is one of like 3 girls in the school. She is the protegee of the second woman bullfighter in all of Spain, Angela. This lady is like a legend, and although she is old and gray now, she is still very upbeat and fiery haha It was sooo cool, I honestly can´t even put it into words. The history was so apparent, and even though it was only a practice for the students, it was so amazing to say that I had been able to witness something like that. We met up with some of mi madre's amigas and another girl that is the 'daughter' of one of mi madre's friends. Then, home for comida, siesta, y otras cosas (other things).

Monday morning I hopped on a bus for a trip around the provinces of Alicante, which are basically other towns. We got to see the town of Villajoyosa, which literally means 'happy village', and which has houses all the colors of the rainbow and is right on the beach. It was so beautiful and the historic Church was fascinating. We travelled to Guadalest, which has a mansion-house from the early centuries which is now a museum. The town is actually located on a mountain and it was freezing! We definitely didn't dress for snow or rain, which we encountered. But again, the little village was adorable and very picturesque. Finally, we stopped at a town caled Campello, which has a famous chocolate shop named Valor. Churros con chocolate (basically, just giant pieces of funnel cake that you dip in melted Hershye's bars) is the specialty there. Then we all went out on the beach and the rock pier. It was so much fun and we were all exhausted at the end of the day.

Today began the first day of legit classes and so far, so good:) I am excited to finally get into a routine and have a nice schedule to follow. I work much better when I am busy or have a schedule to get into. This week will be different and new things are definitely going down...