Solo en Sevilla / Only in Sevilla

Just a note on how this blog is working out: While I’m in Sevilla, I’m not recounting every minute of every day. I’m going to write about things that stick out in my mind, or were for some reason unusual/special. This means there will be some really fun things that I don’t write about – for instance, going to discotecas (clubs). They’re so much fun, but the experience is more or less the same each time. No need to write about it. I want this blog to be at least vaguely interesting! I’m sad no one is following it yet… <--note the desperate plea implied there

Lori and I went exploring in Parque María Luisa the other day, and I think I found the perfect proposal spot. It’s this little gazebo on top of a hill, with all these little stone staircases leading up to it, and strings of lights, and beautiful views of the park. It’s also shaded by many trees and so it feels really intimate. I say perfect proposal spot because when I got there, that was what came to mind. It’s a magical little spot. The rest of the park is beautiful too, of course, and we got some really great pictures of it. (We also got some great silly pictures of us that involved the seesaw and a camera timer…) I think I might start running there…I desperately need to restart my running. I miss it sooooooooooo much. And I just don’t feel like I’m walking enough here. Everyone else keeps saying they’re so tired of the walking, but Sevilla is flat, which is easier than I’m used to. I’m also used to being on my feet at work for hours at a time and since I don’t do that here maybe it just seems easier.

Today I went with Sarah, Meseret, and Jessica on a pedal boat on the Guadalquivir. 15€ for the 4 of us for an hour…Jessica and I were pedaling and let me tell you this boat ride was an adventure. We waved up at people on bridges, we panicked when a boat went by and made waves (Meseret was confused by me telling her to “move with the boat”), we waved at all the giant boats with the tourists going by (one old lady took a picture of us…), Meseret got mooned by some teenage boy (I say only her because the rest of looked away – Sarah could see what was about to happen!), etc. I was endless amused, too, that the boat company was named “Pedalquivir”…get it? Pedal boats on the Guadalquivir? :-P No one else found that as funny as I did.

The Fería de las Naciones is in Sevilla right now in the Prado Park. It’s here until mid-October. They are selling stuff from all over the world…or so they claim. I’ve seen some repeats at different country booths! But they still have cool stuff. It’s a lot of fun to go and walk around. Speaking of looking around, I can’t seem to find sandals anywhere all of a sudden. I really need a new pair and they have dropped off the face of Spain! It’s frustrating because if I was at home I’d know which stores to look at and what price range to expect. Here I have noooooo idea.

Lisboa next weekend! Just tomorrow, 4 days of class, and then PORTUGAL! :-)