The List.....

When I arrived in Spain I created a "Things I Want To Do On My Semester Abroad List". I thought I would post it here....Things in bold i have accomplished, and things in regular type i have yet to do....

Go to a soccer (futbol) game
See a movie in Spanish
Get a drink a hotel alfonso XI
See the Museo del Bellas Artes
Go to the Cadiz Carnivales
See a Semana Santa Procession
Go to the library at the university
Order a Telepizza
Have a day COMPLETELY in Spanish (NO ENGLISH)
Go to the Beer Factory
Spanish cooking lessons
Try una Clara (it’s a drink with lemonade and beer)
Go to the Trianna Market
Go to a Language Exchange night at Flaggerty’s
Take a bus and randomly get off it somewhere in Sevilla and explore
Go back to la Carbonhidria
See the Feria
Alcazar
La Catedral
See a Flamenco Show
Go to a Salsa Bar
Get drinks at Fridays
Granada
Toledo
Cordoba
Madrid
Portugal
Paris
Normandy
Go to Pilates classes in Spanish
Go to the arabe baths
Explore santa cruz neighborhood more
Explore La Macerena neighborhood
Go to the prado
Get a Spanish only dictionary
See a bullfight
Try a rubijuto (a typical drink of Feria)
Take the new metro in Sevilla
Go to a discoteca

Well, I'd write more, but i have class tomorrow and need to get home and finish up homework. But look for a post about the feria soon!!!! (I went last night with meagan and am going again tomorrow with my senora!)

Un Viaje a Cordoba y Un Panuelo muy Importante

Yesterday I accomplished another task on my “Semester Abroad To Do list” and went to Cordoba. I left Sevilla at 9am in the morning with the intention of arriving in Cordoba, buying a map, walking to the Mezquita, visiting the shops and downtown area by the Plaza de las Tendillas ( I read my guide book before hand…) and grabbing some lunch before heading home. But when I was coming up the escalator from the train platform, I saw four familiar faces waving at me….Kristy, Sandi, Sarah, and Hannah came down from Madrid for the weekend to see Cordoba and Sevilla!!! I mean really it is a small world. Even being in Cordoba the same day is a major coincidence, but they were literally leaving the train station when I was arriving.

Anyway, the four of them, along with some other students from their program, were headed to see the Mezquita as well so we all went together. One of their teachers was with them too, and she was very nice and interesting to talk to. She’s American, but lives in Madrid now with her husband - who she met when she was a student studying in Sevilla! Actually, I think she said she met him at the Feria, which starts this upcoming Monday night! (I guess I should keep my eyes open for potential prospects..?)

Anyway, the Mezquita was awesome.. It is a mosque, originally built by Abd a Rahman but added upon throughout the reigns of other Moorish emperors. When the Christians conquered the moors, they destroyed most Moorish architecture, but they didn’t want to destroy the Mezquita because it was so beautiful. Instead, they decided to use it as their own place of worship and build cathedral inside of the mosque. Therefore, it really should be called the Mexcla-ita (mix) because it is just that; a visual mix of Christianity and Islam. The majority of the architecture is very Moorish- high arches, Arabic writing engraved in the walls, use of the color red – but then there are sculptures and artwork of Christian saints distributed throughout the mosque. And its interesting to note that the the altar and prayer pews of the Christian cathedral part of the mosque are just feet away from the Muslim prayer niche facing Mecca.

Here are some pics from the Mezquita.....

The Ripon Girls outside the Mezquita....


The arches....


The cathedral part of the mosque....


The Muslim prayer niche...


Me in front of the altar....


Saint Antonio...


After the Mezquita, the girls left to head back to Sevilla but my train wasn’t until later so I stayed back and walked around the main area trying to find somewhere to eat. I eventually found a café, but I was somewhat disappointed because I was hoping to find a quaint little hole in the wall type place with great, real, freshly made Andalusian food. But this place only really had boccadillos and I was so hungry by this point I just gave up looking and ate there. Then I walked across the street to a park area where I saw a bunch of tents set up. I assumed it was a market of some sort, but when I got there, I realized it was a science fair. (See picture below).

Some more pics from Cordoba...

Science Fair...


Puente Romano...


Anyway the day was fun, and I was going to go out last night to this salsa bar with Meagan, but my feet hurt and its raining so we just decided to do it another night. Friday night, she and I celebrated the completion of our international business projects with drinks at the Friday’s in the Niervon Mall. Then we saw Shopaholic in Spanish (or rather Confensiones de una compradora compulisva…” . It was really cute, and I was ecstatic that I could understand it!!!! I was also pretty excited because that’s one more thing I accomplished on my “Semester Abroad To Do List” – seeing a movie in Spanish. I mean I saw Gran Torino when Steve was here, but that was at the Plaza de Armas theater so it was in English with Spanish subtitles.


Anyway, this morning we were going to go Triana market but its raining so we didn’t. This afternoon I’m meeting up with Hugo. This might be the last time I get to meet with him since we really can only meet on weekends, and next Sunday I will be in Portugal. I’m so glad he was my intercambio; I really lucked out. He really loves his city and has been a great guide. Plus not every tour guide buys you ice cream.

Well anyway, I have a phone call to make to a Miss Hannah Montana. She apparently came to Spain this past week but didn’t even think to tell me…even after I dedicated a blog post to referencing her songs and show….

¡Dios míos, niños hoy en día!

- Kirsten

21 de Abril

I dont really know what to write about today. I'm just really stressed - I have so much to do before I leave....its crazy. I have a presentation tonight, a test tomorrow, an 8 page paper due may 5th, finals to study for...not to mention that next week is feria, and i have a trip to cordoba and a trip to portugal coming up. But im just trying to relax, spend as much time as possible with the friends i made here before leaving and get as much done on my "i want to do in spain list" as i can.

The weather is really nice today....its warm and sunny, and I'm at cuestasport just inside the doors so people are right outside playing paddleball.

Saturday, when i last posted, Nieves and I ended up going out for lunch. We went to Fresco, this salad bar/italian buffet place i wanted to try for a while. It was really good - i had pizza for the first time since i left the states. (Its not like they don't have it here, its just, i dunno, i've really just eaten spanish food for the most part).

Tonight, I have my international business presentation. Then, im going to try to get to bed early, so i get enough sleep for my language test. Thats really all I can think of right now....ill try to write something more exciting later in the week.

hasta luego....

Kirsten

My Best Friend Leslie says that I'm Just Being Miley....

Right now its like quarter to one, and I’m sitting in the living room in my pajamas, doing homework and waiting for nieves to get back at 3 for lunch. I’m not sure where she went, but Carolyn is in Portugal and im excited to relax and have the TV to myself. Currently, I’m watching Hannah Montana in Spanish. I’ve never seen this episode. Its really funny though – it’s the one where (I didn’t see the begging) but Miley/Hannah is trying to get Jackson’s baseball back from some restaurant guy, and he wont give it back, so she makes a deal and promises to bring Hannah Montana to his restaurant for his daughter to meet. But then he like makes her perform with him and they do this really funny version of life’s what you make it, and he’s wearing a gold sweat suit that says “try the veal on the back”. Idk maybe im just super bored.

Im supposed to meet up with Meaghan (and maybe other Meagan too) tonight at six to go out for Tapas. But until lunch I think I’m just going to relax and try to do some of the mountain of homework that has been piling up on my nightstand.


I’m excited, nervous, happy, sad, and overwhelmed about coming home all at the same time. I can’t wait to see Ash, Rina, Maggie and everybody and I really want to just get my summer set up so I can make the most of it – Job, internship, volunteering…etc. But there is so much I’m gonna miss here. For one, im really going to miss my senora. I have learned so much from her, and I don’t know if I’ve met anybody that has had a more fascinating life. She’s been everywhere in the world, she married an astronaut, she met Michael Jackson when he was 5 (and normal)….the list goes on and on. Everybody else here talks about how their senora is either too strict, or doesn’t make them feel like their part of the family. But from the first day Carolyn and I arrived, nieves simply trusted us to be good people, not use too much water, and not do anything stupid. She never made us feel like we were just strangers renting a room in her house. I’m sure it costs more for us to live here than she receives, but she doesn’t ever make us feel like we cant have anything. In fact, she usually asks us what we want for lunch, or if we need anything special. While she always has the table set and lunch made by 3, if we’re not gonna be home, its no big deal, she just leaves it on the stove. We are free to live our lives as we want, but whenever we need something, she is more than willing to help. She calls Carolyn and I hijamia and carinosa (my daughter and my dear) and whenever I have a bad day I know I can talk to her about it without sounding like a brat. She’ll go out of her way to try and fix it too. When I was sleeping she started making me this tea before bed that helps you fall asleep. I never asked her to, but she’s always doing thoughtful things like that. When I asked her why she does so much for us she said, “because I want you all to love me like I love you”. We do. I can assure you that.

I really want to be just like her when I grow up. She had a relatively similar youth to mine, with similar stresses and struggles, and I just want to be able to live a life like hers when I'm old. Tranquil but full. She has many friends – they come and visit often – and she goes out pretty much every weekend with them. She’s healthy, active, and still travels the world. I’ve also never met anybody so non-judgemental. She does things her way, but if you do yours a different way, she is fine with that. I’m sure she has her own beliefs about whats proper and whats not, but she only voices them when asked, and never makes you feel as though if you disagree, your not proper. Its not important to her what others do. She lives her life, lives it to the fullest, and helps others when they need it or voice frustration. After Carolyn and I (oh and the two Australian girls who are living with us now too) leave, I think she said she’s going to Egypt with her sister and her friend.

But anyway, yeah, so I mean, I’m going to miss Nieves a lot, but I will also miss the relaxed breakfasts (instead of a powerbar on the go), tanning on the roof, being able to just walk down Sierpes and “go shopping” (instead of having to drive to a mall, park and all) and really the constant Spanish practice. I mean, it gets frustrating from time to time, but my Spanish has improved sooooo much here – I don’t want to lose it back in the states. I’m going to try to prevent that by using as much Spanish as I can…but still, it wont compare to how much I speak it here. Oh well.

But again….i just cant wait to be harassing dunkin donuts and watching gossip girl with my best friends. I love summer – I’m a summer baby – and all I can think about right now is Soffe shorts and flip flops, Arizonan green tea, walking to the library, lifetimes outdoor pool being open, and driving with the moonroof open. So I guess since I can’t be like miss Hannah Montana and have the best of both worlds, I’ll make the most of the rest of my time here and then take off the Spanish boots for my good old fashioned north shore Uggs.

- Kirsten

Paris: Part 2

I’m back in Seville now, though getting back to my apartment from the airport amid holy week festivities was no easy task. The taxi’s were blocked from entering anywhere close to the center of the city, so Meagan and I pretty much had to walk about 2 miles, through packs of people, with all of our luggage.

But anyway, back to Paris…where did I leave off? Okay, right so Monday we went to the Louvre, and then the Eiffel tower. The entire area by the Eiffel tower was so pretty. In front, there was a little crepe stand, a little ice cream stand, and a carousel. On the other side of the tower, in front of an official looking building (capitol building maybe?),was a huge park area, and people were sitting on the grass having picnics. It all just seemed like something straight out of a story book. And for there being lots of people, it didn’t seem loud and overbearing like other touristy spots. Rather it seemed very tranquil – people strolling with their ice creams, French families sharing lunch in the park…just the way I imagined Paris to be.

Underneath the tower is where tickets are bought. You can choose to climb the whole way, take the elevator, or climb half the way and take the elevator from the second platform. We decided to take the stairs half way up and take the elevator to the very top. We were all pumped to mail our postcards from the first platform of the tower, and to get drinks at the restaurant there while overlooking the city, but were disappointed to find that both the restaurant and the post office were under construction. So we just decided to have lunch at the café. Some pigeons flew in to join us, and we became good friends by the end of the meal. Then we took some pictures of the view, and continued our climb to the second platform.

On the second platform, we checked out the gift shops, and then took the elevator all the way to the top. The view from the top was even more beautiful, especially the view of the park area right below the tower.





After the Eiffel tower, our legs were killing us, so we took the boat to Notre dame. It was closed though when we got there so we just kind of explored the area around it before heading back to the hotel to shower and such, before going out again.

Before going to Paris, if I may deviate from the time line of events for a moment, I think we were all a little worried about not speaking French – and about how French people saw Americans. But everybody was very friendly – and literally everybody we had contact with spoke English. Even our taxi driver that picked us up from the airport spoke English fluently. He was a very amiable guy too – he talked to us the whole way there, gave us the highlights of what is nearby our hotel, and inquired as to whether, because I am from Chicago, I had a gun on me. He told us about his life – his mom was French and his dad was Chinese – talked a lot about Obama and how popular he is in Paris, and informed us that Obama was in currently in France as we spoke. I always feel a little guilty when people in Europe seem to know more about my government than I do, but I attributed our unawareness of our president’s location to the fact that we had just spent 14 hours on a train and didn’t really have access to the media. I think that’s a pretty good excuse.

Anyway, so Monday night, after we showered, we walked back up towards the Eiffel tower, and had dinner outside this Italian restaurant on some side street. It was really nice, and we could see the Eiffel tower – all lit up - from our table. The waiter wasn’t as friendly as the night before though . (On Sunday night, we went to this elegant little restaurant across from our hotel just to check out the menu, and we said we’d be back later, and when we came back, they guy seriously kissed all of us, welcoming us back. We think he had a thing for Tracy because he kissed her an extra time…). But we can’t get expect to welcomed with kisses everywhere. But the food was good, the wine was great, and the view was spectacular. The tower stayed lit up the whole time, but at one point it did kind of a light show, with the lights moving and blinking…Very cool.





After dinner we walked over to it and took some more pictures. We brought our postcards with because we figured, if we couldn’t mail our postcards from the actual Eiffel tower, at least we could send them from the mail box underneath it. As we were taking pictures though, it started to get very windy, like it was going to rain. We decided to start heading back to the hotel, and then realized we didn’t mail the post cards. We ran back to the tower, and as we were running, it started to downpour. We got to the mail slot, shoved our postcards into the USA slot, and then ran to the boulevard to try to get a taxi. Everybody that had been up by the tower was fleeing as well - the handful of tourists who decided came to get photos of the tower at night, the French couples who had been cuddling in the park, the street market people who sold Eiffel tower key chains and such….we all rushed to the little taxi stand on the boulevard. When Tracy and Meagan of I got in our taxi, we were soaked and covered in sand that the wind had picked up and blown. I f I had been anywhere else I would have probably been frustrated. But I was in Paris, and the entire experience of running through the rain from the Eiffel tower seemed rather cool.

The next day we went back to Notre dame. We waited in line for EVER I feel like, and it was super chilly. But, we made some Spanish friends in the line which was kinda cool and im pretty sure I’m in a group picture on one of the girls’ Facebook. So if you see it, let me know so I can check out how I look.  Once our group was let in, we realized that this was only the line for the tower not the inside of Notre dame. My legs were begging me for mercy as we climbed to the top…they were still in pain from climbing the Eiffel tower and all the walking we had done the day before. But I did it, and I got some sweet pictures of the gargoyles. They didn’t talk and move around like in the Hunchback of Notre dame, but they were still pretty cool. I am just constantly amazed when I think about how old some things are here. I mean, work on Notre Dame started in like the 1100’s. And here I stand at the top with my digital camera and cell phone centuries later. Its just incredible to me.


Some Gargoyles at Notre Dame....

Anyway, we decided we didn’t want to wait in another line to see the inside of the cathedral that day, so we said we’d come back tomorrow and headed off the perfume museum. We figured, we’d already seen the Louvre, and the line to the Museum de orsay was even longer than the one to Notre Dame, we might as well check it out. It was very small, and not all that special, but at least on the way there we got to see the main shopping district. After the museum, we decided to be super cliché and eat at a restaurant called the American dream. It was, I have to say, pretty American. The inside was kind of like a Fridays – only they had anything and everything you could possibly want. I was super excited that they had salads – REAL SALADS – not little plates of lettuce and a few tomatoes. (although, I have to say, the first night, at the restaurant that the waiter kissed us at, I had an amazing French duck salad…so I guess its just Spain that doesn’t understand how to make a satisfying salad…). Tracy and Meghan got burgers and Slushees. We watched American music videos on the tv while we waited – everything from Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” to the Village Peoples “YMCA” to Gwen Stefani’s “Just a Girl”.

Then we had to get tracy off so she didn’t miss her flight back (Meagan and I were leaving the next day). And when we got back to the hotel I was exhausted. I took a nap for a bit, and then Meagan and I decided to go get drinks at this crazy café we passed on the same boulevard as our hotel. It was called “Le Mic Mac” and it just had all these funky chairs that totally did not match. There were leopard ones, zebra ones, pink fuzzy ones, blue ones….and then of course, just to throw you off, normal arm chairs. It was very cute. We ordered our drinks and were talking and when our waiter came to check on us, he told us in English that we should learn French because knowing more then one language is a wonderful thing. We told him we knew Spanish and were studying in Spain and he COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT. He got super excited and started talking to us in Spanish setting down his tray and joining us at our table. He was very funny – he made fun of how difficult it is to understand people from Andalusia because they completely skip letters and syllables and told us stories about his travels through Spain. Then, when it was closing time, he invited us to stay and wait until his friends arrived, and we talked for a while longer (in Spanish!!!) and gave us free drinks at the bar. He even put on the juke box and we jammed along to, get this, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. He apparently loves the song. Though, I don’t think even this memory can replace my original prom memory of the song. Just us girls….the four of us…oh senior year, how I miss you…

Anyway, then his friends showed up and Meagan and I were somewhat resentful of the fact that they were both girls. (I mean, he was CUTE). But it was okay, he still gave us tons of attention. The only issue was, that we don’t speak French, and the girls did, and one spoke English fluently (but not Spanish) but the other was from spain and spoke only Spanish and French. Therefore we didn’t have a language that we all share, so there was a lot of translating going on. But it was fun nonetheless. He invited us to go play pool with them, but we were tired and figured if we wanted to go back to notre dame before our flight the next day, we better get some sleep. He told us to come back before our flight for a coffee and we said we’d try. And when we stopped in the next day, suitcases and all, he freaked out again and said “mis novias!!!” (my girlfriends) which was really funny and flattering as bar was totally full of people. He offered us coffee, but we were in a hurry, so we just stopped in to say goodbye. He told us (in Spanish still) to add him on facebook, and then announced that the girl in front of him at the bar, (who I’m pretty sure only spoke French and maybe English) was his friend on Facebook too. She seem very confused being pointed at and talked about to two random American girls. I just thought he was very funny, and think he should quit bartending and go into acting.

Anyway, that’s pretty much the highlights of my trip to Paris. The flight back was a little weird - mostly the experience at the Orly airport. Our gate wasn’t announced until like 15 minutes before we were supposed to depart, and then when we went to our gate the plane wasn’t there. But apparently, you don’t board your plane from the gate; you take a bus out to the runway and then board it. I feel like that’s what they do in the movies – you know when someone is leaving for a long time….idk. Maybe im just babbling again.

Well I have a huge project for my international business class to finish so I should probably get on that. But expect a post soon about holy week here in Seville. It is quite a scene to see!

- Kirsten

Paris...Part 1

Currently I'm at an internet cafe in Paris.....I'm leaving today, but I figured since i had to stop here to print out my boarding pass, I might as well make a quick post.

Paris is beautiful!!!! It's just like the movies, so romantic. We are staying at the cutest little hotel, and we are very close to Notre Dame. When Tracy, Meagan and I arrived here on Sunday, after checking in, we had lunch right accross the street from our hotel at this adorable little cafe "Le Metro". I guess its called that beacause there is a Metro stop right accross the street.



Sunday we were pretty exhuasted though. Our train ride from Madrid was about 14 hours, so we didn't do too much except really explore and get aquainted with the city. We tried to go to the Lourve since its free the first Sunday of every month, but it was 3 when we got there, and the line was sooooo long, that we didn't think we'd even get inside before they closed at 5. So instead we just walked around the city a bit, went into the few shops that stay open on sunday, and bought some crepes from a stand outside the eiffel tower.



Monday though, let me tell you, that was an intense day. We woke up early, grabbed breakfast from McDonalds (i know, how american, but it was on the way, fast, and cheap - and much better than mcdonalds breakfast in the states). Then we went to the Lourve where we of course saw the Mona Lisa (which is really small....i thought it would be a lot bigger...) and other works of art as well. Then we headed off to climb the Eiffel Tower.



I will write about that adventure, then our amazing dinner/walk monday night, and about yesterday (which inlcudes notre dame, visiting a perfume museum, and getting hit on by a cute, funny, french bartender who let meagan and i stay after hours and gave us 3 rounds of free drinks), when i get back to sevilla, but i really should go, because my time is about to expire on the computer, and i need to get back to the hotel to check out. So please, stayed POSTED. (get it...) I know, oh crepe, another pun....

- Kirsten

Comprehensive Update of March.....

So soooo much has happened since I wrote in here last. March was a busy month…. Don’t worry, this post will be a full, comprehensive update.

Lets see, well first, Granada. I went to Granada a few weekends ago with the center, and I think I would have liked it more if I had more time to explore the actual city. It was very hot, and we did A LOT of walking –walking slash/climbing mind you since Granada is in the mountains. I liked Alhambra, and this is going to sound silly, but I like alcazar more. I think Alhambra was just too big. I think alcazar is more tranquil. Also, I kinda re-fell in love with alcazar on this past Sunday when I went with my family. Plus, I do live in Sevilla (contrary to the fact that my link on the Ripon website says I’m studying in Alicante…). So maybe I’m a little biased.

After our guided Alhambra tour, we had some free time before dinner, so I went with Meaghan to the Arab markets. (look up name on Granada sheet). I absolutely love Moroccan influenced things. (Plus, all the stuff is cheap but it looks like it costs a fortune). I bought a beautiful blue shirt with Arabic style designs to wear with leggings, and Meghan bought some jewelry boxes for her friends. A bunch of the shops sold dog beds that looked like they were fit for a king, and I know Barkley would have loved it….but I don’t think I could fit that in my suitcase….

Then we returned to the hotel for dinner. I wish we could have eaten on our own instead of at the hotel. I mean first of all, they STUFFED us there. They brought out lasagna, and we ate it all thinking it was the main course, and then they brought out chicken. And then dessert. I mean we may be American, but there is a limit to the amount of food we can eat in one sitting…Plus, I´m sure, since Granada was the last Moorish city to fall, there are a lot of really good Moroccan or Arabic restaurants. Oh well, ill just have to come back!

Anyway, so then, a few days after I came back from Granada, Steve came to visit me. The first night, I was still sick from Granada, so we stayed in and watched a movie, but the next day, after Steve had his first home-cooked Spanish meal (courtesy of Nieves) we went shopping and explored the town. Then at night we went to go see Gran Camino at the theater that plays movies in English (with Spanish subtitles). The movie itself was fantastic - def in my top 15…I highly recommend it – but as Steve said, it was nice to go to a movie theater without jacked up prices. Our tickets were 3 euros each (so a little over 4 u.s. dollars) and he bought beer and candy for less than 5 euros. (Maybe im just blonde, but do they offer beer at American movie theaters?)

Anyway, then afterwards we went to this Irish bar/pub/restaurant in Trianna for dinner. I had been craving a hamburger like there was no tomorrow, and so I had my first one since I left the us. I really liked the place – we had a really cute waiter from Buenos Aires who talked with us a bit and took our picture and they played American music – but not current American music like all the stores play. It was more stuff from like 8th grade – you know those select songs that just make you kinda relax and appreciate life. They played eagle eye cherry’s one hit wonder, and pre-promiscuous Nelly furtado’s I’m like a bird…things like that. I dunno, I was just very happy.

The next day I’m pretty sure was the day we went to the Arab bathes. We got lost on the way there – due to an incompetent, cruel-intentioned taxi driver, but after asking like 30 people how to get there and going in circles, two nice men walked us all the way there. I’ve had that happen to me quite a few times – people taking the time to go out of their way to walk you to what you are trying to find. Its nice. This aspect reminds me a bit of Wisconsin – how every body is always looking out for each other – but im pretty sure that’s the only comparable thing. (The cheese and beer here is WAY better…sorry guys).

Anyway, so the banos arabes were nice. The building was an old Arabic building, and they had a lounge and restaurant as well. Inside the baths, there was a tea room, where, when you wanted a break from one type of bath, or while waiting for a massage, you could sit and relax and grab a cup of tea. Me and steve tried most of the baths, but I think there were a few we didn’t try. We went in the the hot bath, the normal bath, the super super super hot bath, and the salt bath. When we were in the salt bath the lady came and told us our time was up. So then we changed out of our swimsuits and heading home to relax some more for a bit before heading to dinner.

Dinner that night was AMAZING. Steve took me to the Rio Grande – one of Sevilla’s most expensive restaurants. It’s right on the water and there was a rose on the table and the view was just gorgeous. Its def a place to take a girl if your trying to win her over. It just creates this happy mood – comparable only to my prom night, after the dance, when we all took the limo to the signature room at the John Hancock building and ate dessert overlooking the lit up city. But anyway, I babble…

The next day, the main highlight was the soccer game. I think that was Steve’s favorite part, maybe mine too. It was just such an experience. People get so worked up – its nothing like a basketball came or a basketball game in the US. There’s singing, and people are all wearing the color, and when Sevilla scores – the fans FREAK OUT. The man in front of me kept hugging his neighbor or anyone within his area each time Sevilla scored. (See picture). And when the ref made a bad call – the Sevillanas all broke into a swearing chant – all at the same time. Fue incredible…..However, I think my favorite part was when we were leaving, everybody was in a mad rush, so steve decided to follow suit and be like “the game is over, now we have to bolt out of here” even thought we really didn’t have to be anywhere. I dunno, I have an odd sense of humor.


Steve and I at el partido de futobl (soccer game)


The man in front of us who hugged everybody whenever Sevilla scored....

There is obviously more to the time he was here, but I have soo much stuff to update this blog about, I need to move on to the next thing. Um, hmm, well I guess the next major highlight was my trip to the Cruzcampo factory. Cruzcampo is a Spanish beer made by the same company as Heineken, Guinness, Fosters, and a bunch of others. The tour itself was pretty cool (especially in the refrigerated areas….) but I think everybody’s favorite part was the end. We all went to this bar in a building a few minutes away from the main factory area, and they basically gave us as much beer as we wanted. We could try any of the types they sold and they kept bringing out chips and peanuts for us to much on. I don’t usually really like beer; I mean, I drink it, and I would never turn down a good game of beer pong, but I never really particularly liked the taste. But through trying about 15 types in one sitting, I found a few pretty good ones. The Amstel was really good and so was the Shandy’s. But, I’m assuming the reason why I liked the Shandys’ so much is it was probably more lemonade than beer (would we call that a beer cooler then?) and it would probably take 3 of them to equal the alcohol content in a real beer. But it was good. The bartender let me take back a few extra bottles…


Kelly and Meagan with their free beers courtesy of Cruzcampo....


My family arrived in Sevilla while I was at the Cruzcampo factory. They were exhausted from traveling so they napped for a bit, and they my dad and brother met up with me at my apartment. Nieves was still in Barcelona with her sister so I couldn’t introduce them to each other. We sat at a table outside a restaurant across from the cathedral and had some sangria while we waited for the kitchen to open. (I sound like an alcoholic…first having 18 types of beer before noon, then splitting a jug of sangria with my father only a few hours later). But when we finished our sangria, we decided to have our tapas somewhere else.

On Sunday, Hugo met up with us so that my parents could meet him and also so he could show them Alcazar. I had already seen it, but I realized when we went inside that there was a lot of the place I didn’t see. I definitely didn’t see a labyrinth the first time. And though Hugo said its easy to get out of, I don’t think I really want to try. Getting lost in an old Moorish maze of shrubs is not on my to do list. But I think Kevin liked it. I think he would have even tried to figure it out if it weren’t for all of us refusing to try it.


My favorite thing we did was having lunch outside in the courtyard at Hotel Alfonso XII. Having a drink there was on my to-do list, but when we went there on Saturday and saw how beautiful the hotel was, we decided to come back the next day and have lunch outside. The hotel reminds me of the hotel in some novel where a girl, who was either famous or the daughter of somebody famous, lives there in the hotel, and she has all sorts of adventures…ahhh I can’t figure out what it is. But it reminds me of it because it’s a GORGEOUS place but also has this feeling of hominess to it. Inside, bordering the perimeter of the courtyard, there are elegant couches and arm chairs and guests (and non-guests) can sit there and order a drink or a cup of coffee and read the newspaper. Oustide in the courtyard, there is a fountain and tables set for lunch. It’s very pretty, and the food was of course, top of the line. The service however, wasn’t any better there than anywhere else in Spain….i guess that’s just the culture here. But at least its making me a more patient person. That guy at Cingular will be baffled at the change in my tolerance level when I return…





I have a million things to do before I leave for Madrid and then Paris tomorrow so I have to rap this up…..But I want to say that I also went to my first Flamenco show with my parents Monday night. I was supposed to go with Meghan at the cultural center the Thursday before they got here, but they stopped selling tickets earlier that day. But my family and I went to El Arenal a flamenco bar and restaurant kinda near the bullring. Apart from drinking my sangria way to fast, I really enjoyed the show. All the dancers perform with such force and emotion. Though, it makes me jealous to know that the Spaniards understand the songs completely and can follow the “story” that the singers are singing. I just want to be completely bilingual already!!!!!

Okay well, I mean, once again, obviously there was more to my parents visit, and im really glad they came out to see me, but I really need to finish packing and such. Im soooooooooooooo excited for Paris. I watched a travel dvd (in Spanish) about it and it just looks so beautiful. And both Elina and Steve, two people who know me, said Paris is a city I will fall in love with. I’m taking the train there out of Madrid on Saturday, after meeting up with my family Friday and spending Saturday afternoon with them. There’s only one thing I wish….i wish ash could go with me. I mean, im sure Blair takes Serena with her when she goes to stay at her dad’s house in Cannes. But I mean, im sure one day, well take that trip together, there’s plenty of time. After all, Carolyns grandmother (who’s here visiting) told me this morning she’s traveled lots of places with her best friend - instead of her husband. There is just nothing like a best friend…..and def nobody like mine.

Well, wish me a Bon Voyage!!!!!!

- Kirsten