First of all, Sevilla is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I have never been to Cuba, but in my mind, Sevilla reminds me of Cuba. It also didn't hurt that the weather the weekend I went was absolutely beautiful-- seventy and sunny. For all of you that know me well, you know that the sun is one of my best friends. Truly a gift from God (I guess Notre Dame already has too many blessings that God decides that it can survive without it most of the year...) We also stayed at the cutest little hostel, with the nicest people ever.
On a side note, I love hostels. Maybe I have been extremely lucky with the hostels I have stayed at, but they are so precious. Its like staying at a family friend's house slash going to summer camp. Its also amazing to see how many people travel the world. Its so fun to meet people from around the world and realize that we really aren't all that different at all, but I've also realized how many ideas about Americans really aren't stereotypes at all. We are loud, but we are proud. I think we just enjoy life a little more obviously.
But if I had to tell one story about Sevilla it would be a little bike trip that we took from Sevilla to ancient greek ruins about 20 km outside of Sevilla. Our hostel told us that there was a "bike path" that we could take, and printed out a map for us. As we were leaving we told another hostel worker that we were biking to Italica and he just kind of laughed at us and said "It's kind of far, and there isn't really a path there..." We should have known then that we were in for an adventure. If not then, then about 2 minutes into our ride when all our seats that were readjusted to our heights fell down so that we were riding with our knees in our ears. Regardless, still one of the best times of my life.
As we followed the "map" that was given to us, the path that we were riding suddenly turned into only rocks and stones and basically dead-ended into a railway in the middle of the Sevillan country side. We knew the direction that Italica was and so decided to lift our bikes across the train tracks and across a field. We soon discovered that this was a private farmland completely enclosed by gates and also guarded by some wild, gyspy dogs. No explanation needed we then peddled our way back across the train tracks, down the path we came to another major rode that finally brought us to our beloved Italica. It was definitely like finding gold at the end of the rainbow. We literally felt like we were the first to ever discover this place. But it was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
The town also had an old Spanish Monastery which was the first place that the Bible was ever translated to Spanish which is pictured below:
Above is me and my little trike next to the railway... middle of no where. And below is the beautiful countryside of Southern Spain.
Amy, Tessa, me and Lily at the cutest little garden hostel ever. This was the patio that we would relax at after our tour-de-spain.
Sevilla has the most beautiful artistry and architecture. I was loving all over the intricate designs, especially in yellow and blue-- my little swedish soul was glowing.
A part of the main park in Sevilla, and below the riverway that went through Sevilla.
I already miss Sevilla!! But there is just so much more to explore in the world-- I still have to update you all on Paris and Lisboa! Definitely will be more to come.
xx, Kjerstin
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