Blogger, Gabby de Leon
Sunday was the very first free day of the trip, and I would say as a group we were ready for a slower day after almost a full week of exciting presentations and crowded places. We had a packed day in Cordoba yesterday, so we slept well once we returned to Sevilla! My goal for the free days on this trip is to treat it almost like a regular day but with choice, rather than a day off, so that I can take as much advantage as possible of learning about and experiencing Spain.
In advance of our free day, Sophie’s friend who goes to school in Sevilla gave her an itinerary of things we needed to see there and what times they were open. Sophie cross referenced it with the trip itinerary to make a plan for what Sophie, Grace, and I could feasably do without repeating things.
Our Morning
Gabby, Sophie, and Grace at La Gata en Bicicleta
I started my day around 11 at a café/brunch spot called La Gata en Bicicleta. It was super cute in there, though the languge barrier made it a bit difficult for me to ask if I should seat myself. I thought later about how to say it more simply: puedo sentarme? I ordered a Pakistani tea and a sandwich with olive oil, avocado, tomato, and cheese that was delicious, and studied for my Monday presentation while I waited for Sophie and Grace. They showed up around 12, and I dashed back to the hotel to switch backpacks while they ate.
In the Afternoon
The Plaza de España by Gabby de Leon
Next, we met at the tram and took it to la Plaza de España, where they filmed some of a star wars prequel. It was HUGE and decorated with intricate white and blue balastrades, gorgeous bridges and towers, and lots of azulejos! (spanish tiles) It was arranged in a large semicircle with the crests of different regions of Spain on the patio, symbolizing their unification to create Spain. On the ground below the patio, we noticed tiled maps that depicted where in Spain these regions were. I got to see the “Leon” that my last name refers to!
de Leon & Leon! by Gabby de Leon
When we were done visiting the plaza, it was around 3pm. We walked through the beautiful gardens around the plaza and then boarded the (wrong) bus (but we got) to the Torre del Oro, or Golden Tower. It was a small naval museum that ran on donations and told the history of Sevilla as a port. We particularly liked the old maps from when the Americas were not completely mapped and used some guesswork. The view was also amazing!
Old world map. photo by Gabby de Leon
Grace on the Torre del Oro. Photo by Gabby de Leon
Gabby and Sophie on the Torre del Oro. Photo by Gabby de Leon
In the Evening,
We walked back to the hotel and I did my laundry at a smaller self service laundromat called Lavanderia Laundry Olé. I was expecting some complications, but it was a fairly self explanatory process. It only accepted 1 euro coins but there was a change machine and a very nice lady who showed it to me. I also met a girl from a similar program who had started her trip in Morocco and Portugal! The entire situation took about 40 minutes, which was the most surprising part.
To end the night, Sydney did some research and find a place to see a flamenco show! Most of the group got tickets and ended up in the front row! Before it started, one of the performers explained that it would be fully improvised. There was a guitarist, singer, and 2 dancers who performed in different combinations and were all extremely moving and talented. I had tears in my eyes! I noticed a lot of similaries to Mexico’s Ballet Folklorico and other Latin American dances that were no doubt influenced by Spanish Flamenco. We had dinner at a tapas place that specialized in montaditos, small sandwich tapas, and then Sophie and I worked on our presentations for Cadíz.
Flamenco in Action by Gabby de Leon