pov: Sola pero Segura

Sunday, January 26 // Domingo, 25 de enero

ENGLISH

Yesterday was very overwhelming. I flew from Chicago to Lisbon to Seville and it took thirteen hours in total. A lack of sleep combined with missing family and friends was not a recipe for success, let me tell you. In Seville, I got a cab to the hotel I would stay at for two nights until my program started and I could move in with my host family. Thank goodness for hotel wifi and Whatsapp because without a phone call to my mom, I would have trapped myself in my room the rest of the day.

I explored the area around the hotel and got dinner, then fell asleep early and woke up late. Today, though, I took my time. I forgot all about the lonely feeling that had engulfed my spirits the day before and set out to absorb as much of 'Sevilla' as I could.

I started my planned route when I stumbled upon an art museum with a huge street art sale. Seeing the beautiful representations of Sevillano culture, tradition, and style was just what I needed. I soaked in each artist's work and observed as people went about their day living in such a city like this: intimate yet powerful and regal.

Next, I walked towards my school, the Spanish American Institute for International Education, (SAIIE). I had planned on finding it to get a lay of the land, but again I was surprised by the city. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people demonstrating about public health. The parade, complete with banners and cries of protest, led to Las Setas (the mushrooms). Again, I felt like I was part of the city; I was anonymous among so many people, yet I was experiencing the identity of Sevilla with my eyes and ears (and nose - Europeans smoke more than Americans).

In order to appreciate the moment, I sat down under Las Setas and sketched part of it in a journal given to me by my sister. Sevilla from my eyes.

Later in the day, I investigated some of the most famous areas in the city, including La Giralda ("she who turns" for the weathervane on the bell tower), La Catedral de Sevilla (Columbus is buried here - fun fact), and La Plaza de España. I also really like La Plaza Nueva, which is closer to my school than the more famous attractions.

Each architectural structure was a complete monster as compared to the images of them in my head. They were absolutely towering, with the most intricate details spilling over each column and archway. I am so excited to be taking a class about architecture in Sevilla, because there is so much to learn and see!

I ended the day with a stop at a coffee shop - it was a good chance for me to sit and look over my journal while eating a jamón ibérico sandwich (cured ham from Spain/Portugal - and yes I googled it to put this in parentheses).

All in all, I am doing well. Today was refreshing and I am excited for tomorrow because I will be picking up my orientation materials, meeting my host(s), and moving into my new home for the next few months!

Thank you for reading my thoughts as I am on the scariest, most exciting trip and learning a lot. We will see how long it takes for these posts to be in Spanglish or Spanish - I might have to have two sections!

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photos above from left to right: Hotel, Museo de Bellas Artes, Street Art, Las Setas, La Giralda, La Catedral de Sevilla, una Plaza, and La Plaza de España (night and day).