Also this past weekend, we went to Sevilla, which might be my favorite city I've visited in Spain thus far. We walked through the ancient Jewish neighborhood, to the city center, saw the cathedral, went to Starbucks, walked along the river and through the city, went to the Real Alcazar, and Plaza de España (affectionately, Star Wars plaza, seeing as scenes from Attack of the Clones were shot there). So here's a photo tour through this beautiful, old city. These pictures are the interior and exterior of the cathedral in Sevilla, also once a mosque. Notice the difference in architecture between the tower on the right from the style on the rest of the cathedral and especially from the interior of the cathedral. The layout of the interior was strange to me, because I couldn't immediately tell where the altar was. Regardless it was a beautiful building.
As I said, we also had our Starbucks fix for the month, which allowed us to meander through the streets of Sevilla. We saw street performers, a Christmas market devoted to selling only nativity scenes, and all kinds of people. Once in Starbucks, the small group of friends I was with found about half of the other students in our program there as well. Seems everyone had the same idea; something comforting and familiar in the still strange, and yet wondrous new world. Then to the river it was.
We walked all over the city center, down major streets and tiny alleys. We chatted, we laughed, we took in the sights. Sometimes when Im traveling I prefer just walking around to straight up touring. You get a feel for a place that way. A feel for its culture, both present and past. A feel for its people, for its tourists. For its food. (bakeries anyone?) Sometimes I learn more from a city just walking around and looking at the people filling the sidewalks and the buildings lining the streets, using my senses, than touring. 
Some places really are worth taking the time to tour though, such as the Real Alcazar, palace and gardens. Yet another sight where two cultures and religions come together in a single sight, seeing as both the Christians and the Muslims occupied it. The gardens of the Alcazar are magnificent, full of palm trees, roses, bushes, streams, and man-made ponds (complete with fish). Apparently some people get married there. It certainly is a photogenic spot! 
Inside was, again, a mixture of european and islamic culture. For example, I once again found myself surrounded by tile art. I can't seem to get away from it! In the words of one of my friends in the program, "You love you some tile art!" But also there was an entire room covered with rugs depicting maps of Spain, maps of Europe, and maps of the world, as understood in the time Ferdinand and Isabella. Also courtyard that predated and inspired the Alhambra, but then the room where the Spanish court met and talked about the Americas. All in the same place!
Our last stop of the day was the Plaza de España. We basically stopped to see it and take pictures. It was beautiful, and I can see why it was used as the patio scene of planet of Nadal in Attack of the Clones (not a very good movie, but hey, its cool to see where a movie was filmed!). And great for photos! At the end of a busy, fun filled weekend, it was nice to watch the crowds wander around taking pictures. One strange thing did happen. As a group of us girls all stood together getting our picture taken, some tourists noticed, and decided they wanted to take our picture too. Not for us. For them......? So, in all, Sevilla was an exciting trip and beautiful city to see.
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| Hey! Its my job! |
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| and underground water supply from the real alcazar ...and now wishing well |
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