Thursday, May 9, 2013

Hasta Luego Sevilla


Here’s a summary of my last week in my home, Sevilla.
It was the week of finals… so I spent all my time studying, right? Chistes (jokes). I only have two finals, one of which we could use our notes, so I had enough time to soak in the last moments of my time in Sevilla.

Tuesday night Lanae and I went kayaking in the Guadalquivir River. We went with our program and there were so many people we got stuck in a huge 10-person canoe in the beginning. It turned into a huge water war, and we all ended up soaked. We became piratas, and stole a 2-person kayak. Then our time in the river was very relaxing. We enjoyed the sun, the sights, such as shirtless guys rowing & the Torre de oro, and had a good time. The only thing we were disappointed about was not getting any photos… so the next night we rented a paddleboat! We got lots of great pictures from the water and just enjoyed my last evening in Sevilla. My last dinner at home was artichokes and chicken. My mom knew that was my favorite J. Wednesday night I met a few friends to enjoy our last night in Sevilla. We went to the floating bar, coincidently the same place we rented paddleboats from. It was beautiful to see the river at night, and to just sit and enjoy each other’s company for the last time.
Chicken & Artichokes

Triana Bridge





Thursday morning Lanae and I went to the Arab Baths. I am so glad I was able to fit this in, because they were incredible and very relaxing. The baths are underground in different chambers. There were 6 different baths, the warm bath, the hot bath, the cold bath, the massage bath, the steam room, and the salt bath. I went into all of them, of course! I enjoyed floating in the salt bath, and just sitting and relaxing in all the others, well except for the cold one. There was pomegranate iced tea, water, fruit kebabs, and cookies out to grab. I really enjoyed the iced tea. I also got a 15-minute massage, which was wonderful. I’d be happy to go back anytime, if anyone wants to take me!

This afternoon (Thursday) I had my last meal at home, pasta, and then had to leave. My mom offered to drive me to the train station. We said our tear-filled goodbyes and Anna walked me into the station. She said she wasn’t going to cry, but we both did. 
 
Mi Familia


The things I’m going to miss most about Spain
1.     My Family. During the last four months, they really became my family, and I am going to miss seeing them everyday. They took such great care of me and opened up their home and hearts to me. More than anything I am going to miss having them call me Oliv (say it with a Spanish accent).
My favorite memories
·      For my birthday the cake was on a sheet of plastic, but Anna thought it was a cookie. She worked so hard to cut it for everyone, and it ended up just being plastic
·      Showing Anna pinterest. She loved it right away, especially all the braids. Then she braided my hair.
·      Walking in the door after traveling, and having Anna run to the door and give me a giant hug. (Derek could take a few tips from Anna)
·      After being fed tons of food, after meal being asked if I wanted a dessert: orange or yogurt, even though Ale and I had said no since the first week. And Anna imitating her mom and asking me, when it was just us two
2.     My friends. I made some amazing friends while I was here. Now I have more reason to travel around the US.
3.     The weather. It’s hard to leave high 80s and sun!
4.     The food.
5.     The Palm trees. It’s hard not to be happy when there are palm trees around.
6.     Being able to just grab a drink. Sangia, Tinto de verano, wine, mojitos...
7. Being surrounded by Spanish. 

Hasta Luego, Sevilla! I've had a blast and I can't wait to return again.









Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Salmorejo

Now that's it has been warm, we've been eating Salmorejo a fair amount. It's cold tomato soup, like Gazpacho, but thicker. It's super easy to make and delicious!

7 or 8 tomatoes peeling (the redder the better)
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup Olive oil (I'm guesstimating)
a few dashes of salt
a few squirts of vinger
Then you blend it all together till it's has a soup like consistency. If you want it more liquidy, you can add water.

I think it's best if you tear off some bread and mix it in. Another way to eat it is to add in a hard boiled egg, or jamón.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

La Playa

Saturday I went to the beach with Lanae, Allyson, and the Sarahs. It was an hour bus ride to Matalascana, on the Atlantic Ocean. It was a gorgeous day for the beach and we went swimming multiple times.
Lanae and I

The Beach!







Valencia

Wednesday morning Rachel, Ashley,  and I left for valencia. Wednesday was labor day in Spain and the university of sevilla gave the foreigners Thursday off too!

Wednesday afternoon we met up with one of Ashley's friends, Madeleine, and she showed us around the city. It's the third largest in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, valencia & sevilla). The streets were very quiet because it was a holiday, but got a good look at it. We found a good place for lunch. We shared paella valenciana (they're known for their paella), fried calamari, and agua de valencia (a drink with orange juice). We made our way to the turia. In Valencia there used to be a river running through the city, but it dried up. Now where the river used to be there is a park full of paths, playgrounds , and lots of green space. It was nice to see since sevilla doesn't have much. For dinner we went to cien montaditos. It's a chain with 100 different montaditios (little sandwiches) and amazing tinto de verano. On Wednesdays and Sundays they have euromania, so everything is only a euro.


Town Hall

Turia

Paella Valenciana

Madeline, Ash and I

Rachel, Ash and I

Cien Montaditos dessert sandwich and tinto

Thursday morning we took our time getting up and found a nice place for a morning snack. I got a carmel waffle and horchata (valencia is also known for this). Then we walked to the arts and sciences buildings. It was a long walk along the turia, but we got there eventually. The arts and sciences areas is so neat. It has 4 different buildings that are extremely modern and so unique. There is water surrounding all around and it just feels so sleek and fresh. We saw the buildings and stopped at the last one: the oceanographic. It's the biggest aquarium in Europe. So much of the aquarium was outside, which was perfect since it was a beautiful day. We saw sea lions, penguins, seals, birds, fish, sharks and more. We went to a dolphin show outside and it was fantastic. There were lots of dolphins and it made for a very entertaining show. There was also a part underground, where you could walk through tunnels with fish and sharks surrounding you. It was a cool way to see the fish.





Beluga Whale 

Aquarium

Penguins

Dolphins

Dolphin

Under the Sea

After the aquarium, we headed towards the beach. It was further than we thought, but we made it. The beach wasn't too nice. It smelled too fishy and there was lots of seaweed between the water and the sand. We sat for a little and then returned back to town. We went to cien montaditos again. This time for salads. And then we got yummy ice cream after.
The Beach

Friday morning we sat on the terrace for a little and enjoyed the sun. Then we went off to find food. We went into the central market and looked at all the beautiful food. I got honeydew juice. Then we found a cute bakery and I had delicious pizza and a chocolate crossiant. We walked into the center plaza, sat in the sun, I had frozen yogurt, and then it was time to leave for the airport.
Market

Yummy Pizza

Pretty Train Station

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Cordoba & Granada

This weekend I had a trip with my program. We spent Friday afternoon in Cordoba. We visited the mosque turned Catholic church, and walked around the old neighborhoods. There were some very pretty areas with flowers hanging.
Flowers

Olive Tree alive since 1741

Cordoba

Friday night we arrived in Granada and went to a flamenco show in a cave. There we're two different performances and it was fun to see. The way they move their feet still amazes me!
Saturday we visited the Alhambra. The gardens were gorgeous. Lots of flowers and the views of the city were beautiful. We then toured the palace. It was so detailed and intricate. I wasn't as amazed by it because the alcazar in Sevilla has the same style architecture, but I enjoyed seeing it.
Friday afternoon we had free time
Spanish Frog 

Gardens

Gardens

Tiles

Tiles

Alhambra

Lion Fountain

A ceiling

Granada

Lanae and I

Rachel, lanae, Allyson, Ashley, and I went to the Moroccan street. They have lots from Morocco. It was nice to be able to look at the items without the crazy Moroccan atmosphere.

Saturday night Lanae and I went to the cave bar with a few other friends. We had to walk up a big hill, but the view of the Alhambra was spectacular.

Sunday was rainy and cold. We went on a short tour of the chapel, then found a tea place to sit for a few hours. It even started hailing at one point! When it was time to leave everyone was happy to get back on the warm bus.

Feria de Abril

The week I traveled to London and Paris there was a week long fair going on in Sevilla. It's located in one area of Sevilla. There are hundreds of tents set up with a big bridge entrance. Most of the tents are private, so it's pretty much just for Sevillians. They wear their flamenco dresses, drink, dance, and eat.
Saturday I went and checked it port with Allyson and Lanae. We found one of the public tents and drank rebujitos, white wine and sprite. Its was fun to just relax and watch everything going on around us.
The bridge

The horses were dressed up too

There was a carnival part to it too. There were tons of rides. At sunset we rode the ferris wheel. It was tie fastest one I've been on and we had a great view.
Ferris Wheel

The Fair


Then we decided to go to the circus! There were elephants, camels, dogs, trapeze artists, tigers, and more. Not as good as ringling brothers,  but it was fun to see the circus.
Circus

The Bridge at night


Sunday night marked the end of feria and so there were fireworks. Lanae and I went, sat on one of the bridges with everyone else in Sevilla and watched them. It was strange no seeing everyone decked out un red, white, & blue, while watching them.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Paris

We got to Paris late monday night.

Tuesday we started at Notre Dame. It was a nice cathedral with beautiful stained glass.
Notre Dame

We did the touristy bus around Paris too, so after we just got on the bus and took it to the next place, being the orsay art museum. The building it was in was very nice. We saw van Gogh  Renoir, Monet  and other notable paintings. I loved the water lilies by Monet.
Orsay

Next we got off at the arc de triomphe. 
arc de triomphe

Ash and I
We strolled down the champes elysees. We stopped and had a delicious macaroon at Laudree. And had our first crepes. I had a cheese and mushroom one. so delicious!

Raspberry Macaroon

Crepes!

Then we saw the eiffel tower! We walked around it and took lot of photos. We ended up staying there for a long time. We knew it lit up and sparkled sometime at night, turns out it is at 9 o'clock, later than we though. But the wait was well worth it. It was beautiful when it sparkled. 

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

Ash and I with the eiffel tower

All Sparkly 
Wednesday we started at the Louvre. We got in for free, because Paris is nice to students with EU visas. We saw the mona lisa, venus of milo, Napoleon III's apartment, and other works of art. 
Inverted Pyramid

Venus of Milo

Mona Lisa

Ash and I with the pyramid
We stopped by the bridge with the locks covering it.
Lock Bridge
We rode the bus around for awhile just taking in the sites, and then stopped at the eiffel tower. This time we went up in it! We had a wonderful view of the city, but we also realized there isn't that much to see when you're standing in the thing that identifies Paris as Paris. 


View from the top

At the top
 Afterward I needed a crepe.
Banana Nutella Crepe

Later we met up with Wade & Sally, who I met in Barcelona. We with them to a park and watched the sun set. 
The Sunset

Ash, me, Sally and Wade
Thursday we went to Versailles. It was huge! We walked through the gardens first and made our way to Marie Antoinettes estate. We saw here place, and made our way to the palace. Each room was so elaborate, especially the ceilings. 
Part of the grounds

Marie Antoinette's place

Her bedroom

In the gardens

Hall of mirrors

Hall of mirrors

In front of the palace

After Versailles we went back into Paris and went to the top of the arc de triomphe. It was a nice view and we were able to hold the eiffel tower. 
Holding the eiffel tower

holding the eiffel tower together
For dinner we had escargot and creme brûlée, both of which were delicious!
Escargot

Creme brûlée
Friday we came back to Sevilla, after 8 days of traveling. It was a wonderful trip, but it was so nice to come back home.