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