Monday, April 29, 2013

Sevilla y feria de abril

After all all my weeks of Sevillanas flamenco dance classes and purchasing my dress, the time had finally arrived for the fair in Sevilla. My roommate had moved to Sevilla for a teaching position and so this was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with her as well.


I could not believe it but when I arrived the temperature was in the high eighties!! The traffic was horrible due to the fair but my friends were kind enough to pick me up. We headed to a bar for lunch before they showed me around there new place out in the countryside.


Although this week is a holiday for the city of Sevilla many people still have to work in the morning Monday and Tuesday. I arrived on a Sunday, so that following Monday I used the morning to explore before meeting up and adventuring the neighborhood of Triana. This is my favorite neighborhood and is where I spent my first month in Spain back in 2011. I cannot believe it has already been two years!


Plaza de España is absolutely gorgeous!


Every province is represented in the plaza and here I am with my province Jaén.


It was eight in the morning and I didn't even need a jacket. It was splendid!


After the plaza de España, we continued through María Luisa park and stopped for a café as well.



On the drive back to their house I caught a glimpse of this lovely castle.


Their house was so cute. They have a ton of orange trees and we did plenty of picking for some fresh juice.


Normally the orange trees that line the streets are bitter orange which is used to make marmalade but these ones are wonderfully sweet.


My favorite scent in all the world is azahar which is the flower of the orange trees. It is like stepping into heaven. 


After staying two nights with my friends, I headed into the city for one night and to celebrate feria. I sadly did not get to see the inauguration lighting of the portada which is the picture above but I have seen it lit at night and that is more than sufficient. Look at all those people!!


After meeting my friend at the bus station we headed to the hostal to get ready.


Then at about two thirty we started walking our fifteen minutes to a bus to take us to the fair grounds.


Finally we arrived. The weather could not have been any better. We drank plenty of rebujitos which is a local fine sherry wine with Sprite. This is the typical drink. And of course I danced my little heart out.


This is the doorway which is the same one from the night shot picture above.


One of the best parts was seeing so many friends that I have not seen in so long. I was able to visit many different of the private tents with friends and their family. This week was just about as perfect as they get!



Monday, April 22, 2013

VISITORS!

My most wonderful previous roommate and amazing friend Kristina came to visit me in Spain for one week with her wonderful boyfriend Nick.
I had them completely worn out but I think that the fell in love with Spain during the week and therefore it was a success. We had lunch one day at the Agricultural Museum which is owned by my students' father.

On Monday we went to Granada which is a must see of course! There is my favorite point in Granada because of the view of the Alhambra.

I was their tour guide and of course had some heavy literature to assist me. They were impressed with my Spanish skills, especially since Kristina used to help me at the University.

Here are more beautiful views in Granada. They came during the last week of bad weather sadly. It is now in the seventies and eighties but luckily we escaped the rain in Granada.



 At the Alhambra we hired a guide which was definitely worth it. I have been before but learned so much more this time around.




I was so excited to see this fountain!! This fountain has so much history and has been under restoration many times, including during my last visit.



My favorites were of course showing them around the towns in which I live and work! Úbeda and Baeza forever have a place in my heart!


Another friend met up for some tapas... we had a visit with the Antonio Machado statue. He was a famous poet who taught in Baeza.

Choriza al infierno!! We roasted our chorizo and it was awesome!



On Wednesday they went to Córdoba but I could not join them since I had to work but they came back in time to watch my flamenco dance classes which was fun. Of course we had tapas at several bars for dinner that evening.

The week flew by but it was so amazing. I will be visiting them in South Carolina later this summer!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Luckily when I arrived home from Switzerland there was less rain in Spain so I could enjoy Semana Santa. This is Holy week or the week that leads up to Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. Spain is a strong Catholic country and this holds great traditional and religious importance. Many people have told me that they have not found the connection with this week but I truly enjoyed it and felt touched. 
Outside my window I could see the people gathering in preparation.

For months, everyday I could hear them practicing walking up and down the streets all for this one week.

The days with the most processions are Thursday and Friday. Both of these days the weather was alright so I was able to see a lot. I met up with some of my Spanish friends.

Here you can see the beautiful women in mourning.

These throne like floats are priceless, beautiful, and many of them very old.



This is one of the largest and as you can see it takes many people to carry. These processions take hours and many of these people are walking barefoot in sacrifice. 



The tunics in the procession of Romans is the most different.

Even the children participate and sometimes adults are even holding babies that are dressed accordingly as well.




This procession usually starts at midnight on Thursday.


At six in the morning Friday I was up with my friends preparing for another procession.



These few days I was exhausted but it was like nothing I have ever experienced.



For Easter brunch I joined some good friends and there family. I was very anxious because that evening my friends were due to arrive from the United States for a visit!