Oh the magnificent journey I am about to embark on!
Of courses, every city has its history, and like many others, legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules. However, historians tell us a different means by which Seville flourished - It was the Phoenicians and Greeks who had maintained commercial relations with Tharsis, and it was during the Tharsis reign that Seville came about.
Seville was originally named Ispal, a city on the shores of Guadalquivir during the 8th century BC. It was later called Hispalis and considered today to be the origin of Seville.
Early on, Seville was occupied by the Carthaginians. However, when they were defeated by the Romans, Seville surprisingly entered into an age of bliss. Even more s when Seville became a colony appointed by Julius Caesar.
After a multitude of invasions during this early period, it was Visigoths who ultimately dominated Seville during the 6th and 7th centuries. It was then that Seville became the most important cultural area.
Fighting was yet to cease, and in 712 the Arabs started its domination over Seville, which they called at that time Isbiliah. However, Seville entered into another age of splendor under the Arab rule, and with the arrival of the Almohades, power was transferred from Cordoba to Seville, making it their capital. Today the Giralda, the Torre del Oro, the Alcazar and the Macarena wall still stand from the Arab-Andalusian period.
Much later, in 1248, Seville was conquered by Ferdinand III The Saint for Christianity. Seville was then repopulated with some 24,000 Castilians who grouped together in different neighborhoods, leading to the creation of brotherhoods that still exist today. From this, many churches were built to replace the mosques. Ferdinand III transferred the Kingdom of Castile Court to the Alcazar of Seville.
ahh.. while all of the history is a grand part of Seville, the city has so much more to offer than just old buildings. There is great architecture, amazing people, decadent food, and a culture so vibrant it's hard to stay away.
Top 5 must-do's in Seville:
1. Before night falls, grabbing a drink at the outdoor bar on top of Hotel Doña Maria with a view of the Cathedral and all the lights is a spectacle you will not want to miss. This breathtaking view overlooks the lit cathedral in all of its magnificent glory.
2. Calle Betis in Triana is the "spot" for a lively bit of nightlife. As you walk the the street is filled with bars, bars and more bars.. some that have live flamenco, discotecas, and cocktails of course. And on the river side, dinner is served overlooking the peaceful river. A famous street where some of Seville's best tapas can be found!
3. Watching a bullfight in the Plaza de Toros, is a have to! This is one of the best venues in the world for a corrida. The bullring is famous and the museum itself is worth a visit. I blogged about my visit to the fight... ahh-mazing!
4. A visit to the Museum of Flamenco Dance! The Museum offers weekend flamenco shows, an instruction area and conference rooms upstairs. If anything else, the art is absolutely incredible, it is constantly changing art exhibited on all floors, including the basement area. An added plus is the opportunity to take a short flamenco dance class at the museum. The museum holds weekday thirty minute classes for beginners and are held in the museum's professional dance studio, one of the more fascinating caves I've had the privilege to dance in.. Olé!
5. The FOOD! There isn't just one place that sticks out better than another.. but advice I can offer is never go to the same restaurant twice! Seville is known for having the most bars in the world... check-them-out! A few of my favorite dishes are Chorizo y Queso de Manchego, Tortilla, Patatas Fritas, Jamon Serrano... my mouth is already watering.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
To fight or not to Bullfight, that is the answer!
While in Sevilla, it would be an absolute waste if you came and went without so much as a glace towards the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza! A bullfight, or corrida de toros, is something of a particular acquired taste. Yesterday, while it being my second bullfight, and even having a definite call for cruelty, I enjoyed myself oh so much.
Most assume it's cruel because they fail to understand the fight from the Spaniard perspective, bullfighting is a sport. Much like someone going to watch a game of baseball and not understanding why one holds a bat a certain way, or why the players run the bases, we cannot comprehend the bullfight if we do not understand the movements that encompass this spectacle.
La Corrida is divided into to six rounds, with one bull in each round. After the beginning, where all participants are introduced and in a bit of ceremony, the keys are petitioned to open the doors of the bull's pen. Each of the six rounds has three parts, or tercios, the bull is released, hopefully running directly into the ring rather than meandering his way around, and the "fight" portion begins. The first tercio involves the torero using the fuchsia and yellow cape, or capote. A portion of this first part is dedicated to the picaderos, two men on horseback who use a spear or lance which they use to weaken the bull. Ah! it was so scary to see the bull charge the horsey, but luckily they wear protective gear!
The second part is called the suerte de banderillas in which the banderilleros have the challenge of sticking flags in the bulls back as he is charging them. There are three banderilleros, each required to stick two flags into the bull.
The final phase is the known as the suerte suprema, in which the torero makes use of what we are accustomed to seeing - a red cape, or muleta. After showing off his skills, passion and dominance of the bull he must face the bull down and kill it with his sword as it charges towards him. A quick kill is a sign of true skill while several attempts means the torero loses the praise of the crowd. If the torero does well he may be awarded the ear of the bull, which he may throw to the crowd. Ew!
What an experience I tell you... amazing to see such dedicated fans who know so much about this sport and the history behind it. I'm super impressed with this city.
What better way to see the fight than with a schmancy hat and a cold bev ??
Most assume it's cruel because they fail to understand the fight from the Spaniard perspective, bullfighting is a sport. Much like someone going to watch a game of baseball and not understanding why one holds a bat a certain way, or why the players run the bases, we cannot comprehend the bullfight if we do not understand the movements that encompass this spectacle.
La Corrida is divided into to six rounds, with one bull in each round. After the beginning, where all participants are introduced and in a bit of ceremony, the keys are petitioned to open the doors of the bull's pen. Each of the six rounds has three parts, or tercios, the bull is released, hopefully running directly into the ring rather than meandering his way around, and the "fight" portion begins. The first tercio involves the torero using the fuchsia and yellow cape, or capote. A portion of this first part is dedicated to the picaderos, two men on horseback who use a spear or lance which they use to weaken the bull. Ah! it was so scary to see the bull charge the horsey, but luckily they wear protective gear!
The second part is called the suerte de banderillas in which the banderilleros have the challenge of sticking flags in the bulls back as he is charging them. There are three banderilleros, each required to stick two flags into the bull.
The final phase is the known as the suerte suprema, in which the torero makes use of what we are accustomed to seeing - a red cape, or muleta. After showing off his skills, passion and dominance of the bull he must face the bull down and kill it with his sword as it charges towards him. A quick kill is a sign of true skill while several attempts means the torero loses the praise of the crowd. If the torero does well he may be awarded the ear of the bull, which he may throw to the crowd. Ew!
What an experience I tell you... amazing to see such dedicated fans who know so much about this sport and the history behind it. I'm super impressed with this city.
What better way to see the fight than with a schmancy hat and a cold bev ??
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
It's been a while
As I currently sit with my fellow group members, I find myself reflecting the time I haven't been able to share with you...
Wednesday, May 25 was Flamenco day! We visited the Museo del Baile Flamenco. It was incredible! There was a pretty neat tour and rhythm class we took, followed by a real Flamenco dance lesson.
Our Rhythm class with a real Gypsy using a Cajon!
Followed by an incredible Flamenco show...
ahh-mazinggg!
Wednesday, May 25 was Flamenco day! We visited the Museo del Baile Flamenco. It was incredible! There was a pretty neat tour and rhythm class we took, followed by a real Flamenco dance lesson.
Our Rhythm class with a real Gypsy using a Cajon!
Followed by an incredible Flamenco show...
ahh-mazinggg!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sevilla, my home for the next few weeks!
Oh Sevilla... how I love you so!
I honestly cannot believe I'm here, finally! I've been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time. This city is absolutely amazing, and the people... well, the people are all over the board. Some nice, some not so nice, some sarcastic... most sarcastic, but all funny nonetheless.
Friday - Things were so crazy on Friday, May 20, 2011. Christie and I woke up at 4:00am to start adjusting to this time zone and Momma Carmen was discharged from the hospital after her back surgery, but still in a ton of pain. It was so hard to leave her. When I arrived to the airport, I realized that you cannot fly out of the country unless you have a flight back... so I scheduled mine for June 30th (start planning the welcome home party!). That flight was the worst, I sat next to two of the most beautiful little girls, and yet two of the biggest little screaming monsters. No sleep for me.
Saturday - Our 8:00am arrival in Madrid and three hour layover until our flight to Seville. Delirium. I must say though, we did have the most amazing dinner at azafrán, uhh delicious just doesn't do it justice. I had one tapa of warm goat cheese and crab meat rolled in a boiled zucchini and patatas on the side, and another of bacalao smothered in warm goodness of bechamel de manzana. Plus three glasses of vino tinto, oops... dinner was followed by dulce de leche gelato down the street with Christie, Silvy and Isa.
Great night.
Sunday - We slept in until late, really late. Like almost 2:00pm. Totally worth it. For breakfast I had a bocadillo de chorizo y queso crema and a Cruzcampo beer, hearty meal. We shopped most of that day and took a short siesta before our first encounter with Elly. Elly is part of the agency responsible for planning this trip for FIU. We didn't understand her at first, her sarcasm and pompous attitude led us to dislike her quickly, to then realize she's just some diva looking for a little attention. Now I know why she goes by Sergeant Pepper. Love her. The night ended with a welcome reception at the Hotel Doña Maria. Clarissa, the director of the agency, was there, another one of my admirers I've come to know while on this trip. She is truly amazing. Like our very own rent-a-mom while we're here. Love her.
Monday - First day of class! This day was the best! Clarissa, Elly and Carolina were there... our fearless leaders. We visited the Cathedral, it was the most beautiful place. So artfully crafted and so beautifully historic. We weren't able to climb La Giralda, which is the bell tower, because it had closed by the time we came around to it. For diner, some of us went out to Flaherty's, an Irish pub near the Cathedral... only American place in the city. The night ended with bar hopping and getting to know these crazy peers of mine. Good people!
TODAY!! Oh My God. I did more walking today than I would have done in a lifetime without Seville. Thank you Seville for toning my legs. Today was incredible. We started out working closely with our assigned groups and begun the planning process of our campaign projects. Later today, we started the hike towards la Universidad de Seville. The walk was so long, Carolina was nice enough to stop at one point and proceeded to have us board a bus. Another 20 minute ride. Fewf! The University was incredible, equipped with the latest and finest of technologies and classrooms fit for a thriving school of communications, or as they sat Facultad de ComunicaTHion!
Ahh-mazing day.
Above all I am so incredibly grateful to be here. This experience is extraordinary and breathtaking. I wouldn't have wanted to spend a few weeks of my summer any other way.
I honestly cannot believe I'm here, finally! I've been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time. This city is absolutely amazing, and the people... well, the people are all over the board. Some nice, some not so nice, some sarcastic... most sarcastic, but all funny nonetheless.
Friday - Things were so crazy on Friday, May 20, 2011. Christie and I woke up at 4:00am to start adjusting to this time zone and Momma Carmen was discharged from the hospital after her back surgery, but still in a ton of pain. It was so hard to leave her. When I arrived to the airport, I realized that you cannot fly out of the country unless you have a flight back... so I scheduled mine for June 30th (start planning the welcome home party!). That flight was the worst, I sat next to two of the most beautiful little girls, and yet two of the biggest little screaming monsters. No sleep for me.
Saturday - Our 8:00am arrival in Madrid and three hour layover until our flight to Seville. Delirium. I must say though, we did have the most amazing dinner at azafrán, uhh delicious just doesn't do it justice. I had one tapa of warm goat cheese and crab meat rolled in a boiled zucchini and patatas on the side, and another of bacalao smothered in warm goodness of bechamel de manzana. Plus three glasses of vino tinto, oops... dinner was followed by dulce de leche gelato down the street with Christie, Silvy and Isa.
Great night.
Sunday - We slept in until late, really late. Like almost 2:00pm. Totally worth it. For breakfast I had a bocadillo de chorizo y queso crema and a Cruzcampo beer, hearty meal. We shopped most of that day and took a short siesta before our first encounter with Elly. Elly is part of the agency responsible for planning this trip for FIU. We didn't understand her at first, her sarcasm and pompous attitude led us to dislike her quickly, to then realize she's just some diva looking for a little attention. Now I know why she goes by Sergeant Pepper. Love her. The night ended with a welcome reception at the Hotel Doña Maria. Clarissa, the director of the agency, was there, another one of my admirers I've come to know while on this trip. She is truly amazing. Like our very own rent-a-mom while we're here. Love her.
Monday - First day of class! This day was the best! Clarissa, Elly and Carolina were there... our fearless leaders. We visited the Cathedral, it was the most beautiful place. So artfully crafted and so beautifully historic. We weren't able to climb La Giralda, which is the bell tower, because it had closed by the time we came around to it. For diner, some of us went out to Flaherty's, an Irish pub near the Cathedral... only American place in the city. The night ended with bar hopping and getting to know these crazy peers of mine. Good people!
TODAY!! Oh My God. I did more walking today than I would have done in a lifetime without Seville. Thank you Seville for toning my legs. Today was incredible. We started out working closely with our assigned groups and begun the planning process of our campaign projects. Later today, we started the hike towards la Universidad de Seville. The walk was so long, Carolina was nice enough to stop at one point and proceeded to have us board a bus. Another 20 minute ride. Fewf! The University was incredible, equipped with the latest and finest of technologies and classrooms fit for a thriving school of communications, or as they sat Facultad de ComunicaTHion!
Ahh-mazing day.
Above all I am so incredibly grateful to be here. This experience is extraordinary and breathtaking. I wouldn't have wanted to spend a few weeks of my summer any other way.
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