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.
