Sevilla, Spain

Even with a cousin who studied in Sevilla, as well as several friends studying there now, I was not sure what to expect of Sevilla. However, leaving the city was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do. It was the first place aside from Florence I could see myself studying.

While staying in Sevilla, Semana Santa was going on. It pretty much consists of constant processions of people dressed in costumes (similar to the KKK) and carrying floats and playing music all throughout the city. Because of this, it was quite crowded and hard to use public transportation to get back to our hotel. Luckily we somehow figured it out and survived.

Sevilla is mixed with so much history as well as a more modern environment as well. The river is lined with cute, fun outdoor bars ("kiosks") and there are little cafes and gardens everywhere throughout the town.

While we were there the weather was also amazing. Sunny and 80s the entire time...something we definitely were not used to.

We only had a couple of days there because we were leaving for Morocco on Friday afternoon, but we made the most of it. For our first full day, we took the bus from our hotel into the city center and walked around shopping and admiring the city. We even found an American grocery store in one of the ally ways fully equipped with DIET coke (not coke light), oatmeal, gold fish, pop tarts, cereal and more.

After walking through the plazas and shops, we ended up along the river. We decided to take a break from the walking and just jump from kiosk to kiosk and get drinks along the river. We started a place famous for their margaritas and mojitos...and I now know why. We kept going along to places with sangria and more.

Following our drink break, we continued to shop on the other side of the river looking for little souvenirs. Sevilla is fully decorated with beautiful tiles throughout the whole city and all of their buildings. There were so many beautifully decorated tiles and ceramic items in almost every store that I wish I could buy and transport home.

We finished up the day with a late dinner at a small cafe and tapas bar with amazing food. While the day was a success, we ended up a bit lost on our way back to the bus stop and then found out the bus stop was closed due to the processions. With none of us knowing any Spanish, we took our best bet and followed some random locals to a different bus stop and thankfully made it home.

The next day we didn't have as much time because our bus left for Morocco at 4. However, we spent the time we had walking around a different part of the city by the University. Once again, absolutely beautiful with amazing restaurants and cute cafes. We had our last Sevilla meal at a quaint organic cafe to tie us over while traveling.

Sevilla is definitely at the top of my list of places I will return to. I deeply wish I had more time there and could see more of the city that I fell in love with.