Winter Travels Part 5

On the bus to Sevilla I met 3 americans. There were actually about 7 Americans on the bus but I did not meet them all. It was easy to tell who they were...the loud ones.

I spent most of the bus ride talking with Peter, Kathryn, and some not so bright guy who moved to Spain to play roller hockey. He was not so bright because he constantly told stories that made him look like a fool. Sorry dude but I fear for your safety sometimes.

Ok back to the other two. Peter and Kathryn were both about my age and were travelling for a few months just because. Both had quit their jobs and didn't know exactly what to do next. Peter was going to settle in Paris soon just for the fun of it and Kathryn was moving on to travel Asia. She is actually in Malasia now and loving it more than Europe. Since I had no couch arranged in Sevilla the three of us decided to all look for a hostel. They also had maps and guidebooks and I didn't...

After being rejected from two posh looking hostels we settled on getting a three bed hotel room in a not so posh hotel. It was cheaper though and we got our own bathroom which is nice.

That night we wandered around and were suprised at the number of American college students everywhere. I found out there were many study abroad programs and language schools in Sevilla. We finally found a bar with Spanish people in it and it was sweeeeeet. One euro beers, dogs, dreadlocks and a bunch of guys singing and clapping Flamenco style. We were super out of place but the people were nice.

The next day we began our exploration. Check out this tiny car that is so small it can park with the motorcycles.

Most streets in the inner city are so narrow that only small cars and motorcycles fit. Lots of backing up goes on.

We met another American girl at a cafe and she showed us around town some. Here are some colorful buildings bordering the palace garden:

The Sevilla Gang:

Peter, Lizzi, Kathryn, and me

After exploring Sevilla's gardens, cathedral and old town(this could be any european city really since they all have these three things) it was bar time. Two nights in a row we went to a great Flamenco bar. Flamenco is a song and dance style that originated in southern Spain. It is characterized by a guitar player, a singer/clapper and a woman dancing in a flowing flowery dress. Its dramatic and fun.

Tapas was another Spanish highlight I recommend. Its pretty much lots of small plates with different types of food. Something good for everyone. I'm not sure exactly what I ate. I wish I remembered more of high school Spanish.

Another day of checking out the cool neighborhoods and shops and it was time to part ways. I was on my way to London and they had more of Spain to see. Always short but always sweet.
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This is only one of many entries about my month long winter trip. There are only afew pictures here so if you want to see more then check out http://picasaweb.google.com/mikerwallace