The beginning of Semana Santa Trip: Seville

It Has Been Almost a week that I've written ... I've been traveling this week and will begin my trek through two more parts of Canada starting tomorrow. I'm doing well, the However lenghth of the semester has hit me, the Lack of my family, and the little things from home or with my dog ... just 'the family unit' Lack is sinking into. I do not know if it's just today b / c it's Easter, But im definitely Gaining excitement to finish things up. That Probably I think this really healthy. I do not even want to think about Saying goodbye to my host family and my german girlfriends, and others that I've met along the way, However at the Same time, there are some i just can not wait to see,,, That Being the family unit. Thank goodness for skype, as i was SO saved to visit with all of theme ... even WAS lady barking into the room on Saturday night. So wonderful. These feelings I'm HAVING Also i know b / c I've Been accomplishing the things I've always dreamed of. You guys,,, Them I'm checking off the list. When the 'look at everything I've done ... all the places I've seen, it's incredible. Frankfurt Germany, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Hendaye France, Paris France, Barcelona, Madrid (Several Occasions), Toledo (Spain), Segovia (Spain), Olite (Spain) Salinas (pueblo-Spain), Seville, Rome, and now my trek across the rest of Italy to Florence beginning tomorrow until Sunday, and then on to Venice, it's more traveling and Experiences Than I Ever Could Have Imagined. It's hard to explain the emotions in my heart, it's as if to say, I'm sad b / c it's coming to an end, But It's to say I'm happy for what it has made me.
On Tuesday night, the two girls That I am traveling with and i Took the train from Pamplona to Madrid, in Madrid and then changed to an all night That We Took bus to Seville. It was very smooth - sleeping on the bus Is not the Same as the bed, but that's Another Thing .. benches from airport to bus seats, I've learned 'how' to sleep without a bed. We Arrived in Seville on Wednesday morning by 8am, and b / c we couldnt check into Our hostel just then, it was fabulous b / c the weather WAS absolutely perfect, the sun WAS coming up, and and we got to walk around the Mary Luisa park. The vegetation in it is just incredible. It is beautiful. We then Went to a small cafe near Our hostel and drank the cola-caused (hot milk with shock. Powder you add), and a bun with butter for breakfast. We enjoyed walking along the beautiful river, and then venturing into the older part of Seville, seeing the Plaza de los torres, doing Some souvenir shopping, people watching, and viewing places Such as El Alcazar, the Cathedral, the Plaza de Triunfo, and watchng to many ppl of the afternoon preparing for the Semana Santa processions. We napped in the afternoon During nap for about 2 hours, then got cleaned up and Went out to watch the processions. I "m telling you if this wasn't a religious / sacred experience, then i do not know what is. I Was incredibly moved. Seeing the nacerenos, the penitent, the Solemn people, quite, and dressed up as if it WAS easter sundy on Tuesday .... It Was Just breathtaking. The streets were so crowded at times you could not even go down one b / c there were so many people. For dinner, I Had The most amazing sandwiches and potato chips at this ethnic spanish restuarant That no-kidding Was a whole in the wall. I Was Glad That Kristen Joined me to eat there, and I Had the best glass of wine to Thus there as well. I Had to 'Serenity' sandwich, Which is Apparently 'the' best thing to get at the restaurant. Upon walking in, i did not know what to get, and now understnad Did not Recognize the vocabulary / descripciones on the menu .. But a very friendly young couple and Another Woman eating with Them there saw me looking at plate, and then asked the Them What It Was They Were eating, and the were so friendly, the Explained everything, and even insisted That I take a bite of Each of Their foods I know That I Could Try and decide what i like. Well I'm telling you, it WAS incredible, so i ordered Exactly What They HAD. The serenity sandwich Which Came with jamon serrano on top as well, potato chips That I Were So Good, free olives ( Also I know amazing), and the best red wine of my life ... I'll say it again .. so fantastic. I slept like a doll That night hehe. Our hostel WAS cute, But We Were surprised with the security b / c It Was Almost non-existent.
On thursday morning, i got up early, and Went for a run in the park The Same In Which We Had Walked The Morning of Our arrival (the Maria Luisa). It Was Such a so beautiful and wonderful experience. Despi The Fact That WAS my right lower leg Hurting me, i chose to forget it and Endure it b / c the park Aroused my senses to an extent That was overpowering to the pain. Were the smells incredibly, as everything and i mean EVERYTHING is in bloom, it WAS early morning-fresh sun-up just sort of sky, green everywhere, canopies of trees, hidden plazas with statues and graceful looking poses Placed Amongst the wildlife, The most pleasing-sounding and birds ... Were Better Than Their songs all the music i have on my ipod, to the Point That I Had to literally take off my ipod b / ci HAD to listen to the amazing sounds of nature to get the full experience. WAS to the grass dewey, and the group on the damp sand, but i laid into it anyway to do my physical therapy and Mat. It WAS an amazing moment and i needed it. After a shower and breakfast, we met up with Kristen Lise M and H, two of my close friends from Extremely harmony. It was wonderful to Have A Change Of Pace in Regards to spending time with Different People, as myself and the two girls I'm traveling with We Are Each Have found 3 very unique individuals who are very different. We toured the cathedral in Seville, and climbed the Giralda, Which is a large tower That get's to the very top. There Is a beautiful lookout of Seville in it's entirety, and it WAS breathtaking. You will enjoy the photos. Following, We Had a picnic lunch in the park and It Was alcazar about 80 degrees F and sunny. Absolutely beautiful. I Took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pant legs, and used my jacket and purse as a pillow. WAS A distinct type of lilac in bloom, and smelling That put me in heaven. After about 30-40 minutes of off-on napping, Both Kristen's, myself, and Lise headed to watch more of processions, and Megan Went off to do her own thing. We ended up seeing two people who sang and how incredibly it WAS quite the Thousands of People in the Streets Suddenly Became. Even the Children. I Could not believe it .. It Was As If The Singer Had a microphone b / ci Could Them here perfectly. What Was I spiritually amazing about This Was That I Had Chills The entire time, seeing the candles, the faces of the people in the Streets, The Eyes of las nacerenos, the real 'faith' and spirit of Catholics and Christianity. I Had this incredible feeling connected-With All of These people-strangers, friends, foreigners, locals, all in The Same Streets, solemnly remember What Jesus did for us, And Also Celebrating His strength, courage, power, and incredible gift Given to All of Us. He blessed with me with a neat experience after this That I wish to not forget as well. Although I Could look at this as something Flattering, it is more of an 'aura' compliment b / c of the state of the young man. When the man singing on the balcony HAD finished His prayer-song, a spanish man about 65 years old Began Came up to me and speaking to me. I Had no previous acknowledgments with this person before, But When he asked me after 15 seconds of talking if i was de Espana, and I Said 'no' But yo body, 'I Can Understand' and puedo Hable (i can speak), h asked me for a favor. Behind HIM, He Pointed to His Son, Probably about 25 years old, medium height with dark hair and glasses, and well-kept. He Explained to me that he is handicapped and has a disability, But I saw During the procession, and just 'fell in love with me-or my appearance.' The father Continued to ask me if i would say hello to HIM, or just my name Tell Him. Before I Could even analyze the situation of His son, Said of the course, and the son approached and stuck out my hand. I Introduced myself by my first name, and wished a happy easter HIM. I TOLD HIM about studying in Spain, Being from the states, etc.. Whether he Understood the concepts or not, it was really sweet b / c We Were Able to communicate in Spanish, And When I finished talking with HIM, he appeared to be in awe. By this point the mother with the father and WAS Both Were Thanking me profusely for Under Their Breath Merely just talking With Their son, the father and Continued to tell me what the DID WAS Such a Good Thing. But really, what the Took Was the flattery from this That the recieved "Some are from my personality aura of 'friendliness' and wanted to talk with me. If I Could Affect at a minimum just one person a day in this Manner, Life Would Be More Than a success .. life has purpose for Them But Not Only for you When you do this as well. It was really neat, and it is this aura i hope i can bring to my Patients in the hospital someday, to less-fortunate Those who will serve in the country Their Some day.
Following experience this, us girls las Continued on to view murals in the northern part of the city, and then megan met up with us. We got caught by A Few more processions, But I'm telling you They never get old. I can not wait to show you the picures. We then Were planning on going to a local-but 'hidden' 'local' bar for an 11pm flamenco show. A Few of the girls Picked up food along the way quickly, But I Was So Happy That Kristen M wanted to go out with me. I figure, why buy food at the Quick Stand When You Can Actually Find It For The Same Price, have it cooked for you, Also be authentic, and Have a real-experience to enjoy it with the atmosphere. I guess for me the atmosphere is really important to make the experience good, i dont care how good or bad the food is. Kristen M and I sat outside the cutest outdoor table at the right in the plaza, the Night Life Was hussling bussling But at a relaxing and peace, and we drank a glass of wine, jamon serrano and ordered sandwiches, with The most amazing white cheese Could you image. It was fantastic. We Made It To The Flamenco show with ample time to share, and the other girls HAD saved us a seat. Our Friend Taiwain Basille met up with us as well (he studies with us in Pamplona and Seville in WAS too). We ordered a pitcher of Sangria, and dry thoroughly enjoyed the flamenco performance. I liked it better than no i thought i would, and i was amazed with her SO Ability to move her upper body so grace-fully while tapping her feet and forcefully know QUICKLY at the Same Time. The guitar player was perfect, and the Man Accompanying the flamenco woman WAS outstanding as well. It Was a free show-and i believe The most local, real flamenco seville You Can Have experience when you're on a budget. :) The night ended with Some chocolate from a small market on the way back to the hostel, Which hit the spot-thick white chocolate from Spain, and of course, my favorite White Chocolate with hazelnuts ... However choc.s right up there now hehe.
Friday morning myself with megan and kristen f and prepared to check out, and Went for a walk along the River Once Again As We HAD to be out of the hostel by 11:30 But HAD time to spare, we know Took in some-more sun, and Carried Our towels to dry. We are limitd space for this trip b / c We have one luggage That We Are and sharing it can only way 15 kg. Which is about 30-35 lbs. The company is very cheap for airline tickets, But if you are over weight in on luggage, They totally get you and charge you. Thank God megan has a weigher Weighing Specifically made for luggage, so We Had It Right at 15 kg., However we could not put wet towels in there b / c They Would weigh more .. I know we got some funny looks walking on the Sidewalks as Our Arms Were rack laundry dryers.
We Took a bus to the airport in Seville, and although WAS Our plane delayed by 1 hour, Flew out in-route to Rome with no trouble what-soever. That I just pray this will continue on Friday night When We leave Venice and fly with the airline company Same back to Barcelona. I Have Learned how to layer on many shirts to wear, to hide things in my jacket Such as extra pieces of clothing or souvenirs That Might Be weightful, and i have to eat the food ahead of time .. even if I'm not hungry in order to weigh less ... haha ... if That Makes Sense. NO, But It does to me I know I'll remember this hehehe .. It Was silly b / c we HAD to make sandwiches for food in the morning, and even though we'd just eaten lunch at 12 pm, we where eating Our 430 or supper at 5 pm again b / c we Knew we would not get anything else the rest of the day, nor did We have the room to bring it. We Arrived in Rome about 830pm, and Took bus to the center of the city. There We Were Able to buy train tickets for Our Florence (Which we will use tomorrow), and got on bus Another Which Brought us to a location nearer to Our hostel. We are staying in an old Nunnery, But The building is beautiful, the room has 5 beds in it But it is HUGE, we each GET a huge closet with a key so security there is very good, breakfast is very good, hot showers are , facilites are alway stocked and clean, and my bed is Extremely comfortable. More Than my comfortable bed in Pamplona. What a shame .. heheheh But I'm on vacation so i need to enjoy it.
Really though ... i know other's look at this as a vacation, But It's starting to get hard to llook at it like that b / c we aare in charge of so much; of What We Eat, Where we are going to sleep, how we are going to get here and there, keeping safe Each Other, Our purses in huge huge huge crowds of people, how we are going to pay for things (Our scattered money), with tricky travling-weight-limiting Airlines, etc., , it really is a lot ofwork. It's wonderufl, and i am so blessed to get to see so much. I would say it is more like school But without travling class home-work. The homework is to learn how to interact with the world, to think logically, to communicate Effectively with the other cultures to get along with people You Have To Be With Who are COMPLETELY Opposite Than You and hard to deal with at times, to watch out for you, take care of you (number one) Basically we can say responsibility and global-minded-ness. It'sreal-world living not only 101, But 202, 334, and I'd say I'm in 404 now. I "m graduating. I'm ready to go home, to hug my mom and let her spoil me with food, a back-rub, and a girls-night movie in bed. I'm ready to spend time with dad and well and lady. .. to get her kisses on my cheek, and just to be with my family unit. Do not get me wrong I'm happy and I'm experiencing ,,,,, The most amazing things, But Things Are coming full circle, and now not a day goes by That I dn't think about my return. I'm scared for it, I'm scared for how i will feel when i am home, how i will feel about the people there , my town, the Lack of my life spain Being 'Alive and Present' in my life. But I will adjust again.
Have I still 1.5 months left, and many wonderful things to Occur, But I'm ready to finish up classes for sure. Because it really is perfect to end i am looking forward to the trip to Lanzarote with my guy-friend, and then 3 days later i wil head home. I'm not looking forward to studying all summer, But It Will Be OK. I will jump back in and be fine.
As for now, I've Spent The entire weekend out and about in the ancient and beautiful city of Rome. I can not believe i leave here tomorrow Already to move on to Florence, But It Was a great experience. I know i prefer over Rome Seville (as do as Comparing cities), but i still Have two more to judge. I will write to you about Rome in the coming days. I must go to sleep.
Happy Easter: He is Truly Risen!
Amen
Lauren