Damos un paseo...

This Friday marked my first completely free day in Sevilla in weeks. I didn't have any classes to attend, & since my study abroad program had arranged a trip for Saturday & Sunday, I wasn't traveling. I spent this free time wandering around the city a bit, which had some interesting results. First, we searched for the "Roman ruins" of Sevilla, which turned out to be 3 pillars tucked away between two houses on a side street. Next, we searched for the plaque commemorating Susona, a Jewish girl who fell in love with a Christian soldier in 14th century Sevilla. When she overheard her father plotting to attack the Christians, the young girl warned her lover, who responded by murdering the girl's father. Grief-stricken, Susona requested in her will that her skull be hung above the doorway of her house. After getting a bit lost on the narrow labyrinthine streets, or estrechas, we finally found the 2 plaques dedicated to the legend. After our brief foray into tourism, we walked toward the University to visit the Festival de las Naciones, whose booths offered food, toys, jewelry & knick-knacks from around the world.

That evening, I had RSVPed to attend a play at the Teatro Central with my theatre interest group. Looking at the map, I imagined a pleasant stroll along the river to the theatre, & that's exactly how it began. I reached the Puente de Isabel II, the bridge my friends & I cross to get to the popular American bars, just as the sun was setting. It was beautiful, & of course I had my camera with me. As night settled in, however, the atmosphere along the riverbank changed; groups of teenagers dressed in black appeared out of nowhere with boom boxes & hookahs, & there was a distinct smell of marijuana floating in the air. As my 3 mile walk drew to a close & I crossed the bridge to the theatre, I was a bit relieved to leave the river bank behind me.

All in all, it was a pleasant & relaxed Friday in Sevilla, & an enjoyable break from the hustle of leaving the city early Friday morning for the normal weekend getaway.

Photos here.

Nos vemos, Le <3.