Hola!!!!! Sorry for the delayed post, I flew back from my trip to Spain right into a finals and paper frenzy. But then I decided tonight that catching up on my blog is a superb procrastination technique. : )
Spain was such a friggin whirlwind of wonderfulness. I really don't know how else to describe it. The day of getting there was a crazy frenzy of getting up at 7 am and packing, trekking with my luggage to class, going straight to the airport, getting really lost and stared down by a few teenage punks on the U-7 subway line and chilling at Schonefeld Airport a few extra hours because of some serious flight delays. A turbulent few hours later, I was in Madrid!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, I learned a lot when I was in Spain that I never expected to. Coming from Germany, the land where everything has an order and a process, and straying from said order/process is a ground-shattering offense to Spain, where people are habitually late, stores open at 11 am and close in the afternoon so the country can take a siesta, and where people just take their damn sweet time doing anything was a serious culture shock. I remember so many times looking over at Bri and asking why something didn't make sense to which she would always reply, "It's Spain babe." Haha. So I would learn.
After the rough flight to Spain, I hopped right off the plane and into a Madrid club called Tequila with Bri. So. Much. Fun. It was crazy and so much fun being in a country where they actively played so much home-grown music. A few Beyonce songs thrown in there, but for the most part it was all Spanish. We called it a fairly early night at 3 am and headed back to catch our early morning train to SEVILLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Seville was absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. 24 hours was not enough time to explore this amazing city. We arrived right in the eye of a week-long storm, so while you could kind of feel it brewing; the air was warm and smelled like rain. There were palm and orange trees everywhere and the city was right along a beautiful river. There's something about being on the water that is so instantly calming to me - maybe it's something about being from the OC. But Bri's from San Diego so she understands too. We had so much fun just walking around when we first got there.. taking way too many pics by the water, hugging palm trees we missed from home, and being over the moon excited about not having to wear 10 layers haha. (That was mostly me lol - first time I have felt above 40 degree weather in monnntthsss).
We walked to Seville's famous cathedral but unfortunately could not go inside : ( . After being harassed by some Spanish gypsies we wandered around and went to Alcazar, which is this old castle/complex type thing that the king of Seville used to live in. It was beyond goregeous. I honestly felt like I had stepped into a completely different world and culture when I stepped in to Alcazar. The architecture felt like a mixture of Spanish, Moroccan, and Muslin influences - (if that makes any kind of sense). The gardens were breathtakingly beautiful as well - visitors are not even allowed to walk in them. You walk along a second story perimeter balcony that overseas the expansive and lush gardens. I found being around that many beautiful trees and flowers so calming after being in a snow-covered urban environment for months.
We got some tapas and wine after that (around 4) and just hung out until the flamenco show started around 9:30. Spaniards have such a different eating style. They eat a very grab and go breakfast, usually breakfast and a pastry and have a huge lunch at around 2. Lunch usually has wine and more than one course. (Maybe this explains why they take a country-wide siesta after? lol). Then they have a smaller dinner around 10 and usually do not go to sleep until 2 or 3 am. So. Different. From both Germany and the U.S. I enjoyed being in such a different atmosphere for a few days but I think being thrown into such a different way of eating and living full time would really take some getting used to. The flamenco show was great. I was in such sensory overload - trying to order, eat, drink my wine and pay full attention to the full on show going on in front of me haha. I had this cold fish cake (sounds disgusting) but it was one of the most delicious things I have ever had. The Spanish also love their pork. Chorizo up the wazoo. I loved it though - tasted good after all of the German sausage I consume on a regular basis.
The next day, Bri and I meandered through the streets of Seville at around 5:30 navigating our way to the train station - then said eff it and called a taxi. This taxi driver definitely seemed to see stoplights as a suggestion. I have never said so many silent Hail Mary's to myself in my life haha. But hey I shouldn't complain, far lower cab fare leaving the hostel than it was getting to the hostel the day before. And I was the one paying for the former : )
Again with the Spanish I take life as it comes-ness. In line for coffee. It's like 6:30 am. I really, really want some coffee. Theres 2 people in front of me. It takes a half hour to get me my damn coffee lol. The waitress behind the counter is just taking her sweet time, on the phone, talking to her co-worker, etc. I'm not one to raise an ugly American fuss ever but that particular instance took all of my willpower to bite back some choice words. Lovely train ride back from Seville - seemed much shorter than the ride there because we both passsseedd out. We got back and I went on a beauutttifulll run while Bri took a nap. I know, I'm an excercise addict. But there was this absolutely goregous park right by Bri's house. It actually it made for runners. A track runs all along the 1.2 kilometer perimeter that it cushioned with turf. My knees and ankles were crying out in joy. After Bri woke up and we had some spaghetti from her host mom (she thought we might miss it from home : ) ) - we headed out for the rest of the day.
We met up with my other lovely Stanford friend Folake who was visiting Oxford and saw one of the most beautiful, famous art museums in Spain, the Museo del Prado. I'm sure I got pretty annoying, because every few seconds I would stand in front of a painting, drop my jaw, point obnoxiously and go THAT's HERE?!!?!?! No effing way!!!! I remember learning about that in _______insertchosenclasshere___. But it was so great - going to that museum is actually something I've always really wanted to do. The El Greco collection was particularly crazy and awesome - he really needed some hugs as a child lol. Being in an entire room full of his dark surrealism was such an experience. We stayed and dwelled in the intense atmosphere for a few minutes, then all just wanted to get as far away from that room as possible. I don't even know how capturing those kind of dark emotions is possible. It is emotionally strenuous as a viewer to just be temporarily dragged into the world of the painting - I can't even imagine what it's like to be the one who imagined and birthed it.
That night, we wandered through the streets of Madrid, sipped some sangria, and ordered some tapas. We did as the Spanish do and took life slowly, at our own pace. The next day Folake and I did some serious bargain hunting while Briana was in class. I left Spain sad to see Bri and Folake go, cherishing my new memories, and ultimately really happy to be going back to Germany. It really felt like going home. Which was a good feeling. : ) Bri is coming to Berlin in 2 weeks - it will be interesting to see how she finds all of the stark contrasts. As always, I will keep you posted.
LOVE U ALL!!!!!!!!
-Courtney
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