{"id":11677,"date":"2017-09-18T17:09:23","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T22:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/?p=11677"},"modified":"2017-09-18T17:09:23","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T22:09:23","slug":"beaches-star-wars-and-bull-fights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/?p=11677","title":{"rendered":"Beaches, Star Wars, and Bull Fights"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been a few weeks now since I started classes and exploring Sevilla. \u00a0Everything is starting to feel more familiar: the food, the streets, the language. \u00a0I have even visited a few beaches! \u00a0The first week I went on many tours of the city with a group called Erasmus. \u00a0This group organizes many events for international students from all over the world to meet each other and make the most of their study abroad experience. \u00a0The tours are great, with lots of history included and free food after! I also went to a beach in Portugal called Tavira and a beach near Cadiz called Bolonia Both were so beautiful!<\/p>\n

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If anyone is a Star Wars fan, then the Plaza de Espa\u00f1a is the place to visit. \u00a0This breath-taking building with influences from all over Europe and even Latin America stars in Episode 2 of the Star Wars series. \u00a0On my way to the shuttle for school or if I walk into town, I get to pass this plaza and I am amazed each time. \u00a0Whether it is during the day, when the sun is setting, or during a late night walk, it never ceases to fill me with awe.<\/p>\n

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The park that this plaza is a part of is one of the biggest in Spain, and was a gift to a Spanish queen’s sister. \u00a0It is filled with sparkling fountains, intriguing statues, and intricately-detailed buildings. \u00a0Walking through this park is a nice way to end a stressful day or pass a lazy Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

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One of the things I love the most about traveling is trying the new food. \u00a0One of the coolest things I have found throughout Spain is their markets. \u00a0Sevilla has two markets just a block away from each other. \u00a0One market, the Market of Triana, is an older market in what used to be a Moor castle. \u00a0It is full of vendors selling everything from fresh fruits to the famous Jamon Iberico. \u00a0There are even cooking classes offered to anyone interested in expanding their culinary skills. \u00a0I spent an afternoon wandering through this wonderful place and plan to go back again. \u00a0The other market is just across the river. \u00a0There are more prepared, traditional Spanish dishes here. \u00a0I found a huge octopus at one of the vendors!<\/p>\n

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I was able to visit the legendary bull fighting ring as well called the Plaza de Toros. \u00a0I went on a day that was very hot and had to wait almost two hours to go on the tour, but it was free and definitely worth it. \u00a0Before actually entering the ring, we walked through displays of paintings and sculptures all about the history of bull fighting. \u00a0I also saw many of the trajes de luces (literally suit of lights) that famous matadors wore during the corridas (bull fights). \u00a0I had learned about the corridas in school so it was very fascinating to see everything come to life. \u00a0I walked through the chapel that the matador goes in to pray one last time before entering the arena and the stables where the horses wait for their turn to enter. \u00a0When I finally walked through the gate into the arena, I was stunned. \u00a0It was as if I entered a different world. \u00a0Turning around taking in the thousands of seats, I imagined the anxiously matador awaiting in the sand for the moment that would determine the rest of his life. \u00a0The doors where the bull enters were opposite of the balcony where the king and queen sit when they visit the corridas. \u00a0I left feeling as if I had traveled back in time.\u00a0\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

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I hope to keep exploring not just Sevilla, but all of Spain. \u00a0I am finding a good balance between studying and wandering around the city, which was something I was nervous about. \u00a0A good family friend gave me some advice before I left and I have repeated it to myself every day since I have arrived. \u00a0He told me that I am going to have rough days, days where I won’t want to do anything. \u00a0But I should try to do something exciting every day, especially the challenging days. \u00a0So whether it is just a walk through the park or I go to explore the city, I try to do something every day. \u00a0Every day is a new day to visit something else, and this has made my experience even more memorable. \u00a0I am taking it one day at a time, and each day is bringing a new adventure that I cannot wait to share. \u00a0Hasta luego!<\/p>\n

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