Tuesday, 15 January 2008

• España — Part 4 (Seville)

  We had awoken early in Madrid to catch the Renfe high-speed train to Seville; so our first (half) day in Seville started off really slow and sluggish. And, as we arrived at the Santa Justa Station in this beautiful city, we realized we had forgotten to plan out our stay here. Our hotel (Hotel Alcora), on the west side of the Guadalquivir River, offered hourly shuttle bus rides across the bridge into Seville; they even picked us up from the train station.
  
  After checking-in, we hopped back onto the shuttle for the quick 10-minute ride into Seville. Dropped off near the University of Seville and without a plan, we started to just wander around the ancient city.

  
  The luxury hotel at Avenida de Roma just northwest of the University of Seville.
  October 8, 2007

  Seville (Sevilla) is the capital of both the Autonomous Community of Andalusia and the Province of Seville, and being more than 2,000 years old, has a rich history of joyful living as well as being the birthplace of the flamenco (la sevillana). In the south of Spain, we relished the 70-80° standard temperatures at this time of year, a welcome respite from the night-time chill in Madrid. Since we only started off at 4:00 PM that first day, we didn’t wander too far from the portion of Seville known as “Old City.”

  
  A large lime tree (one of many) throughout the city.
  October 8, 2007

  Up from Avenida de Roma, past the Puerta de Jerez and up Avenida de le Constitucion, we made our way to obe of the oldest and largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, known simply as the Cathedral of Seville.

  
  With S and her sister in front of the Cathedral.
  October 8, 2007

  A very rare moment in Spain where I’m in my own shot. We were silly and exhausted, but wanted to keep wandering through the city despite ourselves. Unlike most of the Old City, the Avenida de la Constitucion was newly-paved with concrete and carried a new trolley system that runs from the southern end (at Calle San Fernando) to the Plaza Nueva.

  
  The Giralda Tower of the Gothic Cathedral viewed from Plaza del Truinfo.
  October 8, 2007

  We soaked in all the beautiful architecture and structures. This section isn’t called Old City for nothing, and I instantly knew carrying three 2GB SD memory cards on this trip was a good precaution. By trip’s end, I would fill up all three to capacity. More on the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral in the next installment, when we actually got to go inside and up top.

  
  Postcard shopping on one of Seville’s tiny streets.
  October 8, 2007

  Since most of the tours (and museums) had closed for the day—the Spanish siestas usually took up most of the afternoon hours and right into the early evening—there was nothing left to do, but walk through the quaint small streets of the Old City quarters, marveling at the “life” of the Sevillian. Man, people eat at all hours, regardless of the time of day.

  
  Looking for a restaurant, wandering on Calle Consuelo.
  October 8, 2007

  It was amazing to me how a street or a road on the map seemed like a normal American street; and yet, when you find it, you almost walk right past because it’s the size of an alleyway, driveway or in most cases, even smaller!

  
  On Calle Mateos Gago, looking towards the Giralda Cathedral Tower at dusk.
  October 8, 2007

  With the sun almost completely set, it provided the perfect backdrop to the darkened streets and the illuminated Giralda Tower. I really enjoy capturing moments like this...

  
  Found a restaurant on Calle Mateos Gago.
  October 8, 2007

  ...and this, in the natural light...

  
  The Giralda Tower.
  October 8, 2007

  ...and these.

  
  Plaza del Triunfo.
  October 8, 2007
  
  
  Dessert!
  October 8, 2007

  We had dessert while sitting outside a restaurant on Calle Almirante Lobo, waiting for our 11:15 p.m. shuttle bus pick-up. Everyone else (as Americans) “needed” ice cream. Me? A refreshing lemon sorbet (not pictured) hit the spot just right!
  
  Yes, sometimes, simply wandering is a pretty good way to see a new city.
  
  P.S. For those astute regular subscribers, you will have noticed a little difference in my photos: I removed the white border on them. It’s mostly to give more space to the photo itself, but also a change in look; I was getting bored with the borders and white looked too antiseptic. Let me know what you think! Border or no border?

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