As Friday was my housemate’s (Alix's) last lunch in Sevilla, it was a day for pictures. Luckily I managed to print a few of them before leaving so I could some to Carmen! Anyways, here’s some background: Lunch in Spain is a big deal. I spent about 2 hours at lunch every day this semester—maybe an hour or so eating and then an hour or so talking to Carmen and her nephew Felipe while she cleaned the kitchen, washed the stove, and mopped the floor. Honestly, this was probably the thing that most helped my language skills and most expanded my cultural knowledge of Spain. Alix’s last lunch was particularly special for me. There were 5 of us: me, Alix, Carmen, Felipe, and Paula (Carmen’s niece). It was almost like a family holiday for me—many of the people that most shaped my experiences in Sevilla were there. (Side note: Paula and I spent an afternoon a week practicing our language skills together. We spoke half the time in Spanish and half the time in English. She is an absolute sweetheart—I am so lucky to have been around the first day her family visited Carmen this semester!) Anyways, here are the best photos from lunch:
Later that day, I went out for coffee and dessert with Carmen, Alix, Paula, and Adriana (my best friend from the semester). I had originally invited Carmen to grab something with Adriana and me a week before, and her face had literally lit up with excitement. Then the group just kept growing!
After our café snack with Carmen, Adriana and I headed to our friend Audrey’s house for dinner and crepes. Highlights included goulash made by our friend Lucie from the Czech Republic and crepes made by Audrey, who’s French! AND, you’re never going to believe this, but there was peanut butter!!! Yes, this means that my first peanut butter in Spain was two nights before leaving Sevilla.
On Saturday, I got up to start thinking about packing. I also ran around like a mad woman trying to find a store that would print photos that day so I could frame one for Carmen and make a few thank-you cards. I don’t know how many stores I attempted to go to before succeeding. Quintessential Spain! Felipe and Carmen loved their cards and the framed picture, so I’d say it was a success.
Anyways, that night was a perfect last night. Adriana and I met up, went shopping, grabbed tea with Lucie and her boyfriend (recall my tea obsession that began in Granada), went out for tapas, got gelato, drank wine by the river, and—don’t judge—put a lover’s lock on the bridge. What do I mean by that? Well…couples often buy a lock, write their name and the date on it, and then lock it to the bridge. It’s supposed to bring good luck. Yah, we’re cheesy. I know. But really, my friendship with Adriana was easily one of the best parts of Spain. Anyways, my night ended with Carmen, the two of us watching the end of her favorite TV show until 2:30 am. Absolutely perfect.
Tea:
Tapas:
Christmas Lights:
Our lock:
On Sunday, I managed to dar mi último paseo, which took me to Plaza de España. I already wrote about this place back in September, and it is still one of my favorite parts of Sevilla. I was also going to go to the Cathedral, but I ended up packing instead, since Adriana and I had gone to a traditional dance there on Wednesday dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The dance is specific to Sevilla and consists of a bunch of little girls singing while little boys do a traditional dance. I’m glad we went, but let’s just say it was a good thing it didn’t last more than half an hour!
After a quick lunch, I said my final goodbye to Carmen and Felipe and walked myself and all my bags to the bus station. Destination: Madrid. Time: 6 hours. Travel buddy: Adriana.
Spanish word of the day: despedirse = to say goodbye
un besito a todos,
elizabeth
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