Spring in Sevilla: January 2008

Well it's been almost two weeks since I got to Spain. Needless to say, we've all been having a good time -- probably too good of a time. I started this blog to give you a glimpse into my life while I'm over here via pictures and video. Enjoy.

I might as well start at the beginning...

BIENVENIDOS A MADRID

Here is Graham and Cody -- my partners in crime -- in our hotel room in Madrid. Nice hotel too. Amazing central location on the Plaza del Sol.

This is the view from our patio. Nice huh?

Hotel Moderno

Here's a picture from the Plaza de Espana just after we ate at El Botin -- the oldest restuarant in the world.

Madrid is nice. That's about all I have to say about it. I had a good time -- but the best is yet to come. Let's get on to the good stuff...

THE JOURNEY SOUTHWARDS

After a few days orientation in Madrid, we all left for Sevilla -- some 70 total students in all.

That Thursday morning, we stopped in Toledo -- as you can see here. We saw the sights, had a quick lunch, and then continued via two tour buses for the next 7 hours. Not very fun.

SEVILLA AT LAST!

Sevilla is, of course, as beautiful and charming as ever. We arrived late Thursday night, broke into our residencia/host family groups, and were met by our surrogate mothers and fathers.

Our "Mama Rosa" is the best. She houses 10 guys and 4 girls, including myself, from the program. I could not have asked for a better set up. With her husband Norberto, Rosa cooks all 14 of us a delicious almuerzo (lunch) and cena (dinner) every day. We are like one large family, and Mama is the greatest.

This is a bad picture I know -- but it's all I have for now. Britta is giving her a house-warming present.

RES-LIFE

As for the residencia, I live with Graham. There are 2 people to a room -- most of which are suprisingly big. Essentially, there are 2 apartments. One houses the four girls and two of the guys. It is also where Rosa and company live. The tiny kitchen that feeds us all and the two dining room tables are also in that aparment. Up one flight of stairs is the other apartment. Luckily, I live in the upper one with 7 other guys. The layout is nearly identical, as we have our own tiny kitchen as well. There's TV and internet and windows in every room. It is the ideal spanish "frathouse" -- our affectionate name for our apartment. Too bad there's only one bathtub shower and one toilet for all eight of us. But hey -- the pros far outweigh the cons and I'm loving it.

We all go out as a group together. Luckily, we all seem to get along well and we've quickly become the biggest cohesive unit within the larger API group.

I think that's all I can muster for now -- but there will be more to come in the future. For now, enjoy a few pictures of Sevilla and a little video from the top of the Giralda bell tower in the catedral.

HOW TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE: MOVE TO SEVILLA

And the pictures: