Traveling with Michelle: Spring Break 2024--Andalucia Spain (Seville)-March 31

The Catedral de Sevilla

Happy Easter for those who celebrate it--whether the religious part or the vernal equinox part--you do you!

Well, this morning I did wake up at 4:00 as planned. I was so worried about it that I barely slept all night--maybe an hour or two. I followed Google Maps' directions to the bus stop and had to wait for 25 minutes in the rain and in the dark with no bus shelter. Well, it said that the bus came and went--it didn't. So I tried to call an Uber. Well, when you are going to the airport, you are required to enter your flight. So I did, but Uber couldn't find it so it wouldn't allow me to move forward in ordering a car! So the time I'm standing in the dark and the rain is getting longer. I see a hotel down the street on the other side of the divided road. So I went there, but could see inside that there was no one at the desk. Luckily, as I was wondering what to do I saw a taxi and hailed that (second time ever in my life!). He took me to the airport for 15 euros--not sure if it was a good or bad price, but at that point I was ready to pay almost anything. I was worried about enough time to check in and get through security in time for boarding! The cabbie and I chatted most of the way. Arrived, checked in, security took about 10 minutes. This time I was stopped for a cobblestone I had found for my husband (he likes them). The security guy took it out, looked at me and said, "no". And threw it away. Oh well. Small airport for such a large city. Got to the gate, ate some trail mix and water for a morning snack (no breakfast) and waited. Eventually we boarded. I got the emergency exit row--extra leg room! No one sat in the seat next to me, but I tipped my head back and slept the entire short trip. I woke up to the seat belt sign going on and wondered if there was a problem--nope, we were landing!

With good directions from the hotel, I took a bus to the Plaza de Armas bus station (again, no signs in the bus so I had to guess--yay me!). It was about 10:15 and I couldn't check into my hotel until 2:00. I was exhausted and it was raining here too. So I stashed my bags in a locker at the bus station, and took off on foot. Being Easter Sunday in a Catholic country, nothing was open. Just souvenir shops and a few pastry shops. I found some cute streets to walk around and saw the Cathedral (obviously not open to visitors until 2:00). I found a little cafe and got a sandwich and orange juice (I ordered in Spanish, thank you very much!). Then I heard the bells of the cathedral--they were clamorous but awesome! I'll try to load the video I took. You could see the actual bells swinging!

real-size oranges!

orange tree!

Tile art in a doorway

curved building

curved building courtyard

cathedral

a bridge

Palm trees!

Then I was definitely feeling my lack of sleep in a lack of focus and a head ache. So I headed to the train station, got my bags, hung my jacket on the handle of my suitcase to dry a bit, and read my book. Eventually it was time to walk to my hotel. Got there without any hiccups and followed the complex directions to check myself in. This must be a new thing. No people contact! I then went to my room and took a long nap, waking up around 7:30. I decided to get some dinner and walk around a bit. It was chilly so I wore my jeans, sweatshirt, and jacket, but it was sunny! People were everywhere! I walked the many small streets around my neighborhood, moving slowly further afield, then found a place and had chicken in mustard and honey. I could order it in tapas size or regular; I got a regular meal. It was served with rice--very tasty. And a diet coke. All ordered in Spanish again. 😊

I then decided to continue wandering. Well, I wandered into a square and saw the Metropol Parasol--an art installation that people can walk on. And it lights up at night--it's quite tall. I had been planning to go tomorrow, but no time like the present! I went up and it was cool. It looks like mushrooms (that is the city's nickname for it--Las Setas--the mushrooms). The light show wasn't as cool as I had hoped it would be. Then there was an "interactive" movie about Seville--180 degrees around and on each side of you. Then I walked back to the hostel to finish yesterday's blog and write this one. It's getting late, so I might just wait to load the pics until tomorrow. Good night!