The first leg of our trip we traveled to the city of Córdoba and stopped there for a good 3 hour walk around the old city and the cathedral, which used to be a mosque. The cathedral still has remnants of Arabic architecture and it is absolutely beautiful. The trip here is always short, but memorable. We immediately walk inside the cathedral after splitting up into groups and admire all of the architecture in the area. Inside there is a great mixture of Christian and Arabic themes. The part that I love the most inside this cathedral are the arches that extend across one giant room. They are Arabic in style, and amazing to look at. It's one of those grand pieces of architecture I remember studying in Art History class that was finally brought to life.
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| Arabic arches inside the cathedral |
After watching the sun set slowly on the city of Córdoba, we all headed back on the buses and to our final destination of the night, Sevilla. When we arrived, we exited the buses and awkwardly carried our luggage through the streets of Sevilla for about ten minutes. I remembered this specifically from my first trip to the south of Spain because the luggage bouncing loudly on the cobblestone was so memorable and all the Spaniards were staring at this large group of American students like we were insane. This definitely was the case the second time around. We all piled into the hotel, got our room assignments, and tried to find places to eat dinner for the night. I stumbled upon a random restaurant with a few friends and had some of the best Spanish food I've ever had. I don't remember the exact name of the spot, which is frustrating because usually I write everything down like a maniac so I can defeat my short term memory. I had some amazing stuffed mushrooms, a bacon wrapped meat dish, patatas bravas, and absolutely fantastic Sangria. It was one of my favorite meals in Spain, shared with some great people.
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| The Plaza de España |
The next morning, we all gathered in the lobby and started our tour of the beautiful city of Sevilla. I was already in a great mood because I didn't have strep throat and I was thrilled to tour around this city again. We went to the cathedral, the top of the Giralda (the bell tower at the cathedral), the royal gardens of the Alcázar, the famous Plaza de España, and many other spots. At a certain point we were allowed to roam the streets ourselves to shop, find some lunch, and explore parts of the city we wouldn't otherwise see. I think the most beautiful spots were the Plaza de España and the gardens of the Alcázar, the royal palace of Sevilla which used to be a Moorish stronghold. The Plaza de España is iconic and amazing to look at. Beautiful ceramic tiles fill the architecture around the plaza, with vibrant colors of blue, green, and yellow everywhere you look. We visited on a gorgeous day too. Last year the giant fountain in the middle of the plaza was on and looked epic, this year it was off for some reason. Regardless, it was still as astonishing as I remembered it! I could have spent hours there. Around the entire circumference of the plaza, there is a specific section or "alcove" dedicated to each province in Spain, with tiling and beautiful artistry. Students always try to go find the Valencia section to take a quick snapshot. As I walked around the plaza for the second time in my life, it was surreal to think of sharing this place with two separate groups of people. Just like when I walked up to the Torres de Serranos after a months apart, I expected to see the familiar faces I lived with a year ago. Instead I was surrounded by an entirely new group, but one that I had already grown to love in such a short amount of time.
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| Close up of the architecture in the Plaza de España |
Each year the students climb to the top of the Giralda at the cathedral as well, which gives us a panoramic view of Sevilla. You can look down and see the bull ring, the Alcázar gardens, and neighborhoods that extend out for miles. I always love getting panoramic views of cities we go to, the perspective is so thrilling and pictures can't even capture the magnitude fully. One of the most compelling feelings I have in life is when I look at something so magnificent, I want to capture it in an image, but I know my picture cannot do the scene justice. I live for that feeling, and I had it frequently throughout my trips in Europe. Inside the cathedral is a famous statue and memorial to Christopher Columbus, where his supposed ashes are kept. Seeing that was definitely a memorable highlight to the trip that I'll always remember.
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A view of Sevilla from atop the Giralda
As our stay ended, we all checked out of our hotel and I said goodbye to Sevilla yet again. I really grew to love this city and each time I left, I specifically remember feeling that I wanted more time to explore. It was off to Granada though, the culmination of our Andalusian adventure. Granada is famous for the brilliant and astounding piece of architecture known as the Alhambra, considered by some as a true world wonder. This was our main attraction during our first day in this city. I was actually giddy and excited to be getting our ear pieces and listening devices for the lengthy (and at some points rather monotonous) tour ahead of us, just because it was just so strange to be a part of the exact same tour a year later. I remember that our tour guide last year let us make broadcasts to the entire group on his microphone, he was a team player. We listened to the tour leader as we walked past the beautiful and luscious gardens, fountains, terraces, steps, and overlooks that the Alhambra offers the world.
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An overlooking view of the Alhambra
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The city of Granada
The Sierra Nevada mountains
I think one of the best parts of the group trip to southern Spain is the final night we spend in Granada. The students and directors gather in one restaurant for a private dinner and flamenco show, filled with laughs, dancing, wine, paella, and in general a sense of togetherness. Truthfully it is one of the first nights that a bond is formed between all the students. Everyone watches the performance and indulges in the food and drink, while enjoying the good spirits all around. After dinner everyone gathers at a local bar to watch the classic Madrid vs. Barcelona soccer game which I believe happened the same night two years in a row. In my mind, I can remember both nights with each program so distinctly, and I felt the same each time. I felt amazingly blessed that I was able to be participating in this same trip twice, and that I was lucky enough to be making more timeless memories that I would cherish forever. In general I just felt warmed with a happiness that I can't describe fully. You can't help but think so profoundly as you walk towards the Alhambra at night to watch it sparkle, surrounded by what will soon be some of your closest friends. I can remember two years ago, walking to the Alhambra while telling my best friend Leen how much I loved her already, and this year bopping around with all the girls on Meggy's birthday as she test drove vespas and we made random Spanish friends. Those two nights, one year apart, have truly left their mark in my heart.
On top of Alicante's castle with a view of the Mediterranean
The last day we had in Granada was a travel day, where some of the students continued their stay in the South by taking a skiing trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the rest traveled northeast and head toward the coast back home to Valencia. Each year we were able to stop in the city of Alicante, which is about an hour or so south of Valencia. Last year I remember wandering the beaches on a cold and rainy day with Hannah, as we swung on swings and watched the somber Mediterranean in the distance. This year was much more inviting, as a group of us took an elevator to the top of Alicante's castle, which boasts this wonderful view. It was an excellent ending to a great trip to Andalucía yet again.
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