I fell in love

I fell in love with Sevilla. Absolutely in love.

Now, this is a strange statement for a couple reasons. When I tell people this they give me weird looks because I also follow with the fact that I left the city earlier than anticipated and I had the worst weather while I was there.

It was actually the worst weather. I was told in Barcelona that Sevilla was beautiful, Sunny Sevilla, lovely weather in Sevilla. Now I get to Sevilla and it was POURING - as in, the streets began to flood. Naturally this was the first day I was there and also the day in which I decided (somewhat foolishly) to go exploring. I find it ironic that out of England, Scotland and Spain, I didn't find it necessary to purchase an umbrella until I got to Spain. And even with this umbrella, I still got soaked! I should also mention that I got absolutely lost, so there were hours of me roaming the streets in the pouring rain asking lovely Spanish people where I was. Check out my jeans after that..

But the hostel I stayed at was amazing. It had free sangria for an hour every evening, a breakfast crepe station and hammocks in the garden! I wish I had been there for nicer weather!

Also, where else are you going to see a horse-and-buggy in a roundabout?

I was only there for 2 days, but I managed to do quite a lot. I saw La Giralda and its church which is really interesting. Sevilla is a really interesting mix of Arabic and European architecture and the church's tower is actually the remains of an old mosque! In Sevilla's history, it was conquered by the Venetians, then by the Moors and finally by the Romans. In the end, the history of Sevilla is made up of stories of how Jews, Muslims, and Christians all interacted and got along - going into the Golden Age and the Spanish Inquisition! For just one city, it's absolutely fascinating!

If you climb to the top of the tower, the view is amazing!

About half way up the tower

 

Side note: this is the third largest cathedral in Europe and the final resting place of Christopher Columbus!

I also saw Real Alcazar, which is the palace in Sevilla modeled after Alhambra in Granada. I haven't been to Granada (very unfortunately) but if this is indication, it must be incredible! What made this extra cool was that the day I went to these two attractions was actually International Tourism Day so entrance was free! Yay!

the gardens were incredible! and it was raining so everything was sooo green!

I also managed to do a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter of Sevilla and I learned SO MUCH. I had a fabulous tour guide named Alice (with panchotours.com if you are ever interested) who showed us around and gave us a lot of stories and information. For example, every street in Sevilla (and there are hundreds... believe me I learned the hard way) has a story or reason behind it's name.

So now I will leave you with pictures of this amazing city and urge you all to go! I would go back in an instant if I could.

Plaza España

Plaza España

This is the tower I climbed!

Barrios of Santa Cruz

 

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aye, scotland

I have seen several castles now. I think I get the gist of them, now no more castles!

My motley crew (who grew to add another Canadian) went to Doune castle this past week and that was really a very good time. I even picked up a souvenir for a certain brother who probably doesn't read this blog but just in case, I won't say anything!

If any of you have ever watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you'll know the castle I am talking about! I would say about half of the movie was filmed there! Not a fan of Monty Python? Well, the first two episodes of Game of Thrones also filmed at this location.

your mother was a hamster...

cloudy, as per usual. top of the castle!

view from the castle

I should add that this castle wasn't commercialized at all, it was just a really well kept ruin. Not like Warwick, or Stirling, if you have been to either. I also went to Stirling this week and it was very commercial in comparison. I enjoyed both, but I think I have spent my fair share of money on getting into castles!

Over the course of this past week, I have indulged in many hostel activities. But when a hostel is run by Brian, hostel activities include acting out Lord of the Rings as the movie plays, glitter wars and making crafts. Definitely not the week I anticipated, but definitely memorable! I apparently haven't uploaded my iphone pictures to my ipad, so you'll have to stalk my facebook to see Brian and I making a Happy Hazel Day card. I don't even know who Hazel is...

For my last day in Scotland, Brian and I toured Edinburgh. We walked around Old Edinburgh, New Town and went to a weaponry store near Edinburgh Castle (MORE CASTLES). Naturally, the guy who works at the weapon store recognized Brian and we were offered discounts on any shields or maces we might desire. If only Brett had been there... (note: that is not the souvenir). We also found a hat store! And Brian became my personal photographer.

My last morning in Scotland, before I caught my flight to Spain was more or less despondent as I came to the realization that I wouldn't know a single person upon my arrival in Barcelona. I wanted to go, but I was scared of the unknown. I didn't really have any control over the situation so I did what any girl would do: get a manicure. It's surprising how much better the world becomes when your hands look prettyyyyy :)

Anyways, I have arrived in Spain, safe and sound. I've even made some friends! But I'll give that a separate post altogether :)

 

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castles, cathedrals and coventry, oh my!

The years have treated me harshly. When I was almost 16, my father took to me to one of my favourite English attractions: Warwick Castle. Besides being enthralled at the fact that I was in a castle, and that there was actually dungeons and towers, there were also really delightful wax characters depicting how life would be. But obviously the highlight of this trip so many years ago was how one of the 'character' employees asked that my father let us marry for 50 sheep. The only thing I was told on this trip by the 'characters' was that I please not enter the tower because there were eagles up there. I've lost my youthful touch.

Besides that, however, the castle was still very fun and a lot of new features added over the past 6 years. There was a tour of "Secrets and Scandals" which I enjoyed, and a tower walk. Luke and I scaled 530 steps! We took in the sights with some lovely wax figurines and ate a medieval lunch (aka burgers and hot dogs).

medieval lunch in the courtyard // my new buffet table // the view from the towers // me blocking the view from the towers

I was also so fortunate to have Luke take me on the tour of Coventry's sights. We went to the city centre, which led us to the Coventry Cathedral. It was really lovely. There was some unfortunate scaffolding happening so it wasn't 100% in its glory, but very pretty otherwise. The new cathedral was also nice. At least what I saw from the entrance. We said we'd like to look around but the entrance lady told us it cost money (and she was really gleeful about it too). Was tempted to say "Oh, did we say look? We meant we are here to pray..."

Then as we left the Cathedrals, Luke told me the tour of Coventry was over.

To be fair, it was bombed in WWII and all the pretty parts were destroyed :(

Other than that, we managed to get a day of shopping in at Birmingham where I did considerably more damage than I did in London where I spent 6 pounds. I've also watched a lot of football in which my knowledge has increased at least threefold. Though I am getting quite excited for the Newcastle game we are going to this upcoming weekend!

Plans for this week include me braving Coventry by myself while Luke goes to stag party, potentially going to Stratford, making dinner for the family who have graciously let me stay with them and probably more football. SO MUCH FOOTBALL.

OH. I might also go to the place where Pride & Prejudice was filmed. Luke's not feeling it, but oh well.

Leave a comment or follow and I'll love you forever. Trying to get my follower count to 5!!! :P

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