I can’t believe it, but I am here. This bought of insanity started just after Bike & Build, about a year ago. I watched a terrible movie with my parents called “The Way.” It was about the Camino de Santiago, which I wrote about last time I blogged. After reading praise-filled blogs about the pilgrimage, I had to take action. I booked my flight about six months ago, and, other than buying a guidebook and fantasizing about coming home practically as holy as a monk, I didn’t do much research–and perhaps it’s better that way. I have been bowled over by what I’ve seen already.
I was planning on the culture shock I experienced when I traveled abroad in high school. At the time, I simply couldn’t believe people lived so differently, having never really left my home and having believed that living in NYC made me cosmopolitan.
However, when I touched down in foreign soil, I was surprised to feel my nerves and shock vanish. That’s the funny thing about travel though, isn’t it? It never is what you expect.
My mother and I have spent the two most jam-packed, delicious, coffee-fueled days in this delightful city. I knew nothing about it before, and have been thrilled with the people (vibrant, jovial, stress-free), the architecture (open plazas, palaces on every other block, and tall windows that look into light-filled, beautiful apartments), and the idea that a city can thrive while putting art, culture, and live ability first. I’ve easily added it to my “should live in” list (get ready Avry!).
But I must stop before I go on too long. It is late, and I have an early train to catch (a few more days of sightseeing and eating in Seville before the walking begins!).
I’ll leave you with a few favorites from the day:
