The one with Sandy in Sevilla

Cathedral

We have been chilling in Zafra for the past few weekends, so we decided that we wanted to take a little trip to get away.  Sevilla is less than two hours away by bus, and we have been several times to go to the airport.  We hadn't gone to actually see the city, so we decided two days and a night there were just what the doctor ordered.  Before Marissa's Christmas break flight to Albania she had to stay in Sevilla the night before, so we knew that the hostel would be okay.  It was the first true hostel that I have stayed in, four sets of bunk beds in a room with a bathroom out in the hall.  It was actually okay.  There was a kitchen down the hall and a glass of free sangria at night.  Plus on Saturday morning there was free breakfast :) I made Marissa and I crepes and nutella with orange/pineapple juice, toast, and coffee.  Not bad for 12 Euros a night, so we'll probably be heading back to the Garden Backpacker any other time we need a hostel in Sevilla.

Anyways, Friday was rainy and gross, so we dropped off our bags at the hotel before heading over to the Cathedral and Giralda (bell tower) to check it out.  It was cool and definitely provided a drastic contrast from the last Cathedral we went to, Sagrada Familia.  The best part was probably the views from the bell tower, even though it was rainy and foggy.  Next we headed to Triana, a neighborhood in Sevilla, to meet up with Rebecca, our friend who recently  moved to Sevilla from a small pueblo.  We went to a local place and got some tapas to share, paella, croquetas caseras, bacalao, patatas with this spicy sauce, and this giant calamari thingy.  The bacalao (cod) and the patatas were my favorites; that sauce was to die for!

From the top of las Setas

Rebecca decided to come with us for the rest of our afternoon, so we made some stops looking for some new boots for her.  Then we headed to las Setas, a cultural center that is shaped like giant mushrooms.  It was really modern and reminded me of Gaudi.  Finally we check out the Alameda, which is a long plaza-type thing with Roman columns on both ends.  By this point, it was dark, so we said goodbye to Rebecca and headed back to our hostel.  We at the bocadillos we had packed for dinner and then snuggled into our pajamas for some Criminal Minds and Castle.

On Saturday, we got up and made breakfast.  During breakfast, we met a girl named Alexis who is an Auxiliar in Madrid.  Then we headed out to visit Alcazar, a Moor Palace used during 1000-1500 or so.  Alexis happened to be heading there as well, so we walked over together, chatting.  Alcazar was cool, but a little bit out of context for me, just  because I didn't really know what was going on.  It was also ruined for me when I looked down and realized that my hand was swelling.  Three of my fingers were increasing in size for no apparent reason, and it was definitely disconcerting.  I'm still not sure what is going on with that, but I might be seeing a doctor, so I will let you know...

We wanted to get on the four o'clock bus back to Zafra, so we headed over to Plaza de Espana to check it out.  It was gorgeous!  There were all these fountains, and mosaic tile pictures of all the capitals of the regions of Spain.  We were happy to see Badajoz and Zafra represented :) Best of all, it was warm!  I even took off my scarf and my coat.  I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL SPRING!! It wasn't that much further south, but for some reason it was insanely warmer.

After picking up our bags at the hostel, we headed to the bus station.  I didn't get a picture, but along the way I had an AHHH-MAZING bocadillo de chorizo frito (sandwich of fried chorizo)!  I already knew that I really liked chorizo, but this took it to a whole new level.  The United States needs to get on Spain's level, because the chorizo here is from another world good! Finally we got on the bus, where I promptly fell asleep, as usual, and then we were home.  Another successful trip! Today we were glad to have a day of nothing though.  Sometimes I just need those days.