Ashley Connelly, Week 6 and 7

Hola,

My summer here is almost over- I only have 3 weekends left here- and as everyone here heads home or off to vacation for August, the end is becoming too real. In light of this development, I´ve been trying to take full advantage of my placement in Spain and see as much as I can of the region. These past two weekends I traveled to Toledo and Sevilla and in the coming weeks, I am planning a trip to Marrakesh, Morocco.

My first trip during these past two weeks was a day trip to Toledo. About an hour outside of Madrid, Toledo is a historic town with an amazing history of co-existence between Mulsims, Jews, and Christians before the Reconquista. In addition to the still visible mix of these cultures, Toldeo is home to a grand cathedral and marzipan. Toledo´s cathedral is truly a testament to the beauty of gothic architecture and is considered "the magnum opus of Gothic style in Spain" as according to Wikipedia. After taking in the cathedral, I explored the old city including Ancient Roman ruins and El Greco´s "The Burial of Count Orgaz." Finally, I bought some traditional Toledo marzipan and headed back to Madrid on the bus.

Real Alcazár of Sevilla

Plaza de España

This past weekend I traveled to Sevilla and discovered the most amazing place I have ever been. When you think Spain, Sevilla is what you are thinking of. Wandering the streets of the old cit, you encounter cute little tapas places decorated with bull heads and other bullfighting paraphanelia which surround the main plaza in front of the cathedral where Christopher Columbus´ body is laid to rest. A couple mintues from this plaza and cathedral, you find the Real Alcázar. Even though much of the Alcázar was destroyed during the Lisbon earthquake during the 18th century, much of it has since been restored to present one of the most beautiful palaces and gardens. In addition to this beautiful Moorish architecture, Sevilla´s Plaza de España is as impressive as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Royal Palace in Madrid. Every Spanish city has a Plaza de España located in or near the center of the city, but Sevilla´s takes the cake.

Salmorejo croquettas and shark tapas with some tinto de verano

Plaza de Toros

After exploring these amazing sites, I enjoyed a passionate performance of flamenco, tapas including salmorejo croquetas and shark, and the old, calm streets of Sevilla influenced by both the Moorish and Spanish cultures that flourished there. On Sunday, I toured the Plaza de Toros and stood in a bullring older that the U.S.´s independence and the Plaza de Toros only scratches the top of Sevilla´s history. I ended my weekend by climbing the Giralda tower to get a view of Sevilla from one of its highest points. In the end, Sevilla has become my favorite place I´ve visited in Spain. Less overwhelming than Barcelona, but more alive than Granada and Toledo.

wandering the gardens of the Real Alcazár