Nearing the End

Ayyy! I fail at updating my blog. Sorry!

So, I am now rounding the corner, heading into the home stretch of the semester. Finals start on Wednesday, and the craziness of "end of semester" is amplified by the fact that everyone is going home soon. Me, I'm going home May 19th! I am very excited to see everyone back home, seeing as I've been a bit homesick, knowing my friends are graduating and moving away, but I am also going to miss Sevilla a lot. My senora and I have had some great conversations and memories over the past few days, including her trying to teach me sevillanas, a variation of flamenco dancing. She told me the other day that she has had many many students over the years, some she doesn't remember, but I am one that she will. I only hope that's a good thing :P

The rest of Semana Santa (where my last blog left off) was uneventful. Lots of rain, so no processions went out. We did end up seeing one on Friday, before it ran into the cathedral to avoid the impending downpour. After a quick week of classes, it was off to Barcelona! Barcelona was a relaxing trip, which was nice. Not as much to "go see" versus "explore the city," so we took our time. Went to the beach for a day, which was beautiful and relaxing. We even cooked dinner in our hostel, which was a lot of fun! It was nice to have control over what we were eating, for once. Lots of broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, onions, and green beans went into that meal!

In Barcelona, this architect named Gaudi created all of these awesome looking buildings. We toured the Sagrada Familia cathedral, which was breathtaking. The mathematics and physics, mixed in with the passion behind it, made it incredible. But that's my nerd side talking. Overall, I felt incredibly peaceful there.

Back in Sevilla, it was time for Feria. Basically a week long celebration, full of sevillanas dancing, drinking, and flamenco dresses. There is no entrance fee, so you can come and go as you please. There are all of these casetas, or little tent/shacks, that are either public or private. The private ones require an invitation to enter. Most casetas have music playing, along with food and drinks to buy. On the streets, there are people on horseback, and there are horse drawn carriages as well. There is a midway area, with rides and carnival games, too. It makes you feel as if you're transported back to the US. The combination of the midway plus the traditional looking casetas is quite the experience.

Well, with only 13 days left until my return to the US, I need to focus on homework for a bit.

See you soon!