Spanish Adventures

Tuesday, September 8 – Cadiz
21:45 pm
I love Spain. I’ll definitely be back here in the future. Although there is graffiti everywhere, Cadiz and Spain is beautiful.  I feel like Spain is cheaper than the US. Drinks and food aren’t as expensive. The weather in Spain is about 90+, but with all of the shadows from the buildings and the breeze make it very tolerable. I feel like there’s no humidity, but I’m use to Florida. I wish Florida felt like Spain.

Seville:
Yesterday I went to Seville on a field program through Semester at Sea. Besides sight seeing, we didn’t do much and I can’t give you a valid opinion on Seville. I did find it to be quite beautiful, and very similar to Cadiz - I think there is less graffiti. 
It’s difficult for me to write about some of the things I saw, experienced, et cetera - so, I will let my photographs tell some of my stories. For example, the Alcazar has incredible tile work left over from when the Moors occupied Spain. I love the Arabic arches - and you can tell from my pictures.
The Cathedral, which is mostly gothic, was incredible. The moment I stepped inside I was overwhelmed. The high ceilings, with their arches, the religious “art”- everything - was just so overwhelming to me, being the “shutter bug” that I am. I literally didn’t know where to start taking pictures - but of course I figured it out and got at least 100 of the Cathedral. I was extremely excited to see Christopher Columbus’ tomb. I almost felt like crying. I’ve never seen a tomb so magnificent. I mostly don’t believe in being buried, but if I ever did something amazing like “discovering” a new world I’d love to be in a  tomb like Cristobal Columbus for the rest of my death. I have about 300 pictures from my trip to Seville, because everything was so beautiful. 
I can give you a valid opinion on the lunch we had that was complimentary. DELICIOUS! We ate at a small restaurant near the Cathedral. We had several tapas and wine. It was nice eating with such a large group. The warmth of Seville, and our yummy lunch in our tummies put us all to sleep on the bus ride back to Cadiz.


Cadiz:
When I got back from my semester at sea trip, Ryan, Jackie and I headed to new Cadiz to meet up with our local friends at 7. Jose and Sergio showed up to go out with us! It was lovely.  They took us to this bar called Woodstock that is on the beach. It was such a cool bar and I wish we had a place like it back home. It was dedicated to Woodstock, if you couldn’t tell by the name. I had actual sangria this time, and not the summer version. It was delicious! I also had rum and fanta again - but the bartender hooked me up and gave me a huge glass. And our friends wouldn’t let us pay for our drinks! 
We talked about music, which they basically only like American. We talked about how they like us (Americans) or don’t like us based on our president. We talked about how they want to come to America, and it was Sergio’s dream to see the Twin Towers. I absolutely loved talking to them about anything and everything.
We went back to the ship around midnight because Jackie was not feeling well. Ryan and I both wanted to go out to another bar or club. We ran into some other friends leaving the ship and went out with them. I had so much fun, I can’t even put it into words. There was a big group of us that ran into even more SASers and we all infiltrated this bar in New Cadiz. That bar closed around 3 and we headed to a club nearby. I DRANK A BEER. ONE FULL BEER, like it was no big deal. We were given free beer by the owner of the club, for whatever reason - so I drank it. I had a blast dancing with SASers. I know this trip is about meeting locals and learning about their culture, but I really enjoyed spending some time with my sea mates. I feel like going out with the SASers once every port would be great - not every night, because then I wouldn’t really experience the port and because I wouldn’t want to do that anyway. Ryan, Terrence and I got back to the ship around 7 am - SEVEN in the morning. These Spaniards are loco! Their nightlife is incredible here. We tried staying up to get breakfast by watching Family Guy Blue Harvest in the Union, but we failed and all went to bed. I had such a great time. I only wish I got pictures. 
Today, Jackie and I went into Cadiz and shopped! I didn’t think I’d want to shop in Spain, but I sure wanted to the first moment I saw all the stores. I really enjoyed spending the rest of my Euros on clothes. The rest of the day was spent soaking up Spain. I got ice cream, which was good - but I was so thirsty I couldn’t enjoy it. 
Side story: The first day we were in Cadiz, Jackie, Ryan and I were trying to find a post office to get stamps. We actually stopped once, in front of this building where a lot was happening in front of it (a market), and pulled out the map. It was really difficult because there aren’t any clear street signs like we’re use to in the states. I found out two nights ago that the building we were standing in front of was the post office... I might not be so good at Amazing Race.
I regret not seeing a Flamenco dance, but half of that wasn’t my fault. They don’t have Flamencos on Sundays and Mondays - the only nights I could of gone. I regret not getting sea glass from the beach for Aunt Bonnie, but I ran out of time today. I know I’ll be back in Spain, though.
I’m worried a bit about all the reading I need to do for my classes, but I know it will all work out in the end. I miss everyone back home a lot, and I really love all the emails I’ve been getting. I feel like I talk to some of you better now than I did back home! Haha! Morocco in one day!