Seville
Trip Start
Apr 07, 2006
1
3
31
Trip End
Aug 18, 2006
Seville,
Spain
Thursday, April 27, 2006
But I´ll talk about Madrid in a couple of weeks when I go back, first of all Seville
01_Sign of things to come.Jorge,me,Marc Seville
! Tanya and I caught the train down to Seville on Friday night and met up with Jorge (Tanyas boyfriend), Toni, Marc and Patricia. Let me just say at this point that all the rumors about Spanish people keeping late hours is true. Because we arrived late on the train (which at least means we get our money back), we had an early night (1AM). The next morning we prepared for our first day at the feria, by having a big breakfast (1PM). We arrived at the feria early by Spanish standards and just walked around for a bit. I was absolutely amazed. I was like a stunned mullet for the first hour - I didnt know where to look there was so much to see. The Seville feria is more than a century old, and all the Spaniards dress up in traditional costume and eat and drink traditional food and wine. No complaints there then. This is where knowing a local came in handy - all the eating and drinking takes place in private ¨cassettas¨, where you have to be invited. Fortunately we were invited and had an afternoon of walking around, eating and drinking. So that was lunch at abt 6PM. After a quick siesta, we went back to the feria for dinner, sevilliana (dancing) and drinking (abt 1AM). Everyone we met was great, and very friendly, which made for an unforgettable night. The highlight (which was an embarrassing low-light at the time) is when I got called up to learn the Savilliana (local traditional dance). Lets just say theres a good reason why I only dance when I´m drunk. After a hot chocolate and doughnut (traditional in Spain and comparable to the kebab anywhere else in the world), it was back home at 5AM. The strangest thing is there were still kids running around at that time.....I have about 200 photos from the day, but will only bore you with a few choice ones.The next day it was another early start with breakfast at midday and then a tour of Seville
02_Ham for breakfast,lunch & dinner
. Once again having Jorge give the tour added something special because we didn´t just carve the tourist trail. We just wondered around, stopping every now and then for some tapas or coffee or beer. At one pub we met a group who ended up doing an impromptu traditional sing and dance for us. The Spanish certainly prove that it is possible to have good clean fun. That night we went to the closing fireworks at the feria and the went to a very famous Spanish cafe, where they do traditional dancing. 4 years ago I stumbled upon this place, but certainly didnt appreciate the tradition and popularity of the place. Luckily Jorge was there again to get us in and explain Anselma´s (the matriach, and I mean matriach. Her maner and voice could make a grown man cry) Spanish to us, as the place was packed. Once again, words or photos cannot describe the night, but it was very memorable.Today was quiet, with a walk around Seville again and another early night. Tomorrow its off to the beach and then to London for me...........thats unless I find a TM1 job in Seville
Comments
Well, and I was a good man.....
Al that Ryan has said here is tru but..... they had not enough training to stand till the real time we go to bed, je je je .....
Regards.
Jorge.