Bull Fight

On Saturday afternoon we met with our tour guide and went to see a bull fight. In total, 6 bulls were killed. As important as bull fighting is to the culture in Sevilla, I did not like going to the bull fight. It was very brutal to watch. In my opinion, it basically was just watching the Spaniards torment and then kill the bull. To make it worse, when the fifth bull came out, he ran towards one of the horses, and flipped the horse over- either killing or severely injuring the man on the horse. It was so hard to watch, but I am glad that I went because it is such an important cultural event in Spain. Here are some pictures!

I cant believe it's already the weekend for us! I can get used to these four day school weeks! This weekend we are going to a bull fight. I'm a little nervous- but I think it is a must-do before leaving Sevilla! Will add pictures after!

Lagos, Portugal

On Friday, we all traveled to Lagos, Portugal. We had the time of our lives! There were six of us from Gettysburg and six from Hobart who went on the trip. We all loaded the bus at 10 am on Friday morning. We got to Lagos around 1:30 and checked into our hotel. We were in a big suite. Four people in each room. The girls were on the top floor, and we had 2 big apartments. Around 2:00, we got onto the bus and went to a gorgeous beach for the afternoon. Some of our friends went jumping off the rocks at the beach. Around 6:00 we all went back to the hotel, showered and ordered room service for dinner! Then we went out in Lagos with the program we traveled there with.
On Saturday at 12:30 we all were suppoed to meet up for a Sangria sailboat tour. Of course Annie, Amanda and I thought that we had time to go get some food from the hotel restaraunt ... so when we got to the lobby at 12:40 everyone had left for the sailboat excursion. At first we were freaking out- but we then decided to run down to the marina ourselves and look for the group. To say we barely made the sailboat trip would be an understatement.... as we were sprinting around screaming our friends' names, looking for the sailboat- we finally saw a big group of kids. Annie was sprinting to the boat- and then finally Amanda and I caught up- and we literally were the last to board the sailboat cruise (BUT WE MADE IT!) Later that night, we went to a place called "The End of the World" to watch the sunset along the Atlantic Ocean.
On Sunday, we went to the beach in the morning, and then went back to the hotel. We left Portugal around 6 and got back to Sevilla around 10.

All around- it was an amazing weekend.

Group in Cadiz, first Friday that we got here!

Thursday September 15

The week flew by! Unfortunately, I caught some sort of a bug on Tuesday, and have not really been feeling well since. Hopefully I will be better by tomorrow, because my group and I (and Annie's group) will be traveling to Lagos, Portugal for a group trip! We are very excited.

Tonight, I have my first meeting with my Intercambio (In English= Exchange). His name is Raul, and is 25 years old. The point of intercambios is for the American student to help the Spaniard student learn English, and for the Spaniard student to help teach the American student learn Spanish. Not so sure how it will go today, but hopefully Raul and I will help each other learn Spanish and English!!

Sunday September 11

The Gettysburg crew got an invitation from the Hobart crew to go swimming today out by their dorms. We were quick to respond, and were all glad to be by a pool in the 100 degree weather today! Looks as if the rest of the week is going to be just as hot in Sevilla, so we may take a few more trips out to the pool later on!

Friday September 9

Today Kelly Chris John (3 Gettysburg friends) and I decided to go watch some tennis in Sevilla. There is a tournament going on right now that is right below major league tennis. We watched a great match against two guys from Spain. One of them was actually in the US Open, but lost early on. The tournament was at a really nice country club in Sevilla, so it was really fun seeing all of the Spaniards there. It was also funny when the players would scream, because they would scream in Spanish. Also all of the announcements were in Spanish too!

Getting used to the lunch time

I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to eating at 3:00 for lunch, and then eating at 10:00 for dinner! It's so different than at home. Sitting here very hungry...

My Host Family

                            This is Carmen! One of 2 grandchildren who stop by our house often!


Kelly (Gettyburg roommate) and I live with Mercedes. Mercedes is about 65 years old, and lives alone. Her sister, who is disabled (we don't know the details) lives in the apartment next to ours. We are on the third level in our building. It is only a 10 minute walk to our school, and a 15 minute walk to the center of town! It's a great location.
The food is interesting.... let's just say I'm already missing American food. However, last night we had chicken nuggets and chips- so I was very happy. I'm trying lots of new things though which is good, but sometimes not so great!

                                          Sevilla

                                           Sean and I on the beach in Cadiz

                                            Annie and I in Sevilla!

                                           Sand castle in Cadiz

First week in Sevilla!

On August 29, I meet five Gettysburg friends at the Philadelphia airport, and our adventure to Spain began. First stop was Brussels. After a long, 4 hour layover we finally landed in Sevilla! Guilermo met us at the airport, and got taxis for all of us which took us to our homestays. I walked in the door, and Mercedes was waiting for me in the kitchen. I could tell from the minute I met her, that she was going to be very nice! Once I put my stuff away, me and my roommate Kelly went out to explore Sevilla. Dinner wasn't until 9:00 and afterwards, I fell asleep right away!
The next day we had our first day of orientation, which ended with a guided walking tour of Sevilla which ended at Bar Alfafa, where our professors bought us Sangria and welcomed us to the town.
On Friday we ventured to Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Spain. We hoped that we would be able to lay out on the beach, but it rained unfortunately! So instead we explored the city.
On Sunday we went back to Cadiz, and enjoyed a very fun beach day!! The sun is very strong here.
On Monday, we had our first day of classes. The week flew by, and it's already the weekend for us!