rnWell I'm back from Barcelona in case anybody is wondering. I traveled all day Saturday and Sunday I went to church and then Carmen and I went out to eat at KFC afterwards. This morning I went to the bank to cash my travelers check, and then I had to go to the main branch, and the fee was too expensive, so I went to two other banks before I found a third one. The fee was still expensive. Out of $50 I ended up with only about 17 Euro. I was pretty upset. No more travelers checks. Anyway after that I met up with Carmen and we went to Triana to look at some tile. I said goodbye to her, hoping i'll see her again someday soon, and headed back into town. I bought a few postcards and went back to the house to eat lunch. Now I'm getting ready to head back out into the city one last time. This will be my last night out in Seville, because for the next two days I am packing like a mad person to be ready to leave very early in the morning on Thursday. I've had a good time in Seville, but I am ready to go home. I will miss it though.

This morning I slept in a little bit, then got up and looked up subway lines to try and find out how to get to the fort here. Thanks to my 5 minute friends Jeff and John for the suggestion. It was totally worth it. On the way up, and they were right, it was a hike, I stopped at a little stand to get a coca-cola. Hands down, best coke i've ever had. It was cheap (the guy gave it to me for 1.80, idk if it was regularly that price or if it was a discount, but either way, it was cheap) and also, he said because I was really thirsty, he gave me one with ice still attached to the side. The inside was slushy like. It was heavenly. Sometimes it pays to be a girl. So anyway the fort affords the best view around of the city. There is also a pretty cool museum with lots of guns and knives. The fort is complete with cannons as well. On the way down I went to the Olympic Stadium. I wasn't really impressed. I did enjoy the museum attached to it though, it was interesting. I ate a bocadillo (that's a baguette style sandwich) at a little store outside the stadium for lunch, and I got an ice cream bar, of which I lost about 1/4 of it. It was still good. So on the way down I had also intended to go to some musical fountains, but they only play at 9 at night, so we'll see about those later. I ran into the national museum of catalan art, but i'm all arted out. They had some Picasso and Dali. I didn't go in, I just checked prices. I decided to go to the beach, because i'm in Barcelona. After getting off too early on the subway I went by foot to a park, where I found a statue of a mammoth, and then finally went on to the beach, where I stayed for about an hour, lying in the sun and then collecting cool rocks. Now i'm back in the hostel, but i'll go out for supper later. I'm a little pink, but comfortable in my new European clothes.

So it's been interesting so far. Yesterday I spent the whole day traveling, and after having a hard time figuring out where my hostel was (the street signs and house numbers are impossible) I checked in and crashed for the night. Except I didn't exactly crash well... I think that the loudest cars and motorcycles drive by my window, that is open, but I will see if the other girls will let me close it tonight. So there was lots of noise. I finally did get to sleep, only to wake up at 2:35 thinking it was closer to 6. After checking the clock I did manage to fall back asleep, to wake up at 7:22. I then tried to rest until 8:30, when my alarm quietly went off. I finally got out into the city, but I wasn't really feeling it. I went to La Sagrada Familia (The Sacred Family) Church building, designed by Gaudi, and paid a ridiculous sum of 9 Euro, student pass, to go inside and see arches and two stained glass windows and lots of scaffolding. The project hasn't been completed yet, despite being started in 1882. So after wasting my money, I got some pictures of the outside, which is really the most important part, that I could have taken from the street for free. After that I decided to go ahead and buy a 10 ticket subway pass, which was cheaper and I figure i'll use. I went to see the neighborhood where Gaudi designed a lot of the buildings, and that was cool, then I traveled down to the cathdral, which was also expensive and not worth it, and while sitting and looking at the map to decide where to go next, my camera got stolen. So, no more pictures for you guys, sorry. I did backtrack and take some video though. So then to cheer myself up, because I was pretty angry, I went to a Picasso museum. That didn't really help. I'm sick of seeing paintings and drawings and sculptures of naked women. COME ON guys, pick a different topic. Please. Anyway, so then I went to a chocolate museum. The people at reception were not helpful at all. People are rude in this city. Maybe i'm just having a horrible day. The ticket to get in was a chocolate bar, and its very dark, so it wasnt a total loss. I did enjoy the museum. After that I went to the city's Arc du Triumf, took a video of that, walked to Plaza Tetuan, got on the metro, went back to the Sagrada Familia and took some video. While there I met two guys names Jeff and John, and let them use my map. They were really nice. Then I got a very large Coca Cola and hopped back on the metro to Encants station, walked to my hostel, and here I am, probably for the night. So that's my story. IDK what the day will bring tomorrow.

So, today. I went to one of the museums that I hadn't intended to go to in  the first place, but apparently it's one of the best with paintings from all kinds of famous artists. Well, it was closed. Monday. So I was really disappointed, but I didn't give up hope completely for my day. I went to the Reina Sofia museum, hoping that it wasn't closed on Monday too. Fortunately, it was open. Also fortunately, it was free! Works included Salvador Dali, Juan Gris, Velasquez, and most importantly, Pablo Picasso. I saw Guernica today. I also saw all of the "studies" or practice sketches leading up to Guernica; it was really nice to see the transformation. I saw a lot of surrealist art today, and i've decided that they were crazy. I have also decided, that absolutely anything can be art. And I mean anything. Your toilet seat. Your comb. The corner of a magazine that you spilt coffee on this morning. Your fifth grade text book. A string of your hair, or your mother's hair, or any hair from anything really. Every single flag of the world. I seriously saw some stuff today that made me go "really???". There was one large frame, and inside was a white square of paper, with a black line of paint about an inch long. And that was it. That was art. Craziness. So anyway, after I spent a good 5 hours there, I went to the botanical gardens. I took 372 pictures, mostly for my mom. Yay for flowers! They were beautiful. I also went to El Retiro, Madrid's large park. After all of that I came back to the hostel and then went and ate supper. Now i'm exhausted and full, and i'll be glad to get some rest and fly out of here tomorrow! See you in Barcelona! (On a side note, I know where the Juan Ripolles display went that was in Plaza del Trifuno in Sevilla...it showed up in El Retiro today.)

So I think Belgium and Spain are sisters. Both have a statue of Don Quixote and Pancho, and both have an atomic structure. Weird. Anyway, I found that and took a picture, then I went to a roman temple to Debod, which was kinda cool, and then I went to the Prado Museum. I don't think that I was really in the mood for it, I was kinda tired, and all the art made me kinda dizzy. They had works by Velazquez, Goya, Rembrandt, and Rafael to name a few. Tomorrow I am off to more adventures, hopefully i'll see some Picasso. On another note, I've found a really good little italian restaurant that I like. Last night I had pizza, tonight I had spaghetti and cheesecake for desert. It hasn't disappointed. 

So I just got back from El Rastro market which is only open on Sundays. Take the largest flea market you've ever been to, and put in on Steroids. Now double it. You might now have El Rastro. I don't know exactly how big it is, but it takes up at least 3 full streets. I tried to get some pictures, but it really won't show the extent of this thing. Plus, I didn't want to get my camera out too much, because of pickpocketers. The streets were packed, and I had to concentrate on keeping my stuff close to me at all times. The enery it took to walk that place made me tired, but it was really fun! Nanny, my grandmother, would have gone nuts over it. She would have been trying to bargain in Spanish. She is a lot better at it than I am. We would have lost her, and left her there all day. She might have even set up her own shop. They have everythhg you can think of at El Rastro from electrical plugs to CDs to candles to towels in the style of Euros. It was crazy! I did buy something, I would have felt bad to spend 3 hours there and leave empty handed. I promise I will put up some pictures tonight. Now off to go museum hunting!

I made it! I got to Madrid this morning at 6:07, found my way to the metro and with the help of a very nice couple made it to the stop I needed to get off at. I then walked to my hostel, also with some help, only to find out that they don't check in until 1:30. I hadn't had any sleep, even though the seats on the bus here were the most comfortable bus seats that I have ever ridden in. One of the guys working was really nice to me and let me eat breakfast, even though here they don't eat till 8ish. I also got to put my luggage in the baggage room for the day. The guy lent me a bed for the time being in a private girls room, and gave me some sheets, even though he wasn't supposed to do that. I didn't realize the room was still occupied, but there was a girl sleeping when I got in there, and another one walked in as I was getting ready to rest. I asked her if it was ok, that I wasn't feeling well (this is what I was told to say if anyone asked) and that the guy said I could sleep here for a little while. She replied with "Do you have another room in the hostel?" and I said yes, but that I couldn't check in until 1:30. She said ok, but it was really saucy and she rolled her eyes like I was a freak. I asked nicely and all. I realize her frustration, because I think I would be too if I found a stranger in my room, but she didn't have to be rude. So I slept to regain my strength, then around 11 I went downstairs and put more of my stuff in the luggage room, and headed off for an adventure with my trusty new map. What I ended up finding was incredible. I went to the cathedral and a Neo-Roman crypt below it. I had to search for someone to give me change though, which was frustrating. Anyway, they both were really cool. The crypt was kinda creepy, but the Cathedral was really colorful, and I loved the ceiling. I'll have to put up pictures later; I don't have my cord for my camera right this minute. So then, since it was in the vicinity, I went to the Royal Palace. Amazing. It was so ornate! I liked it better than Versailles I do believe. It was a much smaller scale, but the chandeliers were so much better. So after that I bought some postcards; you weren't allowed to take pictures inside. Then I searched for a place to get a sandwich, which I managed, but I'm going to search for cheaper places later, even though what I got wasn't expensive. I saw some cheaper places on my way back. I am now finally back at the hostel, but they are having trouble with their registration program, and it is going to take them another hour. I was glad they took my computer this morning and held it behind the desk, so I could have it now, and nobody in the hostel would mess with it. Apparently they are doing some construction work inside this place...but so far it looks ok. I don't know what my plans are for the rest of the day, but I'd like to find some colorful cows. I guess it all depends on when I can check in. I'll keep you up to date!

So I went into town today to finish up with my library books and get some money before my trip, and when I got off at Prado bus stop across the street there was a renaissance fair! I've never been to one of these, so I was really excited. I went in for a look but I knew I had to get my stuff done, so I went to the library and spent an hour photocopying stuff, then I returned my book and headed back to the bus stop to go home and get my camera. Camera in hand, I went back to Prado and ate a kebab and a very difficult Coca-Cola from the "Medieval Mercado". I then walked around and took some pictures. It was lots of fun! The first thing I noticed was the birds. I was really excited to be so close to them! They were beautiful. They even had a carousel that was really cool,  I didn't realize they were that old! They also had some torture devices and even a boat! (Cost 2 Euro to ride, it was for kids but it was cute.) They also had donkey rides for the kids, and some toy swords and axes and armor as well. Of course they had the flower crowns, but I didn't buy one. They had some dresses too, but since I already own one I didn't think it necessary. I am back in the apartment now having decided that I really should get to packing, and maybe a nap, before my bus ride to Madrid tonight, but I was so excited about the market I just had to write about it!

Not much is going on today. Just working on my research paper. My brother is 24 today. I can't believe it. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and i'm not home, but hopefully she'll have a good day. I'm leaving for Madrid on Friday, so hopefully that will be fun. Besides that this paper and class will take up most of my week, as well as little errands I have to run. If anything exciting happens i'll let you know.

A few things that have happened this week. Carmen told me about this place called Rayas, which serves Italian Gelatto. It is fantastic. I got a medium bowl packed to the brim for 4 euro, but this bowl was big. It's a great price and so worth it. I got chocolate, I'm going to have to go back at least once before I go home. I didn't take a picture of it, sorry. I also went to the library and checked out some books for my research paper on Monday, and outside the library I was surprised to find a mulberry tree. I could only reach the bottom branch, but I wish I could pick a bushel and take them home with me. They were so good, but I don't know if I was supposed to eat them or not. I guess that tree is for the birds. I'm planning my trip to Madrid and Barcelona; I'm really excited about it. Tomorrow I plan on going to Bormujos for Thursday Market. I haven't been in awhile, but I'm going to check out bus times when I get back into the bus station. Sometime this weekend I might go see Wolverine in Spanish, but we'll see. Only 3 more weeks left!

Also for your viewing pleasure, the cutest little girl and her cotton candy.

So I had a fantastic time at Feria, and the only reason that I can write this right now is that I took a very long nap today to catch up on some much needed sleep! I went Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning. Tuesday I spent with Carmen and friends (in order, Inga, John, Yasmin, Carmen, and Darby, and Martha came at the beginning but she wasn't there for the video) at her father's caseta. I am so glad that I met her the week before, because going to Feria without friends would not be fun. If you don't have a caseta to go to it isn't worth it, because that is where all the action happens. Basically, a caseta is a "little house" where you dance and eat and drink and hang out. They look small on the outside, but most of them will fool you. They are quite large on the inside. They are also noisy and crowded and full of life. Everyone dances and seems to have a good time, and the music ranges from popular Spanish songs to traditional Spanish songs for dancing Sevillanas, to songs from Greese, or even YMCA. It was interesting. It would take forever to explain everything in detail. I went on Wednesday mainly to take pictures, like the one you see above. Lining the right side of the picture are some casetas, and you see all the girls in their Flamenco dresses, of which I had two :)  Saturday night I went with Carmen in one of these Flamenco dresses to a Brazilian worship service (that's in Portugese folks, and last I check I don't speak Portugese) that was led by a clown. It was interesting. Afterwards they had a surprise birthday party for one of the members, and had some Brazilian food. I was skeptical at first, but it turned out to be really good. I'm going to get the recipe. They had two cakes, one was food and the other was desert. The first one was almost like a mega sandwich. I really liked it. After having to explain that just because Carmen brought a friend it didn't mean that I wasn't a Christian, and after being harassed to dance by everyone in the congregation, Carmen and I left, quite embarrassed, and resolving to never wear Flamenco dresses to church again. We kinda stood out. But I did manage to get a picture with Meli, who happened to be there. She was the one that sold me my dress, and cleaned it, and had it fixed, and she also supplied me with all the "trimmings" to look like a true Sevillana. Of course, I still have blonde hair, but at least I tried.  Once we got to Feria that night, we stayed up all night. We rode the Feris Wheel and ate cotton candy and such. When all was said and done we went back to her house in Bollullos and ate some more food that her mother kindly fixed for us. I didn't see a bed till around 6. I don't think I really slept. In the morning I did not feel well, and I tried to eat some of the Paella that Carmen's mom fixed, and it was really good and I felt really bad for not being able to eat it. At 4:30 on Sunday we went to an English Bible study. The group included two people from London, 9ish from the Philipines, Carmen and I, and about 5 Sevillanos, and also some crazy guy from Michigan who led the group. It was lots of fun. After that, Carmen and I hopped some buses to get to Sevilla Este so I could drop off my stuff, and then we went back to Feria to hang out some more before viewing the fireworks show that designates the end of Feria. Luckily I got one of the first buses out, and got myself back home. This morning I had school, and then I went to the library to get some books in order to write a research paper on Feria, which I will begin now.