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Sevilla, Spain



After we left London, we had a quick stop over for two nights in Sevilla before heading to Nick's house. This was Lauren’s first trip here so we decided to take time for some sightseeing.  We were in Sevilla in June and got a quick tour with Nick before the heat wave struck and then we headed south and didn’t have time to return. When we arrived it was evening and the whole town was so festive. We walked through the streets enjoying the sights and taking in all the beauty.   Leaving London wasn’t so sad after all. 

 




Of course, we couldn’t wait to start exploring. The next day was a gorgeous day.  We saw the sun for the first time in days and didn’t realize how good it was to see it after being in London. 


We took Lauren to see the Plaza de Espana which is the town’s big square and where lots of community gatherings happen. All the tile here is so beautiful and so…Spanish. The square is designed in a Spanish Renaissance style, a must-see for any visitor. 
 


Lauren really wanted to see the bull fighting ring so after that we made the short walk over there. Since it wasn’t bull-fighting season, they let people inside and tour it and it turned out to be a very intriguing tour. Part of the inside was like a museum, giving us a good history and overview of bull-fighting.  


 We were a little surprised that they even let us go out into the ring.


Sevilla is one of two big league bull-fighting rings in Spain along with Madrid. Bull-fighting is similar to U.S. sports in that there are “minor” leagues or less talented ones and smaller arenas. This one is a “major league” one. It sort of gave us the creeps.
 

I had a red jacket, so why not?


This is where the matador runs behind as a last resort to protect himself from the bull.


As you can see, we really enjoyed touring the bull ring. Afterwards, we took a horse and carriage back into the main area. Sevilla has a lot of horse drawn carriages everywhere
 



and they really know how to get around: buses, carriage, scooters...oh my!


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Our next tour was of the Royal Alcalazar of Sevilla or the palace where the Spanish royals stay when they come to Sevilla. It has beautiful gardens and we spent the whole rest of the day here.




We enjoyed being here so much that we ran out of time to tour the catheral. That will have to be another visit. We were ready for a rest and have our afternoon tapas before our flamenco show that evening.




We weren’t allowed to take any photos at the flamenco dancing show but it was at the Flamenco Museum in Sevilla and it was very authentic. Nick took us to a flamenco dancing show last Spring so we knew it was a “must-see" while here. We were glad Lauren had the opportunity to see it. Those dancers are amazing. 

The next morning we met Nick and family at the International school where the grandkids attend.  It was their Christmas program and our visit with them began after nine months of being apart. 

Merry Christmas to us! 




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