Sevilla

While we were in Spain, we hopped down to Sevilla for a few days. We enjoyed a beautiful hostel in the old city, where the atmosphere was warm and charming. It was a great contrast from busy, modern Barcelona. 

Gazpacho!

The first of many plates of Paella 

 We really enjoyed the food in Sevilla!

We stayed just down the road from the enormous Gothic Cathedral

Engraved walls in the Alcazar

 On our first morning in Barcelona, we wandered into the Royal Alcazar. From the outside, it's impossible to tell that an ornate palace and immense gardens are hidden within the walls.

A courtyard inside the palace.

 

A tiled wall in the Alcazar 

The gardens, the pool of Neptune

A peacock chilling in the gardens

The cathedral

 One afternoon we walked down to the Placa de Espanya and wandered through the surrounding park.

Placa de Espanya

A fountain in the placa

In the park near the placa

 We were told we couldn't miss the cathedral, which is one of the largest in the world and houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

The tomb of Christopher Columbus

 On the last night, we caught some flamenco!

The cathedral from the outside

The narrow streets of Sevilla

Back at the Placa de Espanya... 

Where we rented a boat and rowed around for a bit.

Adventures in Barcelona

 Our program had a week long break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Since we found some cheap tickets to Barcelona, Emils, Ellana, and I set off for a fantastic week in Spain. In Barcelona, we stayed in a wonderful Hostel with great staff, free dinners, and tips on what to do in the city. After the Picasso museum, our first stop was Parc Guell to sample some Gaudi architecture.

I loved the tile mosaics throughout the park!

With Emils at the park

 As we walked from the park to Las Ramblas, we saw more Gaudi architecture.

 La Boqueria is a food market near Las Ramblas bustling with tourists and vendors selling fruits, nuts, sweets, fish, meats, and chocolates. Delicious!

Traif!

 Las Ramblas is a nice walking area in Barcelona stretching down to the port area, where one can find a monument for Christopher Columbus. The walkway is lined with shops, street performers, vendors, and two rows of beautiful trees.

 We did a 'free' walking tour through the old city of Barcelona that led through the confusing back streets. On our way, our guide showed us this lamppost, which he said was one of Gaudi's first commissions.














 
Sagrada Familia was a highlight of Barcelona. The church was designed by Gaudi and is still under construction today.

The monument of Columbus pointing to the New World. (Apparently, he's actually pointing toward Lybia-- details, details.)