Oops

Hello everyone. It has been almost a month since my last post. I know you missed my weekly greetings. Or you didn't realize that I haven't written in a while. Either way, I'm back.

In March, for St. Patrick's Day, I went to Dublin with my friend Karen from high school and my friend Alli from Sevilla. We had an amazing time. I absolutely loved Dublin and can't wait to go back there some time soon. It's such a vibrant city and there are pubs everywhere with live music and Guinness. What else do you need really? On St. Patrick's Day, we watched a crazy parade in the street and then went to a pub. Then we toured the Guinness Storehouse and took advantage of the free sample room. Then we went back to a pub and had Irish Carbombs. Ah, embracing my roots. Also, yesterday I learned what Black Irish means--and it has to do with Spain! Pardon the quick history lesson, I have to prove to my Dad that I actually go to school. When the Spanish Armada tried to invade Britain in 1588, they failed miserably and some of them ended up on the west coast of Ireland and decided to stay. So this is why some Irish people "Black Irish" have darker, more Mediterranean features! I have been wondering what this term means for about 10 years.

I have been able to explore Sevilla much more with my visitors (first Karen and then Mom, Dad, and Amanda). I finally went into the Cathedral (3rd largest in the world!) and the Real Alcazar (palace-type thing with beautiful gardens). These are 2 of the main attractions that people come to see, along with Plaza de Espana and Parque Maria Luisa.

So my awesome family came to visit me for Semana Santa (Holy Week). Spain's take on Holy Week is like nothing I've ever seen before. There are dozens of brotherhoods (hermadades) which each have 2-3 floats (pasos) that can be up to 500 years old. 30-40 men crouch underneath them and carry them on their backs on set routes in the city, from their home church to the Cathedral and back. Each float is preceded by up to 2000 people doing penance (nazarenos) who wear tunics and cone-shaped hats that also cover their faces. Some are barefoot. They walk from 8-14 HOURS depending on how far their church is from the Cathedral. People crowd the street to watch the processions (NOT parades) so the center of the city is nearly impossible to navigate. This goes on from Palm Sunday until Easter, but Thursday night into Friday morning is the craziest. Sevillanos stay out until all hours of the night, eating and drinking and watching the processions. It was one of the most fascinating things I've seen.

Of course, having the rest of the Baltimore Dorans here was awesome. We spent most of the week in Sevilla, but also had a night in Madrid and a day in Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a UK territory on the southern tip of Spain (Southern most point in Europe) and there are MONKEYS there. Lots of them. Cute ones, funny ones, mean ones. We had a great time on the rock of Gibraltar, where you can see Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean all from one spot. In Sevilla We toured the Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring) where I will see a bullfight next week. We ate lots of tapas and just had a great time gallivanting across Sevilla.

In other news, getting back to class yesterday was a struggle. I was thoroughly confused when my alarm went off, because I am still in spring break mode. Luckily, I have another Spring break in 2 weeks. The weather here is perfect. Right now, it's not too hot (it will be soon) and it's been so sunny. I finally am getting some color that I've been waiting for since February. The Spanish people think we are nuts when they see all the American students in tank tops and bathing suits, laying by the river, as they walk by in pants, boots, scarves, and jackets. How they think that type of clothing is acceptable in 25 degree weather (yeah I use Celsius now) beats me, but to each his own.

I am going to Lagos, Portugal next weekend for a beach trip so I am looking forward to laying out on the sand next to the ocean. I wonder if Lagos will be as pretty as Ocean City! (HA)

Have a lovely Tuesday!
-Aubs