Sevilla

So we just got back from officially the last big trip we're going to take in Spain.  And it definitely ended up being very different from the other trips we've taken.  We had just finished exams and were ready for some relaxation.  We didn't feel as compelled to do all the touristy/cultural things, because we've done a pretty good job with that on our previous trips. Of course, we did all the obligatory sights...El Catedral, the Alcazar, the parks, etc., but were never rushed for time.  We really were just able to take our time and do whatever we wanted.  

A friend who studied here last semester had recommended a bunch of places to get tapas and to go out at night, so we had a really great time.  Most of the bars she told us to go to were

 international student bars, but somehow we managed to pick out the Spanish-speaking people in the bars, and therefore never really used much English while we were out at night.  One guy from Colombia commented on our language skills, saying that Leslie has an extensive vocabulary but I have more fluidity/fluency with my words.  Guess all those games Leslie played with her dictionary went to good use. :)

Sevilla has a different flair to it than Pamplona, that's for sure.  It has all the Moorish tiling and is more what you think of when you hear "Spain."  Flamenco, bullfighting and tapas are a big part of the culture there, and we were able to do all of it except the bullfight, which is only on Sundays.  They have a lot of free flamenco shows at "tabernas," so we went to one called La Carbonería, which was very cool.  Nothing like drink

ing a "Tinto de Verano" while watching free flamenco.  

Interesting side note:  Let's just say the Andalusian men are a bit more...vocal...then Spaniards in Pamplona.  It's not unusual for us to get the "HOLA GUAPA" or "La Rubia!" in Pamplona, but let's just say it was pretty constant in Sevilla.