Being Silly in Seville

Living in one country and talking numerous days trips has become a part of our regular travel habit. Today we journeyed to Seville, sprawling cultural api-center of two million Spaniards. I was humming The Shady Dame from Sevilla, our favorite song from Victor Victoria. We restaged the famous scene featuring Robert Preston at a gift shop using a headless mannequin. As I swung the “headless one” forward, we giggled and sang. This was a reminder to keep your silly side alive and laughing.

How can you get too serious about Living Seasonally. Levity is mandatory. While in a Seville you must see Plaza de Espagne. Reminiscent of Paris and Venice. in its layout, this imposing area covers over 50,000 square meters. In one word, it’s lavish. I loved the bridges and pristine canals filled with love boats like Venice. Make sure and taste the tapas here. You can’t miss the canon bellota, acorn fed black pig. And for just 5 Euros, we enjoyed octopus salad, pork cheek sandwiches, and platters of potatoes at Mercado Long del Barranco.

We learned through our travels that cities competed for the largest cathedrals. Only outdone by St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and St. Paul’s in London, the Seville Cathedral was extraordinary. Visit during mid day to experience the spell bounding shafts of light through the stain glass windows casting a show against massive columns “built to the heavens.”

If you are looking for flamenco dancers, keep your ears open. A young dancer was audibly stomping her way on a 2’ x 4’ platform accompanied by a scratchy voiced singer. Listen a little more deeply and you hear the distant call for afternoon prayers from a local mosque. It’s a reminder of the diversity and cultural fusion of this region.

We encourage you to stay in Seville….and pack some silliness.