loss for words

Tonight, Professor McGovern introduced us to an old co-worker who took us to a private home inside of el Alcazar. So she shows us the tower up and we are all trudging along because we are a little tired, sortof complaining about the hike up the stairs. She opens the door at the top and we all stop dead in our tracks. We walked out on to the top of the wall of the fort and were at eye- level with la Giralda and la Catedral all lit up at night. I can easily say this was one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. When I talked before about the views at the top of the buildings being amazing and about the lack of proper words I have to describe the things we see: this is a perfect example. I have never seen something so gorgeous. This enormous building that is better described as a piece of art looked amazing at this level. She told us how no Spainard and no tourist can see this view. It was one of the most peaceful and humbling things I have ever seen. I could go on and on but again.. words cannot explain.

Again the pictures don´t do it justice. But the story behind the apartment/house itself that the family lived in: Her husband´s family workd on the reconstruction of la Catedral y la Giralda y el Alcazar. So the government of Spain allowed them to live in one of these houses in the fort for 3 generations. So once the husband´s sister doesn´t live there anymore, the apartment (and the view) goes back to the government. Which is a shame because of how beautiful it is.

adios

us versus the city

Today we woke up refreshed (sort of) and ready to attack the city again. After breakfast, we met up with our tour guide Juan for a second day of cramming in as much information and as many pictures as we could snap. First we went to Alcazar which was a Moorish fort but now is a palace. We saw much beautiful arcitecture here. And the designs and paintings on/in the walls were so amazing.

We climbed to the top of the Giralda wish is one of the most famous and well- known sites in Sevilla. We climbed up the Minarete which was 76meters tall (more of our work out for the day) and got to see more of the entire city... Again the tops of the buildings are the best vantage point because you can see for miles and miles. We then went on a horse- drawn buggie ride around the city and got to see the things that were out of walking distance for us. We saw Plaza de Espana with an enormous gorgeous symmetrical building. It was a great and relaxing way to see the city and the parts we didnt get to yet.


Much to my disappointment, we aren´t going to get to see a bullfight. However, at the top of the Giralda, we could see the ring from the top. The view was breathtaking. Jessica and I walked around to each side at least twice. We are all starting to get to know each other better now, whether it be our shared love of our tour guide or how tired/crazy we get. But it is only day two and we are like 12 peas in a pod.

estamos aqui

Well here we are.. finally. 12 silly americanas touring the streets of Seville with our new amigo Juan. In our first day here, we spent 5 hours meandering about the streets. We saw all kinds of cites (as our bodies thought it was about 4AM) and we got to see an old apartment of our Professor´s and went to the top of Hotel de la Musica. The view from the top was gorgeous.

I am beginning to think that the views from the tops of buildings are going to be so much better here than from the ground. This is all for now, I am exhausted. But had to mention (my mom would be proud) I have tried every dish we have been served thus far and I plan on sticking to that. I cannot promise I will like it. But you can bet I´ll try it..

Hasta luego

words cant explain

a word about the title of this blog:

Our Convivencia class is a semester- long course where we studied a period of time when Jews, Muslims, and Christians all lived together in a religious harmony. We learned how these three religions lived, worked, and co-existed in parts of Spain in the region of Al-Andaluz. The reason why I collaborated on calling this blog "words can't explain" is because this was also an upper- level Spanish course at Merrimack. I stopped taking Spanish language classes when I was an 18- year old high school senior. The majority of the rest of the class are Spanish minors or majors. So I am writing from the perspective that many Spanish words will be used to describe the sites and events we will experience. This being said, the experiences we will partake in will have English and Spanish meaning behind them, as well as different linguistic descriptions. I will attempt for the next two weeks to try and describe things in any language I can, whether it is Spanish or English. With that in mind, I will try to remember that the barriers of language and religion have long come between nations and their people.

Hola. greetings from Cromwell, CT. I've spent the past 12 hours packing and preparing for my Convivencia trip. Needless to say, I left mostly everything until the last minute, allowing myself to run around town and my house getting ready. I am writing my blog from a unique place in my life: that being that I am graduating from Merrimack this Sunday. Most students who go on this trip are sophomores and juniors. Not me, I like to do things a little differently. I have been blessed with a very unique opportunity to take this travel study course as an "elective" to complete my undergrad degree. My family and I will be traveling up to North Andover tomorrow for all of the graduation services and ceremonies. Our flight on Sunday leaves Logan at 6:30PM on the day of my college graduation (it also happens to be my Mum and her twin brother's birthday), so it is sure to be a hectic day all around.

A little about me: Everybody calls me Liz. I played soccer at Merrimack for 4 years. I am always laughing and making jokes. I am a firm believer in the phrase "everything happens for a reason." I have an amazing network of family and close friends. And I love to eat.


My email address is hopleye@merrimack.edu and I would love to hear from you while we are over there... Next up: 2 weeks of an experience of a lifetime.

Adios amigos.