Swiss Miss

"The hills are alive....with the sound of music...." Alright, so maybe not exactly the same country but Switzerland is close enough. This week's crazy adventure consisted of taking off for the absolutely beautiful country of Swiss cheese, Swiss chocolate, Swiss army knives, Swiss watches.... (believe it or not, I am sure I am missing more) and of course, the breathtaking Swiss Alps.
After taking in the sights of feria in our own Sevilla, my friends, Kelly, Lauren, Kate, and I set off on Wednesday for a full days travel of three buses, two trains, and one plane to get us to Geneva, Switzerland! This trip really could have not gone better as far as travel complications (for those of you who remember the Italy bus ticket fiasco, this was quite the blessing), besides the fact that our precious peanut butter got chucked in the Madrid airport security...and yet the jam still managed to clear security.

Day 1: We woke up to a beautiful, sunny day in Switzerland and enjoyed coffee and pastries at a nearby bakery before taking a bus for a bit and then casually walked over the France border (no big deal, right?) to embark on our 3 hour hike up Mount Saléve, all while singing songs like 'the hills are alive with the sound of music.' The view on top made all the hard work quite worth it as upon making it the top, we were struck with the fact that we were standing on a mountain in France, overlooking Switzerland and the Alps. With a picnic of bread and jam (this really has become my consistant meal during travels) and carrots, we took it easy for a bit on the top of the mountain and soaked in the beauty.

Crossing the Switzerland/France border

Embarking on the hike

We made it!!

Overlooking Switzerland

first sight of the Alps

Day 2: Well, the rain does not only stay in Spain, it stays in Geneva too! Friday morning we started off with some grocery shopping so we could make the rest of our meals in our wonderful little apartment after scouring the city the night before for the cheapest dinner we could find...a 14.50 frank (about 16 U.S. dollars!) sandwich....you read right, a sandwich! They aren't kidding when they say Switzerland is expensive! And then the rest of the day was spent wandering the city of Geneva and trying to dodge the rain as it soaked us! We visited the Calvin College of Geneva (as Lauren actually goes to Calvin College in Michigan!), the reformation wall, and park de Bastiones. With shoes flooded in and out, we headed in for a very cozy night of warm showers, homemade spaghetti, and a movie night complete with popcorn and swiss chocolate! A night like this was that is usually the norm back in college life was quite the treat as we are never able to have these type of things together in Spain and needless to say, it was oddly one of the highlights of our trip!

Geneva fountain 

Just a little wet...

Park de Bastiones 

Reformation Wall

Day 3:

We love train rides! 

Today we experienced the epitome of Switzerland...a small village situated in the Swiss Alps! We made a day trip out of train rides from Geneva to Montreux to Gruyéres. It literally felt like we were entering the world of Narnia with more and more snow appearing the higher we got up the Alps. Once we made it to our final stop, Gruyéres, we experienced the cobblestone streets, an ancient castle, lots of cheese samples, and just the overwhelming beauty of rolling hills of green with spotted houses scattered as far as the eye can see. My words really can't do it justice of how incredible this small village was and how happy I was to see this charming and quant side of Switzerland. Getting away from a city can allow you to stumble upon some of the most breathtaking views and cultural experiences this world has to offer. And with some dark chocolate Toblerone candy bars (oh my word, this is the best chocolate ever!) in hand, we made our journey back to Geneva, staring out the train window as the Swiss countryside zoomed by.

Montreux, Switzerland 

Montreux, Switzerland 

Montreux, Switzerland 

traveling through the Alps 

Montreux, Switzerland 

We had to...

Inside the castle of Gruyéres 

Castle gardens

Gruyéres 

Soooo goood. 

Sunday entailed our travel day back to our beloved city of Sevilla...Switzerland, I shall miss you! Get it? Swiss Miss....

¡La feria de abril!

You think you've seen it all in regards to going to the good ol' fair...until you go to the fair in Spain. The Spaniards go all out and deliver a week long fair that really is like stepping into another world. Instead of seeing the fair-goers in shorts and flip flops, covered in dripping ice cream and cotton candy stuck on their fingers, you see men wearing suits, hair slicked back and women decked to the nines in their traditional flamenco dresses and tacones (heels), flowers in hair, make up done to the fullest. You basically cannot be overdressed for the occasion. And though there is a whole section of roller coaster rides, ferris wheels, and fair food, the main and most sophisticated part of feria is the 'casetas' that line the dirt path streets. These 'casetas' are very fancy tents that are owned by people of the city, most of them being the CEO's of large companies because owning one of these tents is quite pricey. And so feria is all about who knows who, a social status contest if you will because you can only get into a caseta if you have a friend that owns one or can drop the right name to the spanish 'bouncer' of sorts in front of the tent. Inside the casetas, the people are having a ball of time, eating tapas, drinking, and dancing the day and night away with the traditional flamenco dances.
I never thought I would find myself in heels at a fair but this really was no ordinary fair. I am so glad I was able to see such a huge cultural aspect of Sevilla.

The entrance to all of feria that is lit up on Monday night at midnight, commencing the beginning of the festivities 

Looking into a caseta at night

Dancing flamenco outside a caseta 

La mejor identidad

Here is a bit of insight on one of the things I have learning most about during this semester abroad....and that is, the idea of "identity."

Before leaving for my semester abroad,  I of course expected to learn a lot about the Spanish way of life, the culture, the language... what I didn't realize before coming to Spain, was just how much I would learn about myself in the process. When you study abroad, you quickly come to the realization that everything that you once knew of your surroundings has completely changed and how that actually influences who you are more than you think. Once all of the people, places, and things that make up your everyday, comfortable life are gone, it makes you see yourself for who you really are. It can be an uncomfortable process until you realize that there is one that doesn't change no matter where you travel in this world. And His name is Jesus, He's a pretty cool guy. ;)

I have to admit that I am a bit tired of standing out so much in Spain. As much as I want to blend in, let's face it, I just cannot pass as a Spaniard. So where does my identity lie? In being an American? Being a wanna-be Spaniard? None of the above...
God has been teaching me so much about ultimately only finding my identity in Him. Sociologists have this term called, "the looking-glass theory" that states that you adapt yourself to be what the most important person in your life thinks you are.

So what would it look like if we were more like John and were able to see our primary identity in Him alone, as "the one Jesus loves?" What an honor to be able to call ourselves His beloved.

La Vida Está Hecha de Pequeños Momentos

"Life is made up of the little moments."

I took this picture outside of a restaurant one of the very first nights I was in Sevilla, and it holds true even today. I know I blog a lot about my travels outside of Spain because there have been a lot of them, all holding amazing experiences but there have also been some wonderful, everyday small moments that make up my life here in Sevilla as well that deserve to be shared and remembered for years to come.

For example, this past weekend my señora was visiting her sister in Madrid and my roommate was traveling with her parents that were traveling. And so, it was just me and Walter all weekend at home. I had so much fun getting to know my señor even more by asking lots of questions to fill up the awkward silences that normally are always filled by my señora, "chatty Chari" as my roommate and I like to call her. AND! he is quite the chef and made me some amazing food, including dutch pancakes one night for dinner. My roommate came home that night while we were talking and laughing at the kitchen table and in his broken english he said, "yes, we make good friendship,"regarding our weekend together. He reminds me a lot of my really sweet and funny grandpa back home and it will definitely be hard to say goodbye in a month.

Watching Alicia show off her incredible talent!

Another special moment happened a few weeks ago when my roommate and I, who are both the youngest siblings in our families got to play the roles of "big sisters" for our señora's 12 year old granddaughter, Alicia. We first went to her dance class to watch the students perform for their family members traditional flamenco and classical dancing. This girl is seriously going to be famous one day for her dancing; she is absolutely incredible. My roommate and I were so proud, totally playing the big sister roles by taking tons of pictures of her and embarrassing her in front of all of her friends. The three of us that night also had a "noche de chicas" (girl's night), piling on my bed and watching her favorite movie (in spanish, but of course) while having some homemade "palomitas" (kettle corn made by our señora) and hot chocolate. She had so much fun, even though it was probably too much party for her because she fell asleep during the movie...she couldn't quite keep up with the older girls. ;)

We were so proud of her!

These are some of the moments I shall miss the most because they are irreplaceable, every day things that are what truly make up my time in this beautiful city.

Italia, prego! [Part 3]

[Florence]

After having stayed in Florence for 2 nights, it was about time we actually explored the great city of Firenze! And so Thursday consisted of just that. We saw the Duomo, an incredibly detailed fresco church and it so huge! We also went to the Galeria Academia and saw our good friend, David. That was actually way cooler than I thought it would be and turned out to be one of my favorite parts of Florence. The size of the statue alone is awe-inspiring, but the detail and realistic depiction taht has lasted all these years is incredible. I read under the description that Michelangelo actually salvaged a giant piece of marble that was going to be used by the church I believe, but then ended up being left behind, overlooked. Just like David, I thought. And so it was and is very fitting that the piece of marble was actually transformed into a statue of David that was also seen as a heroic symbol of the city when they were being attacked by enemies.

the Duomo

David himself! Disclaimer: I took the picture before
we realized you weren't allowed to take pics...woops ;)
And this really does not capture one bit the size and grandeur of this sculpture. 

Pont Veccio

We did lots of strolling around walking by shops, through the famous bridge, Pont Veccio, and of course partaking in more paninis and trying the delicious Florentine pastry, Panne de Pescatori-yumm!

[Pisa]

This picture alone basically sums up Pisa...yep. It was quite the little ghost town besides the area surrounding the infamous, Leaning Tower of Pisa. But as we were flying out the following morning from Pisa we spent Friday afternoon and night in this little town. And so we had to take the classic, "I'm holding up the tower" poses for our pictures and check yet another thing off our list. Being the last stop of the trip, it was quite appropriate that it was a sleepy town as we were 2 very weary travelers, ready for our beds and "homes" back in Sevilla, ready to hear something normal like Spanish all the time... ;)

Ciao, Italia....thanks for the great ride!

Italia, prego! [Part 2]

[Cinque Terre: nature is good for the soul]

And for the much anticipate story that happened in Florence....here we go!
First of all, Tuesday morning we decided to take advantage of our last few hours in Rome by going up to the top of the St. Peter's Basilica Copula. I must say, not too shabby of a view!

View from the top of the Copula 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

And alas, we hopped onto the train where I somehow managed to get a business class seat (I knew something was off when I stepped on and everyone around me was an Italian business man in a suit, seated in the super comfy reclining chairs) but hey, I'll take it! The ride needless to say, was quite comfortable and the views of rolling Tuscan hills were absolutely breathtaking. I've always loved train rides for this reason, you can't help but stare out the window while taking in the amazing sights for a few hours, getting lost in your own little world. These moments are just good for the soul.

I've set up this great, "I'm in my happy place" feeling to draw the stark contrast of the awful unfolding event just around the bend....

After the train ride we arrived in rainy Florence and found bus #17, just like the hostel directions told us. To our confusion and surprise, no one on the bus paid the bus driver anything...and the bus driver was plugged into his ipod headphones in his little bus cubicle of a plastic box. So we wondered, maybe you pay when you get off? Maybe it's a ride free zone? Nevertheless, we were a few stops away from our stop when an "inspector" gets on the bus and starts asking people for their tickets...."no problem," I think, "just show him our money and say we didn't know where to pay," I tell Carly. Dead wrong, it was a problem indeed. The guy got all mad and treated us terribly saying condescending things like, "In-a Italy, we don't have a 'sorry,' we have a 'you pay da fine!' " Despite our shocked faces (mine of course, on the verge of tears), and explaining that we had literally just gotten here (as if the giant backpacks on our backs weren't enough to show that) and really weren't trying to cheat the system, he began writing up a ticket for our 50 euro fine...that's right, FIFTY EUROS! (that's about 70 U.S. dollars) Ouch. I am so thankful we both managed to have that much cash on us or who knows what could have happened...we probably would have ended up in an Italian police station with the nerve this guy had...the next Amanda Knox cases, perhaps? 

Once we got off, I let some of the tears go and once again, when we got the hostel...haha. The front desk lady gave us our bill and when Carly mentioned 'hey, this is cheaper than our bus ride,' the story had to be told and so I lost it in front of her and just had to say, "I'm sorry, it's just been a long day," and "people can be mean," I thought in my head. 

Although we felt as if we had been treated like criminals and nothing we would say mattered, we were determined to not let this guy define Florence for us. Hard lesson definitely learned, though. 

And so we decided that what we needed was to get away from the city, the tourists, and get ourselves some nature fix. Spontaneous day trip to Cinque Terre (5 little towns that are situated on cliffs, overlooking the ocean) ensued the following day.  

As great as Rome was, we were feeling overwhelmed by all of the touristy aspects, the hundreds of peoples on the streets trying to sell you the weirdest, purposeless things, the crowds...Cinque Terre soon solved all of that though and did our souls good. We pulled into the tiny cliff town of Vernazza and spent the afternoon soaking up the NATURE (we quickly realized we really are Pacific Northwest girls at heart) and the WATER, under some Tuscan sun...the day was absolutely perfect and made me wish we had made more of our Italy based out of small coastal towns like this. The locals were so nice, the views were amazing, and it was just so peaceful. This was the Italy I had been wanting to experience.

we have fun together

Best bruschetta of my LIFE!! Not to mention it was accompanied by a yummy panini
while overlooking the beach. Pure perfection. 

Beautiful Vernazza. Heaven on earth. 

Catching an amazing sunset.