Una Semana (One Week)!

One week. Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours.

I remember when I was counting down the number of months, weeks, days, and hours until I would leave for Spain - and now, here I am! I have been in Sevilla for approximately one week now. It simultaneously feels like I have been here forever, and yet, also only for a brief moment. 

These past few days, I've had a lot of free time before my classes start, so I've been doing a lot of exploring. I now know my way to and from the CEA Global Campus (where I will be taking my classes) pretty well. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to walk there, depending on how tired I am, how hot it is outside, and how quickly or slowly I am walking. 

CEA Global Campus in Seville (where I am taking all of my classes).

I've also been adjusting to living in mi casa with seven other girls who are also studying here in Sevilla. I was fortunate enough to get my own little cozy room! It's very cute and it's nice, since I go to bed early - hence the reason my host mother/Señora called me la abuela (or, the Grandmother).

Mi habitación - my bedroom!

On Sunday, I explored the city and ended up walking around several neighborhoods, including Barrio Santa Cruz, which is a famous Jewish neighborhood near my school. 

Apparently this balcony inspired some scene in the Barber of Seville.

According to La Leyenda de la Cabeza de la Judia, a Jewish woman named Susona betrayed her father, a rich banker named Diego Suson, by revealing his plans to her Christian lover. As punishment, her head was exposed for everyone to see. (Ew...)

And, I was finally able to try Churros con Chocolate! It was very rich, but also delicious. It definitely lived up to my expectations! Don't think I will eat it too often while I am here, though...

Qué rico!

I even managed to catch a Flamenco show on the street on the way back home!

The highlight of my day yesterday, el lunes (Monday), was visiting the top of Las Setas (the giant mushroom-shaped structure that overlooks the city of Sevilla). 

Las Setas!

The pathway to the top.

I felt like I was on top of the world!

Cool view from underneath the top of Las Setas.

And the weird/cool elevator that took me up to the top of Las Setas.

I was able to experience the culture more this week, too. Here are some closing thoughts, observations, and occurrences: 

• Sevillanos/Spaniards don't really have any qualms about personal space. In restaurants or at las tiendas (the stores), in order to get service, you kind of just shove your way to the front and stand right in front of the person whose attention you want. 
• For some reason, someone thought that I am French. Do I act "French"?
• When I was going to Plaza de España on Saturday, I got a little lost and confused, so I asked a security guard where it was, and it turns out if I had just kept walking and gone around the corner, I would have found it. So much for being a local. Maybe someday!
• People in Spain stare a lot. At first, I was a little confused, because I kept wondering, if I looked funny or outright American, but I guess it turns out that Spaniards just stare at everyone and it's not considered rude. 
• I thought I drank a lot of water back home, but now, I feel as if I need to drink a gallon of water every time I step outside into the humidity of the day. Good thing the tap water is safe to drink in Spain. Now I understand why siesta time is so important in Spain - it's to rest and cool off! 

Well, classes start tomorrow! Wish me luck! Buenas noches desde España.