I have officially been in Sevilla for 15 days, and I feel like I’m caught in this weird kind of time warp; I can’t decide if the days are passing by quickly or slowly. This may sound dumb. Allow me to try and explain. On one hand, I feel like time has been FLYING by; how is it possible that I’ve already been here for a little over two weeks?! But on the other hand, my days are so jam-packed with class, cultural tours, meals with my se�ora and her family, WALKING, and exploring the nightlife that each individual day seems very long. Weird, right?
However, regardless of whether my time here seems long or short, I am trying to live each day to the fullest and to experience everything that I can! One of my personal goals is to see all the important cultural sites in Sevilla and I have put myself on a direct path to accomplishing this: so far my favorite tours have been to la Catedral and el Alcazar. Photos are below!
La Catedral (the 3rd largest cathedral in the world)
La Giralda (the Catedral tower and the tallest point in Sevilla)
Los Reales Alcazares (royal fortress palaces where the King of Spain used to live! He still stays here when he visits Sevilla)
In 15 short/long days, I can already feel myself adjusting to this new culture. I notice the differences, but I welcome them. I think that’s what global citizenship and intercultural understanding are all about: realizing that other cultures do things that are different from the way you are used to and assimilating into these new ways. For example, Sevillanos walk EVERYWHERE. A thirty-minute walk is considered short, and did I mention that most streets are only wide enough to accommodate one car? I have been pressed up against buildings countless times to avoid being hit. Surprisingly, though, I really enjoy it. Walking long distances makes me feel healthier and gives me a chance to really notice my surroundings. And as far as the cars go, they have become part of the surroundings rather than an added nuisance.
I could seriously write forever about the things I’ve done and the nuanced intricacies that I’m learning about myself in the process, but to make a long story short, keeping an open mind and internalizing the new culture has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! I can’t wait to continue making progress!
Location: Calle Alcantara, Seville, Spain
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I have been in Besançon, France for a little over a month and I CANNOT believe it. Why? Well, because of the same long/short day syndrome. lol. I completely agree with you on your idea of being a global citizen and accepting the differences between your culture and the culture that you are currently immersed in. Enjoy your stay and your pictures are beautiful!
I’ve been in Mexico for 2 weeks, as well, and I am right there with you on that time warp! I feel like I’ve been here forever, but at the same time it feels like it’s going really fast. Seville looks beautiful! I agree; I feel like coming to recognize and integrate cultural differences is a huge and great part of the whole study abroad experience. Hope you coninue to enjoy Seville! 🙂
I understand the feeling of long and short days! It’s rather exhilerating! But it all looks so beautiful!!
I understand the feeling of long and short days! It’s rather exhilerating! But it all looks so beautiful!!