Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
So, there is definitely someone watching out for me. I was walking over la Puente de Triana (The Triana Bridge) thinking how badly I have wanted to drive a moped. Jen went with Javi and had a blast. While having this thought, soaking in the gorgeous day, I heard a loud bang and turned around. Sure enough a guy on a moped had been hit by a truck, and was laying flat on the ground. I had to continue walking, but my desire to ride a moped ended right then and there.
Recap from Sunday: I went to my first and only bullfight. It was not as gruesome as I thought it was going to be. But, they killed six bulls, which I had not prepared myself for. The whole process was around three hours. The atmosphere was really awesome—there were typical Sevillians and then there were clearly tourists saying "ohhh" and "ahhh." On the other hand, the locals were there giving standing ovations and clapping every other minute. When a bull was released into the ring, there were six matadors who were spread out over the bull ring (which was huge). They each took turns luring the bull and egging him on. Proceeding 10 to 15 minutes of taunting, a matador on a horse was released into the ring. They had a long sphere. When the bull approached, they went in for the kill and stabbed the bull in the nape of the neck. It was not before long that the bull's skin was soaking in blood. But, they kept going. One matador was left in the ring. They gracefully moved with the music and got within inches of the bull. This was the only point where I could really see the art because the matador was on the edge of being killed by a huge bull, but still gracefully carried themselves. They would taunt the bull, and the bull would still go charging towards the bright colored fabric. The music would play again, and all 6 matadors would be released into the ring. They all carried small, colorful swords. They individually lured the bull, and stabbed them. The bull would be running around with all of these colored swords hanging on their back, and suddenly they would collapse. The matadors would check if they were dead or not. If they were, music would play and horses would enter. They dragged the bull and paraded around the ring. The most shocking part of the whole experience was that these matadors were famous, from Madrid, but only 18 and 19 years old.
This is my last week of class, for my History and Culture of Spain. We luckily have our midterm over with. On Thursday we have our journal due, which I have just submitted to Ángel to read, and Saturday we have our final. On Monday we start our regular classes. I am taking the following:
1)Contemporary Spanish Literature (yuck)
2)Journalism, Projects in Context (I am really pumped about this class. You publish a magazine at the end of the semester all throughout Sevilla. It is published in Spanish, and when you flip it over, in English. This year's theme is Spain's Public Health Care System)
3)An Art History Class
4)Spanish Phonetics and Phonology
I am excited to start them, see how the teachers are, and to get on a normal schedule. I have classes from 11 to 5, and no Friday classes, which is ideal for traveling.
Tomorrow I am booking my tickets for Rome and London/Paris J There are four of us going on these trips, and I am so excited. For those of you who have been asking, here are my travel plans, a lot, but they will make the weeks go by so fast by having something to look forward to.
Sept. 2-4: Lagos Portugal
October 9-12: Barcelona, Spain
October 17-18 Granada, Spain (with Program)
October 25: Aracena, Spain (with Program)
October 29- November 1: Pisa/Rome
November 8: Córdoba, Spain (with Program)
November 13-15: Possibly Madrid
November 20-22: Morocco (with club at Program)
November 27-29: Stay in Sevilla
December 3-9: London/Paris
December 11-13: Stay in Sevilla/ Study for Finals
December 18: HOME
Hope you all are enjoying the blog. I heard through Jacqueline that it has been printed and distributed throughout the Hill Clan. Hi everyone! I am glad you are enjoying keeping up to date. Love you and miss you all!
Well I am off to enjoy 1-euro beers, for those of us who finished our journals for Thursday. Normally beers are 5 Euros (8 dollars) for one, and drinks are 8 Euros, so I guess many were motivated to finish their essays by Tuesday night. Hasta pronto!
- comments