T-Minus 20 Days and Counting

Wait, what do you mean I'm leaving in 20 days? That can't be right.

I JUST GOT HERE. Cue ugly crying.

The next 3 weeks are going to be a whirlwind. Not only do I have to undo all my accomplishments (close out my bank account, shut off my internet service, move out of my first grown-up apartment) but I also have to say goodbye to my friends and the city itself. It's gonna be rough.

So, what am I going to miss about Sevilla? Besides everything, of course.

1. The Atmosphere

Life here is so relaxed. No one's in a hurry, no one feels pressured to do anything. Shops close down for 3 whole hours in the middle of the afternoon, for goodness sake. And no one (besides me) complains!

It really is just a slower way of life. A lot of people say that coming to Sevilla is like stepping back in time. There are so many pieces of life here untouched by time. People go out every night and have a beer with their friends and their family, spending hours at the bar with no worries or cares. Children run around with minimal supervision, playing with their neighborhood friends. It's a nice step back from the busy life of a city back in the States.

2. The Food (aka why this is really a food blog)

Whoever invented the concept of tapas was basically a genius. First of all, if you ever meet anyone who won't share their food with you, you need to run away from them as quickly as possible. Second of all, how else can you have 4-5 dishes in one meal and never pay more than 10-12 euro?

It's not only restaurant food I'm going to miss, either. The produce here is so. stinkin. cheap. 2 pounds of zucchini for 1 euro. 2 pounds of carrots for 59 cents. A pound of strawberries for 79 cents. A pound of peaches for a euro. What is life?!? I've been in fruit and veg heaven for months.

3. The Weather.

Who says a pasty girl can't enjoy the sunshine? I'm pretty sure it has rained a grand total of maybe 6 times since I've been here. That could be slightly under-exaggerated, but not much. Add that to the fact that it doesn't snow, never freezes, and the sun shines till about 9 pm every day? Heaven.

I came just in time to avoid a record-breaking snowy winter in Boston, and couldn't be more grateful. Now, I just have to keep that in mind when I'm melting in the Sevilla heat over the next few weeks.

4. My neighborhood

There are 3 grocery stores within a 5 minute walk from my apartment. There's a book store and a fruit stand right around the corner, a pharmacy, three churches, 2 clothing stores, probably a dozen bars and, of course, who can forget the Thursday morning flea market?

I live in possibly one of the coolest neighborhoods in Sevilla. The area is young, there's a lot going on, it's a great mix of bars and shops and markets. It has really come to be my home. After a lot of exploring, getting lost, and finding my way, this is where I live. It's my area.

There may not be a Starbucks on every street corner, but I can deal with that.

5. The People.

Okay, yes, I cheated. All of my friends speak English. Sorry!

That doesn't make them any less amazing. To the friends who will eat an entire pizza with me, go on adventures with me, call the delivery guy for me when I forgot to give them my apartment number...it's been great.

I've learned so much from them, from my job, from just being here that I can't believe it's only been 5 months.

It's going to be a busy last 20 days, so get ready!

Because she always knows just what to say, in the words of Sarah Kay, "This isn't my last time here. These aren't the last words I'll share. But just in case, I'm trying my hardest to get it right this time around."

Feria Photo Blog

 The flower bigger than my face.

 Headed for Feria!

 But first, let us take a selfie.

We made it!

 The decorations were amazing.

Look at all these girls in traditional dresses!

And us?...not so much!