Our good luck with the weather continues. It is bright and sunny but not too warm – a perfect day for a tourist in Seville.
Following a breakfast of overnight oats in our Air B & B, we started our exploration of Seville. I would be completely lost (a!a the MTA Song) if left to my own devices. But, with the aid of their phones, Jesse and Laura seem to know where they are going. Without too much trouble (because there are lots to choose from), we found a nice outdoor cafe in which to have our morning coffee – a ritual I am getting addicted to.
The streets near our Air B & B in which we are initially walking are in the historic town. While they are narrow, the streets are very pleasant. They are clean, colourful and populated with intriguing shops, cafes and bars. One shop that we ventured into was dedicated to artisanal products made from Seville oranges. There was marmalade of course but everything else you might imagine: dried oranges, orange potpourri, orange-scented hand lotion, orange-infused olive oil, orange balsamic vinegar, and more.
Jesse and Laura’s target for this morning’s walk was the Plaza de Espana and we moved out of the old town area. Immediately we were in an area that could not contrast more to the historic area. Suddenly, there were wide (and busy) tree-lined boulevards, dramatic and grand buildings, and many large parks. I should have taken a Rick Steves’ writing course – I am having a hard time doing justice to Seville in my descriptions ( and in the photos).
The Plaza de Espana was spectacular in it’s sheer size and grandeur. We spent quite a bit of time there and ate our picnic lunch watching the horse carriages carrying tourists and generally people watching ( although Sage was focused on the pigeons and ducks).
Not sure why (because it is Saturday or the weather or ?) but there are lots of people simply happily walking about. On the way back to our Air B & B, the streets and the street cafes were full of people and there was a very palpable happy “buzz” in the air.
All in all, a great morning – so far very impressed with Seville.