After that delicious lunch we strolled for a few minutes along the river, enjoying the weather, and formed a reflection circle to appreciate as a group how our time in Spain has changed our worldviews. Among the many things shared were our surprise at the diverse influences other cultures have had on Spain, the quiet and cleanliness of the cities, and the happy demeanor that we noticed many Spaniards share in appreciation for their way of life.
Breakfast
We started our morning at 8 a.m. to eat breakfast at the hotel cafeteria. We had a vast variety of foods ranging from eggs to croissants to yogurt. We then had some off time and following that we packed our luggage and moved it to a secure room so we can start our day.
Ceramics
We started our morning by walking around Sevilla. We toured new areas of the city from across the bridge and embraced the culture and architecture in a newer environment. As we walked we came across a ceramics store in which we were able to stop and look at all the art. Students and faculty had the opportunity to buy and observe the pieces. There were two stores that were in the area and with the time we had we were able to visit both. There were many options to choose from; for example, there were plates, cups, jewelry dishes, bowls, figures, and much more. Many were able to buy souvenirs at this time as well as gifts for their loved ones.
Triana Market Tour
We visited a large indoor market in the Triana neighborhood that was bustling with life, food, and fun. There were fresh fruits, meats, cheeses, and colorful spices for sale, among other things, which we explored in two groups with tour guides. The market tour was very informative, and it went in depth on a multitude of products. For example, we learned things like the different classifications and curing durations for Serrano and Iberian ham, the small window of time for the collection of saffron flowers in November, the process of making olive oil, and we were even introduced to purple garlic. Through an exploration of the food, we received a lot of insight into Spanish culture and gastronomy traditions, and many of us returned later to try some of the offerings.
Cooking Class
After the market tour we headed to our last activity in Sevilla and the main activity of the morning: making paella and gazpacho. After washing our hands we immediately put on our aprons and got to work. The chef, Diana, showed us how we should cut the vegetables for the gazpacho (tomatoes, artichokes, garlic, cucumbers). After her demonstration we turned to our own cutting boards and began. Some of the vegetables, like the artichoke, had a specific way of cutting, and we all helped each other remember the specific steps. We put the sliced vegetables into the blenders and waited until it turned into our first dish, gazpacho! Similar to the gazpacho, the process for the paella included the cutting of vegetables and chicken, which we simmered on a pan with garlic, smoked paprika, rice, and water. We waited 18 minutes for the mix to cook and finally enjoyed our paella with the gazpacho we made earlier.
Market and Travel
After that delicious lunch we strolled for a few minutes along the river, enjoying the weather, and formed a reflection circle to appreciate as a group how our time in Spain has changed our worldviews. Among the many things shared were our surprise at the diverse influences other cultures have had on Spain, the quiet and cleanliness of the cities, and the happy demeanor that we noticed many Spaniards share in appreciation for their way of life. We then engaged in a group game, before walking to the Triana market for a little shopping time. Many people got smoked paprika, which was introduced during our morning market tour and utilized in the paella recipe, but we also got fresh fruit and baked goods as well.
Around 2:45 p.m. we boarded a bus for a 2.5 hour ride to Málaga. Although that signified that our time in Sevilla was over and the rest of our trip is soon coming to an end, we are grateful for the experiences we had not just in Sevilla but in the other wonderful cities visited as well, and we are looking forward to the little time we have left.
Picasso House
Directly after arriving in Málaga we went to the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and were given a short guided tour to explore the history of his life. There was conserved original furniture, his baptismal gown, portraits of his family, and sketches from his childhood. The guide taught us about the significance of the dove in his art as a symbol of peace during WWI, showed us pieces from his Blue Period, and explained the concept of cubism and how Picasso used it in his art. It was really interesting to get a window into the life of such a world-renowned painter, and we were grateful for the learning moment.
Shopping
Shortly after we toured the home of Picasso we were able to shop in the shopping area nearby. There were so many options to choose from and we were able to start at around 7:15 p.m. We set a meeting point around the Spain flag and were set to return at 8:15, giving us an hour to shop on our last day. We split into groups of three or more and set our sights on shops we were interested in! After that we all met up and proceeded to get ready for our next location.
Dinner
After shopping we walked 15 minutes to our final meal out together, a BBQ restaurant named Papulinos. We had the choice of ordering chicken wings, ribs, and burgers and sipped our drinks while enjoying our last moments in Spain together. The food was delicious and we will never forget this moment. The walk back to the hotel was bittersweet because walking is something that we did a lot of and one of the things we enjoyed the most as a group.
¡Hasta Pronto, España!