Semana Santa

If one word had to be put to the wonders of Semana Santa, I think that I would put breathtaking.  Seville seemed to become a whole different city; the streets filled with people from different countries all united with the same curiosity to take part in a world renowned week.

During the week of Semana Santa, which could literally be translated into "holy week," about 8 parades called "pasos" walk the streets each day. They consist of Nazarenos, people dressed similar to the KKK, however the colors vary. The Pasos can consist of as many Nazarenos as they want, the largest this year had about 2500, I believe. The Pasos each have 2 floats: the first of Christ and the second is of the Virgin Mary. The floats which are also called Pasos are carried by people called Costaleros, usually large men, each carrying about 50kilos. Quite a marvel.

Costaleros

 

 

Nazarenos

 Paso de la Virgen

Paso del Cristo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above video is a collaboration of a few videos I took of this past week. Hope you guys enjoy.

The Moment Is Now

I haven't put much thought into this post, other than the thought that I have to post sooner or later, because it has been too long. I'm really working on just being here in the moment right now considering the days left compared the days that have already passed is like comparing a mouse to an elephant.

This is my life now, the joy and pain (literally) are part of it, are part of everything. I've been thinking to myself lately, doing a lot of reflecting on the journey that I have already traveled, and the truth is that I am going to come out of this a whole new person. It is as though I've magnified a little bit of everything and added a bit of glitter. I'm curious to see how my new self will fit into my old life.

I am sitting here writing with my entire body crying out in pain. I got my butt kicked today. We mixed dry lands and swimming together today and  it was like a mini biathlon. Oh and add in the 90 degree weather and you've got the perfect conditions. All there is left to do is get myself out of bed tomorrow morning and hit the pool before school. Nothing new, just part of my Spanish life. I will definitely be taking away a different sort of experience and vocabulary than the rest of the other exchange students. Unique.

Next week is Semana Santa!

A Way Of LIfe

I can't imagine myself going home right now. I feel like I'm making my own little life for myself here: the daily routine, the friends and the family. It's been a challenge for me to open up to people here because I know that I'm going to be leaving, yet these past few weeks I've begun just letting myself be me. And the truth is that everyone is here for me, and I know that I've made a big enough impact on people that they will be just as affected when I leave as I will be.

Our school... or more our class is going to Berlin, Germany for their end of the year trip and I opted out. One due to the money factor, but also for the opportunity to go to Italy with my swim team. (WOW! I just said MY swim team) something is changing in me. Anyway, on my birthday eve, I found out that I was chosen as one of the 5 girls to go! It was quite the wonderful birthday surprise. So instead of taking the SAT's on May 7th I will now be swimming in another country...not that I'm not doing that already. Just goes to show how straight my priorities are for the future.

So Friday for school we went into Seville with our class for an excursion to the scientific parliament for kids. Defiantly wouldn't say it was the best trip, but it was interesting. When it was time to head back to school Ana headed off to Madrid with her parents for a swim meet, and I had this feeling in my stomach that took me off guard. I didn't want Ana to leave, I didn't want her to go to Madrid for the weekend. Of course this feeling was gone by the time I got home, but it surprised me because I hadn't realized that I had formed those kinds of feelings for her.

Birthday Girl

We celebrated 3 birthdays in 1

The chocolate chip cookies were quite the hit

 

Championship meet in Cadiz

A little swim team love

I wanted to put a slideshow up but it's not letting me so I will keep trying and next post I will put up some videos.
until next time...