April 24, 2010 Day 3

written while laying in bed after a siesta

The fair or "feria" as it is called here is something I can't do justice to describe. Upon turning down the street you are greeted by a four story sculpture featuring the symbol of the city. A knotted rope representing the slogan of the city "No me ha dejado" which translates to "You have not abandoned me". A quick recap from a fellow blogger:

The Saint-King Fernando III (super beloved king turned saint) had a son, Alfonso X, also known as Alfonso the Wise or The Scholar King. He was a scholar, poet, composer and astronomer. He was a patron of the arts and of learning and champion of Christians, Jews and Moors living together in Spain (Jews and Moors paid higher taxes but they didn't have to suffer through an inquisition). Because of all of this (plus from family bickering), he was considered politically weak. When a civil war broke out to determine who would rule Spain (Alfonso or his son, Sancho IV), Seville chose to remain loyal to Alfonso. Supposedly Alfonso paid tribute to the fidelity of the Sevillanos by saying, "No me ha dejado."


Once inside white Christmas type lights string across the walkways making luminous archways throughout the feria. Lining the streets are hundreds of tents or casetas. Inside people dance Flamenco to either recorded or live music. Casetas range in size to 20x20 yards or the size of a football field in a few instances. North of the casetas is a carnival complete with rides. It's about two or three times as large as the one at the rodeo. People walk around the feria eating Gosetas or chocolate covered waffles.


Today we went on a tour of the Alcazar which is a palace and the highlight of Seville. It features Muslim-Spanish and Christian architecture. Pieces of the palace date anywhere from the 1400's to the 1700's. Truly a great masterpiece. We took a tour around the city with a tour guide from Australia. He showed us much of the architecture and buildings remaining from the three dynasties: the Romans, Muslims, and the Christians. As with most ancient cities the new was simply built on top of the old and therefore most of the past is buried far below the city. The cathedral which is an amazing gothic design and the third largest in the world is built with many stones from the Roman and Muslim eras. We also visited the first home of Washington Irving the American Consulate to Spain. The entry way was spectacular.

For lunch we had Tapas at a popular place called La Columbas. Inside the man behind the counter points at an individual and gets their order. I found what I wanted calamari fritatas 1.90 and David pointed to a pile of sandwiches. I grew nervous as I didn't know the Spanish word for sandwich (FYI it's bocas or bocadillo). At my turn I said "calamaris fritatas y dos sandwiches," while pointing to them, he laughed and grabbed my finger, "y two cervezas," 8 total. Not bad for a nice lunch. Tonight the hostel is serving Moroccan chicken and then perhaps to the bars on the north side of town.