After a hectic few days of travel, it is comforting to be back at my home base in Trujillo, Spain to finish out my study abroad for Summer II. I just got back from the main excursion of my trip to Andalucía, a vibrant region in the south of Spain. Although all of the cities I visited were uniquely amazing, my experience in Sevilla was the most memorable.
My time in Sevilla began at the Basileppo Olive Oil Farm on the outskirts of the city. The focus of touring this farm was to explore its focus on sustainability, and I learned so much about its low waste practices and procedures. As I wandered through the sunny orchards and tasted different oils in the beautiful house on the property, I could not stop feeling like I was in a movie. I plan to take my new knowledge of small-scale, highly sustainable farming back to the states and see how I can implement it into my daily life.
After we left Basileppo and entered the city of Sevilla, all of my expectations of the city were far exceeded. In addition to having my favorite style of architecture I have seen so far, Sevilla was where I visited the historical site I was most impressed by. The Real Alcazar is an ancient palace in the heart of the city. It was quite similar to the Alhambra we visited in Granada, but some key differences set it apart. Not only had the original colors been recreated at the Real Alcazar, but the palace opened into the most beautiful garden I have ever stepped into in my life. Between the massive palm trees, abundance of fountains, peacocks walking about, and parakeets soaring above, I felt like I was in a dream. It still blows my mind that this amazing property was imagined and executed so many years in the past. I have gained an incredible amount of respect for previous generations and their imaginations.
The most shocking thing about Sevilla and the rest of Andalucía was seeing firsthand in the city how differently the days are laid out in Spain. I knew that everyone was on a different clock here, but nothing beats seeing the streets alive at 1am, complete with dogs, small children, drinks, and tapas everywhere. Although the Spanish way of life is so different from my own, I have found a kind of peace and relaxation with the slow pace here that I have never felt before. I know that I will miss so many things when I return to the states, but that just might be what I miss the most.
Basileppo Olive Oil Farm
Photo from the Real Alcazar