Sevilla, Dia Numero Dos!
On day two we walked to the Basilica de la Macarena. It is well known for the extravagent display of the Weeping Virgin Mary of Macarena inside.
We savored our first meal of authentic tapas at a cerveceria (bar/cafeteria) near Plaza Nueva. We tried to sit in the dining room but the waitstaff was slow and we could hardly breathe for all the customers smoking. So, we headed to the front of the restaurant where you order from an ala carte menu from the counter. They holler out your order when it's ready. This was one of our most memorable meals - it include sauteed spinach and garbanzo beans, two kinds of fish, soup and chicken brochettes. And, the popular soda, Fanta naranja (orange) Yum!
La Campana was a nearby pasteleria that had cases of delectable sweet treats. Jun selected a chocolate covered palmier.
In Plaza Nueva we came across a large head that was almost identical to one we saw in Venice. There were many pieces of interesting art work surrounding the plaza, including torsos without arms and heads
Junjun in Sevilla - March 2007
Junjun in Venice - September 2005
I fulfilled my sweet tooth with gelato from the confiteria Los Angeles, which I had eyed on our evening walk the night before.
We strolled with our gelato cones to the Quadalquivir river walk and sat under the wisteria.
The customary Junjun "jumps" picture, but this is one of my best yet! This is also one of our favorite places in Sevilla - the breathtaking Plaza de Espana.
Canals,which once contained water from the river, circle the plaza. There is a large fountain in the middle. Beautiful bridges with handpainted blue, white and yellow ceramic rails and light posts bring guests to the enormous building that spans the length of the plaza in a semi-circle shape. The building now houses government offices but it was originally built in 1929 when Sevilla hosted the Spanish-American Exhibition. It shows up in the Star Wars episode "Attack of the Clones." El Parque de Maria Luisa is opposite the plaza.
Reading up on the sites of Sevilla (in Spanish) and deciding where to head next.
The lower wall of the building has beautiful tile plaques for each major or significant city in Spain. Jun took this picture in honor of his mother, who was born in Jaen in the Philippines.
We crossed the street to el Parque de Maria Luisa and stopped by a little refreshment stand for lemon slushies. The friendly attendant was playing a CD by Everything But The Girl. She even changed the song to one of Jun's favorites.
La Universidad de Sevilla.
That night we attended a fabulous flamenco performance in a intimate courtyard setting, just minutes from our hostel in barrio Santa Cruz. The performers were all male. Two played instruments, one sang traditional folkloric songs, and the fourth danced.
The handsome and talented flamenco dancer.
What are the chances we would run into someone from Santa Cruz in Sevilla? Well, we did! A fellow dancer from Motion Pacific, T.J. came up to us after the performance and said we looked like we were from California. Turns out he is studying in Bilbao (northern Spain) and normally attends USF, my alma mater!
After partaking in cultural enrichment, we were ready to feed our tummy's with more Spanish food.
We can't seem to get enough paella mariscos, although this one couldn't compare to the paella at restaurante Dona Elvira. It's all about the flavor of the broth! I had chicken and seafood croquettes, and again the seemingly typical side of ice berg lettuce, tomato and onion. I'm already craving broccoli!
We also enjoyed the vino! A perfect finish to a perfect day (2) in Sevilla.
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on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 8:31 PM.
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Sun, food, and fun! Looks like you two had a great time!
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