As part of our trip to Lagos, Portugal, Julia and I enjoyed a six-hour layover in the town of Seville. In keeping with our tradition of arriving in strange towns as they are just waking up, our train arrived a bit before nine and we were left to wander Seville as its shops opened and Sevillanos rushed to work.
After dropping our bags at the tour company office, we headed over to the Plaza de Espana. The Plaza was constructed in 1928 in preparation for the Ibero-American Exposition, which Seville hosted in 1929. It later served as location for many different blockbusters, including Lawrence of Arabia, the Star Wars series, and the Dictator.
We were able to wander around the Plaza and take pictures at the “Province Alcoves,” small murals depicting the culture and historical significance of each province in Spain. It was fun to see all the ones we’d traveled to, especially Cordoba’s, as it is beginning to feel like home.
After that, we ate lunch in the Parque de Maria Luisa, which felt like an Andalusian-style Versailles (so, way better). We had just enough time to check out some rebajas (or sales) downtown, where I was able to buy some Spanish incense for a souvenir, before heading back and hopping on the bus to Portugal.
I’d been to Sevilla a couple times before, but I every time I come back I find something new and colorful to explore. Its charm never fails to impress, and I can’t wait to go back.