Finally Some Rain in Spain

This weekend was another eventful one, despite the fact that “No estaba católica” (Don’t worry Mom, I did not convert religions, it only means that I wasn’t feeling well). My Señora has been trying to help me combat my cold with lots of warm milk and honey, as well as a prayer or two.

Saturday my friends and I woke up early to go the Mercadillo, a giant Black Market with everything from cured meat to knock-off designer bags. My friend’s Señora accompanied us, and as we were entering the market, someone’s hubcap came flying off and rolled into a crowd of people, hitting someone in the leg. My friends’ Señora’s reaction was priceless; you would have thought the world was coming to an end as she yelled “Díos Mío”. The market was quite an experience, women throwing shoes onto tables yelling out what fine quality they are, men trying to sell imitation purses, Black Market CD’s blasting from speakers, and people bustling everywhere. It was an odd mix between the Madison’s Farmers Market, a carnival, the rollaway vendors you see in big cities, and a thrift shop.

After our bizarre experience at the Mercadillo, we headed to the city center to do some shopping at less questionable locations on the main shopping streets, Sierpes and Tetuan. Nothing but stores and cafés line the streets here, and it is yet another great place to people watch. After shopping ‘till we dropped, we crossed the city center underneath the glow of the Cathedral and went to enjoy a nice dinner. We dined on Italian Food at a restaurant built around the old Arab Baths, in a Spanish city center. If that is not a jumble of cultures I do not know what is.

Sunday I woke up early to go on a “senderismo” (hike) in Aracena, a small mountain town outside of Sevilla. Unfortunately, it finally decided to rain in Spain (only the 2nd time since I have been here, creating a water shortage scare) and when we got to Aracena our hike was cancelled. This did mean however, that we got to enjoy the caves of Aracena. The whole town is built on top of the most marvelous caves I have ever seen. The hike through one of them took 45 minutes as we wound in and around, down and over giant stalactites and stalagmites and looked into 33-meter deep lakes and streams with their crystal clear water. It was quite the surreal experience. Cameras were strictly forbidden, so I have nothing to show for that amazing adventure. After our cave experience (something I have been waiting to do since I arrived here) we drove to where we would have ended our 12 kilometer hike, a White Hill Town (a town with whitewashed houses perched on top of the mountain) to enjoy the breathtaking views and enjoy our lunches just as the sun started to come from behind the clouds. I have to admit that I didn’t think Spain’s countryside would be beautiful, but I have been taken by surprise by the tree-covered mountains accented with old castles, White Hill Towns, crosses rising out of nowhere on the tops of mountains, and tiny but beautiful churches.

The rain held off again until we all made it home, and it has been raining since. I spent the remainder of the rainy evening watching Black Market DVDs in an attempt to continue improving my Spanish as well as enjoy my last day of freedom before real classes start on Monday.