Month: April 2026

Another reason

I just realized that one of the reasons I like traveling so much is that even though I am a self professed introvert, it is so easy for me to start a conversation with strangers at any place we are visiting. Maybe because we know we most likely never meet again, this makes our curiosity about life of others natural. I don’t remember their names but I will take their stories, the conversations we had with me, same way as I have the photos I took. The lady from New Zealand who travels alone, the high school geography teacher from Switzerland who came here for some Spanish immersion, the young man from Columbia, who immigrated here to start a new life, the couple from London, fellow escapees from rainy weather. People our life intersected with just for a blink of time, still remarkable. 

It makes sense

Now that temperature is 28 celsius, after walking so much we get exhausted by around lunchtime. It just feels right to take it easy and rest in the early afternoon, so we can go out again later, even if it is just for a walk in the old town. I like it how even on the narrowest streets, the smallest plaza you see people sitting outside eating and drinking late into the night.

La Casa del Pilatos

Today we visited this amazing 500 years old palace with a beautiful garden, nearby. Two completely different styles came together seamlessly here, islam inspired Mudejar and Renaissance. Tiles, stone carvings and wooden ceilings fused in such an unbelievable harmony. No wonder one of the biggest Hollywood movies, Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here.

Good Friday

Today it seems like the entire city is out on the streets, all dressed up, most men, even youth wearing suits, women wearing dark dresses, many with mantillas. The crowd is flowing in multiple directions. The mood and atmosphere is solemn. Christ died for all of us. 

Greatest maritime adventure

Growing up I read so many books on seafarers, sailers, adventurers, so stepping on board on the real size replica of Victory, the first ship that circumnavigated the world 500 years ago was a real treat for me. It started right here in Sevilla with Magellan. Only 16 or so crew members returned 3 years later. Incredible journey that included mutiny. scurvy, starvation, hostile encounters, storms and so many other unforeseen difficulties.

Laundry

Traveling light, just with carry on is great, we would not do it any other way, but it means that we need to find laundromats wherever we are. After 10 days it was time, luckily just opposite of our hotel we discovered a very small completely automated laundromat. We did not even wait there, instead we sat outside in the neighboring restaurant to have some lunch. No time wasted.

Plaza Espana

Did not take more than twenty minutes of walk to reach this amazing place. Every direction you turn your jaw drops, it is like you are transported to a different time, or rather a different world where harmony still exists, life is simple. Moorish style tiles blend well with baroque towers.

Arrived to Seville

View from our balcony

Train ride was great, maybe a little too long, almost four hours because of some unexpected delay. The mountains and landscape were relaxing. Suddenly we saw huge number of wild flamingos, it is quite a sight how they fly. Couple days ago we got a notification from the hotel that roads will be closed nearby, no car access. Did not know how far we have to walk with our 10kg backpacks, but this taxi driver was great, dropped us off just two blocks from the hotel. Cannot wait to start exploring.

On our way to Seville

Just before we left our hotel to catch a train to Seville a military procession came by right below our balcony. All uniformed personel of the city and government is allowed to participate in Semana Santa, they don’t see this as a threat against the secular state. There was a constitutional challenge in 2011, but it did not succeed: “when a religious tradition is integrated into the social fabric of a particular group, it cannot be argued that public authorities intend to convey support for or adherence to religious tenets through it.”