Estoy en el Alcazar Real

I survived my first solo night of traveling and have moved on to being a full fledged tourist. Today is Seville. As I write I am sitting in the shade in the Alcazar Real. It's an incredibly beautiful combination of ornate buildings/rooms and amazing gardens. I wish I could bottle all the scents here. I also wish someone would deliver me a bottle of water.

I also visited the cathedral and la giralda today. I've been to my share of religious buildings but this, for one, took my breath away as I walked in. The 34 story climb up la giralda took my breath away as well and gave me a lovely glow. At least I don't feel badly for not running this morning.

2 things I dislike about sevilla: sweat and cigarette smoke. The sweat is my own problem. I do it plenty back in Philly. But here I can sit still and sweat for no reason.

The smoke I encountered last night at the "Blues Bar" (don't be fooled, no blues were played but there were some beach boys, red hot chilli peppers, and other random american bands although no songs were post 1999). Yeah, so the smoke, I forgot what it's like to be in a bar or a club that allows smoking - eyes burning, clothes infusing smoke. Bleck. 5.5 more weeks of that?

I didn't think this traveling alone thing would be easy but that with a language that I understand well but barely speak is quite a challenge. Hopefully by the time I get to Italy, where I know none of the language, I will be an old pro.

(6 asian women just took over my little nook and started singing the waka waka world cup song. Wtf dude?)

Anyway, eating a meal alone is the part that gives me the most anxiety. I had to make 3 laps around the tapas restaurants last night before I finally chose one and was brave enough to sit down. I think this will be my biggest challenge. This a.m. I copped out and found a starbucks to enjoy a muffin and iced americano...sadly, it was a little piece of heaven.

I'm much better at striking up conversation with strangers in bars and that is how I met Pepe the architect from Cadiz last night. He spoke enough english to tell me everywhere to eat, drink and dance in Sevilla and filled in the details on my map. He did the same for my trip to Cadiz this Saturday, only for that he drew a map on a napkin. He was excellent company. I felt guilty that I couldn't get myself to speak Spanish even though I was thinking the words in my head. Luckily, for the times Pepe didn't know the english word or it was easier for him to speak in spanish, I understood enough that I could translate for him. He told me I should start speaking in Spanish so I can "brush off the dust" and also because it would be funny for him. (If you read this Pepe, thanks). Maybe I'll start today.

And I'm off! Have to finish the Alcazar and find my way to the river. I also might try to figure out where I plan to eat/drink tonight so I don't have to wander around in the dark. My 1st attempts at new locations aren't always stellar but once I find it I can always make my way back. Luckily I do not have my mom's (or Susan's) sense of direction.

Oh, and enjoy the bonus shot of my hostel room!