Toledo in Seville: An unforgettable experience

Photo courtesy of Ailys Toledo/The Beacon

Ailys Toledo/Columnist

It is really challenging to try to put into words just how beautiful and inspiring the city of Seville is. Whatever adjectives I use will simply not do it justice. It would not be enough to describe the winding cobblestone streets that scatter throughout the city or the astounding structures and buildings that leave you in awe. Seville is a magical place that warms and envelopes even the coldest of hearts. Those that do not believe in love or romance or peace have never visited a city that encompasses all these passions in one.

Seville is one of the eight provinces and capital of Andalusia. It is the fourth-largest city in Spain, with over 700,000 citizens.  Historians have noted its beautiful presence as one of the most magnificent cities in Spain. Christopher Columbus once said that “the air was as soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.” It is a wondrous city by the sea, with lemon and orange trees lining the streets. The cobblestone streets and narrow passageways create an ancient atmosphere, and I often wondered about the thousands who have walked these same streets before me. Undoubtedly, they must have been enamored by the city just as I have been.

Unlike major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, Seville is intimate and comforting. After only a few days there, I was able to learn the ins and outs of the city. I could travel confidently from the shopping district to my favorite restaurant and back to a nearby park without any trouble. Coming from such a busy, major city like Miami has taught me to be very cautious when roaming around. I hardly go anywhere alone here, especially at night. Seville is such a safe place that I never had to worry about running into trouble. Even though I usually stuck with the group, I often ventured off to do some exploring on my own. It is during these times of quiet discovery that I would let the city speak to me and show me what it wanted to show me.

Whether it was running into a tiny shop or peeking through the open doors of people’s homes, I was always fascinated by the culture and daily life of the residents. Everyone was always out—running errands, going to work, or smoking cigarettes outside. The city definitely had a busy ambience, but the great thing about is no one seemed stressed or tied down. People were social and relaxed, which is very different than what I am used to seeing.

People in the United States are always overworked, overwhelmed, and underappreciated. They are too stressed out, too preoccupied with life’s daily struggles that no one stops to appreciate what is around them. Sevillanos are full of life, culture and passion. Even the way they speak, with a forceful emphasis on their words, evokes emotion and attention. Call me a romantic, but my favorite sight to see was a Spanish couple taking a stroll hand in hand, or a couple hunched over their “chocolate caliente” (hot chocolate) and churros, sharing private jokes and intimate conversation.

Aside from the smaller sights I picked up over the three weeks I was there, of course there are the obvious historical and cultural sights to see. The city offers the most monumental marvels that I have never witnessed before. As I write this, I am looking through pictures of the La Giralda–an intricate cathedral set in the center of Seville, and El Real Alcazar—a royal palace of Moorish, Arabic, and Spanish design. I am once again in awe of the sheer brilliance and dedication that was put into the marvels of the city. Our study abroad program included tours of the most famous monuments in Seville, in which we got to learn all about the rich history of Seville. Known as a place of peace, Seville was one of the few cities where Christians and Arabs came together as one and lived in harmony. This is evident in the extensive mix of both of these influences in the architecture around the city.

I thought it was pretty amazing how Seville became the hub for creativity, learning and sharing of different worldviews. It reminded me of my study abroad group: although we were all different in many ways, we all came together to experience Seville as a group. As we learned about the city, we learned about each other.

I hope to return to Seville someday. I hope the familiarity of the city will never leave me. Most of all, I hope everything I learned after living in Seville—independence, the way life should be lived, and being open to new experiences—will stay with me for the rest of my life.

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