Get Inspired in Seville

"Toda mi Andalucía, con sus días de oro y sus noches luminosas y transparentes, se levantó como una visión de fuego del fondo de mi alma."

- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Seville viewed from the top of Las Setas.  The Giralda towers over the city.

The romantic author Bécquer was spot on when he compared Seville, Spain, his hometown, to fire:  it's colorful, passionate, constantly throbbing with music and dance, the heavy air shimmering over the Guadalquiver, as the Giralda stands witness to it all, a sentry, a guardian, a conduit to God and Heaven.

Whether you're strolling through Barrio de Santa Cruz, with its whitewashed houses and winding streets, or hanging in the outskirts of Polígono Sur, a laboratory for flamenco, you're bound to find inspiration in this ancient city.

Get Inspired

First and foremost, get lost.  Tuck away your map and dive headfirst into the labyrinth that defines Santa Cruz, the oldest part in Seville.  Soon you'll find yourself drifting away from the touristy streets that sprout away from the Catedral.  Farther away, you'll find quiet neighborhoods that are no less beautiful.

A courtyard in the Álcazar, an ancient palace.

Take advantage of the history.  Founded by the Romans, inhabited by the Visigoths, conquered by the Moors, reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs, Seville is chock-full of fascinating history.  The Cathedral supposedly houses Christopher Columbus's tomb.  The Archive of the Indies has thousands of records relating to the Americas.  And don't leave without seeing the Álcazar, a beautiful sprawling palace with breathtaking gardens.

Have fun.  Though not a metropolis like Barcelona or Madrid, Seville has its fair share of bars and clubs, where you can meet very interesting people:  Spaniards, Americans, Brits, Germans, you name it.

Celebrate with the locals.  By that, I mean participate in Semana Santa and Feria, both in the spring.  They're mind-blowing in their scale; the entire city emerges, making for two exciting weeks.

Watch flamenco, and if you're up for it, attend a bullfight.  Both of these involve duende, a term which doesn't translate well into English.  Basically, it's a passion, a calling, an uncontrollable feeling that forces you to do something.  To dance.  To fight bulls.  To write.

During Feria, people flock to the giant fairgrounds dressed in traditional
flamenco garb.  They dance, drink, go on carnival rides, and have fun!

Blog Hop: Where would I go with BUTTERMAN (TIME) TRAVEL, INC

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated

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You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Conference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.

To celebrate the cover reveal of PK Hrezo's book, BUTTERMAN (TIME) TRAVEL, INC., I'm participating in her bloghop.  Question:  If I could walk into Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc., where and when would I go?

Rio de Janeiro, 1808.  Here's why:

When the French army under Napoleon marched into Lisbon, the entire Portuguese Royal Court fled to Brazil.  Thus, the Braganças became the first royals to step foot in their colony.

TImes were tough.  During their journey, the members of court had to shave their heads in order to combat lice.  With an influx of 10,000 + people, housing was short.  Some had to put up in an old abandoned jail.  Imagine:  a royal family in exile living in a jail in the tropics.

But they learned to cope.  In fact, when it finally came time to return to Portugal over a decade later, the young Prince Pedro opted to stay in Brazil.  His father, Dom João VI, agreed.  In this way, Brazil gained its independence.

Though the court's exile in Brazil was not necessarily a happy time, it was interesting.  I'd have loved to talk with native Brazilians:  how did they feel about the entire royal court sailing up to their shores?  And the courtiers?  What did they make of life in the tropics?

Also, talk about adventure.

Remember to check out PK Hrezo's new book on 11 - 12 - 13.  You can find her on her blog and Twitter.

On the Run

The name's Jak Szabo.  I write.  I'm on the run.  Take that as you will.

Other than that, there isn't much you need to know about me.  I'm prone to reckless abandon.  I like to dig –– in dirt, in archives, in books and backgrounds.  Hablo español.  E um pouco de português.  Coffee, please, infused with mint.  Cheap pens bundled in plastic bags.  Lined notebooks.  Sunsets in smog-covered cities.  Heat mirages.  Faded photographs that conjure up memories that belong to someone else.

I'm mostly truthful, except when I remember that I'm a compulsive liar.  Then I'm not so truthful.