This week's mission has been to start crossing things off our list of to-do's before our time here runs out. We've actually done a decent job so far:
1. Eat churros & chocolate at Valor, supposedly the best chocolatería in Seville. Check.
It really was some of the best chocolate I've ever eaten. I think I consumed about nine billion calories in 15 minutes, but I'm gonna go right ahead and say it was worth every one of them. You only live once, right?
2. Drink a gin & tonic sorbet. Check
Okay, I'll admit, it's not exactly "authentic" Spanish culture. But hey, would you turn it down? I can sum that drink up with one word. Delicioso.
3. Eat more tapas and drink more sangria. Check and check.
Well the Sangria here is just so good and I know I am going to miss it like crazy when I'm back home drinking Boone's Farm (although I DO love my Boone's Farm!) And the tapas are always good here and we've actually only gotten them a couple times. Our favorites so far: Patatas Bravas- fried potatoes covered with a so-far unidentifiable sauce. I honestly just think it's a mix of ketchup and mayonaise. Croquetas- Normally filled with ham or cheese and some other stuff...Breaded and fried. Let's be honest, who doesn't like something when it's breaded and fried?!? Calamari- cause it's just plain delicious.
Some of the tapas we've ordered have been a little disappointing. The other day we were so excited to see chicken taquitos on the tapas menu. Of course we all practically danced with joy at the thought of the little boxes of taquitos at the grocery store with the little fried tortilla shell with cheese and calorie-filled goodness.
Disappointing.
Fried chicken wings. No seasoning. Hardly any meat. Not happy.
Live & learn, I guess.
4. Bull fight. Check.
We went to our first (and I can say with 100% certainty last) bull fight last night. Some of our friends had gone the night before and warned us that it was a little difficult to watch, but we knew that we couldn't possibly be in Seville and not be a part of the most time-honored tradition here, so we went in with open minds.
Let me sum this up for you as quickly as possible:
Step 1: Bull comes into the ring with several bandilleros (men holding yellow and pink capes). Bandilleros wave their capes to see just how angry and fierce the bull is.
Step 2: Picador (man with a lance on a horse) enters the arena and delivers the first blow to the bull right in its neck to weaken it.
Step 3: Three bandilleros plant two barbed sticks into the bull's shoulders to weaken it again. That's a grand total of six little barbed sticks in the bull's neck.
Step 4: The matador (aka the man of the hour) comes out with a cave and sword. (Fun fact, the color red doesn't actually anger the bull because they are colorblind. The cape is red because it masks the color of the bull's blood). This process takes quite a while, as the matador wants to put on a good show for his audience and wear the bull down. Finally, he stabs the bull between the shoulder blades (into his heart).
Step 5: The bull has to be put out of it's misery by at least one small jab in its head.
Step 6: If the audience is happy, they stand up, cheer, and wave white flags for the matador.
Step 7: If the matador has done a really good job, the president cuts the ear off of the bull and presents it to him.
There are SIX bulls at every bull fight.
I watched six bulls get killed last night.
If I'm being completely honest, I almost got up after the first round and left. And if you know me, you know I am NOT an animal person in the least, but it was just not an easy thing to watch. And I've spared you all some details that can really just turn your stomach. I ended up staying, and as horrible as this sounds, you actually just kind of become accustomed to the whole thing by the end. Does that mean I enjoyed it? Hell no. It just means I could actually keep my eyes open and watch.
Am I glad I went? Let's say I'm glad I got to experience first-hand a piece of Sevilla's culture.
Will I EVER go back? Not a chance.
Afterward, we went to a bar with our ISA director and we all tried another tapa, Cola del Toro. That means bull's tail. The irony was almost too much for me to handle. (But for those of you who are wondering, it tasted just like pot roast).
If you'd like to see photos (nothing too morbid, I promise), click here:
I can say that today I feel a great sense of relief that I've crossed the most difficult to-do off my list, but for now, I think I'll be sticking to the sangria.
Until next time,
Nat
No comments:
Post a Comment