Seville Through the Senses

Spain is a country full of life. In my opinion, Seville may actually have New York City beat as the city that never sleeps. There is always something to do or see. After spending the past few months in this city, I return from my weekend travels with a sigh of relief as I am back in a place with now familiar people, sounds, and sights. My senses have become adapted to the Spanish culture and I can say that I do truly feel a connection to Seville. Take a sensory journey through my daily life:

Sight

The locals in this city hold on to the culture of being outside rather than in the house. This trend is prime people watching. While living in a city comes with some strange sights, there are some that I can always count on: friends gathering by the river, children playing in the streets after school, and the rollerblading club practicing in El Centro.

Strolling by the Triana bridge at sunset

Sound

When I close my eyes and listen, I can always still tell that I am in Seville. The sounds floating through the air are like no other. With the window in my room cracked I can take my siesta to the sound of my neighbors playing guitar and singing Spanish songs. Inside the classrooms of CEA study abroad program in Seville, I get lost in the songs of flamenco from our resident street performer and the clacking of horses hoofs along the pavement.

In Seville, horse-drawn carriages share the road with cars and motorcycles!

Taste

There are certain foods that I think will always remind me of Spain. The taste of olive oil on a toasted baguette (olive oil on anything really), a heaping plate of churros with steaming chocolate from Chocolatería Virgen de Lujan, and of course a frothy little glass of café con leche.

Café con leche is the best journaling companion

Touch

Feeling and touching is such a unique sense and it is one that Seville does not lack. Take a walk through Plaza de España or the Alcazár and feel the slippery, ornate tiles beneath your feet. Contrast the feeling of ripe fruit in your hand fresh from a market with the rough texture of stones on a centuries old building.

Find these lovely little tiles, called azulejos, all over the city

Smell

The smells in Seville are rich and magnificent. I love the waft of freshly squeezed orange juice in the mornings and the fragrant flowers of the Alcazár. While walking through the streets you can’t miss the smells of just baked bread and the variety of tea leaves that vendors display just outside their shops.

Choose your own tea!