Un Abrazo de Sevilla!
Wow, I've been so busy hanging out with new friends and having wonderful experiences, that I haven't taken time to post in a few days. The good news is, this post includes a kaleidoscope of events.
Bachata, Karaoke and Barbacoa
Last weekend was busy. Friday night, Cruz and I took a Bachata class! The dance studio was packed with students eager to "get their bachata on!" Singing and dancing is very big here. Anyways, the class was one hour, and went by so quickly that I was more than a little disappointed when it ended. I was reminded that dancing is truly a universal language. Que bueno! As dancing has always been my first language, and comes as naturally as breathing for me, I was quickly kicking up my heels enjoying every bachata beat. The instructor was a prince, endlessly patient and full of happy energy. Here he's dancing with one of the students in the class.
From there we went to a karaoke bar. Yes, you read that correctly - karaoke. Now, before I proceed, let the record show - and those of you who know me well, know this is true - I've never sung at a karaoke bar. It is simply not. my. thing. Anyways, no one in the U.S. could ever (or will ever) get me to do karaoke, but somehow, these people I've known for 10 minutes, were able to convince me. I reluctantly and badly made it through Hotel California. Alas, much to my surprise, it seemed to be a big hit with the crowd at the bar, and I seem to have survived the calamity just fine!
After Karaoke, Cruz and I came back to "our neighborhood" (she lives around the corner from me, which has been very fun and convenient!), and we met a bunch of other peeps at a fun bar just down the street from our apartments. Sevillanos say American music is "the best" and so, you're never more than one song away from AC/DC, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5... ...you get the idea. Never thought I'd be in Spain dancing to "Back In Black!"
While dancing and chatting with some friends, we were cordially invited to a barbacoa (BBQ) on Sunday afternoon, which we happily accepted. There were LOTS of new folks there, and I truly feel like I have 30 new friends now. Warm, welcoming, kind, funny, wonderful people, who barbecue with great passion - eating, drinking, dancing and singing the day (and night) away! A barbacoa in Spain includes totally different food from an American BBQ, and everything tastes delicious here! Incidentally, I sent my gluten allergy on a separate vacation, and have been gloriously indulging in forbidden foods, like beer and bread! So far so good, and YUM!!! Bon voyage gluten!
La Ruta de Caracoles
A few nights later, a few of us got together for "La Ruta de Caracoles," which is kinda like bar-hopping, except with food (caracoles, to be exact). Of course there was beer too. What are caracoles you ask? Good question. Caracoles are SNAILS! Yep, you heard me - snails! There's really not a more elegant way to put it. When in Sevilla...
Rafting
Yesterday, we went river rafting. It was my first time, and I had so much fun. It was only class III (I think?), so pretty tame, but plenty of sunshine, laughter and fun.
Today was a relaxing day - a run along the river, laundry, and planning for the coming week to visit nearby cities, pueblos, beaches, etc. Más aventuras! Stay tuned....
Abrazos y besos!
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