Sevilla, Spain 3/18/08-3/20/08

Have you everexperienced a train ride at 300 KPH (186MPH)? Three days ago we took a high-speed train into Sevilla, Spain.The train is called the AVE. The ride was very comfortable and smooth, even though we were moving at such high speed. A couple of times the train went through a tunnel and it made my ears pop. On the train ride we got lucky. Our seats were double booked so we got bumped up to club class where they have the better food, movies, and great service!

In Sevilla, we went to the largest Cathedral in Spain. The Cathedral was originally a Mosque (a Muslim Temple) but was extended to become a cathedral during the Christian movement (see Segovia). Within the cathedral,we saw what is believed to be the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

While we were in town we saw Easter processions. Processions are ceremonies where hundreds of people in different colored robes (they look like the KKK) walk around the town in formations. They carry large candles with them. The procession symbolizes penance and suffering.Some of them were even carrying large wooden floats with Jesus and Marry on top of them showing the stations of the cross.

When we went to breakfast in the city, we ate at a place called 5J.We ate while standing up and we had sandwiches with ham and olive oil. The sandwiches were good but I did not like standing up and eating.

My birthday was yesterday! To celebrate we went to the restaurant Flamenco de Arenal! At the restaurant we ate delicious food and watched Flamenco dancing. Flamenco dancing is like a sexy, passionate, tap dance. Part of Flamenco dancing's origin is Arabic. I enjoyed Sevilla because the culture was fascinating.