March 28, 2010

It’s Palm Sunday today! Semana Santa (Holy Week) starts today too! This day was practically my favorite day in Sevilla so far except for one thing. We slept in because our church service isn’t until 6 pm. I got up around 11:30, and then we went to the Torre Del Oro to go inside, but it was closing when we got there, so we just walked around. There were little stands set up everywhere, and TONS of people! Also, a lot of people were wearing all white with pointed cone hats that looked like the KKK, which was for the processions of Semana Santa. All week long there are different processions on all the streets, which all have different meanings. As we were walking around we passed a starbucks, which isn’t hard to do since they are practically on every corner. The starbucks was giving out samples of some of their drinks, so I tried two which I loved. I was disappointed to find out that they were 4.50 euro which is over $6! I refuse to pay that much for a drink! Then we went back to the Plaza de Espana to check out the festival again. There was a big jumpy thing for kids, but no one was on it, and there was no person watching it. It had 3 blow up bulls on the inside, so I climbed on because I wanted to take a picture on it. As soon as I got on the man came over and told me to get off. He wasn’t even standing there before. Ridiculous. Over in that area was the first procession of the week. It was really cool to see. They have lots of statues and pictures, and they spend the whole year planning the processions. I think it’s a bit contradictory thought that it is Holy Week, and a lot of people use it as a week to go out and get drunk the whole time. Anyways, We stayed out until 3, and then went back and had lunch, which was Chick Peas and Bahkalau. It’s pretty good, and then they gave us a type of wine to try. After that we went back out. The city is so full of people and excitement! I felt like I was at a theme park. We bought lemonade icees at one of the stands, and then went to watch the procession that our senor is in “La Estrella”. It was pretty cool, and in the town all the girls had dresses and the guys had suits on. We stayed for a bit, and then walked to church. I got a good sunburn today being outside for so long. Church was good tonight. I like it more than Proseperidad. After the service we met the drummer, Fernan Martos, who was very nice, and made us feel welcome. After that we walked back and had pizza for dinner, then we started to pack since we’re going to Portugal tomorrow! Today had been awesome, and I was finally ready for bed after 1 a.m., and Carrie told me that my mom had written me on facebook, so I checked it, and she told me to skype her right away since it seemed urgent. Little did I know…my whole family was sitting there, and they started crying as soon as I came on. They explained to me that Shaunna had fallen down the stairs the other day, and had been limping since then. They had tried to give her medicine, but she wasn’t responding that well to it. They told me that she had been going down hill since she is getting older, and that they thought it would be best to put her down. I had to say goodbye to Shaunna through skype, which was the hardest thing ever! I was crying so hard, and it was difficult that I couldn’t just be there with them. I was so afraid that that was going to happen while I was in Spain. It was bound to happen, and she had lived a long life, but I was just really sad that I couldn’t even be there with her on her last night. I love her so much, and miss her more than anything! She was the best dog ever, and returning back home without her there is going to be awful! They are bringing her in the morning. Oh man. It was really hard to fall asleep after that.