Adios Sevilla

It's hard for me to believe I have been here for a month and a half, and been in Europe for 2 months now. In some ways it seems longer and in other ways it seems shorter. But what I do know is tomorrow I leave Sevilla, and I'm ready to go.

The noisy truck without a muffler just pulled away, the screaming across the street should be beginning soon - my neighbor down the hall and his girlfriend must be back in class after spending the afternoon with their door open, listening to NPR and talking loudly. It's all just a little too much for me. Oh, Madrid, please be quieter (and cooler).

My last few moments here have been enjoyable though, in spite of the noise. Last night I rode my bike to the Santa Cruz section of the city (old Jewish quarter) to have one last meal at my favorite tapas place. The waiter who is usually quite friendly was not in such a good mood, but the carillada, whatever it is, was good. I also had garbanzos with spinach and meatballs, plus two glasses of sangria. When he gave me the bill and it was only 11 euros, I thought he'd made a mistake. I guess Rome really skewed my idea of what a meal should cost.

Today I was feeling a bit off, and am not sure why. I didn't go out until after 2 to eat lunch. I spent the morning resting, napping, watching Bill Moyers, cleaning and packing. My stomach feels funny and I hope I didn't pick up a bug in Morocco. I went to La Ilustre Victima - the restaurant/bar/cafe down the street for lunch. The waitress was still unsmiling and seemed like she was not too happy to be doing her job. I had the same thing I had before, which I realized was the only thing on the menu that appealed to me.

After lunch, I went to search out the ice cream shop I passed by on my bike that is near the Alameda de Hercules. I was walking. I found it easily, with no prostitutes hanging outside, like they usually are (maybe they were busy with clients, since it was siesta hour). They had licorice ice cream. I wanted to try it in Rome but never made it back to the place that sold it. It was yummmy. I had it with mint chocolate chip. I think I need another one later, maybe with vanilla.

Now, I am about to return my bike, come back and finish cleaning up and packing, and that will be it. I'll spend the evening relaxing and tomorrow morning I am off to Toledo for two days, and then to Madrid.

Seville turned out to be a good base and this apartment worked out well too. I wish it had been quieter (I can hear the screaming now), and not so hot, but I dealt with the noise and the heat by keeping my windows closed and the air-con on. The best thing about being here was that it left enough room in my budget for me to be able to go to Morocco, Rome, and elsewhere, and to get decent places in Madrid and Barcelona where I think I would not like to be in sketchy neighborhoods.

And so the journey continues. Who knows what lies ahead.