Saturday, March 14 - exploring Sevilla

This past Saturday we decided to go on a walking adventure from our apartment and then east and south to the Parque de Maria Luisa.  Scott had visited this park on a previous visit and we'd heard that there were multiple playgrounds there.  Scott & I figured that we would selfishly enjoy the walk and enjoy sightseeing and that just about the time that the kids were fed up with it we'd arrive at the park. We started by going to the Plaza del Duque in search of a Movistar phone store.  That's the cell phone company Scott needs to have to ensure that he has coverage at work.  We ended up in crowds and then needing to find a bathroom and eventually we gave up on the search to find a Movistar provider.

At that point we headed south meandering along mostly pedestrian streets.  It was so much fun people watching, enjoying the architecture, and window shopping.  We saw an ice cream shop and stopped for a snack.  And then we walked around the cathedral (saving a tour of it for another day).  And then we found the first playground of the day.  After some play time, we ate tapas for lunch along Avenida Paseo Cristina.  And then we meandered our way into the Parque de Maria Luisa.  We first walked around the Plaza de Espana which is absolutely beautiful.  While there, Rosa had a chance to Skype with Chloe.  And then we found one of the playgrounds in the park.  After that we walked around the park and enjoyed walking up to a lookout and then to the fountain with lion statues surrounding it.  From there we considered getting a taxi home, but decided we'd try and get the kids to walk it.

We took a route along the river and there were people everywhere.  In fact, that was the theme of the day.  It's as if every single person in Sevilla was out and about on Saturday.  It was amazing seeing such life!

There seem to be two routes along the river, the upper and the lower.  We were on the lower and there were bars and parties and runners and bikers and rollerbladers (Sarah G. - wish you were here to rollerblade with me).  There are people of all ages moving along the river.

We walked up to Plaza de Armas (where we'd been the night before) and stopped for dinner.  Then we walked the few blocks home and crashed.  At this point we were just about recovered from jet lag.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the day.

Loads of people out and about near Plaza del Duque on a Saturday

Walking down one of the many pedestrian-only streets

View of El Corte Ingles across Plaza del Duque.  Notice the palm tree.  There are palm trees all over Sevilla.

Another view of the Plaza.

There are statues throughout the city.  I don't think we've seen a plaza yet without one.

Big plaza in front of a big and beautiful church (perhaps it's Iglesia del Salvador).  KP and Red - I think we had a coffee in this plaza back in September '99.

Loads of people out enjoying one another's company and the beautiful day.

Walking down a narrow street.  This one is pedestrian only.  But, there are streets the same size, and even smaller, that all cars.  There are loads of motorcycles here, likely since they fit better in the very narrow streets.

A place that looks like Dunkin' Donuts.

Corner where we hung out while eating ice cream.

First view of the cathedral up ahead.

Alise posing while the kids finished their ice creams.  It looks like I have been eating too much ice cream and other yummy foods here.

Along the north side of the cathedral.

La Catedral exit

View of the Universidad de Sevilla.  Does this bring back any memories Melissa or John?

Another place that looks like Dunkin' Donuts

View of the tower of gold (Torre del Oro) 

Hello from the second floor of the Plaza de Espana

Views of statues atop the Plaza de Espana.  They're of famous Spaniards.

Some sort of theatre with amazing architecture.

Las Mostazas (The Mustards).  Devon and I are the only ones in our immediate family who like mustard.  So, that's what we call ourselves.

More scenes from the Plaza de Espana.

Rosa, Cody, and Devon looking at the Plaza de Espana and the boats in the water.

Fountain in the center of Plaza de Espana

One of many bridges above the water in Plaza de Espana.

Shannon - this one's for you.  I loved the blue and white tile along the rails.  It reminds me of your collection.

A fountain in the Parque de Maria Luisa

There are orange trees throughout the city.  They are stunning.  And they smell so good.

Rosa

Rosa and Devon love ("The Brownies")

View along the river as we walked north back to our apartment.

Loads of restaurants, etc. on the other side of the river in the Triana neighborhood.

Bike path along the river.  There are bike paths all around the city.  

Statue with a quote about tolerance from Elie Wiesel

Yet another playground.  This one is a little south of us and next to the river.

Alise's cod tapa.  Yum!