"We're looking at what happpens when two worlds collide." - Quentin Williams

La Catedral: Sevilla, Spain

The Chocolate Factory: Hershey, PA

Every experience seems more surreal than the last.

After over two and a half months 'alone' in this country, making new friends from all over the United States and Spain, I am sitting in a hotel room in the center of Sevilla with my mom next to me. My worlds have collided.

While waiting in the airport for what felt like forever (but was actually only 45 minutes) I remembered something I love about the airport. The arrivals. While sitting there waiting, I felt like I was sharing some of the most tender moments of relationships. The hellos. The relief of finally being in the arms of a loved one after a period of physical separation. Honestly, I couldn't stop smiling.

Annnnnyway, I don't expect to have the same amount of time to blog this week so I thought I'd share with you now our plans for the week. Here's what's on the the docket:

What will we eat and drink?
- Croquetas from the secret bar of Molly and I. An entire ration of them :)
- Salmoreja (thick, gazpacho type soup with egg and ham)
- Patata española (potato omelet-ish delicousness)
- Magdalenas from convent
- As many pastries as possible
- Gelato from Las Rayas (Spaniard's favorite gelato shop... according to my CIEE guidebook)
- Montaditos (tiny bocadillos)
- Canasta (wine from Jerez)
- Tinto (wine and lemon soda mixture)
- Café with my señora (that will be an interesting conversation...)

What will we see?
- Alcazar Real
- La Catdral and La Giralda
- Plaza de España
- Plaza de Toros
- Univeristy of Sevilla
- María Luisa Park
- Museo de Flamenco
- Museo de Bellas Artes
- Flamenco show
- Ronda (city in Málaga)

Where will we shop?
- The food market of Triana or Calle Feria
- The ceramic shops in Triana
- Sierpes (the main shopping street)
- Charco de la Pava Flea Market
- Artistan market in the Plaza del Museo

So we have a week planned out pretty well, but also enough free time to let the wind blow us as it pleases. I think it will be an odd feeling, to be doing all the touristy stuff and living in a hotel for a week in my current home. I know I will miss my señora, my friends, and my routine. (Poor Margarita told me at lunch yesterday that she will be missing me all week....) But above all that that, I know I'm so blessed to be able to share this with a member of my family - to be able to share the city I've come to love so dearly with someone I love.

Now we just have to teach this someone some Spanish phrases so we don't scream tourist quite so much. (Man, I had just thought I was starting to blend in....) Mom's afraid that if she says 'hola' people will assume she speaks Spanish and try to talk to her. I had to tell her, "Don't worry - they will know by the way you say 'hola' that you don't speak Spanish." :)