Parental Perspective

Hi everyone. Today is Wednesday and is our last full day in Spain with Stephanie. We start our trip home tomorrow via Lisbon and will stay in Lisbon one night and then head home on Friday.
Our stay has gone by quickly. Our flight over was OK and we made our connection to Seville, but when we arrived in Seville , Paul and I did not have our luggage--it arrived the next day.
The hotel we are staying in is modern and more like an American hotel. It is only a minute walk to Steph's apartment--so this was a great choice. Steph's apt is small and is on a tiny street with cobblestones. It amazes me that cars can ride on this.
Spain has been nice, the people have been friendly and the weather has been great. It has been very crowded here. ( think Disneyworld or the Ocean City boardwalk on Labor day. ) The crowds are due to Semana Santa ( which is holy week.) There are many churches that have "brotherhoods". These brotherhoods dress in robes with pointed hoods that cover their faces. The robes are different colors depending on the brotherhood--white, black, purple etc.They march in the streets and carry these huge wooden platforms with either Christ on the cross, Mary etc. These platforms are very heavy and are carried by men under them at least 50 men carry them. Some go barefoot so they can feel the "pain." They think this is a way to repent of their sins. Some of these brotherhoods have 1400 people marching in the streets with bands and at night candles are added. They all have to make it to the cathedral. When these parades start , streets are closed and it is hard to get around. It is interesing to see and even more interesting to see the people watching this--they are smoking and drinking in the streets and are affectionate with each other.
Stephanie and her roomate Ashley have been very good with having things for us to do. We visited the cathedral, took a carriage ride around Seville, went on a tour of a bull ring, Alcazar which had beautiful gardens. ( my favorite ), went to Plaza de Espana ( which was featured in a Star Wars movie ) and even went to a flamenco bar. We saw the school Steph is attending and meet some of the people there.
Some of the things that I have observed is that everything is small compared to the US. The streets are small and narrow ( think Elfreth's Alley ) They twist and turn. The cars are small and many people use motorbikes to get around even if they are dressed in a suit or dress for work. Also alot of people walk, walk and walk. We did alot of walking!!! I got to experience a Spanish grocery store to buy food with Stephanie. Due to it being holy week everyone is dressed up especially on Palm Sunday. The women all walk in high heeled shoes and the young children and babies are dressed up also. If there are siblings they are dressed alike and it looks like the clothes have been hand made. The babies are usually in beautiful carriages. One thing that has been hard to get use to is the timing of eveything. Lunch is usually around 2-3 pm and dinner 8-9 pm and then everyone goes out till 1-2 am. There is always people on the streets--kids and babies too!!! The sun finally sets at 9pm.
Paul, Andrew and I are happy we were able to make this trip. Paul and Andrew have been able to use their Spanish, me--well I've had to depend on them or Steph to tell me what is going on. It has been amazing to us that Stephanie is adept in Spain. She has been able to converse with everyone and is able to get around the city of Seville without any problems. What a wonderful experience this is for her. We are thrilled that she is able to do this. It is hard for me to leave her again and I get teary eyed thinking about it.
Thanks everyone who has prayed for us and Stephanie while in Spain. See you soon.

Love, Phyllis