Happy New Year Everyone! I know it has been a while since I’ve blogged, but take it as a sure sign that I’ve been busy and having fun and making the most of the holiday season. As both of my trips are too long to really go into detail here, I will just briefly summarize what the days had in store for us.
Dec. 20: My parents arrived in Sevilla that evening. I’ve never been so excited! Checked into the Alfonzo XIII Hotel, which was absolutely out of this world!
Dec. 21: Rented a car and with my parents trusty TomTom, we made it to Jerez where we toured the world famous Tio Pepe sherry bodega. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera that day, so Jamie will have to fill us in on pictures.
Dec. 22: Drove to Granada to see the Alhambra. Though it was rainy, we still enjoyed ourselves.
Dec 23: Came to my house, met two of three roommates who cooked us a lovely meal.
Dec 24: Met with Rafa, my Art History Prof, who toured us around the Old Charity Hospital. Then we went to the Cathedral.
Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! We spent the day walking around Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park. We saw a cat catch a whole pigeon. We had sushi for Christmas Dinner.
Dec 26: Went to the Real Alcazar, this time we also took in the gardens which are spectacular. Then we did a tour of the Bull Ring.
Dec. 27: Took the fast train to Madrid and checked in to the Westin Palace, though we all agreed that we liked the Alfonz better. We waited in line that afternoon but finally got into Prado Museum to see all the famous art. It was worth the wait in line.
Dec. 28: We went to see the Royal Palace. Madrid is full of sights to see and lots of lineups, but this too was well worth it. Much like Versailles, you can see the Royal Bed Chamber, library, reception room, etc. Very posh. We went to an Ice Sculpture Exhibit in the evening.
Dec. 29: This day was dedicated to the Reina Sofia Museum where I finally got to see Guernica close up. We beat the line ups and then did two bus tours in the afternoon to get a proper layout of the city.
Dec. 30: We left for Athens. This is where the REAL EATING began. We dined at the rooftop restaurant of the Astor Hotel which overlooks the Acropolis. I couldn’t believe it, it felt like a fantasy.
Dec 31: Jude and I shopped for shoes in the morning. Then we three went for a walk up the Plaka. Marlena, Jamie’s old friend, met us for a walk. We took a brief nap and went to Marlena’s for New Year’s dinner and celebration.
Jan 1: Happy New Year! At 2pm, Ilias picked us up from our hotel and we went to their house for festivities and FOOD!!! Ilias, Agiliki and Vicky are a family that Jamie also knew when he lived in Kremasta working on the dam. They were exceptionally kind to us and fed us like little piggies.
Jan 2: Took a day trip to Delphi. We passed the Arahova, a mountain ski town which was beautiful. The ruins at the Oracle of Delphi were wonderful and I felt as if I were on my own private pilgrimage.
Jan 3: Got up early and visited the Acropolis, which we got to before the rest of the tourists. Morninged with Marlena who took us to Marathon and to the sea side. Then we had lunch with her daughter and two grandsons. Then the eating continued when Ilias and Agiliki picked us up for traditional Greek FOOD AND MUSIC. We were out very late and we were very tired. Poor us, I’m sure.
Jan 4: After a final walk up the Plaka, I said a teary goodbye to my parents and made it back to Sevilla. After a plane to Madrid, three hours wait and three subway transfers to the train station and one two and half hour train ride, I was anxious to be home to reflect and further miss my wonderful parents.
The trip far surpassed my expectations and not once did any of us get cross with one another, even in such close quarters. I feel really good about covering all the bases here in Seville and Madrid and Jamie was an excellent tour guide in Greece. The trip to Delphi was truly icing on the cake, as if we needed more food! I came home for a few days (Jan. 5-10) and then jetted off to England for my birthday. But that’s a separate post altogether! I don’t want to exhaust you all!
I hope you all had a great holiday and I wish each and every one of you the best in 2008!
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