With winding cobblestone roads inspired by its moorish roots, Sevilla, Spain is the perfect city to lose oneself in, both literally and figuratively. I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself lost and wandering the back roads of Sevillian neighborhoods, and I’ve only been here a month. This was intimidating at first, but I’ve learned to find the beauty in being lost. I’ve accepted that the destination is not the most important, but instead the importance lies in the people you meet, sights you see, and lessons you learn along the way.
‘Iglesia de San Esteban’ I immediately fell in love with the historic, romantic style of this local church that was constructed in the 14th century. There are hundreds, possibly even a thousand, churches in Sevilla each one unique and as equally important to Sevilla’s culture as the next.‘Plaza Alameda’ I was so amazed to see this group of local Sevillians practicing for the parades of Semana Santa, Sevilla’s largest religious holiday. Groups begin practicing months before the actual holiday to ensure that they are prepared to carry the heavy floats depicting various religious scenes.‘Calle Sierpes’ I was lucky enough to watch an impromptu, cultural parade that even the local Sevillians were not expecting. Though no one was sure the purpose of the parade, some believed the participants to be from northern Spain due to their traditional attire.‘Jardines’ I love the way the orange trees in Sevilla make the gardens smell of fresh citrus, which make my wanderings even more enjoyable.‘Paredes de los Jardines’ Even during what is considered winter here in Sevilla, plant life grows along most walls which adds to the already beautiful scenery.‘Don Remondo’ This simple wreath in memory of a loved one reminded me of the city’s slogan “No me ha dejado” (You have not abandoned me), and I began to truly see the strong bond that exists between Sevilla and its people.‘Barrio Santa Cruz’ I love the intimacy of all the streets in Sevilla, and how well the different, vibrant colors of each house mix so perfectly together and create an incredibly bright and beautiful city.‘Catedral de Sevilla’ Somehow, each time I have gotten lost in the small neighbors that make up Sevilla, I always find myself at the base of this incredible Cathedral. In fact, when this photo was taken I had been exploring the small streets of Barrio Santa Cruz for about 2 hours, and just when I was thinking how unlikely it would be that I would find my way back home, I walked through a tunnel and found the Cathedral waiting on the other side.
So I leave you with this simple reminder: even if you think you’re going the wrong way, keep moving forward…
