suburbios

This Friday I didn't have class or any big travel plans, so I signed up for a morning trip with my program called "castillos medievales" or medieval castles. I was expecting to enjoy my morning, because it isn't every day that I get to visit a castle, but the whole trip was even better than I expected. It was organized by two of my favorite professors Alejandro and Ángel. They organized the trip because we went to their pueblos, or the towns outside of Sevilla where they grew up. For me, this was an incredibly valuable experience, because it provided me with an opportunity to see how a lot of spaniards live. Not everyone can afford to live in the main cities, so there are suburbs just like the United States. Only these are so much cooler because they have castles. Also, the community feel that you get from all of them is so refreshing. Both towns were quaint and understatedly beautiful. The people were friendly and it seemed like everyone knew each other.

The first stop was Alcalá, Alejandro's pueblo. It was about a twenty minute bus ride from the center of Sevilla. Unfortunately it was raining (actually a good thing for the sevillanos), but that didn't stop the fun. We got to walk around the pueblo while climbing the hill to see the castle. We were the only group up at the castle, and we got to climb through little stair cases to get to the top of the towers. Alcalá seemed to me like the sevillano equivalent to Bloomington. Only its main attraction is not a mall, rather a medieval castle built by the romans to protect the city from catholic invasion. No big deal. There are seriously houses right up next to the castle walls. At 11 o'clock in the morning we could hear people in their houses blasting their music and having a casual Friday.

I love the castles in the south of Spain because 

they are surrounded by palm trees!

Can you see the cross?

Of course the catholics made a few changes to the muslim palace when they took over. 

Here is a bridge in typical Gaudí style:

it uses glass (ceramics, stained glass) that is broken apart to add color 

This is supposed to be a dragon defending the castle.

I will get to see more if this style in Barcelona where Gaudí

did all of his best works!

View of Alcalá from the top of the tower

After Alejandro's pueblo we got back on the bus to go to Utrera, Ángel's pueblo. Ángel was my professor for my intensive class, and it was fun to get to see where he grew up. Utrera isn't as well know for its castle, but it has one of the most impressive churches I have ever seen, and delicious bakeries! It was so fun to walk around with Ángel because just about every five steps someone would come up and say hi to him. He said that he has lived in Sevilla for the past sixteen years, but the people in Utrera still know him very well. It was like walking around with a celebrity. 

Here is the main altar piece at the church

It isn't super close to the center, but every day people will set off

on a long walk to go and pray

Ángel told us that the town was divided between two parroquias, or parish churches. He said it isn't as big of a deal nowadays, but when his mother was growing up, you couldn't get married to a person from the other parroquia. 

Here is Ángel's parroquia: La parroquia de la Asunción

Here is the other: Parroquia de Santiago

View of Utrera from the top of the castle. 

I would say this is the sevillano equivalent to Edina. 

Same population, seemed like better upkeep than in Alcalá

Visiting the pueblos was a great way to see some hidden treasures in Spain. I might have to go back to Utrera for some more pastries from the bakery! They are so yummy! The morning made me even more excited about the trips I just booked. Since I am traveling Europe after my semester, I really want to see Spain during my time living here. I just booked a trip to Valencia and Barcelona for part of Holy Week when I don't have class. I am also heading to Madrid next Thursday to meet up with my mom and Betsy for the weekend. Now I just have to see if I can get the north of Spain on my agenda, but I might have to settle for beaches in the south...poor me!