caracoles

It is caracoles season in Sevilla folks! What does “caracoles” mean you ask? SNAILS. And now after just a couple of weeks they have been my dinner 4 times!

With time winding down here in Spain, I am determined to explore new parts of the city. I know there are more “firsts” left for me here, and caracoles are just another crazy food to add to the list. The bar down the street from my apartment is known for their caracoles, and my señora is one of their biggest customers. To my surprise the other day, I came home to find a giant bag of snails crawling around in our kitchen sink! Elisa said she had over 2 kilos of caracoles! This was for the big dinner that we had at our apartment for the student who lived in my room two years ago. Basically, along with the snails, Elisa made every other strange food that I have tried since being here! After a little bit of jamón and queso, we had squid eggs, fried whole squid, anchoas aka the little fishies that I have to take the head and spine out of, and a type of fried fish with olive oil and vinegar. It was a feast! That along with 2 kilos of caracoles had us all stuffed full. It was fun to hear stories from the other student about her time living with Elisa and Monolo and also to just talk and laugh over a big table of food. I know I will miss Elisa’s cooking when I head out in a few weeks!

Here are my new little friends chilling in the sink! 

Caracoles are cooked in a broth with spices and then you have to pinch the bodies with your teeth and slurp them out! You also take “chupitos” or shots of the broth when you are done! This time around I decided I had to take a picture, this way everyone who knew me as a fifteen year old will believe what I have been eating!

I was happy to stick around Sevilla this past weekend to just enjoy the weather, the river, the shopping, my books, etc. I also had a wonderful time with a good friend from Madison who came to visit while he is studying abroad in London. It was another weekend of playing tour guide, and getting to experience some of my favorite places in Sevilla again!

The Alcazar has never looked so beautiful with all the flowers in full bloom! I also found the peacocks that live in the garden for the first time! Our visit to the Parque de María Luisa was also lovely with a bunch of beautiful flowers and the smell of “azahar” or orange blossoms.

At least 3 peacocks live in the gardens of the Alcazar!

Here are some flowers in the Parque de María Luisa
I come here to read all the time!

Now after a weekend spent with good friends, I am starting my third to last week of class in Sevilla and getting ready for my big trip to Mallorca! Minus the time passing too fast, I have no complaints here in Sevilla!