Healthy Twists

It’s Friday, which means Flashback Friday! Better late then never, right? Honestly, it’s hard to find pictures of myself, especially from back in the day. I’m pretty camera shy, which I think is a holdover from my heavier days. And obviously, it was worse when I actually was bigger. It’s something I’d really like to change because…well…photos are fun!

But I digress. For my first FF (which is different from Follow Friday on Twitter) I decided to show some photos from my semester abroad. In spring 2004 I spend the semester in Seville, Spain. I went to a Spanish-immersion school where all my classes were in Spanish. Those four months were pretty amazing, even though I didn’t fully comprehend that at the time.

One of the most unique things I witnessed while in Spain was Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Seville Feria.

The Seville Fair takes place just two weeks after Semana Santa. The official fair grounds are called the “Real de la Feria.” This is an area covering 1.2 million square meters that is divided into three parts, one for parking, another for the amusement park, and then a vast area set aside for the main attraction–casetas. These are canvas tent pavillions that are set up every year in rows that make up the streets of the fairgrounds. Some of these belong to eminent local families, some to groups of friends, business owners, others to clubs, trade associations or political parties. Inside the tents the drinks begin to flow and tapas are served from around 1:30 mid-day till early next morning.

Some men and virtually all women wear the traditional costume. For men – particularly those on horseback or driving carriages, this is the “traje corto” – or short suit consisting of fitted pants and a short cut jacket. It goes together with a wide-brimmed hat. Women turn out in an astonishing array of the latest styles of the traditional “traje de gitano” literally “gypsy outfits” or flamenco dresses.

(Source for text: http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm)

I wasn’t nearly that stylin’ but I found a few accessories to go along with a dress I brought from home.

That woman in the photo was Carmen, the“senora” with whom I lived while in Seville. As far as “host moms” go, I think I really lucked out, because Carmen was awesome. She fed me three lovely meals a day, made my bed, and did my laundry. She ironed my socks and my jeans, people. She also was more hip, stayed out later, and had more attention from the fellas that I think I ever have in my life. I wonder what she’s up to these days.

So that was Feria. And while I was in Spain, I had my 20th birthday the next week.

Legal drinking age in Spain: 18. Thankyouverymuch.

What are you most looking forward to this weekend? I have a full weekend of errands, girl time, boy time, puppy time, exercise (trying 4.5 miles, eek), and hopefully some rest. I’m TIRED, ya’ll. But, of all these things I’m looking forward to meeting up with a rad blogger, and having a Sunday girl’s night with some friends.

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