Week 7

         Class is still happening. Things are starting to get real though. I don't think I realized that when I signed up for them. I have to start thinking about papers and all that stuff.
          Interest group again. We went to a wine tasting. It was pretty great. I really didn't know what to expect but our instructor was phenomenal. He was about 26 and taught us about the process about making wine and the different components and the different language that comes with wine.  We had 2 white wines and 2 red.  He also served us cheese. I definitely want to go back to that place one day.
          So this weekend I stayed in Sevilla for many reasons, but one of them was that Lauren's friend came in which meant we definitely ate well... After a day of homework we all met up, and by we I mean my friends Lauren, Arielle, Dana, Lauren's friend Alyssa, Dana'a intercambio Alejandro, Alejandro's flat mate Gerardo, and Gerardo's sister and flat mate Isa. Fun fact Gerardo will be living in Kalamazoo next semester so that will be so much fun to have a Spanish friend in the United States 45 minutes away from me! But back to our night, we went to the international festival happening in Sevilla right now. We walked around the different stands and then got food. German beer and a Venezuelan Arepa. Such a great night!
           Córdoba! Okay so CIEE also sets up an opportunity for students to go to Córdoba, the Islamic capital during the Muslim rule before the "Reconquista" in 1492 (thank you classes).  We first saw the Alcazar in Córdoba that was pretty cool. My favorite part were all the fountains and pools of water, you'll see what I mean from my pictures. Then we visited the old Jewish community. We went into a Temple and saw an old market. Definitely pretty in this community. Then we went to the main Mosque in Córdoba. It was simply breathtaking. The patio is filled with trees and fountains and it is just stunning. Then we walked into the mosque and just saw amazingness. It is huge and yet still feels close.  The really cool part is that after the "Reconquista" the "reyes católicos" built a church in the mosque. So on the skirts of the mosque it is a mosque, but in the middle is a beautiful cathedral. Definitely interesting and since I knew the history it made it all the more worth it.