One month after having Weston, we decided to take advantage of Jayson’s final weekend on paternity leave and venture out on our first trip in Spain. We decided on Seville since it is only 1.5 hours from us and we had heard so many great things about it. We spent one night and almost 2 days there and still didn’t get to see everything it has to offer. To say this town is beautiful is an understatement. The architecture, attention to detail, lush greenery, and charm of this town is just breathtaking. Seville has over 1.6 million people in its metropolitan area, making it the fourth largest city in all of Spain.

We started at Plaza de Espana. This was originally built to house the Exposition World’s fair in 1929. It brought together over 18 countries in hopes of improving their trade and relations. This structure took over 19 years to build and is now used as a consulate and government offices.

The plaza has a mote in the middle spanning the half circle of continuous buildings. The building can be accessed by crossing over one of its four main bridges that represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. The inside bottom ring of the plaza is detailed with ornate tiles and sections representing each province in Spain.

This was also the sight of the filming of Star Wars episode 1. This is what it really looks like, compared to what it was made to look like in the film.

Pretty neat!!!

Next we visited the cathedral of Seville. This is the third largest church in the world after Saint Peter’s in Rome and Saint Paul’s in London. This is the final resting place of the remains of Christopher Columbus.

On our second day, we toured the Real Alcazar. This is a royal palace built in the 14th century. The upper levels of this palace are still used by the royal family today and is therefore the oldest royal palace still used in all of Europe. This palace boasts numerous courtyards, myriad rooms, and lavish gardens and water features.

This is the beautiful rainwater tank baths beneath the patio.

 

There is also a chapel where Columbus met with Ferdinand and Isabella after his second voyage to discover the Americas.

This location was also used for the movies Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven. It was most recently the film site of episodes from season five of Game of Thrones.

Here are some pictures of the city itself. Sorry for the history lesson, but I find it so mesmerizing the time, effort, and attention to detail that these structures offer. Considering all of this was built before America was even discovered is just amazing. They definitely don’t build them like this anymore.

Now bring on more visitors so I can go back here and show you all around!! 🙂

Yesterday was one of those days where if it could go wrong, it did.

Weston had an ophthalmologist appointment in the nearest larger city to the one we live in. It’s about 30 minutes away and since the provider speaks English, there was no need for a representative from base to go with us. I have been to this town several times but only right off the highway to the ikea and other shops (priorities right?! 😉). However, this doctor’s office was located in the city center. I plug in the address and find my way there, so I think. I quickly realize there is no parking near the address I have found. I park a few blocks away in an underground parking garage only to realize I have forgotten to put the stroller in the back of the car. So I carry Weston in his infant car seat and hold Lyla’s hand as we make our way towards the office. As we get closer to the address listed, my gps starts taking me in circles and the office is no where to be found. This is where it became interesting to say the least. Not being able to speak the language yet, all I could do was point to the address on the paper and ask a local, ¿dondè? The kicker was, no one knew where this address was. Finally after being directed to a nearby travel agency where a lady spoke a little bit of English, I was pointed in the right direction. I was only about FIVE MILES from the actual location 😡.

I therefore CARRY BOTH kids (Lyla was tired from walking at this point) back down to the car and load up to head down the street. I find another parking spot, do a little more walking, and eventually find the doctor’s office. We arrived to town at 11:10 am, Weston’s appointment was at 11:30 am, and it was now 12:45 pm. Thank goodness the doctor still took us in (I think they could see the defeat on my face lol). Weston was cleared and said to look completely healthy thank goodness!

We then headed to a park on the way back to the car so Lyla could play while I sat down to feed Weston. At this point I realize I can’t find my phone in the diaper bag. I figure I left it in the car and continued to let Lyla play a little longer. Once we got back to the car and saw that my phone was no where to be found, I went BACK to the doctor’s office only to find that they were closed for siesta already.

With two crying and beyond tired kids in the backseat, I headed back home… Again, so I thought. Without a phone or gps, I couldn’t find my way out of the town and back to the highway 😖 I drove in circles pretty much for about 20 minutes until I finally found my way back to the highway. Almost to the point of tears and a complete meltdown myself, I look in my rear view mirror to see both kids are fast asleep!

We make it home and as I start to tell Jayson about the disaster of a day, and all I can do is laugh about it… Thank goodness!!

 

I just kept thinking, amongst all the obstacles the day brought, God would peak through and give me a break just when I needed it most. After the long treck to the doctor, Weston was cleared and said to be healthy! After getting lost on our way out of town, the kids took a good nap on the way home. Once we got home, Lyla didn’t want to nap anymore, she just wanted to lay on me and cuddle for a while (which never happens anymore). It was exactly what I needed at that moment. And amidst all the chaos, the town was beautiful and I got to take in some gorgeous scenery and pictures along the way.

Do I want to relive that day- NO! Am I glad God was there to give me a little sense of humor along the way- DEFINITELY!

Tonight I am enjoying a well deserved long, hot bubble bath because I’m pretty sure I’ve never had this many knots in my shoulders and my arms be this sore from carrying an infant car seat that long!