Muchas gracias a todas las familias anfitrionas por invitarnos a vuestras casas y por compartir con nosotros una experiencia rica e inolvidable. ¡Besos y abrazos!
Saying goodbye to our host families was very sad, but we were on to our next adventure in no time at all! Thanks to an impressive layover in Madrid, we were able to visit el Parque del Buen Retiro for a few hours in the afternoon. Whether chatting with amigos in the shade of some trees, or riding in a row boat around el estanque, it was nice to relax outside of the train station and see a new part of Madrid.
Next, we boarded the AVE, which is the high-speed train that travels from Madrid to Sevilla.  AndalucÃa, here we come!
This morning, we woke up and went on a scavenger hunt to become familiar with the city, its people, monuments and traditions. What fun! Whether learning steps to the regional dance sevillanas, learning the grito (cheer) of a professional soccer team from the city, or passing by the Plaza de Toros to see where bullfighting takes place, we spoke Spanish with many new people and learned a lot about Sevilla.
Later in the day, we visited the Real Alcázar de Sevilla, the royal palace here in Seville. ¡Qué impresionante! We then took a ride in horse-drawn carriages through the city, including the Plaza de España and El Parque de MarÃa Luisa.
Tonight, we headed to Triana, a neighborhood well-known for being the “birthplace” of flamenco dancing, and went to the neighborhood fair, where we watched a flamenco competition.
¡Viva Sevilla!
Mari, Margaret, Emma and Zac enjoying some time at the park in Madrid. Here they are rowing on the estanque, a small lake in the Parque del Buen Retiro.
Ira and Lauren trying out the flamenco look!
Isaac, Laura, Alec and Mari are putting these "abanicos" to use to get some relief from the intense Andaluz heat!
Emma, Katie, Zac and Ari looking for a ride!
Emily, Margaret, Caroline and Laura outside of the Plaza de Toros with their Spanish fans!
Emma, Kaylyn, Ira and Lauren with the Torre de Oro in the background. As our winning team of the Treasure Hunt, they each won a great poster from La Feria de Sevilla.
