Going the extra mile… or eight by Rachel Barrett

Since getting to Sevilla, or Europe for that matter, I do not think I have ever walked so much in my life in the matter of one day. Every night before I go to bed, I check my “Health” app on my iPhone to see how many miles I walked that day. As time went on, my mile count would go from around four miles at the beginning to now at least eight miles. Sometimes during lunch, I would check my steps as well and see I have already done three miles and be confused. Usually whenever I would walk around I would be out of breath and dripping in sweat. I am very athletic to the point where I barely even workout so walking a mile or two was a lot for me. In Sevilla, the metro only runs to certain areas so you usually have to walk at least a mile to where you want to go, so you obviously need to walk that mile back. I honestly love the lifestyle. After a long day of travelling and sitting on a train, bus or plane for how many hours makes me want to go for long walks once I arrive at my destination. Also, being in a city like Sevilla, I feel as though there is always something for me to do and always people on the street. It feels very comfortable here and like home. Walking around has made me feel less bad about all the tapas and Cruzcampo I have consumed since being here. When I first got her, my program directors told us not to feel bad about having two slices of toast in the morning for breakfast every day because with the amount we would be walking, we would burn it off in no time. I definitely was skeptical but now internalized it to be true. I do not know how my life will change once I get home considering I live in the suburbs and to walk into town would take me at least an hour and a half. I will miss the lifestyle of being outside and walking everywhere that is a huge aspect of life in Sevilla.