Sevilla Strolling, by Lauren Boatright

I love walking. I love walking from the Plaza de Cuba metro stop to Puerta Jerez just across the river. I love listening to flamenco heels click as I walk down past the cathedral. I love the sun beating down on my skin and Spanish chit chat filling my ears as I walk to my 1:30 class at UPO. During my study here in Sevilla I have gained a great appreciation for the culture’s slow pace of life instead of rushing to my destination, ignoring my surroundings and the people around me as I would do in America. Back home I won’t be able to walk to everything and even if I could I would probably end up taking a car because it is more time efficient to do so. In Spain I slow down, I look around, possibly even just stopping to take in where I am. This being what I’m going to miss the most, the relaxed pace of daily life that allows you to take in the world around you. I’m going to miss being able to sit in a restaurant with friends for a meal and us losing track of time for we were never once rushed out the door. I’m going to miss not feeling like I am just another player within the rat race. I’m going to miss my leisurely Sevilla strolls.