(Post #14) Long Travels & Semana Santa

Hello good readers and welcome to the start of this blog post. Lots has happened and Kalie has been fulfilling her travel kick which feels so good! The memories and adventures I have to share will never be forgotten by me, and I am happy that I can give you a glimpse too!

(Monday, April 4th): As the planner that I am, I spent this day preparing for everything that is to come, so I don’t have too many updates from this day- but I promise this will get more interesting!

(Tuesday, April 5th): Today was a new activity and I thoroughly enjoyed it- a cooking class! Through my CEA program, we got to attend a cooking class to make paella and gespacho. I got to help cut veggies and stir the paella, and there is just something about helping to cook that makes the food taste even better! I really enjoyed this activity.

(Wednesday, April 6th): Something that I am trying to be better about in Spain is leaving the house and walking around just for leisure. I headed to the park with some friends just to hang out, and I forgot how absolutely beautiful it is and how I really do appreciate Spain’s climate.

(Thursday, April 7th) Today is where the Semana Santa traveling begins! Asia and I had classes and then we headed straight to the airport to fly to Cologne, Germany to embark on the week’s festivities. We stayed in a hostel where we got our own room for a change and we really enjoyed that! We went to sleep pretty fast as we were both excited for what was to come.

(Friday, April 8th) Today’s travels were all about Cologne! Asia and I did our fair share of

walking around the city, eating pastries, and then a new activity that I really enjoyed was going to the Fragrance museum as cologne perfume is from this city after all. We got a tour of Giovanni Farina’s house, and then we did an activity to test scents and see if we have perfect noses like Farina- I indeed do not, haha!

After, Asia and I enjoyed some German food and headed over to the famous Cologne Cathedral and bridge. The Cologne Cathedral was breathtaking and it was maybe the first cathedral I have found in Spain that had free entrance. I really enjoyed walking around.

Next, Asia and I had to take a metro a little outside of town in order to get to our night bus, but let me tell you – German public transportation is not great. Luckily Asia nor I are afraid of asking for help + Germans speak English so we were able to make our way through, but their signs are not as clear as would be helpful. Maybe it’s because they focus on cars so much? Who knows!

For dinner and snacks, we completed a weird goal of mine. Back home, my family shops at ALDI all the time (which is from Germany) so I really wanted to go to ALDI in Germany to see how it compares, and all I can say is the products looked similar, but the store was way bigger and I am jealous!

We then made our way to the bus station again where we were a little confused where to stand, but then we got on our 11-hour bus ride to the Czech Republic! I did not sleep as well as I was hoping especially with all the stops and people coming/going, but I think the adrenaline and excitement kept me going.

(Saturday, April 9th) Good morning to Prague! Asia and I arrived in the city around 8:30am and tried to figure out our bus to our hostel.

We got off the bus, but then Asia quickly realized she left her phone on the bus as it had already driven away. With a little bit of panic, we chased the bus to the next station because it was the last one on the route, and we found the bus driver enjoying a banana while parked. He did not speak English but we went up to him anyways to explain the situation, and he yelled at us to go stand on the platform until his break was over. We continued to try to speak to him and I had google translate pulled up on my phone, but he got so mad he got out of the bus and pointed to the platform. We ended up waiting at the platform and then when he pulled up two minutes later and passive-aggressively gestured for us to get on, Asia grabbed her phone and then we headed out.

On the plus side, our hostel is really nice and we changed and got ready for the day after sleeping (barely) on a bus. We then headed into town and oh gosh- Prague is BEAUTIFUL! This city does not get talked about enough but the architecture and atmosphere of the city is unbeatable. It is so well preserved and it also just has such good energy that I cannot describe. Asia and I enjoyed spending the day wandering around, finding the cute Easter market in the town square, watching the famous astronomical clock, and eating Czech cuisine. We ate things like roasted chicken, roasted duck, goulash, dumplings, and other hearty cuts of meat along with trying the local beer as beer is cheaper than water in this place. This may be an unknown fact, but the Czech Republic is at the top of the list of countries worldwide for drinking the highest amount of beer.

(Sunday, April 10th) Another day, another Czech Koruna (that is their local currency). This day was spent touring the Prague palace grounds, the churches and cathedral on the grounds, and the old neighborhood called Golden Lane that is famous. These palace grounds are one of the largest in the world! It was so great walking around inside and getting a glimpse of life in the olden days.

To get a better history of the city, Asia and I signed up for the tour and we really enjoyed our guide. Kamil was very knowledgeable and taught us so much in 3 hours. We learned about Prague’s beginnings all the way up to what movies have been filmed in the city and also how cheap and efficient their public transportation is to visiting the Jewish quarter and discussing WW2.

After, Asia and I got some pizza for dinner because as much as we like the Czech cuisine, we needed a little break. Something I do not need a break from though are their famous Chimney Cakes- so delicious! Asia and I checked out the cathedral by our hostel and then watched a little more of the Sound of Music movie to prepare for what was coming in a couple of days 😊

(Monday, April 11th) Asia and I woke up early and walked through Prague one last time as we headed to the train station for Vienna, Austria. It was about a 5 hour ride and when we arrived we settled into our nice hostel and looked for lunch. In Spain we are used to eating lunch around 3pm, but here at 3:30 we were starving for lunch and settled for some kebabs as there are stands everywhere in Europe and they really are DELICOUS. We also ate some currywurst again which we first tried in Cologne, and I would very much recommend.

When we went downtown Vienna, we quickly learned how absolutely breathtaking it is! All of

the old architecture and palaces are really phenomenal. I have never been to Paris, but Vienna felt a little like a Germanized Paris. We walked around many of the buildings and then went in St. Peter’s and St. Stephen’s churches which were gorgeous. We then of course got Wiener Schnitzel and Apple Strudel as they are both famous here!

(Tuesday, April 12th) Yay for a full day in Vienna! Asia and I ate some pastries and then headed to our tour of Vienna. It was about two hours and we learned a lot about the old emperors and we walked a lot around the Hofburg Palace as well as a few other places.

When I was in my hostel in Lisbon, Portugal a couple of months ago, I met a girl in my room named Nicole from Vienna. She is living in Portugal for a year, but she just happened to be in Vienna this week, so we met up for lunch and it was so fun to catch up. She is 28 years old, but something I have learned while traveling is that there are a lot of social constructs that are unnecessary, and it really is a good way to grow and gain perspective by putting yourself out there meeting new people from all walks of life. Sadly Nicole had something going on after lunch so we said had to say goodbye too soon, but I know eventually that we will meet again!

After lunch, Asia and I toured the Belvedere as visiting these palaces is one of our favorite things to do. We spent a good chunk of the time on the grounds and then we headed back to the center. Another dessert that Vienna is famous for is the Sacher Torte Chocolate Cake originally from the Sacher Hotel (that still makes it and has the secret original recipe). We waited in line at the famous Demel café from the 1700s and tried this cake along with more apple strudel. Honestly, the cake was a little dry but I enjoyed it with whipped cream. Asia and I then asked for a recommendation from a Demel worker for good schnitzel and we ended up at a fancier Viennese restaurant which was a change from our normal routine but it was fun! Asia and I then got some great pictures by the famous Vienna Opera House and I love seeing how everything is lit up.

(Wednesday, April 13th) Today will go down as one of my favorite days ever! Asia and I had to get up quite early at 5am to take the train to Salzburg but it was worth it. We started the day walking around some gardens which we quickly learned were the Mirabell gardens used in the filming of the Sound of Music, and then we walked around the city! We headed up the funicular tram to the Hohensalzburg Fortress to tour it, and the views of the Alps mountains on the other side actually took my breath away. We went to museums and exhibits in the fortress and then we headed back down to go to Mozart’s Residence! It is a little hard to believe that we actually saw the piano Mozart played along with many other pieces, but I love that Europe is just a place filled with amazing history like this.

Asia and I then got a quick lunch and then headed to the part I was most excited for: The Sound of Music Tour! We got on the fun and festive tour bus and then our tour guide Bridget started the 4 hour tour.

I learned a lot of facts about the movie and actors which I loved, but it was so amazing to see the places where they filmed and how they still look mostly the same to this day. We saw the patio used for the lake background scenes and then we also saw the other location that was used for the actual scenes of the Von Trapp house from the outside. We then visited the palace that was used for some outdoor scenes, and then we got to see the famous gazebo used for some of the love scenes! This was surreal for me because I remember singing sixteen going on seventeen as a child and thinking of this scene.

We then started driving through the mountains and singing the soundtrack which was a blast. The views were absolutely stunning and I loved just looking out the window. We eventually made it to the town of Mondsee which has the church where the wedding scene was filmed, and going in there was also amazing because this is the other scene from The Sound of Music that I often think about. We then headed back into Salzburg and visited the Mirabell gardens again and Bridget explained where all the filming took place in this garden. I LOVED the tour.

After, Asia and I got dinner and then headed back to sleep in our Vienna hostel.

(Thursday, April 14th) As all good things must come to an end, today was our last day! Asia and I spent the morning touring the inside of the Hofburg palace which was so extravagant and it is fun to see the rooms that look untouched. We eventually headed back to our hostel and then to the airport! We had a layover on the island of Menorca but touched down in Seville around 11:30pm.

Part of the reason that Asia came back on Thursday and did not continue traveling until Monday is because Seville is known for their Holy Week processions throughout the city, and Thursday night is one of the biggest nights. I got home and went into my flat quick before going back out and walking to the Triana Bridge where there were thousands of people waiting for one of the 58 processions throughout the week. The procession started around 2am and ended around 5am. I got home around 5:30 and then took a “nap” I would say before waking up at 9am on Friday.

Seeing the processions and how important they are to Sevillanos was such an experience. Everyone gets very dressed up and as the processions go through the street, everyone is very respectful. Also, the big floats (in Spanish they are called pasos) are carried by men called Costaleros underneath with the float resting on the back of their neck. They often make stops during the procession, and then to get going again they have to jump up to adjust the float.

Also, something I want to point out about the pictures is that often as Americans say, it looks like the people are dressed in outfits similar to what the Ku Klux Klan wore. The Nazareno outfits with the capirote cone hats date back to the Middle Ages, but then the KKK came around after and copied the outfit. It can be kind of a shock for Americans to see these people walking through the streets, but you get used to it as you focus on their true meaning and how it is a symbol for good here.

(Friday, April 15th) Today was a very relaxed day filled with catching up on work and heading outside in the 80 degree weather! I met some friends at a park and then that night we visited a restauarant/bar that was filled with locals who love to sing and play Flamenco. We had to take a 20 minute detour to get to a location 5 minutes away because of the processions, but it is honestly worth it to see the city so full of life.

(Saturday, April 16th) Today was another relaxed day getting things done and it felt good! My friend Asia and I have spent lots of time planning our trip in the end of May/beginning of June and it makes me excited! I laid low today and caught up with some friends back home and it was exactly what I needed.

(Sunday, April 17th) Happy Easter! I went to an extravagant 2 hour-long Easter mass in the morning and then walked around the city enjoying the bustling life. I picked up some food and then hung at my friends' apartment for the afternoon making travel plans and enjoying each other's company. It was a very restful Easter and I enjoyed the day very much.

If you made it to the end of this longer blog post, thank you so much for taking the time to read this! More pictures can be found under the gallery tab as always.