The Sights of Seville

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We are All the Same

On Tuesday we were able to serve with students from the University of Colorado (Denver) in a community garden in Seville. It was interesting for me to experience our interaction and to know that at the end of the day we are all trying to better ourselves and our world. They were all so kind, and I enjoyed getting to know them. At times it can be difficult not to compare myself to others, but this service day was a great time for me to put aside any insecurities or differences and serve the greater good.

Too Close for Comfort

Our group ate at the same restaurant for all four meals that we had while in Seville. The waiter we had was a very touchy individual. I personally was only touched on the shoulder once, and it did not bother me in the slightest. Some other girls, however, were touched or flirted with more than once, to the point that they felt uncomfortable. It was hard to interpret the situation, but according to "Culture Smart", the Spanish "relies above all on the human touch" as a form of communication (p. 145). Our group had a difficult time understanding the Spanish way of communication, as it is very different from the distance we are used to experiencing in the United States.

The Rich and Poor

Like Barcelona, Seville relies heavily on tourists to bring in revenue. Something that I did not expect was the poverty that would be present in a city with that type of tourism. According to "Insights Spain", Seville has had a declining economy since 2008. The area has 29% unemployment, the highest in Spain (p. 189). Having read this portion of the book before arriving, I did notice more beggars than any other place we had been in. I was somewhat confused, however, to see some taxi companies using Mercedes Benz as their vehicles. It was a diversity that I was not expecting, but goes well with the description of Seville, "A rich land inhabited by poor men" (Insight Spain, p. 189).

Words - 345

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Photos

The Garden
We were able to serve the community on Tuesday morning with a group of students from the University of Colorado (Denver). We planted, weeded, and cleared an area that would be worked on later in the week.

The Garden
Another view of the beautiful garden we worked in with students from the University of Colorado (Denver).

Food!!
This is a view from inside the beautiful restaurant we were able to eat at while in Seville

Crepes for Dessert
These crepes were delicious!

Seville
One of the many areas in Seville that attracts thousands of tourists each year, bringing in much needed revenue for the city.

Gardens at the Palace in Seville
The gardens here are breath-taking!

Blue skies
The city of Seville is beautiful and a great tourist stop for anyone traveling through Spain.