Introduction to Sevilla

I’m sorry that I haven’t updated this blog. My computer was out of battery, and the plug converter that I brought doesn’t even work. The plug for the power cord has three prongs, but most converters are meant for plugs with just two prongs. I actually bought another plug converter online and had it shipped express to me. In the meantime, I’ve only used the computers of other people.

Just to orient yourselves better, I should at least give you a brief introduction to Sevilla and the culture. Sevilla is the heart of Andalucía (or Andaluz, as the people here call it), which is the region in the south of Spain. Andalucía is the home of everything traditionally Spanish, such as flamenco, bullfighting, and tapas. Yet it is also the crossroads of cultures. Andalucía was the home to the Moors, the Jews, and the gypsies. Before the Reconquista in 1492, the entire south of Spain was ruled was Muslims. The Muslims have left their mark most evident in the architecture. This fusion of cultures is what’s most exciting for me. The MCP (Michigan-Cornell-Penn) program also includes excursions to other cities in Andalucía, such as Cádiz, Córdoba, and Granada (the last Muslim stronghold), so I’m excited to their distinctive characteristics as well.