We're a bit miffed to be honest

Meanwhile, in Andalucia...

"we should not and will not pay"

These two photos were taken at a protest in mid-October.

"It's not a crisis, it's a rip-off"Also yer man's face right under the sign, hilarious.

Spain is angry. I think they're angry at the government. They're also angry at the banks.  Basically it's like Ireland, but the Spanish passion makes everything more exciting, not to mention unavoidable whenever you leave the house. In any case, times are hard for an awful lot of people, over a quarter of Spain's labour force are unemployed and the rate is even higher in the southern community of Andalucia where Sevilla is located.  Since I've lived here I've witnessed quite a few protests about austerity and cutbacks, as well as some strikes, most notably the general strike across Spain of the 14th of November, which protested the measures the government is taking to control Spain's debt.  I won't pretend to be well informed enough to offer an opinion on what should be done, if I did someone would probably throw something at me. I am not well versed in economic matters anyway and it's particularly difficult to keep up to date with global news lately. I find on news websites that I'm often distracted by the "fun" stories, or drawn away from relatively dry economics by... well, anything else.

apologies for the dreadful phone photography

The economic downturn is evident in many areas, a large proportion of the people begging on the streets hold signs claiming to be in such straits due to losing their job in the Crisis. There are also large numbers of homeless in Seville, this is much more evident at around 9 at night when you see people setting out their sleeping bags for the night in doorways, some taking shelter in the entryways of closed down banks. Like a great deal of people across Europe the Spanish feel let down by their government and cheated by their banks, and dissatisfied with the solutions being offered for their problems. They are sick of the cutbacks and austerity measures, so they are taking to the streets. And they don't mince their words.

"thieves" next to an ATM

Along with this I have also seen slogans like "burn your bank" spray painted on walls. All in all, the anti-government and anti-bank sentiment, while not necessarily more evident than in Ireland, seems to be far more... angry. Ireland is angry too of course, but I find we're more bitter and weary (too used to this kind of nonsense) and our dark sense of humour is getting us through without too much violence. However, as this mannequin wearing a trade union badge shows, the Spaniards can have a laugh about their problems too.

Look at how topical I'm being.

viva la resistancia

10 Good Things

cheerfullllllllll

A different kind of post today. So I was quite sick last week again and was pretty much confined to my room for a few days. Anyway, it all got a little miserable lying in bed not being able to move or eat or drink without large amounts of pain and even though it's not the first time I've been sick since I've been here (hello weak immune system) it was definitely the worst case of "I want to be at home where someone will take care of me" I've had so far and it definitely didn't help the feeling of being behind with classes and being afraid of failing the (still very far away) exams. My flatmate and I had a chat in the kitchen last night about how much harder and quite lonely it is being unwell when you're away from home, even when it's nothing serious. This morning I was well enough to go back to college and sure enough being outside and talking to people helped things get a little bit more positive. To focus on that I decided to tell you all 10 things about Seville that make life a bit more cheerful lately.

1. The Christmas lights being up on the Avenida de la Constitución. 

2. The oranges on the trees finally ripening and providing some colour in the dull weather.

3. Knowing what's going on in most lectures.

4. The smell/ heat that comes out of the roast chicken shop (such a thing exists here) on the way to my flat. Also the chicken that comes out of said shop. Om.

5. Finding new and more convenient places to do things like buy phone credit/ stamps/ top up my bus ticket that just make life easier.

6. This video from Vodafone... not 100% what the point is but it is completely spot on when it comes to many Spaniards' take on the English language. 

7. Being able to get into bed and chill out without feeling guilty because I actually went to all of my classes. For once.

8. The Christmas carols being played in the nativity markets around the Cathedral.

9. Wandering around various Chinese multiarticulos shops and finding the oddest things that you never knew you needed... until now!

10.  When I'm getting the bus back from my language classes and it's driving past the particularly grim blocks of flats around Santa Justa train station... but you can still just see the statue on top of the Giralda in the distance. Nice to find the beauty in an otherwise dreary scene. 

I'll resume normal service tomorrow, I am wiped out after today. Hasta luego muchachos x

Viaje a Burdeos

Jardin Public, home of a mutant turkey duck

 Two weeks of radio silence, I do apologise, time got away from me completely. I solemnly promise to try harder. My excuses for lack of posting are as follows:

1. I was ill and then
2. I was stressed about missing college due to being ill and then
3. I went on a little holiday

The best part about number three is that it gives me something to write about! This weekend I went to Bordeaux to attend to some very important business (boyfriend) and a lovely time was had by all. I had never been to Bordeaux before, or indeed anywhere in France other than Disneyland Paris (flight layovers in Charles De Gaulle don't count, even if you do go outside) so it was all very new and interesting. Even getting off the plane at half eight on Saturday morning was exciting as it was cold enough to see my breath (I like winter). The weather in Seville at the moment is resembling an exceptionally pleasant day in springtime in Ireland which is making it difficult to get excited about Christmas, but rest assured I am doing my best. The Christmas markets in Bordeaux were sadly still in the setting up phase, but there were enough decorations around to keep me happy.

yayyyy 

 First of all, Bordeaux is gorgeous. They have some of the prettiest buildings and streets I have ever seen, as well as what I'd consider an impressive tram network. The only "touristy" thing we did was go to the Cathedral, which is in the middle of an impressive cleaning project. Although not half as imposing as Sevilla's cathedral it's very pretty and not nearly as gaudy. If you visit Sevilla Cathedral you'll understand, there really is an awful lot going on in there.

the contrast between the part that has already been cleaned and the part that hasn't is amazing

Bordeaux is so pleasant to walk around, however, that we really didn't need a plan, and I was happy enough to wander and take pictures of buildings and fountains. I enjoyed walking along the Garonne river (much more impressive than Sevilla's Guadalquivir, I have to say) and seeing so many squares full of those lovely typically French buildings with little balconies and attic windows. I must say that I am a little jealous of the shopping opportunities there, but I suppose it's a good thing that Spain is so Zara-heavy (am I the only one who thinks "meh" when I go into Zara?) otherwise I'd be broke. 

the french know their chocolat

One thing that was strange for me was being in a country where I knew so little of the language (I really only have a few words and the standard "merci, bonjour, je ne parle pas francais" fare) that I was dependent on someone else to talk for me. It's not as much fun as being able to communicate with people, so now I'm more determined to get around to learning French eventually.

My tour guide, buildings, and a fountain. The weekend in a nutshell.

 I'll more than likely go on another visit next term so perhaps then there'll be even more to tell you. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have some work to catch up on from when I was sick. Adieu for today x

p.s. potential trip to Madrid in two weeks, super exciiited.

Hey Internet, Welcome to my Crib

raaaaiiiin

Hey everyone, it's raining again, quite aggressively. We are in agreement that it is now worse than Ireland (no matter how cold you are). Today I thought I'd show you around my home (Here home, not home home) I moved into my flat two months ago yesterday and although it doesn't 100% feel like "home" (not that I expect it to) it's nice how close it's coming. I already know that when I return to Ireland in... quite a while from now I'll have some nostalgia for the place. I'll give you a quick tour.

Here's the entry way, complete with signs on the front door warning us to keep the windows closed or else pigeons will fly in.

My flatmates and I have different schedules so the sitting room doesn't get a lot of use by groups, which you can tell by how completely spotless it is :) It's nice for reading or doing work though. That television does work, must watch it more often (Spanish tv is a way of feeling productive while really not doing anything). A look through the presses yielded some of the strange things you always find in rented accommodation; batteries, a miniature plastic christmas tree (which I commandeered some time ago), a sewing kit, a head massager, and a terrifying green statue of what might be a leprechaun.

The kitchen, though irritatingly lacking in storage space (do you like our tasteful plastic solution?) is pleasant enough and despite a slight ant problem (more on that later) it does the job.

Bathroom the first, not really used, but it's where we store our cleaning equipment (that shower doesn't work)

Bathroom the actual, pretty self explanatory.

Down the corridor are my flatmates rooms. Dark wood and white walls, you'd know what country we were in.

And here's me. I'm a dreadful one for clutter so the lack of shelves and drawers to hide my hoarding tendencies here does annoy me, and it's difficult to keep everything off the floor. But I like it, and it's where I spend most of my time. Apparently I'm going for a "nothing matches but everything is pink and orange" theme. Cosy.

The reason I wanted to live here is because I love light, and being on the third floor we get a lot of that. When summer rolls back around it will be very hot but thankfully we're well aire condicionado'd up here. And of course, living right next to Casa Pilatos, one of Seville's tourist attractions, has its benefits. Here's the view from my window, I love that I don't feel like I'm in the middle of a city here. Until next time, hasta luego x

Fiesta de Naciones

Hola amigos. One of the things I have liked about Seville so far is that there always seems to be something going on. The same could be said of home but I suppose when you're immersed in your own life you don't really take the time to enjoy your own city. Here I don't have much of a life, so there you go. This lovely festival took place in the Prado de San Sebastián, one of Seville's city parks. It ran from the 20th of September until yesterday, the 4th of November, which was great because it meant we were able to visit time and time again to sample the different foods and sights on offer. Sadly, the last week of the festival coincided with what I can only describe as monsoons, so I never did get to go back and have some of those Argentinian sausages (oh my). Also, I was clearly so overwhelmed by everything when I was there that I only managed to take these 3, poor, pictures. Oh well.

The festival was made up of stalls from various countries around the world (Ireland didn't make an appearance, sad face). Many sold handicrafts from a given country but there were a number of country-less jewellery (and, to be blunt, pointless tat) stalls as well. There was also an "alternative hairdresser" where you can get your dreads done. For some reason they also sold second hand books. My favourites, however, were the stalls which just sold food (good shout, India, France and Argentina, to name a few). 2 Pakoras and a beer for €4? Amazing. Especially seeing as Indian food seems to be non existent here.
Laters.

come back i love you