If Paris was the intense, elegant, somewhat intimidating sister, Sevilla was her charming, beautiful sibling. But when Spring came, they both transformed. Paris into a seductive dream of warm, playful decadence, and Sevilla into an exotic fantasy of colors, music and the intoxicating smell of orange blossoms.
—
In the thick of writing an academic article about child marriage in Pakistan…so revisiting one of my favorite places in the world, my second home, was a welcomed reprieve.
Today is the last day of La Feria, the spring festival that embodies so many of the things I love about Sevilla. So here are some fun pictures of Ferias past and ‘mi gente’-dear friends, now family- I’ve known and loved for over two decades…
Mi gente from this year and Ferias Past (mejor amigo, Oscar and I, his wife and daughter, Alejandro & Valen dancing ‘the Sevillanas’, and ‘los chicos’…
La Giralda
My first Feria in ’98
My beautiful friend, Araceli…a patient soul who taught me the Sevillanas
El toro de oro
The source of one of my favorite smells: orange blossoms
My Spanish niece, Esther, and her beautiful mama…
My Spanish mom and sis…my two favorite ‘Maites’.
Manolo, my favorite trouble-maker
Bringing Briya (my company) to the streets of Sevilla (photo by the extremely talented Alvaro Rodriguez Galan
Summoning Magic: A Gypsy's Tale 
This is so kewl to read and see. Love that pic of you in the alley.
OMG. The orange trees. They are amazing. I can see why you fell in love with that place.
Thank you so so much for showing us.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I just included the link to the photographer who took it…his work is amazing if you want to check him out!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is all breathtaking! The writing, the photos, you….all beautiful! Thank you for sharing this!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful story and pics.
I’m in love with Spain too but haven’t been to Sevilla (yet). This looks amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is amazing. Do try to make it there if you ever get the chance. Although clearly bias, I think of all the places I’ve been to in Spain, Sevilla Embodies the essence of Spanish culture…and the warmest people you’ll meet! (It is NOT, however, the easiest place to learn Spanish…The equivalent of taking English lessons in London and going to Alabama to learn it!!) ;o)
LikeLiked by 3 people
I don’t even wanna think in terms of ‘if I ever get the chance.’ I know I will.
I guess you’ve been to Granada too, right?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have indeed. I call it the Boulder of Spain. Gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That was always my dilemma, whereto first. Seville, Granada or Cordoba. All three in one trip or separately. Since I couldn’t make up my mind, I decided to freeze the idea of Andalucia till I make up my mind or have more time on my hands.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you waited, the South deserves a trip all to itself! It’s so vastly different from the other parts of Spain. I’ve never had the chance to do it in its entirety, but La Ruta de Los Pueblos Blancos is supposed to be amazing. Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba and Jerez are all must-sees and then you can find quaint little villages along ‘la ruta’. Sigh…so miss it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
España, mi amor, here I come.
LikeLiked by 2 people
💃🏻❤️🇪🇸
LikeLiked by 2 people
Viva!
LikeLiked by 2 people
“The equivalent of taking English lessons in London and going to Alabama to learn it!!) ;o)”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 2 people
☺️
LikeLiked by 2 people
These pictures are stunning–what kind of camera do you use?
LikeLiked by 2 people
God, most of them on the most primitive you can imagine! Some were taken by people I was with. But I’d say the majority were either on my phone or the equivalent of a throw-away camera. ;o) But truly, it’s such a magical place, it’s hard to take a bad picture! I’m glad you enjoyed them…last minute post as I was being tortured by my Spanish peeps’ instagram posts… had to join in somehow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You talk about Spain so often; it’s nice to finally get a glimpse of the place you love so dearly. Spain is on my list of places to go, and for sure, when I get there, I am totally going to go sniff an orange blossom like nobody’s business. I will inhale it deep into my lungs because it must be magic. In fact, I know it is. Thank you for sharing this, B. I love seeing photos of you smiling in the place that makes your heart soar! 💃🍊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, you just have to! In Spring, when they are in bloom…I’ll make sure you get the VIP tour when you get to Sevilla! ;o)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Counting on it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Brooke for sharing your passion for life, travel, and orange blossoms.:) I’d love to visit Spain and a zillion others places. Viva el baile!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You will when the time is right! For now, keep taking those beautiful pictures of where you are now!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Brooke. Your post triggered a wave of passion and inspiration that I channeled into a poem and post. Viva Le Espana!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I love it when that happens!!! Can’t wait to read!! 🇪🇸❤️💃🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: ¡Viva El Baile! | writing to freedom
The way you started this post made me feel like I missed one! I was cursing Reader, again. 😉
This is a beautiful celebration of friends, family, life, and what is obvious a very beautiful land. Great share, Brooke! 👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, love. Yes, probably seemed a little incongruent, but it was something I wrote the last time I was in Paris. I got to jump over to Sevilla to spend Christmas with my peeps and thought it interesting to love two places equally that are so different. Anyway, I thought it somewhat captured the magic of Sevilla in the Spring. I’m glad you liked it…so behind on my blog reading and excited to catch up on your world. Caught a glimpse and at least know that some birthday love needs to be sent to Mrs. C. Please pass it on. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying to catch up, too, and I think I have the last two days! Thank you for the kind words; I’ll be sure to do that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person