Bueno, pues, TODO.

Ay ay ayyyyyy I have SOmuch to tell you guys. Thing is, I've been adventuring in Andalucia this past week, with very limited internet access, so I couldn't keep you posted on what was going on. Here's what was going on:

1. We took the train to Sevilla. Even the train station is nice here, with a garden and pond and TURTLES in the middle of it. Plus, cool train. There were seats facing each other with a table in the middle, so it was clearly a dream come true. I jammed out to TSwift.

2. We arrive in Sevilla, which is just the greatest little city. We went to a lot of sites that I've actually been fortunate enough to visit already, in high school, like La Plaza de España, the palace, and the big cathedral with the bell tower that you can climb. All wondrous experiences. Also, the Muslim/Moorish architectural influences are very evident and very beautiful. And very hilarious. At the palace, there's this design on the wall that to the Spanish king would have simply looked cool, but actually says something like, "God is the highest authority." Aka jokes on you, Rey de España.

3. We went to the Royal Equestrian school!! How cool. It's super exclusive (they only admit 6 students a year), but some seriously classy premises. And horses. Also we decided, based on the people there, that good looks must be a requirement for admission.

4. Jerez. The one and only location of the production of sherry. Which, as it turns out, is kind of gross. But, fun fact, they mix older "years" of sherry with newer ones! I thought that was a faux pas in the wine world, but apparently not in Jerez.

5. LA PLAYA. We saw the ocean in Cadiz. How beautiful. Also, there were cats.

6. MY FAVE THING: Hiking through the rocky hills of Antequera. Literally magical. Pictures to come. Also, there were goats.

7. Granadaaaa! Including La Alhambra/Generalife, a cathedral in the city, and a flamenco "espectaculo" in a gypsy cave on the "Sacred Mountain." (Tambien, the first discoteka of the trip.) ALL WONDERFUL. Fun fact: M.C. Escher studied the architecture of La Alhambra for his own artwork! He was inspired by it's geometry! #MATH. Other fun fact: Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) also studied at and wrote about La Alhambra. Also, there were cats.

8. Olive oil factory. Really all I have to say about this is that Spanish olive oil is delish and the Spaniards know it. Also they want the world to be clear on the fact that while the Italians sell the most olive oil of anyone, Spain PRODUCES the most olive oil.

9. La Mezquita in Cordoba--magnificent. Also super famous--I recognized it from my high school history books! Minor hilarious story here: Some rando tried to join our tour, and refused to leave when our beloved and knowledgeable tour guide Joaquin told him we were a private group. So Joaquin casually slipped his tour into English, instead of Spanish, so the man could not understand. SASSY.

Look out for MANY more additions to the food column, brilliant Spanish phrases I've adopted, and how my host mom still thinks I'm really dumb.