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Seville is Spain´s third most popular destination after Barcelona and Madrid.  But the week that I arrive, it´s the #1 destination because it´s during the week-long Feria de Abril party, where Spaniards from across the country flock to flamenco in the streets all thru the night.

PLAZA DE ESPANA.  The semi-circle plaza is completely huge, including a fountain and  a moat with bridges.  The multi-arch columned Capitania General building is extremely detailed up close, with a perfect combo of golden tan stonework and azul blue patterns. 

CATHEDRAL. The Gothic Cathedral´s equally impressive, and includes Christopher Columbus´ tomb.

ALCAZAR.  Just across from the Cathedral are the turreted
9th century outer walls of the Alcazar.  Much of the inside features Moorish column architecture.  There are also hundreds of azul-painted tiles and murals.  I think the artist was goofing with this tile lady:

The royal gardens in back of the Alcazar are impressive.  They reflect Seville´s many gardens and parks scattered thruout the city.  Great place to relax.

FERIA DE ABRIL.  The town is packed with people from all over Spain to do the Feria de Abril (April Fair).   The fair is like a huge block party, except it´s about 12 city blocks jammed with hundreds of tents and pavillions for dancing for teens and adults.  Next door to the casettas (tents) are more than 70 amusement park rides for the kids.  Seville´s bullring also has daily bullfights for the fair. 

When I get to town at 11 pm, I find out that the fair is about to start - at MIDNIGHT!   Seville knows how to party.   I join the crowds of hundreds, including young people out to party, older couples to flamenco the way it should be done, and little kids who are psyched they can start the fun at midnight.   I arrive at the packed fairgrounds, with all the electric excitement - well I guess it´s also the bass-pounding flamenco music - in the air. 

While I can´t enter any of the hundreds of private tents (sponsored by private clubs -business clubs, social orgs and employers - like the company box seats at the game), I can enter the 8 public tents, sponsored by local Seville municipalities for others like me who aren´t on The List.   Inside the public tents you can basically eat; I don´t see any flamenco.  I grab a tortilla (more like an omlette here in Seville), and then head out to find some churros con chocolate. There´s nothing like eating fried dough dipped in a warm cup of chocolate at 2 am, all in the name of the fair! The fair goes on all day, all night for six days of fun.  I visit again during the day to take photos.  Much more fun at night though.

Note that hotel prices are hiked up during the week of the fair, my hostal room price is almost double regular (82€).  But I feel lucky to at least have a room, most hotels and hostals are completo -sold out. Also avoid the restaurants hidden behind the Cathedral - you think you´ve found local insider joints, but they´re all touristy all the way.

CHARMING SOUTHERN ACCENT.  All of Andalucia (southern Spain) has a laidback southern accent, but I especially notice it in Seville.  Just when I´m getting a little bit better at understanding rapidly spoken Spanish, the rules change.  The C and Z become TH, and you casually drop the S.  So Thank You, "Gracias," is pronounced "GRA-thee-ah."  If Ahrnold were from Seville, it would sound like "Ha-ta la vi-ta, baby."  

After the fair, I head off to get some Gaudi in Barcelona.

During the Feria de Abril, the locals get all dressed up to dance at the fair.  Many stop by the Capitania General for a quick photo shoot...

so I ask Maria if I can join in.

Tomb of Christopher Columbus, the one who started US all, in the Cathedral.  Or at least it´s supposed to be - there are four reported Columbus tombs worldwide.  Guess it´s the thought that counts.

Doorway in the Alcazar´s Patio del Crucero.

Spanish riders offer rides around the feria.

Sore outta luck on the dancing scene since I can flamenco like a flamingo

After a month of on-the-road travel and no haircut, I finally find the Barber of Seville for a much-needed haircut.  Or at least a barber.  He´s good - quick and efficient, and they use the razor around my sideburns and back of the neck, like Bugs Bunny did to Elmer Fudd.

By the way, I have to admit, I´ve learned some useful haircut Spanish from using Photoshop in the Internet cafes. I ask the barber if he can "cortar" my hair short, thanks to using Photoshop´s recortar to crops photos. Now how do you say geek en espanol.