We began our day with a walk to the Plaza de Espanã, which is a Plaza that was built for the World Exposition of 1929 and took 18 years to erect.  The architect who designed and managed it`s construction died shortly after it`s completion, which wasn`t a wonder because of the intricate detail and the sheer size.  The plaza has tile paintings with benches commemorating important moments in Spanish history.  Above the arches you can see images of important people in Spain, such as Christopher Columbus, El Cid, Ferdinand, and the only female in all of the plaza Isabel.  Interestingly the square was used as an airport in the movie Star Wars Episode 2.

From there we walked through the Parque de Maria Luisa, who gifted her gardens to the city and people of Sevilla.  The park contains an impressive number of plants and trees from all over the world.  It also contains a park dedicated to the great Cervantes, author of the Spanish classic Don Quijote de la Mancha.  In the center of the park is an aurocanio tree, which is native to Argentina and Chile at higher altiudes but has survived here in the park at only 10 meters above sea level.  The park also contains several pavillions that were built for the Expo of 1929.  It was nice to be able to walk out in the fresh air and open gardens.

Our next stop was the enormous Catedral with it`s stunning bell tower La GIralda.  The cathedral was originally a mosque, but when the Muslims were defeated, the Christians built over it, as was the case in for many mosques in central and southern Spain.  Some of us ventured up the tower to get a beautiful view of the city by hiking up 35 ramps and 1 set of staris.  The city law requires that buildings cannot be constructed higher than this point, which makes for an impressive view from the top.  This cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest (behind the Basilica of Rome and St. Paul of London) of all.  It took over 100 years to construct, starting in 1402.

After the Catedral, we had lunch on our own.  Many of the students are thoroughly enjoying the  opporutunity to have McDonald`s, Burger King, and Starbucks.  At dinner they are able to get their dose of Spanish food, so it all works out well.

Following lunch we walked to one of Spain`s most famous bull fighting rings in Sevilla.  We learned a great deal about the bull fighting profession and tradition.  In that bullring, the last time a matador was killed, the bull gored the artery in his leg, they ordered that all of the bulls related to that one, particularly the mother be killed with the exception of the father.  This is a good insight into the machismo that exists in this culture.  The matadors have the possibility of taking away a trophy or two or three of the bull`s ear(s) and tail depending on how artfully and efficiently they kill the bull.  In a typical bullfight there are 3 matadors that have to kill 2 bulls each in 20 minutes.  Some of us watched part of or all of the bull fight as televised on television on Sunday.  Some of us couldn`t make it through the fight, resulting in the bulls` deaths, but others were brave enough to stick it out to the end.

That evening we dressed up for a nice dinner and a flamenco show.  Most of us were enthralled by the brilliant Spanish guitarist, who seemed to play three guitars in one, and the awesome moves and beats of the male and female flamenco dancers.  We`re pretty split on who was the better dancer, the man or the woman.  Regardless, they were both impressive and left us in awe.