Every night (well almost) I run along the river in Seville. It is so gorgeous and I never run out of things to look at. It also helps that I never have to worry about the weather, since the weather never changes (except today, it's raining, but that happens like once a month so it is easily compensated for). Either way, I thought I'd go through my route in pictures.
This is the Puerta Jerez, it is a plaza that a bunch of roller skaters come to hang out each night and practice. Their skills are truly amazing- It's like extreme figure skating, but on roller blades (since it doesn't get cold enough for ice skating).
I often sit and watch them practice, mesmorized. After that I usually hit the river (about a half mile from my house). I pass the Torre del Oro and the first bridge. There is a band that practices every night (which they call afternoon, because "afternoon" goes until dinner, which is 10pm).
This is just a bar in the river, but it often plays music for all to enjoy. Next, I hit the Puente de Isabel and this really cool sculpture. As I run under the bridge there are a always a group of climbers that practice bouldering on the rocks, and usually a congregation of teenagers playing the guitar on the other side.
As I continue on, I hit Lover's Lane, but I didn't think I would be able to justify the reason I was taking pictures of all the romantic couples, so I opted to pass. Seville has been compared to Italy in its essence as a romantic city. It's everywhere.This statue is also located in this part of my path. After I pass this statue, I enter the botelleon part of the river, everyone is out with their 40oz bottles just enjoying the river. Not binge drinking, just casually taking it all in. If only Americans had that sort of power.
After that, we pass the Puente de Triana. This is also where the graffiti starts. Unlike America though, this isn't just scribbled on by some hooligan kids- this is artwork. I have talked to people who say that they don't like it, they think it makes the city look trashy. Consequently, these are all kids who have grown up in affluent suburbs, no where near a city. News flash, this proves Seville is a real city, not some touristy paradise, but a city rich with history (which draws in a tourism industry), yet also a place where people eat, sleep and live on a daily basis, with hardships, love, and creativity.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, if you understand how life in a city works, and that it is more than attractions and souvenir shops, this becomes a masterpiece.
At this point, I hit one of my favorite spots on the run, the skate parks. They are huge, and I had never really just watched people in a skate park, but it is so impressive. It's a good thing their mothers aren't there because they would be having a heart attack, but other than that, it is a great way for teens to spend their time.
By then, I hit the next bridge, and I pass more artwork.
This is the next bridge in distance, at that point it is about 3 miles from my house.
This is where the run get s a little long. But it is such a cool bridge.
And the graffiti also continues!
And the band is still practicing :)
Grand total run: 7.5 miles.
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