The last couple of days in Sevilla went by really fast. I had planned to blog, but there was still no internet in the AirBNB.
I started the day in the historic neighbourhood of Triana. It has a dark past, training sailors who would have helped colonize the Americas and El Castillo de San Jorge was the setting for the fearsome persecutions of the Spanish Inquisition.
Today Triana is much more benign, being one of the claimed birthplaces of flamenco and a working class suburb of Sevilla across the Puente de Isabel II or Puente de Triana. I like this area, lots of greenery and it appears to be really well kept. It’s very walkable and being on the river would be close to running trails.
In the afternoon I headed to the Nervión district, one of the areas that seem interesting to live. I visited the Buhaira neighbourhood. I started at the Buhaira Gardens and Palace and then around the main street with restaurants and small businesses. Some of them looked really good. The neighbourhood seems very family oriented, there were so many kids and a shopping mall. I was walking around the skies started to darken and thunder boomed. I headed out soon after, not wanting to get soaked!
Wednesday was the Fiesta Nacional de España, Spain’s national holiday. I started the day off by running along the river to Parque del Alamillo. This is where I injured my Achillies last year pushing for a sub-50 10K and then walking a ton. I had a great run and took it easy the rest of the day and took time to reflect on whether this would be a good place for me to live.
As I leave Spain and head back to Portugal I have clarity on one thing, Portugal is the destination of choice. There are smaller cities that offer a different quality of life, plus there are all the benefits that they have for expats. Besides, Spain is just next door.
