Shenanigans in Seville

It’s five years since we were last in Seville. We didn’t arrive till 2 pm, but we were still able to cram in a number of quintessential Seville experiences.

Gift of a mini bottle of cava and some macarons from the hotel: check!
8 euro G&T in a bar: check!
Random religious procession passing the end of the street while drinking said G&T: check!
Random live music and Sevillanas in the street: check!

The last item is my blip: blurry but atmospheric pretty much sums it up.

We are staying in a hotel recommended by blipper PaulaJ. It’s outrageously expensive, but it’s not every day you have a 40th wedding anniversary. Unlike hers, our room does not have a view, but it’s so massive it’s like having a whole flat: living room, bedroom, and a bathroom so large it has a separate wing with an exercise bike in it (S insisted on trying it the moment we arrived). We had a very expensive tapas lunch at a nearby bar (a plate of admittedly large and delicious clams worked out at 2 euros per clam) and later enjoyed said cava and macarons before heading out for a wander. The hotel is in a very quiet street, but all the surrounding streets are party central on a Saturday night. The essence of Seville: no matter what time you go out, the streets are full of people eating and drinking. Also, you may stumble across a religious procession just because, joining in the general cacophony with a brass band.

One bar had a temporary bar structure set up outside, and lots of folding tables and chairs. There was also a stage on the pavement. So S asked a guy setting up what was happening, and he said there would be a band later. When we returned two hours later, the procession was just arriving outside the bar after touring the barrio. Bar and procession were obviously related, because substantial sandwiches were dished out to all the band members, who sat down on the steps to chomp them down with glasses of beer. Two young girls approached S and offered him raffle tickets amid much giggling. To their great delight S gave them 5 euros and was rewarded with a wad of tickets. “What time is the draw?” he asked one of them. “Er … dentro de un rato” (in a little while) she vaguely replied. We never did find out the result, if any.

The band eventually appeared only half an hour later than advertised  … by this time the little square was heaving with people. When they started playing, it turned out that a high proportion of Sevillanos know how to dance Sevillanas. Couples immediately sprang up to dance in the tiny spaces between the tables. Looking around between different groups you saw everyone doing the same moves, and everyone knew which parts to clap to and which to dance to. It was fun, even if you weren’t dancing — a great party atmosphere. Not bad for a first day! A few more colourful extras.