Nothing Went Wrong, But It Was Still An Adventure

Trying to find parking in Seville mid-afternoon of Palm Sunday is like trying to find gold in a silver mine.  We drove into the city of nearly 700,000 people, rolling in like Sherman through Georgia.  Until we hit the barriers.  

The streets get so crowded with people going to the processions that they do not let cars into the city center, but when we told one policeman where we were staying (the Hotel Casa del Poeta), he let us drive in.  At the time I appreciated it, but it turns out he did not do us any favors.   

We drove through one lane roads that were smaller than actual roads – wide walking paths dating back centuries, with cobblestones and sidewalks that may be one person wide, more or less.  Also this time navigating with the use of Apple maps, which had no idea how to get us where we trying to go.  How do I know this?  Because we later walked along many of the same streets we drove, and never did it show us how to get where we were going.

Oh, did I mention that each “street” was replete with approximately one thousand people walking, mostly down the middle of said street?  While Europe is undergoing a birth dearth, no one told the good people of Seville, as it appeared that about half were pushing baby carriages.

So, whilst I was trying to figure out what direction was my next impossible turn, I had to be sure not to hit anyone.  I’m pretty sure that would be frowned upon by the authorities, and history shows you don’t want to piss off the Spanish (New World, Spanish Inquisition, Spanish Civil War, for some examples).

It seemed like we drove for hours, but I’m sure it was only five hours (just kidding – probably thirty minutes!).  Finally we found our way out to a main road (ironically, the apartment we rented ended up being right on the alleyway – Santa Maria La Blanca – that led us out).  

Carol called the hotel for help, and they tried to send us to a square that Apple said we could not get to.  (I will mention this again, but use Google maps in Europe – Apple steered us wrong at least four times.  I’m pretty sure it is their way of striking back at the much lower market share they have in the EU.  Thanks Apple!).  Actually, it was not all Apple’s fault (which could have been written about the 2017 NY Giants season, but I no longer do sports blogs).  It turns out a procession closed those streets too.

We drove down to the river and saw public parking.  The lot was full, but there were gentlemen (in this case, that word does not mean what you think it means) directing us to park just off a bike path (along with lots of other roads, so we had that going for us!).  

Dragging our duffle bags (thank goodness for the wheels), we overpaid for parking and then set off for the hotel.  Because of Palm Sunday, the gardens along the road were locked closed, but once we hit old city, twisting and turning through the narrow “streets” my mood brightened, as this was the Seville I remembered.  (And also had driven through a little while ago, but now we were walking instead of driving). 

We finally arrived at the hotel, where they checked us in and led us to our apartment.  The apartment was about one quarter mile away from the hotel. . .a two bedroom with two bathrooms (not a statement that can be written about flats in old Spanish cities very often), a full kitchen, a washer (no dryer, but because there is no humidity, the drying process is not long), and a nice living room right over Santa Maria La Blanca.

While it was a bit stressful at the time, I already have fond memories of navigating the alleys and waves of people, especially because it had a happy ending. . .we were in Seville.