Spain is a country with profound historical roots in Europe. Its identity and unique idiosyncrasies have been forged by a variety of phenomena, such as the discovery of the Americas. At the same time, however, there are strong parallels between Spanish history and the history of other countries; it never renounced its diversity, Spain emerged as a unified state at a very early stage and played a crucial role in some of the most brilliant episodes in modern European history.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what if you don’t like lemonade? Then that saying doubles your misery. In Spain, they say, “A mal tiempo, Buena cara.” Which perfectly captures the ideology behind the phrase. To bad weather, good face. It embodies the attitude of how a person should face adversity. You can always change your attitude even when you can’t change your environment.
NO 8 DO: This insignia is all over the city. In Spanish it stands for No me ha dejado or “It (Seville) has not abandoned me.” Given to the city by King Alfonso X in the 13th century, this patriotic symbol was a reward for Seville’s loyalty during the Reconquest
If it is your first time in Sevilla, the phrase will speak to you, like a promise that the beauty around you was created for you. If you are returning to Sevilla, you will feel it in the way the memories light up your heart bringing with it the warm comfort of home no matter where you are from. This place of beauty, security and vitality will be imprinted on your mind; it will never abandon you.Flamenco began in the countryside, in the blacksmith shop, in the mines, at parties, where people sang, where they carved out beats with the palms of their hands, where they played the guitar. It passed from its beginning in the South of Spain to the rest of the country and the world.
As an art, flamenco will last through time because there is always something to sing, something to express.
Flamenco is beauty;
it’s personality; it’s a gesture; and it’s a “feeling” in the strictest sense
of the word. It demands attitude and
presence. Its precise rhythm of its
beats instills respect and dedication.
What has lasted for centuries and has been passed down from grandparents
to grandchildren; from towns to suburbs; from urban centres to the countryside;
from a small village in Spain to a large stage on Broadway; like the blood pumping
through your body, flamenco comes from the heart and vitalizes the soul.
The word “tapa” comes from the Spanish word tapar, which means “to cover.” One popular origin story is that King Alfonso XIII traveled to Cádiz and stopped at a tavern on a windy day. To keep the dust and sand out of the King’s drink, the bartender put a slice of ham on top. The King loved this so much he ordered another drink. Tapas are essentially small plates of food served with a drink. Don’t confuse tapas with appetizers! Tapas, although differing in the types of food served, are in their own category. There are a wide variety of tapas, both hot and cold. From classic tortilla de patatas or jamón serrano to the more exotic caracoles (snail), there’s something for everyone.
Sangria has often been described as the “drink of history.” For starters, the Spanish word sangria translates to blood; the rich colours and flavours of this beverage make the name fitting.
Sangria’s roots come from a time when drinking water was unsafe. Wine was plentiful and mixing wine with water was believed to kill bacteria. It was a traditional Spanish drink, a perfect early evening thirst quencher after a hot, dry afternoon. At New York City’s World Fair in 1964, the Spain-sponsored pavilion introduced sangria to the world.
All of this being said, Sangria is more than a drink. It combines wine with fruit, fruit juices and other aromatic ingredients like herbs and spices, but in order for it to have the true flavour meant for it, it must be drunk amongst friends.
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