I’m usually wishing I was in New Orleans for Carnival, but this year I want to be in Andalucia’s Seville in the South of Spain. I’m in an economic slump, there’s nothing on the telly, and global warming is wreaking havoc on my winter wardrobe. I don’t want to think about recessions—I want to dress up and fall down in drunken processions.
Carnival!
The city of Seville likes to prolong its carnival partying for the whole month of February. That means I can celebrate St. Bridget’s Day, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, my birthday, my grandmother’s birthday, the Academy Awards, and the leap year all together in one great big combo celebration. Every day will bring the hair of the mongrel who bit me the day before, and a new brilliantly colored gypsy dress to parade through Alcalá de Guadaíra, Carmona, Coria del Rio, Dos Hermanas, Fuentes de Andalucía, and Gines—Seville’s province towns known for their carnival celebrations. Such Herculean partying efforts are only fitting when you consider that according to legend, Seville was founded by no other than Hercules himself.
I’d definitely be sure to hit the small town of Pedrera in Seville province, where the entire village dresses up on Ash Wednesday for the traditional “burial of the sardine” festival—I want that t-shirt.
Partying aside, Seville is a beautiful and passionate city—hello? It’s the home of bullfighting and flamenco—with over 3,000 years of history. Between fiestas and siestas, I’d be sure to take in its many parks, plazas, Gothic cathedrals, Moorish towers, and Roman ruins. I’d probably shop and take Spanish guitar lessons too.
Wish You Were Here Too?
Springtime is the best time of year to visit Seville as the summer here is said to be one of the hottest places in Europe.
I could probably get an even better deal if I booked ahead, but Expedia has vacation packages (flights and hotel) from the first week of Feb to the start of March starting at less than $1400—much cheaper than my month’s rent in NY!
