Full Circle

There is a Masquerade Ball at this famous hotel in Sevilla called Hotel Alfonso VIII. I actually got asked to go to the ball by a creepy American guy the other day at the bar we watched the Superbowl at. My friend Tanner and I had been talking about how cool it would be to come that night to watch everyone all dressed up for the ball in their extravagant gowns and masks. What a wonderful thing to happen in Sevilla while we are here.

I'm not sure when it will truly hit me that I am actually here.
It's as though I'm waiting for this grandiose moment of clarity where the stars and planets align, the clouds part just right and somehow I'm filled with this innate knowledge only just revealed.. or something.
See, the thing is I've had small bits of that feeling here and there. Take my afternoon for example:
After a long day of classes, which also followed a long night at a discoteca, my entire body and brain were in pain. My body because everyone walks everywhere here, and my brain because everything is in Spanish so I am in constant translation mode. Granted, I knew these things before coming to Sevilla, that EVERYONE walks EVERYWHERE, and that they actually speak Spanish in Spain.  Mis zapatos are apparently made for aesthetic purposes and not comfort ones, so needless to say, my feet are killing me.
I ended up doing this bike rental thing they have all throughout the city, where you buy a pass and you sign in at any kiosk, grab a bike and go. They are super cute bikes that come with a basket in the front, a headlight for night riding, and a bell that reminds me of my childhood. Que perfecto! The bike system, called Sevici, has proved to be extremely beneficial on my poor, worn out feet, although when the next Sevici station has no more open spots to drop it off, you're required to ride to the next one, and the one after that if the second is also full. Today was a day of experience, as I wore shoes strictly for looks, knowing I would be using a Sevici. The first three stations I tried to drop the bike off at were full, so where I ended up finding one open slot, was the same distance as my house would have been to the school anyway.
Blisters are not comfortable.

...ANYWAYYY, today was yet another amazing day. Some friends and I meandered around the narrow streets, stopping in ridiculous and gaudy stores just to try on sparkly rings and throw feather boas around our necks. After we all tired out from our browsing, our quad became a duo, Ashley and Olivia headed home early for dinner. My friend Julia and I found an excellent Tavern-style Tapas bar on one of the main streets between our two houses. We stopped in for a pitcher of Sangria after making friends with the very sweet waiter at the door.
It's funny because time seemed to pass slowly with each sip of the fruity beverage. We talked about everything from our home towns, to high school, to future plans. We shared many laughs and our favorite inspirational quotes. I couldn't believe we had covered so much ground in such little time. This is funny to me because usually time passes quicker in moments like this. Maybe it's the opposite in Europe- they do a lot of odd things here, who's to say the passage of time isn't also different?

Once we finished the pitcher, we parted ways to eat dinner with our families. I walked into La Puerta de Jerez, which is this open area with a beautiful fountain and benches, and I couldn't get this stupid grim off my face. They say that Spaniards don't smile at each other on the streets as much as Americans do. I just wanted to blend in, but I felt this warm and (don't laugh) sparkly feeling deep down in "there". In that moment, with the amazing sights light up by street lamps at dusk, I felt a moment of complete and pure happiness.

After walking through Puerta de Jerez, you can see the gate to Hotel Alfonso. As I approached I saw a group of three older women. They had long dress coats on over very beautiful, glittery dresses. They each had a feathered mask in their hands. I had completely forgotten that tonight was the Masquerade Ball! I couldn't believe I was witnessing what seemed like to me a Red Carpet event in the middle of Spain. I did not care that the stupid Sevici kiosks were all out of order and that I'd have to walk all the way home by myself. I actually preferred it because the excitement I felt would likely hinder my ability to make logical sense if I attempted to speak to whoever was with me.

I used to hate using the word "perfect", because to me it meant that this was THE way things should be- "perfect" meant nothing could be better, the potential was reached, everything else was inferior.

But Perfect is the only way to describe my experiences here.