Sevilla

Visualization is often defined as any technique for creating images to communicate a message.

Today I want to take you on a journey.

Come with me to Seville, Spain.

The year is 2011.

You just got off a Ryan Air flight from Barcelona.

Admittedly, it is the European equivalent to Spirit Airlines but you’re 20 years old, on spring break, and in the middle of a semester long journey exploring Europe for the first time.

Who has the funds to spend on a better flight, right?

The airport is bustling.

Filled with people trying to make it out of town for the spring break festivities because in this country, which is devoutly Catholic, the break coincides with Holy Week.

You happened to arrive on the day of the Lord’s last supper, Holy Thursday.

& if you didn’t know anything about Holy Week, all you need to understand is that Holy Thursday is when the real festivities begin.

You’ve heard all about the parades that go on in Seville and you’re excited to see it all.

The hype beats hit you as you press play on your ipod nano (2nd generation) to hear the sounds of Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO come on.

It’s the right kind of energy you need to follow all signs intently to the metro.

You walk quickly towards your destination because even though you’re fluent in the language, it’s all still so unfamiliar.

You don’t have the words for it yet but you are moving as if your life depends on getting to your hostel right that second.

Anxiety is setting in as you see the crowds of people walking towards the train.

Heart racing.

Eyes darting back and forth .

then finally,

a sigh of relief.

You hop on to the correct train as you focus on the words “everybody just have a good time” blazing through your headphones.

You navigate to your stop only to realize that there is a parade going on right next to your hostel.

The streets are flooded with people in pointed hooded masks and colorful robes.

They’re carrying elaborate floats containing religious statues of things like the Virgin Mary and Christ on the cross.

You can’t see any faces but you are blinded by all the gold draping the floats.

Slowly, you are making your way through groups of families and friends because you want to see the details.

The intensity in the eyes of the devotees, the markings on the hooded masks, the crests some of the robes contain, the carved wood of the float holders, the gold fabrics, the velvet carpets, the faces of statues that are angelic but dripping in jewels.

The grandeur of it all.

You are reminded of the effort and passion it takes to get every detail right.

As you make your way through the crowd you suddenly realize, there is no way you are moving anywhere anytime soon.

The hostel is right around the corner but its been an hour and you’ve barely made it 3 feet from the metro station.

Acceptance.

You look over at the person selling random candies and snacks and hand them two euros as you say, gracias (thank you)!

Ham flavored potato chips and a kinder chocolate bar will have to do for dinner tonight.

This is home for the next few days.

A chaotic collection of people who are celebrating together in the purity of their renowned traditions.

You let out a big grin because it’s only been a few hours since you got to Seville and guess what?

You love it already!

XoXo Stephy

Thank you so much for spending some time visualizing Seville with me. 

Let me know in the comments if you liked this method of storytelling!