SEVILLE, SPAIN

We left the Mediterranean, turned into the Atlantic briefly, and then sailed 60 miles up the Guadalquivir River to Seville - a shift from choppy waves to a placid river, from harsh grey to warm green, from a vast ocean to a lovely stream with dogs barking and birds tweeting and family farms adjacent to the ship. After some locks we arrived in Seville and docked right in the center of this great city with a park on one side and the Feria grounds on the other. Feria will occur next week, a huge celebration of spring, Easter, bulls, and Sevillian society. Women dress in polka dotted flamenco gowns; families and clubs gather in casetas where they dance and drink sherry through the night (they sleep in the day); folks ride in fabulous carriages - and 5 million people come and watch. We were here once and will happily sail away before it begins.

What we did do here so far is visit an olive oil producer called Basilippi, saw the trees in early bloom and flowers all around; we tasted splendid fresh (early harvest, cold pressed, extra virgin) olive oil. Then to the hilltop town of Carmona, with a lovely parador and grand views and winding streets.