Molly on the Menu

My days in Spain are quickly simmering down to fewer and fewer. The love I have developed for this country is more than I could express in any words other than, “mi arma.” In southern Spain, specifically the city of Sevilla, this is a common saying that translates to “my soul.” It’s a form of sincerity when speaking to people with gratitude and appreciation.

During my time here in Spain, I have visited several other countries, but no matter where I go, Spain still continues to hold the number one spot in my heart. The culture of this amazing country is extremely abundant, and you will find a completely different version of Spain in every city or region. I’ve spent most of my time in northern Spain, in the region of Catalonia exploring small beach towns along Costa Brava, where the native language is not Spanish, but Catalan. I’ve visited the regions of Madrid and Venice where I’ve experienced the culture of bullfighting, authentic paella, costume festivals, mascletas, and much more. The one place I had been dreaming about visiting during my five months in Spain was always southern Spain in the region of Andalucia. 

Knowing that I would be finishing classes with three weeks left in Spain before I would have to return to the United States, I knew that I needed to take advantage of that free time to mark all the southern cities off my wishlist. Specifically, I wanted to visit Sevilla, Malaga, and Granada, and I did just that in a four day trip spending one night in each city. 

My trip started by flying out of Barcelona to the stunning city of Sevilla. I had no intention of falling head over heels for this city. I knew I would enjoy the rich culture and beautiful views, but was not expecting to enjoy every single inch of the city as much as I did. I’ve been telling myself that after I graduate college, I will move back here to Spain for a few years to continue traveling and enjoying the Spanish way of life. I always thought that Barcelona would be the place I return to after becoming so familiar with this city that I consider my second home, but now I am fully convinced that Sevilla is the place for me. 

Sevilla has the largest city center in all of Europe, so no matter what street you turn down, or what park you find yourself in, or what corner of the city you explore, there is always something magnificent to see. The architecture and arts are indescribable, and it is quite literally everywhere. You find art and beauty in each brick of a building, in the park benches, in the hand rails of a bridge, and in every place that you would never expect to find it. 

Southern Spain has a great influence of Arabic culture and arts in all of their cities, due to the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula between 711 and 1492. Sevilla is known for its rich and historical architecture and being the origin of the flamenco dance. No matter where you are in the city, you can find flamenco dancers and musicians performing their passionate and emotional traditional dance. I had seen a flamenco show while in Madrid, but experiencing this tradition from the place it originated makes the art of this dance so much more special. I was able to catch a performance in Plaza de España by a young dancer and four other acoustic musicians and singers. I found myself in awe and coming to tears over how passionate and specific the moves of this dance are. Every single movement made by the dancer is with a specific intention. The dance itself is supposed to portray a story through emotion, and I have never felt something like it. 

The city buildings are lined with painted tiles of all colors, specifically gold and blue, which creates an angelic and magical aura of the city. One of the main attractions of Sevilla is the Royal Alcazar, where much of the show Game of Thrones was filmed. You can instantly understand why this was the setting for such a show, as you feel like you are transported back in time to a magic kingdom scattered with castles and charming gardens. The Royal Alcazar is Europe’s oldest palace. Once you enter the palace, you are greeted with towering palm trees, crystal green waters, and fanned peacock feathers. 

With all of its beauty, one night in Sevilla was far from enough time for me to explore the city. It is now on the top of my list for places to return to in Europe, and preferably, I would love to one day call the city my home. “Love at first sight” is the only way I can describe my experience in this amazing city. Mi arma, mi arma, mi arma. 

After moving on from Sevilla, I took a bus through the Andalucian mountains and Spanish fields to the beach city of Malaga. I could instantly tell the vibe of this city was drastically different from Sevilla, and the hostel receptionist confirmed this for me. In casual conversation about my trip, he told me, “Sevilla is one of the most beautiful cities you could visit, but Malaga will be one of the most sexy.” The best way for me to describe this city is a Spanish take on Miami. The main city center consists of bars with day-long happy hours and shops that sell the skimpiest clothes I’ve ever seen. Malaga is a port city just like Barcelona, so there is a long man-made beach that runs down the entire city. 

Compared to Sevilla, this was much less of a tourist town and more of a party city. I spent my first night grabbing dinner at a craft beer bar where I was able to try a delicious hazy IPA – which is like finding gold here in Spain. After a mini burger and a conversation with a man who owns a brewery in Denmark, I grabbed a bottle of cherry-flavored Belgian beer and headed towards the beach to watch the sunset. I was able to catch an amazing view of the golden sun reflecting off the mountains that surround Malaga, and I watched the lights of tiny homes tucked away in the trees slowly begin to light up the mountain. I had a much needed phone call with my good friend from home, spending almost two hours catching up on life and planning when I would bring her back to Spain with me. 

The next day, I spent a slow morning enjoying avocado toast, orange juice, and a walk down the port. I laid out on the beach for my last few hours in the city to take in some Southern sun, then headed towards the bus station to take off for my last destination. I got to experience another beautiful drive through the mountains, going further into small villages where many of the residents lived off the land and small family farms. I arrived in Granada around 8 pm that night, exhausted and ready for dinner. The city of Granada was the most Moorish of them all, feeling like I was transported out of Spain and into a whole different country. 

Considering my hostel wasn’t in the safest area of the city, I decided not to explore much my first night and to just find a traditional Arabic restaurant before staying in for the night. I found a  tetería close to my hostel, which is a cafe and restaurant that sells authentic Arab tea in the traditional presentation. I enjoyed a delicious meal full of flavor and spices, then finished with a pistachio and honey baklava pastry and an order of imperial black tea. The tea was infused with clove, vanilla, and orange and presented in a lovely red and golden tea set. This was one of the best meals I took pleasure in during my entire trip, and I left with a satisfied belly. 

The next and final day, I explored the city in my favorite way – with no plan or direction. I started the morning with a coffee that was sweetened with a combination of brown sugar and a blend of spices such as turmeric, nutmeg, and clove. I found a public bench in one of the central squares to people watch while relishing in the most flavorful latte I’ve ever had. The city was one of the most interesting I’ve been to, as I really could not tell who were locals and who were tourists. There is more mixing of culture and lifestyle in this one city than I have seen anywhere else. 

Granada is Spanish for ‘pomegranate,’ so you see pomegranate flavored drinks and desserts everywhere, along with pomegranate designs in architecture, clothing, and art. I went souvenir shopping – which I rarely indulge in – just because this city has such a rich culture that I could not leave without bringing some of it home with me. 

It is a tradition in southern Spain that anytime you order a drink, you are also given a free tapa. I knew for my last day I wanted to take advantage of this as much as possible, so I spent the evening walking around the city, finding bars with the best views to sit down and drink a sangria or beer while eating for free. I was able to enjoy eight different free tapas throughout the entire day, without getting drunk from drinking so much, and this is the exact reason that tapas are provided for free with drinks. Spain is known for their fiestas, so when they spend all day drinking, they must continue to fill their tummies with small plates to avoid being too drunk or sick. It was one of my favorite things about the south to indulge in because I was able to try so many different tapas and Spanish drinks for an extremely low price. 

My amazing adventure finally came to an end, and as my flight was delayed twice in the tiny airport of Granada, I reminisced on my week. I truly do have so much gratitude for this life I’ve been blessed with. I will never stop appreciating all of these different cities and the way they have impacted me. Southern hospitality rings true not only in the United States, but also across the world in the stunning country of Spain. I enjoyed my time so much in this region of Andalucia and will be returning as soon as possible, hopefully in search of an apartment and part-time job. Again, I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience such an impactful adventure. Mi arma, mi arma, mi arma.