Seville and The Living is Easy

the 'main' street near our apartment

As of today, Wednesday, we have been in Seville a week. Knowing that we have three weeks in the city we have eased our way into it. Moving slowly in the heat and doing a little bit every day.

pedestrianized street in Seville's shopping district

In the heat, plus 30 degree temperatures, our family is trying to live as the Sevillianos do: seize the morning, take refuge from the afternoon sun and play in streets in the early evening.

Here in Seville the streets are your living room. Everyone is out in the early evening and sometimes on the streets in the many restaurants and bars into the night.

Near our apartment there is Alfalfa Plaza, which I love. It is surrounded by restaurants and bars with a playground in the middle. In the evening it common to see parents and grandparents sitting on restaurant patios enjoying a drink while keeping a casual eye on their children. Kate and I have taken advantage of this pleasure several times this week.

Walking through Alfalfa Plaza and the surrounding neighbourhood after sunset is like a movie set to me. The lights, the streets, the people, the sounds and smells seem so perfect. It seems to me someone must have staged it.

Kate and the boys take a rest on the steps of one of the may churches here in Seville

Many of the streets in Seville are very tight. This very tight street design was intended to help keep people cool in the long hot summer months. The secondary benefit is that it also creates very nice space for people to walk, sit and play.

We have also visited the Art Gallery of Seville. It houses many spectacular pieces, but the building which was a former convent, is most extraordinary.

Courtyard of Art Gallery just inside main entrance

example of some of Seville's amazing ceramic works hangs on the wall of the Art Gallary 

Kate and the boys in the corridor surrounding the main courtyard

The former chapel of the convent is a stunning room 

Looking up from the painted column to the grand ceiling of the former convent chapel 

Chapel ceiling is amazing 

Every direction you look in this building is a spectacular view. It is an excellent example of the architecture and design held in many of the old buildings of Seville.

Loving Seville so far. Everyday is getting hotter. Sunday is forecast for 37 degrees Celsius. Maybe time for a trip to the seashore and the ancient city of Cadiz.

Getting to Know you: Seville

 We have been in Spain's Southern capital for three days now and have spent our time chilling out and getting familiar with the rhythm of the city.

Southern Spain is a creature that is both familiar and mysterious to westerners. We share so many of the same cultural norms and values, yet something different about the Spanish.

Seville as most of Spain takes a break in the middle of the day. Many of the shops, offices and construction sites shut down from for 2-5 hours in the afternoon. Some people retreat into their homes for a mid-day nap. Others flood into the small plazas. squares and the many local bars and restaurants for a second lunch and beer. Work is the resumed for a few hours in the late afternoon and early evening. In Seville it is easy to see there this tradition comes from. Its nice to retreat from the work in the afternoon heat. But, for a foreigner it can be a bit frustrating becoming familiar with the laid back attitude the Spanish people have fostered.

We have three weeks here and I know that we are going to love it.

trying to take family photo in Copenhagen

One week in Copenhagen: dont forget to say please

Our week in the Danish capital has come to an end. Wow! did Copenhagen show us a good time. It was great fortune that the sun shown on us nearly the whole time revealing the beauty of the city.

Ilya and Mom at Copenhagen's Tower Playground

With its comfortable cycle tracks, diverse neighbourhoods, many parks, public drinking, innovative playgrounds and sparkling canals Copenhagen exceeded our expectations.

can you spot Kate in the bike parking?

Danes are a take charge, seize the opportunity and get it done people. Initially this was a little chilling for a couple overly apologetic Canadians. When we learned that the Danes do not have a word for please I gained a little more tolerance and understanding for some of general habits of Copenhageners.

Before our visit to Copenhagen our greatest fear was the cost. We had heard so much about how expensive Denmark and Copenhagen are.  Our experience was that as long as you don't eat out the city can be fordable to frugal visitors. Instead of eating out we mostly took our prepared food, and a beer, to the park just as many Copenhageners do.

Now we say goodbye to Copenhagen. We have arrived at another beautiful cycling city, Seville. 30 degree temperatures ancient streets and wonderful apartment have welcomed us. And, for all the cycling nerds, there will be a dedicated biking Copenhagen blog to come shortly.

Rosenborg Castle and more Copenhagen

Panorama of Throne Room in Rosenborg Castel

Sunday was another sun-shining day in Copenhagen we continued are tour of the city's play grounds with an early morning visit to one of the play grounds in the centre. The ongoing quest to satisfy Ilya's never ending thirst for play structures, swings and sandboxes takes us to ever neigbourhood.

Ilya and Dad ride the dragon in the Copenhagen early morning sun.

When finally were able to remove Ilya from the play ground we when to Rosenborg Castle which was fill with 800 years of Danish History. The third floor crown room was spectacular. Then hidden in the basement vault were the Danish crown jewels.

stopping for lunch in the Queens Garden, back of Rosenborg Castle

And then of course it was time for more playgrounds. But, after prying Ilya away from another play-structure it was time for his mom and dad to geek-out on bikes, biking and more bikes.

the sun always shines in Copenhagen

Copenhageners enjoy the sunshine at a waterside park.

I'm not sure it is true that Copenhagen is always sunny. Talking to residents of the city I get the impression that the forecast for the next week may be the best stretch of weather the City has every seen. We are going to enjoy it and the Danes are also outside soaking up the sun in late April.

On Saturday we went to visit a former coworker of Kates, Andres, and his family. It was great visit and gave Ilya another opportunity meet and play with some other kids. Ilya not speaking Danish and the other kids not speaking English seems to have little impact on their play.

We had a great lunch in the courtyard of their building where there were lots of other families and children enjoying the common space on this fabulously sunny day.

(sunny?) Copenhagen

Panorama of Gråbrødretorv Square

Yes, tha'ts right. Copenhagen is being very kind to us. The sun is shining worming body and spirit. We have fully enjoyed Friday and Saturday in the Danish capital.

On Friday we visited Copenhagen City hall where the well photographed statue of Hans Christian Anderson sits out front. Inside City hall is spectacular. After passing through the entrance area the first room you encounter is The Main Hall, a grand interior public space. The entire building, just over a hundred years old is gorgeous. During our visit there was a constant stream of brides and grooms making there way to the Banquet Hall (registry office) for quick ceremony.

After our visit to City Hall we took a walk down Copenhagen's pedestrianized shopping street, Strogte. It was packed with people on a sunny Friday morning. Wandering just a couple of blocks off the main street the crowds dwindled to a small trickle and maybe a better glimpse into real Copenhagen life.

The Stroget

Side street just off the Stroget

Also just off the main street is the Cathedral of Our Lady. A spectacular church that was originally a pagan temple. Inside Ilya lighted a candle for his Grandma Mijker and took a moment for a special thought. But, I suspect he was hoping for a return visit to the Winnipeg Children's Museum.

Inside The Cathedral of our Lady Church

Kate and the boys inside Cathedral of our Lady

We also dropped into a large toy store on the Stroget to let Ilya pick out a birthday present for himself. The experience did not disappoint.

Ilya riding merry-go-round inside the toy store

After our walk down the Stroget both the boys were worn out, so we took them back to the cargo bike where they could rest. Kate and I took the opportunity of sleeping children to ride round the centre of Copenhagen and test out some of the City's cycling facilities.

bikes

more bikes

Oh, did I mention that nearly everyone rides a bike here. For those of you not in the know, Cycling in Copenhagen is why this City is one of our 2014 destinations.

and more bikes

We love it! Trying to fit in with the Danes, giving up our Dutch Bakfiets for the more traditional Danish three wheeled cargo bike

Kate studies guide book outside Danish Parliament Building.

Luckily Ilya woke from his afternoon nap in time to see the Royal District and the Changing of the guards at the Danish Royal Palace.

We have been blessed with the great fortune to experience this wonderful cycling city with our children. Our family is having a wonderful time here in Copenhagen.

Lots of love to our friends and family back home. We look forward to seeing you all.