Well, after a whole lot of drama and illness and not the best weather, I can say that a trip to Andalucia - southern Spain - with my mother wasa time worth having! My holiday was meant to start with a trip to Budapest for an English teacher conference. Would be a good opportunity to explore a city I've heard a lot of wonderful things about with some good people. Well, The day before I was meant to leave I got what I thought had to be food poisoning. Could not allow myself to get too far away from the toilet, so I got on the airplane a day later than I was supposed to. On day three of sick, I wasn't 100% but figured I was good enough to fly, so I did. Got to Budapest that night and participated in the conference events for the evening, not eating or drinking anything, but able to socialize. This bug I got was wearing itself off.
Day four I got up, had some toast for breakfast and got ready for the conference sessions for the day. I felt good, could be attentive, participate and ask questions like any normal healthy person would, undil about an hour before lunch when I started to sweat, my head began to pound and a dull ache worked its way into every muscle of my body. I told the presenter that I was so sorry and needed to go to my room. Okay, so the bug hadn't completely left me quite yet. Bummer, but a little more rest would do the trick. Days five and six of sick were days two and three in Budapest and absolutely nothing changed. My hotel room in bed was the only place my body wanted to go, although my head was dying to explore Buda and Pest - walking across the Danube River to the hot fresh spring baths. Having a bowl of goulash and a glass of local red wine. Experiencing the incredible night life I've heard so much about from friends that love this city. Nothing, I couldn't do any of it. The hotel room was nice, but didn't make for blog-worthy pictures.
The real concern came up the day before I was supposed to leave for Sevilla to meet my mom. Months ago my mom and I planned to meet up in Sevilla for her first excurion into Europe. She had been planning, packing and talking about it with friends for months. She had her Euros, she had her passport, she had maps, books and plant tickets ready to go back in St. Paul. Meanwhile, back in Europe Molly was miserable thinking about getting on an airplane to travel to another foreign country when all she wanted was to be taken care of and made better. But there was no choice. I was going to Spain and explore a new country with my mother, sick or not.
In Spain the sick continued to a certain extent, but I think the sheer fact that I was too distracted by the tasks and experiences of travel and exploration that it got pushed to the back of my mind and body. Mom and I met up at our pension in Sevilla a bit worse for ware, but still wanting to get out and explore. Navigating the airport transpers, especially in Madrid after hours on a plane and no sleep, mom was a bit shaken but still a trooper that wanted to get out there and check things out. I was still being cautious with food, but mom enjoyed some tapas and a glass of good wine - definitely the right start. The next morning we woke and explored the city a bit before getting on a bus to Cadiz where a friend's friend was meeting us and setting us up with an apartment for the week. The Sevilla Cathedral was absolutely stunning in the sunrise. The bells were ringing at 10am while locals were walking through the Cathedral Plaza on their way to work. All I could think about was how amazing it would be to have this walk be a part of your every morning routine!
With bus tickets in hand, sun in the sky and a desire for the beach in our hearts, mom and I and my little bug boarded the bus in search of Juan Carlos, our home for the week and a bit of sand.
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