Still in Sevilla

The randomness of the trip continues. We were unable to get a hostel in Toledo, so instead we are staying in Sevilla for another day, then going to Salamanca and then Madrid...at least that is the plan for now. This is a common occurance: us at a pay phone changing plans at the last minute.

Our World Cup curse has been solved! It is in fact Dzido who is cursed. I cheered for France, he cheered for Brazil and we all know the result. So at least that mystery is solved. We watched the two games yesterday at an American bar here in Sevilla. nice atmosphere. Both times there were lots of supporters for both teams, which always makes it fun. After a few cervezas over the course of two games, we decided that it was time to celebrate the birth of our nation with another appearance of Captain Canada. I put on the flag as a cape again and we roamed the streets of Sevilla.

We started off at an outdoor bar. People just buy drinks and basically sit and stand in the streets. It was really cool. When we walked up two guys spotted the flag and called us over. One was an English guy named Paul and the other was an Italian Santos (I think). They were in Sevilla as contractors for a telecom company and were having a night out. So we started talking to them and they turned out to be really interesting. The English guy was in the army, now does telecom work. Did a tour in Northern Ireland during the troubles. Both talked a lot about how funny life is and how you never end up where you think you will. They were also nice about buying drinks for poor travellers, especially since it was Canada day, so once the bar closed down we went and found another place. The atmosphere in these little streets when the bars spill out is really amazing.

So after a few more rounds (for those of you keeping track at home we have been to a few soccer games and a few bars at this point) some American girls recognized our flag and came to talk to us. They said they were desperate for some English speakers to talk to. So we chatted with them for a while and our two friends decided to call it a night. After another round I decided that I needed to go to bed. It had been a long day. So I head home....or at least where I thought was home. At this point it is necessary to give you some idea of how hard it is to navigate in Sevilla. The streets are very narrow and the buildings go up a few stories, so you can't really see too far in any direction. This removes all reference points and leaves you pretty disoriented when you come out of a bar...say at 2am....hypothetically.....yes. So I left the bar thinking I was heading home when really I was going nowhere near home. This morning Dzido and I had the following exchange:
Dzido: So when you came out of the bar and went left...
Paul: Oh no, I went right.
Dzido: Ohhh boy. That's where you went wrong.

Basically I walked the exact opposite direction. So there I was. Wandering the streets of Sevilla with my Canada cape on, not able to find my way home. Once I realized that I was lost (and admitadly that took some time) I thought it was a fun little adventure, sure that I would soon find something familar...45 minutes later I didn't think it was so fun. I was really lost. Not cute lost, where you find new things and sorta laugh about it, I was worried. I had a map, but the streets were too small and I couldn't locate where I was. Thankfully, I found some Americans who were able to aim me towards the Cathedral (the 3rd largest in the world, but which I could not locate) and I made it home after wandering for an hour. Really my only worry was that my legs would give out and I would have to sleep on the street. Oh what fun traveling is. (The picture is of my lost in the hedge maze at the Real Alazar in Sevilla...I imagine I had a similar expression on my face while I was lost).

Oh and to make all of this travel stuff even better: I am without a debit card. It has somehow become demagnatized and I can't get any money out. Oh boy. That is a problem that will require some solving. Traveling is so fun. Oh, and here is a picture of me with a duck.