Buenas dias from Sevilla. I now live in a barrio with six Salesian Hermanas. The barrio is named “barrio de musica” … or so 95-year-old Hermana Angustias says; actually the name of the barrio is “su eminencia”. The name of the casa is sor Eusebia. How do I start to explain life in this part of the world!?
For me, the things that bring the most intrigue are the small routine happenings that take place with fluidity in the Hermanas and Sevillianos everyday life. Though small and routine, these nuisances contrast greatly from life, as I know it. Things like how to peel and orange, attend to people and settle an argument are each specific to the culture Sevilla. Every moment of the day these nuisances immerse me in a world of different activities and sounds.
I can start by telling you that the life here at sor Eusebia lacks a lot of the “stuff” common to my life in California. Still, the life here is rich in so many other things. In part, the lack is due to the fact that I live in a house with religious hermanas. However, the different lifestyle is greatly attributed to the Spanish way of life.
The Spanish weekend, fin de semana, are days of great rest. Fin de semana in Sevilla holds a sacredness that rivals religion. One might say that the break from weekly routine is the universal religion in Spain. I arrived when the weekend was already at the forefront of the minds at Sor Eusebia; Friday night. After sleeping for ten hours that night I arose to go to a grand mass at the large Cathedral in Sevilla. On Sunday, the following day, I went on a voyage to a mountaintop church with great vistas. On this trip I celebrated mass, viewed the great vistas; and spend two hours relaxing, conversing, and eating lunch. Though the trip was three hours there and back, it was a pleasant day to say the least.
Later that night in a conversation with one of the hermanas, she sympathized with me that did not get that much rest over the weekend. She pointed out that tomorrow was a fiesta for the region of Andalucia, so I would have another day to recollect. This is when I realized that the Spanish put great value on the two days of rest. It is my impression that if one's weekend consists of more than enjoying the company of others, cleaning house, and eating – then one is not truly resting. Two days are set aside for rejuvenating one’s self. It will be interesting to see how this perspective plays into other parts of the culture.
Haha, this is so cute Maureen. I remember that Sr. Angela was the same way when I was in Rome, I think Italians must have a similar reverence for rest. By the way, your blog is "supercute" and I so want to figure out how you did the cool background. Lots of love - Meg
ReplyDelete