By Rick Rodriguez
On my first visit to Europe I visited the great country of Spain. In a lot of ways, I felt certain that the place felt like home. I saw lots of evidence of this as the Rodriguez name was splashed all over Seville on street names, cafes, and buildings. The town is intersected by the Guadalupe River and in my time there I ran through the streets of Seville listening to Paul McCartney or some other great sound blaring in my ears.
Journal Excerpt May 6, 1994 "I'm in Sevilla, Spain! What a town! Just a great place for a vacation. The town is historic and very European. It is littered with quaint outdoor cafes, churches, museums, bull rings, and many great things to do. I just walked across the Guadalupe River. I'm sitting at the edge of the river on a stone walkway near the bridge that spans the river. I'm looking down at a corner cafe as people pass the evening away. I just completed a great run twice around a majestic park at river's edge. The river is calm. It is about 70 degrees. This is truly Spain!"
As I mentioned in my journal excerpt, I was experiencing a great sense of calm knowing I was at the right place at the right time in my life in Spain. It was also a goal. I was on a mission to see the world. Journal Excerpt May 6, 1994 "Look at this world--Rick--you made your goal. You may never see Seville again. But you saw it once!"
As I continued admiring this lovely city, I sat and drew a picture of the river and trees and church buildings in the background. Below me, a riverside restaurant with incredible views was the Maria Angeles Restaurant, a little background on the restaurant "It is situated on the bridge that joins Triana with Seville, it has tables from where the views are fantastic, and on its menu they offer specialties from Andalusia and from the Basque Country. Furthermore, to whet your appetite, they have a wide variety of tapas. Amongst its specialties are barbecued meat, cod, ox T-bone and the traditional fish tapas. To finish off with a sweet flavor in your mouth, try one of the home-made desserts." While I didn't try the restaurant, next time I'm in Seville, I will have dinner there. I had dinner earlier in the evening at a street side restaurant. I had Salmon Mediterranean: a ubiquitous dish located at many Sevillian restaurants.
Later that night, I returned to my home for the night-- the Hotel Becquer. Journal excerpt "I am down in the lobby area listening to the Discman. This is a nice place. Do I know where tomorrow leads? To the world of the unknown. That's better! Security is a myth. Remember that when you seek it. Live your dreams! Will you get another shot? Don't forget these precious moments in your life."
Most of my thoughts at the time were focused around exploring the unknown; taking roads less traveled; and in many ways an inner discovery was taking place in me. I guess that's why I was destined to come to Spain on my 1st adventure to Europe. I felt at home in Spain! Seville was a marvelous embarkation point from where I would eventually see Madrid, Lisbon, London, Dublin, Tangiers (Africa), and many smaller European cities. Now, 15 years later, all that's left to do is to see Seville, again!
