After a two hour flight, we arrived in Seville at 7:30pm. We picked up our bags, and with no customs check, we made our way to the taxi rank and caught a taxi to our hotel, Suites Sevilla Plaza. A previous email from our hotel host, Javier, informed us that the taxi would cost around €22 so you can imagine my surprise when (without a metre) the taxi driver advised that the trip cost €37! Het asked for another €2 which I assumed was so he could give us a clean €5 note change, but het got into his cab and took off before I could process what happened. We met Javier, fairly disgruntled, and he told us the driver took a chance and ripped us off. Not the best welcome from Seville but the atmosphere soon changed.
He explained what we should do in the future and reassured us that we have rights which made us feel a little less like a fish out of water. He then took out a map and took the time to circle all the best local tapas restaurants as well as an authentic flamenco dancing bar. We dropped our bags in our room, jumped under the shower and took off for the tapas bar around the corner.
I can easily have a conversation with someone in Spanish in my head but as soon as someone speaks to me I seize up. We entered the shoebox sized bar and sat down at a small table in the back corner. The waiter greeted us and as I attempted to ask for a menu - I agreed to his interpretation of my request of two beers! Oh well, when in Spain! The tapas were delicious and consisted of deep fried, crumbed ham filled with mayonnaise and cheese, garlic pan fried mushrooms, a satay chicken skewer and dumpling.
Satisfied, we took a stroll down the Calle to Plaza Nueve.
The streets and ally ways were buzzing locals, many were only just sitting down to dinner.
By then it was 10pm and the sun was only starting to go down.
We both lazily strolled passed the closed shops in find of ice cream. Ben & Jerrys it is! Shaun ha some fancy toffee nut filled ice cream cup while I opted for something more traditional - vanilla! Feeling better, we went back to our apartment and turned in for the night deciding to explore our surrounds further the next day.
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