Sevilla, tiene una cosa...

Well I was nerding out last night as I arrived at the Sevilla airport. I had to stop myself humming that as I have been wont to do lately down the streets in Vancouver (the title is a "song"). I was thinking of what Scottish people probably thought when they saw the tourist wearing a big tartan shawl, or what the Spanish think when the tourist just wants crappy sangria. Come to think of it now, I suppose that singing Sevillanas probably wouldn't fit into that category...


The journey:
Taking the train across the border to Seattle was a gentle way of leaving for a nervous person. Seven hours to Reykjavik was an easier flight than others I've taken in recent years. But my trip to London essentially was 24 hours, since the time I got up on Tuesday morning.

The journey in quotes:
"Hello, how are you today? You have a lambchop in there?" Very cheery London airport security. So pleasant I thought he was making a joke, and laughed. Then he pulled my laptop out of my bag for me.

"Why would I go to a gay ba(r) when I can go to a tranny ba(r)?" Cute transgendered lady with a clipped British accent enjoying showing off in a Soho noodle joint.

"Have you seen anyone you don't recognise in here? What is this building?" London cops and their dog, in the washroom of the hostel. The back door had been open. It appeared some other cops that arrived minutes later knew what was going on. London cops are nicer, smaller, not intimidating and carry no guns.

"I'll come to Sevilla if you invite me." Latino guy living in Lyon that I met in Fuller's Ale and Pie House. A place that uses ethically sourced ingredients for fantastic pot pies with unusual ingredients like beef with Stilton and pears with pork. 

"Dressage. I coach the Olympic team in Germany". A tall and distinguished but friendly looking man on the almost empty flight to Sevilla, who said he sometimes teaches in Seattle. He lives in Australia but his home is Jerez, where he was one of the first riders, or teachers or something at an equestrian school there.