I was a bit mopey this afternoon. After doing an hour of Rosetta Stone, I couldn’t motivate myself to do anything else (cleaning has been at the top of my list for some time). Jerry suggested I go for a walk. It had turned out to be another glorious day with temps around 63F (17C). Sevilla’s temps are very similar in their variance to temps in the desert Southwest of the United States. There is usually at least a 20- to 25-degree (F) difference in nighttime and daytime readings.
This morning at 9, I sat and shivered while having coffee with Lola and Albert outside Casa Santos — it was 39F (4C). When I got back home to the sunshine in our plaza and my second cup of coffee (this time with Jerry at El Sanedrín), I held the hot cup to my face to thaw my frozen nose. It took me several hours to get the chill out of my bones.
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Although, I was in that mopey mood that made me want to just get in bed and read, I took Jerry’s suggestion and quickly changed into gym clothes and headed out for my walk. I’m so glad I did. The sun was shining. Flowers are always in bloom here, and there were lots of people out walking, running, strolling, rowing, and simply enjoying the day. I didn’t have my camera with me and didn’t want to slow my pace, but the few shots I took with my phone at least give you a sense of the beauty.
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I walked through the city and then along the river beyond the northernmost bridge. More than 3 km (about 2 miles). Four miles roundtrip in one hour and five minutes. It was invigorating. I came home and stretched. Made myself a protein shake… And then I started to mope again.
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But I’ve perked up sharing my day with you. And now it’s time for our evening snack of apples, crackers, and cheese. Dinner will be in less than three hours. And we’ll have a quiet night of TV. Among our 100+ channels, there’s bound to be something to watch. It will be alright.
Glad to hear that you're happier! Getting up and moving around isn't always a cure but it certainly confuses the blues. Spectacular bridges you have there!
The Owl Wood:
I love your description of confusing the blues. I'll keep it in mind.
Four miles per hour is a brisk pace! I can just about manage 2 miles per hour. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your journey. Glad you got out for a bit of sun and exercise. Some days are just mopey days.
Jo:
I was pleased with myself. That hour included a number of stops for pictures and to watch the kayakers on the river. I'm a bit over the mopey days. Time for a break from them!
That is what is so nice about Europe…everyone walks. If I tried to walk (I live one block west of US1) I would most likely be picked up by the cops for prostitution.
Well, Mitch, don't laugh…all along US1 prostitutes are doing a booming business and most of them look worse than I do. Of course, if I tried it it would be hard to become a millionaire at .25 cents a throw.
Isn't Sevilla wonderful?
saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
When times were tough, Jerry and I talked about selling our bodies on the Vegas strip… for parts!
Yes, Sevilla is wonderful!
What brings a smile to my face is that you did not give in to the 'mope'…Wonderful! Your brief tour also put Seville on our future agenda. We've spent some time in Barcelona and vistas north, and like to do an extended visit in a smaller area…you sold us Cuz, thanks.
Dobre:
It is great to see you here! (I was trying to figure out who called me "Cuz"!) We still haven't explored vistas north, but Sevilla is an absolutely amazing city. We are so glad we decided
I'm like an old woman in that I think walks can cure whatever ails you. Just to be out and about……sometimes it's all you need.
Of course, your vistas are quite something, so there is that, too.
Bob:
I agree with you about walks. They are a miracle cure for me (even if only temporary).
Such a beautiful place you live in. I think I might have to go for a walk everyday.
Scott:
I SHOULD go for a long walk every day and plan to get back into the habit. In addition to the mental and physical health benefits, there's still so much to discover.
Keep taking those walks Mitch – and remember that you are not on your own when you take your blog friends along with you. I don't know about the others, but I love seeing beautiful Sevilla, and hearing about how you are doing. I'm not averse to enjoying a bit of your lovely sunshine either!
Elaine:
Thank you for coming with me. It DOES help!
I got a laugh out of your taking a long walk to get over the mopes and then going back to moping. That is what I do! And, I am very good at it. I have come to think we set our own baseline for contentment and if we sink below it, we feel obligated to get back on track. It can't always be forced, it will just happen naturally in its own time. (Feel free to call that BS if you want!)
Ms. Sparrow:
I think we all should focus on our strengths. And I don't think what you said is at all BS. Sometimes it needs to be helped along, but it cannot be forced.
I really thought the long invigorating walk was going to get you out of the mopes … and then you go back and have the mopes again! This is one severe case of the mopes! I suggest chocolate (or your favorite treat), an early bedtime and a funny book. Hope you can find a good show on your 100+ channels. We supposedly have more than 300 and I can never find anything I want to watch!!
Jenners:
Actually, sharing my mopes with everyone else here got me out of them! So, thanks for the help. Amazingly, I did it without the aid of chocolate. TV wasn't very stimulating. Calvin and Hobbs is my go-to for "funny."
THAT is an iconic bridge by Santiago Calatrava. This bridge was constructed as part of infrastructure improvements for Expo 92, which was held on a large site on the island.
Peter:
I remember you enlightening me on this bridge a while back when I first saw it. It is inspiring and today was the first time I walked well beyond it. That's when I hit the top very rural-looking view of the river. One of these days, Jerry and I will rent a car and drive across it as we head out of town.
Inspiration, just outside your door. Something that the suburbs lack. It's a beautiful place you live.
Stew:
We lived a very suburban life in Irvine before coming here. I know plenty of people who love it, but at this point, city life is for me. But, who knows? Maybe some day we'll end up in a little pueblo. (Just not now!)
that was lovely, thankyou for sharing this.
Ur-spo:
Thanks for coming along. Let me know where you want to walk next.
Time for my morning walk. About 2º. Same old route through the vines. Wet grass, mud. Washing the mud off the dog on our return. Ah, the glamorous life…
Walt the Fourth:
Time for my morning coffee. About 9 degrees here; much better for we thin-blooded. I would love your walks… just not the cold … or having to wash the mud off the dog. Too much glamour for me.
After all those comments on your walks I've really nothing original to add – but I do go with the general drift.
Those pics are really uplifting. How much even moreso must it have been as you were taking them.
Your day temps sound ideal to those like me, but I don't know as I'd fancy a 20 degree drop from them at night. Must feel like a rollercoaster.
Raybeard:
The walk was uplifting even if I moped again briefly after it was done.
The temperature drops are very welcome during the heat of summer. We used to love it in Palm Springs when it was 110F during the day and 80F at night.
You LOVED 110/80? Oh no! Give me 65/50.
We just liked the fact that it dropped 30 degrees!
This sounds so familiar Mitch. Ron will suggest to me sometimes that I REALLY need a walk…and you know, he was right!
Interesting looking bridge. And the flowers….it looks like a bougainvillea vine. If it's this 'warm' there now….how's the summer?
Jim:
Yes, that is bougainvillea. So much else blooming right now, too.
Summers in Sevilla? Didn't I whine about… I mean mention them… our first few months? 100 degrees is the usual in July and August. 90s in September.
That when the A/C comes in handy!
Yep. And never leaving the house after sunrise.
Mitch, you need to get a fishin' rod. A fab chill ooot happy day guaranteed. 🙂
Big catfish in Spain. I mean REALLY big catfish. Never been to catch one but must be a total adrenaline rush.
You live in a really great place.
Chris:
But if I catch a catfish, I probably have to EAT a catfish. Not a fan! However, that explains all the guys with fishing rods hanging out along the river. And I really do live in a great place. Thanks!
I can smell the aromas of coffee and flowers…and feel the slight breeze wafting while taking your stroll. Just remember -18 degrees C when your warming up your nose with your hot java…would love to be able to do this life!
Ron:
I can't even consider -18! Did that and worse in South Dakota a few times over the years. I'd feel for you if just the thought of it didn't make me numb!