Spanish Doctors, Midterms, and Soccer Games: Second month in Sevilla!

My second month in Sevilla started with a trip to Morocco, and then another turn around trip to France. After those two weekends, I was happy to be home for two weekends before going away again. In that those two weekends, my friends and I explored the city a bit more! We walked around to the Metropol Parasol, or what I like to call the waffle. It is a modern building that looks like a waffle. We were able to go up and see a 360-degree view of the city! We always seem to end up shopping at the end of the day for our upcoming trips to colder climates! Besides all of those fun activities, not all of this month was fun and games. I ended up having to go to the doctors.

All the medication I received!

You heard that right guys, I had to go to the doctors here in Spain. I had been sick with cold systems for over a week with no signs of getting better. To make sure I was only sick with the cold, being the big girl that I am, I went to the doctors by myself. A major benefit of my study abroad program is that I get health care included, I just have to pay my bill first but then will get reimbursed after my claim has been processed. I walked 20 minutes to the clinic at 7:30 p.m. to have to sit and wait for about an hour and a half before seeing a doctor. Compared to the United States where I would have made an appointment, which could take about an hour as well to have me in and out with medication. I got into the doctors' office, with the help of an interpreter, told her my symptoms and medical history. No blood pressure check was done or temperature check. The doctor listened to my breathing and on my way I went. Another difference in the healthcare system here is the prescription of antibiotics are the last measure if nothing else has worked. The doctor prescribed a couple different remedies to hopefully help my illness. Two of those are supposed to be dissolved in water, and they taste disgusting. One is a pill I take before bed to help me not cough when I am sleeping. The last product the doctor prescribed is a salt water nose cleanser.

All in all the medication did help and I started to feel better within the week. Unlike some of my friends in my study abroad program, I didn't get sick that bad. Following my week of being sick, it was time for a soccer game! There are two teams in Sevilla, the Sevilla FC, and Real Betis. My friends and I chose to do a Sevilla FC game because we wanted the Sevilla scarves and felt like we needed to go to one game at least. I would highly endorse anyone and everyone to go to a soccer game in Sevilla! It was definitely worth wild especially since they won that game!

In the middle of October, it was time for midterms. For the most part, all my midterms went well! Finishing up midterms, I am now halfway done with my program which is incredibly weird to think about. It feels like it was yesterday that I arrived, with 95-degree weather. Now the temperature is lowering, only slight, but soon it will be winter and my program will be finished. Returning study abroad students are not lying when they say the time goes by so quick.

One last exciting excursion I went on this month is to the Real Alcázar de Sevilla. I walk by it almost every day on my way to the metro stop but had not been inside. Many movies and T.V. shows have used the palace to film, the most notable one would be Game of Thrones. This beautiful palace was developed by Moorish Muslim Kings. Now is mostly used for tourism, but the upper floors are still in use for the Spanish royal family when they come to visit.

This month has been full of travel as well as seeing a new side of Sevilla. I am loving getting to know this wonderful city and experiencing new things. In two months I feel like I have done it all, but so much is still in store!