Dani Bennett | Scenes From Spain

Seville, the capital of Spain's southernmost region, is like Disneyland. I would like to unpack this simile to explain what gives Seville its charm.
    From the temperature to the language, the culture in Seville, and the rest of southern Spain, is subtly distinct. You'll find that, along with the various brown-colored foods that Spaniards consume, they also eat most of the "s" sounds that are usually produced in Spanish words. If you've ever met a Sevillian, you'll notice that they would probably say, "Vai a comer un poquitopecao en ve de carne porqueyahabeicomiojamon," instead of, "Vais a comer un poquitopescado en vez de carne porqueyahabeiscomido jamon." And the nasal, musical rhythm with which Sevillians speak only furthers this different accent.
    As average summer temperatures are in the mid 80s, and average winter temperatures are in the mid 50s, Seville does feel a bit like Disneyland. This nicely complements the frequent and much-loved habit of eating outside that Spaniards, especially Sevillians, possess. Imagine sipping a half red wine and half lemon Fanta concoction (which is what constitutes the traditionally Spanish drink "tinto de verano") with your pinky up and munching on a piece of smoked salmon over bread. In between crunchy bites and sweet sips, you chat with your friend about new tapas bar recommendations and Obama's relationship with Spain's president, Mariano Rajoy. All of this is easily accomplished with the never-ending rays of sun and plazas.
    Imagine, then, also sipping that tinto de verano underneath an actual orange tree. As you let the fresh citrus air hit your nostrils, you inhale and take another bite of your salmon bread, surrounded at 2:30 p.m. by hoards of Spaniards just sitting down for lunch. Now, tell me that is not some kind of grown-up Disneyland, Paradise Island, what-have-you.
    Following lunch, you make your way to one of the many parks you keep eyeing while you take a walk (or "dar un paseo," a highly valued activity in Spain). One of the largest is ParqueMar?Luisa, in which you can run around the Plaza de