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Saturday, February 20, 2016

The Paseo, Seville, Andalusia, Spain



Young or old, cold or warm, the tradition of the evening paseo is alive and well in Seville. A number of main streets are exclusively used by pedestrians so it is a perfect match. This occurs mostly around 8-10pm at night, even on weeknights.



The practice of being out and about, even on a chilly, mid-week evening, shopping and visiting, eating and drinking, seeing and being seen, seems hard-wired into the soul of the Seville culture.



The dictionary defines a paseo as, "a leisurely, usually evening stroll."



Now and forever, I will remember it as something more.

There are two musicians against the building in the distance. As hundreds strolled by, a violinist and double bassist (with some recorded accompaniment from a boombox for a more complete orchestral sound) played a strikingly beautiful rendition of Ennio Morriconi's, "The Mission."

I most always enjoy street musicians so I stopped and stood a few feet in front of them as they began to play. Immediately, I was overwhelmed, entranced, transported, and literally moved to tears. (I am not normally one so easily moved). Music is an amazing force. I will forever associate a paseo with that powerful moment. I could not bring myself to make a photograph and seemingly defile the moment. Who would have thought?

Just imagine walking down this ancient stone street as people have done so for centuries and hearing the notes fill the air around you. Here's a link to a video of the composer conducting a full orchestra and chorus performance of it if you'd like to see, hear, and imagine: The Mission.


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