Mark and I went to Barcelona this past weekend, and it was the best weekend yet, and my favorite place we've been so far!!!
We took at bus to Madrid on Thursday afternoon, walked through the city, had dinner at Fridays(mmm fajitas) and then went to our hotel near the airport. Mark was a beast at figuring out the metro, so no troubles there! We did have troubles though when we got to the hotel and I had booked a room for a day (for when you have long layovers) and not the night, I was kind of freaked out! But, they had rooms available, and it was 20 extra euros, but it all worked out!
We left Friday morning, bright and early and arrived in Barcelona around 9, and took a bus for 5 euros, from the airport into the center of the city (3 blocks from where we stayed!). When we got to the Plaza de Cataluña (center of the city), we found a starbucks and had some breakfast, then after a little bit of wondering found our hotel! The room wasn't ready, but they let us leave our stuff there. So we headed out and explored the city! We found Las Ramblas, which is this touristy street with all these street performers and shops, it was awesome, and took us all the way down to the water! At the end of the ramblas is the huge statue of Christopher Columbus pointing towards the sea, and also there is a bridge(the one with the waves on the top), that takes you to the aquarium and a mall. It floats, and it moved while you were on it, and we got to see how it opened to let boats through which was cool. We walked across that, then grabbed some lunch, and headed back to our hotel to check-in. We relaxed that afternoon, then headed back out that evening to see Las Ramblas at night, it was neat! We took all the way to the ocean so we got to see all the boats and the statue lit up. We then went to a restaurant called Tapa Tapa, and got a bunch of tapas and shared them, and people watched, it was awesome! Sidenote- our hotel was right around the corner from Gaudi's Casa Batlló, the roof like scales, so it was in a prime location!
Saturday we woke up, and headed to the Plaza Cataluña and got on the blue line of the Bus Turistic of Barcelona! We saw a ton of awesome stuff like the Casa Batlló(which was right down the road from our hotel) Gaudi's La Padera ( the stone building that looks like waves and has wrought iron balaconies) built between 1906-1910, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's church that is still under construction, the inside is finished and the Pope is blessing it this weekend as a Basilica), Park Guell, Palau Reil- Pavellons Guell(wrought iron dragon front with a functioning mouth!) Futbol Club Barcelona Stadium. After we went and road the bus all the way through the blue line we went back to the Sagrada Familia and went inside and through the museum. It was amazing, the inside (and obviously the outside) is unlike any church I've seen, it was soooooooooooooooooooooooo AWESOME!!! After the Sagrada Familia, we went to Park Guell, which is Gaudi's park, where Gaudi's house was located, which is now a museum. It was awesome because Gaudi's work just mixes with nature. Mark and I walked around all the park, it had some awesome views of Barcelona. We then headed back to our hotel, relaxed for a while and then went out for dinner!
Sunday we woke up (with bug bites AHHHH) and headed onto the red line of the bus tour. We saw a ton more awesome stuff around the bottom half of the city, near the ocean. We saw the Estacío de Sants (the large sclupture by Joan Miró that is actually a slide!), Plaza de España (two towers, that mark the gateway to park of Montjuic, which was where the 1929 International Exhibit and the 1992 Olympics!) Poble Español (the walled in city) MNAC ( the huge building at the top of the hill, it's now a museum of Catalan art), Anella Olímpica( The Olympic ring for the 1992 olympic games, Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordí, telecommunications tower, swimming pool) World Trade Center, Port Vell (Las Ramblas, from the first night we saw of this :)) Pla de Palau (Ribera district, medieval area, one of the oldest of Barcelona, Museu Picasso) Barri Gótic( origin of Barcelona, built on the old roman town, has the cathedral de Barcelona). Mark and I got off and saw the MNAC, and got some amazing pictures of the city, then we went to the Olympic area which was awesome to see and walk around through! We then went to the Picasso Museum, and saw awesome Picasso art from the blue period, cubism, and his version of Las Meninas!
We got to see so much of the city on the bus tour, but when I looked at other peoples pictures from the trip it seems like we missed a lot too! Which is crazy because we saw a ton, but Barcelona was amazing and I absolutely loved the city! I already want to go back! Despite the bug issue in our hotel and having to wrap everything up and deal with itchy bites, it was sooooooo worth it!
We left Monday morning, with more bug bites, but having loved everything about the city! We got the airport super early, and hung out there, grabbed some lunch, I fell asleep on the ground because the anti-itch medicine they gave us knocked me out! Our flight was an hour late, but we had plenty of time between getting to Madrid and getting to the bus (no repeat of Santiago!) so we made it back to Salamanca (kind of late, we weren't on the express bus) after a great weekend!!!
So an update with life in Salamanca, all is well. We have 16 days until families come and we go to the south of Spain with everyone, and Im uber excited for that! We've had our first 3 tests here, two today, and I feel that I did great on all of them, and I wasn't even worried about them :) Tonight I start Flamenco classes with Kelley and I'm uber excited for that!!! Oh, and my birthday's monday (21 ahhh as anita says Im old ahahah) and Mark and I are going to Madrid for the weekend, so Im uber excited for that too!
This last month is going to fly by, and I've had a great time in Salamanca so far, through all the ups and downs, and sketchy meals ( I had tuna pasta again today hahaha) it's been a pretty awesome experience!
Love you all! Miss you!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Santiago de Compostela
Hola mis amigos!!!
So Kelley, Mark and I had a wonderful time in Santiago! Traveling went fantastically(except for a bat in the airport jaja), and our hotel(although a bit out of the city) was super nice!!!
We got there Friday, took a cab to our hotel and then took the next bus into the city! We(by which I mean Kelley) found our way to the Cathedral and it was absolutely AMAZING!!!! so huge, and beautiful. We walked around, grabbed a coffee, then went back and had dinner at the hotel. We had some yummmmmyyyy desserts. :) :)
The next day we woke up early, headed into the city and got in line to go see the tomb of Saint James(which was good timing because by the time we got out the line was UBER long!!!!!) We couldn't take pictures but it was beautiful. We got to hug Saint James, then went to museum of the Cathedral (we got to see awesome parts of the cathedral along with a rock with writing from 500). We got some bocadillos at a little restaurant, and I remembered that we didn't see the pillar that all the pilgrims touch once they've finished! So, we went back into the Cathedral, found the pillar, which was AMAZING!!! then we walked around the city, did some shopping, and headed back to our hotel. Kelley fell asleep, and continued sleeping until Sunday morning haha! Mark and I went and grabbed a small bite at the restaurant at our hotel, then headed to bed!
Traveling back to Madrid was okay we almost missed the bus, because our flight was late, so we had 10 minutes to run clear across the airport, it was crazy and we were those people, haha, but we made it!!!
It was a great trip! :)
So Kelley, Mark and I had a wonderful time in Santiago! Traveling went fantastically(except for a bat in the airport jaja), and our hotel(although a bit out of the city) was super nice!!!
We got there Friday, took a cab to our hotel and then took the next bus into the city! We(by which I mean Kelley) found our way to the Cathedral and it was absolutely AMAZING!!!! so huge, and beautiful. We walked around, grabbed a coffee, then went back and had dinner at the hotel. We had some yummmmmyyyy desserts. :) :)
The next day we woke up early, headed into the city and got in line to go see the tomb of Saint James(which was good timing because by the time we got out the line was UBER long!!!!!) We couldn't take pictures but it was beautiful. We got to hug Saint James, then went to museum of the Cathedral (we got to see awesome parts of the cathedral along with a rock with writing from 500). We got some bocadillos at a little restaurant, and I remembered that we didn't see the pillar that all the pilgrims touch once they've finished! So, we went back into the Cathedral, found the pillar, which was AMAZING!!! then we walked around the city, did some shopping, and headed back to our hotel. Kelley fell asleep, and continued sleeping until Sunday morning haha! Mark and I went and grabbed a small bite at the restaurant at our hotel, then headed to bed!
Traveling back to Madrid was okay we almost missed the bus, because our flight was late, so we had 10 minutes to run clear across the airport, it was crazy and we were those people, haha, but we made it!!!
It was a great trip! :)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Madrid, La Granja, Segovia
This past weekend our group went to Madrid, La Granja and Segovia. We left bright and early Saturday morning, stopped for breakfast along the way, and got to El Prado for our tour. We went through El Prado getting to see works from all different artists, the highlights being those from Velazquez and Goya. I bought a book that is a guide and history of the museum so that was pretty neat. We went to lunch (some people from our group got squid that was cooked in their own ink, mmm) and then headed to the Palacio Real. This is the official residence of the king of Spain, but is only used for state ceremonies(political visits etc). All the rooms are decorated differently, with all types of art from many different artists. This part of the trip was a repeat from the trip with Diebler, but it was still neat to see everything. We then headed to hotel, which was the same hotel from the Diebler trip, Hotel Convención. :) We got back and started getting ready for our special dinner where we got to dress up :) I wore my little black dress I found with Emily and Anita at TJ Maxx :) We ended up eating at this restaurant that was an old house now a restaurant with different rooms. We started outside with appetizers and drinks, then headed inside for dinner. We got a salad to start and then a weird fish purée(kind of looked like cat food) then a yummy pumpkin'ish' dessert. Through out the meal the waiters sang opera while accompanied by the piano. It was really neat, and a very different experience but it lasted over 4 hours!!!! So by the end (12:30 or so...) I was exhausted.
Sunday we went to La Granja, which is only 20 minutes from Segovia and saw El Palacio de la Granja. It was another palace with tons of art, but it had beautiful gardens. After the tour we walked around the gardens and got to see some leaves that changed colors!!! It was really neat. Miguel (the husband of the Maria Angeles who is in charge of the Salamanca Program for OWU) said that in the summer there are two days when the all the fountains are turned on (they don't run on pumps) and people come and kids wear their bathing suites and play in the fountains!!! We then had lunch, then headed to Segovia. We saw the aqueduct, which is Roman built with out any cement at all. We walked through the city and saw the cathedral and Alcázar, which is a palace in Segovia.
It was a fun trip, I really enjoyed the gardens of La Granja, they were really beautiful :) This weekend Kelley, Mark and I are going to Santiago de Compostela and IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!
lots of love!
Sunday we went to La Granja, which is only 20 minutes from Segovia and saw El Palacio de la Granja. It was another palace with tons of art, but it had beautiful gardens. After the tour we walked around the gardens and got to see some leaves that changed colors!!! It was really neat. Miguel (the husband of the Maria Angeles who is in charge of the Salamanca Program for OWU) said that in the summer there are two days when the all the fountains are turned on (they don't run on pumps) and people come and kids wear their bathing suites and play in the fountains!!! We then had lunch, then headed to Segovia. We saw the aqueduct, which is Roman built with out any cement at all. We walked through the city and saw the cathedral and Alcázar, which is a palace in Segovia.
It was a fun trip, I really enjoyed the gardens of La Granja, they were really beautiful :) This weekend Kelley, Mark and I are going to Santiago de Compostela and IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!
lots of love!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Quick update
So, we don't have class today!!! woot woot :) I was counting the days of actual class we have and it's on 25 days of class but Im here for another two months haha Sunday Mark and I went to El Rastro, didn't find any cute boots but had a fun time walking around. There are these off brand Puma shoes that they call Hunting Lions, and I about died laughing at the name!!! They're only 5 euros so I might have to get someone a pair hahahahah We also got to talk to Mark's family and I got to skype with mine so it was nice to hear and see everyone!!! Trying to book a another trip. It's hard though because stuff is expensive and I don't know what trips the university is going to offer in November. Im looking at going to Santiago de Compostela, but I also asked my madre for suggestion and she gave me a couple cities to look into. Today Mark and I went on a jog then met up later at 4 and watched Iron Man 2 in the park, so that was nice :) I am currently eating some peanut butter and listening to some music, going to read some La Casa de Los Espíritus then skype date with Grammie :), dinner, shower, then another skype date with Joni!!! So yeah that's a quick update on my life here in Salamanca. :)
lots of love
lots of love
Friday, October 8, 2010
Better late then never :)
So, obviously I have not kept up my end of the deal with this whole blog thing, but I'm doing it now, because I hadn't realized that it's been since Sept. 28 that I've updated, woops :)
Okay so here's a breakdown of my life for the past week and half or so: Bilbao and Classes.
Bilbao
Mark and I left for Bilbao on Friday Oct 1 by train. The train was 5 hours or so and relatively uneventful. Unlike Kelley, Kelly,Jess and Courtney's train ride to Portugal, which involved getting covered in blood sucking bugs (GROSS) haha. So, yeah we got to Bilbao, and this was the first time I've ever travelled with out any guidance and I'd like to think it was successful. We got there, found a map of the city, found our hotel, Barceló and headed that way. We took a walk around the city after getting settled in and saw the Guggenheim and the dog. We were hungry, so went to try and get some tapas, we found a restaurant and we ended up getting cheese nachos and mozzarella sticks! Woops haha. But they were sooooo good!! On Saturday we got up, had a great breakfast at Barceló, and then spent the afternoon in the Guggenheim. It was soooo awesome. There was exhibits from Anish Kapoor(the bean in Chicago), selections from their collection (some Andy Warhol), and then a time exhibit with huge mazes (pictures on FB). I think it was the same artist who had a piece in the Canadian airport when we went to Switzerland and Italy, so that was super neat too. We went back and relaxed for a few, then headed out that night to walk around and see more of the city. We saw a manifestacíon on one of the main streets and they were yelling ETA ETA, but it no one seemed worried, and there were families walking in it so that was kind of interesting. For all those who don't know Bilbao is in the Basque country, with it's own language and flag, and want to be there own country. When my Mom was here in the 80's they weren't allowed to go to Bilbao because of the extremists, but it's safer now, and I did not feel threatened at all. Sunday we headed back to good ol' Salamanca, riding through some storms and wind, and when we got back there were a lot of branches everywhere because of the wind! I really enjoyed the trip, it was a great first travel experience!
Classes
We just finished our second week of classes. We are taking five: Grammar, History, Art History, and two literature classes. We go to class from 9-2 then there are some classes in the evening from 5-7. They are going well. We have 3 novels we have to read, so that's a lot along with our daily homework. The history class is a little much because it's suppose to be contemporary history but he started before the invasion of 711, and it's basically the same class two hours in a row, because we're talking about the same thing in Art, so yeah. I love love love the grammar professor, I really feel like I'm learning a ton and getting a lot out of the experience, so that's definitely the best out of all of them.
Life
Life's pretty good. I was a little homesick last week, but that's passed and I'm really enjoying my time here. This afternoon I met up with Mark and went to go check out the trip to Portugal, but it was already full!! So Im going to do some research and hopefully we can go there too. We also planned our trip to Barcelona!! Im SOOO EXCITED for that :) We get to be there for 4 days, it was expensive, but its going to be soooo worth it!!!! We're going to Madrid next weekend with the group so that will be tons of fun too! Today we also went to VALOR, which everyone has been talking about since we got here, and had some AMAZING churros and chocolate. It's definitely on the list for things we're doing when Joni/Ken and the Schmitter's come in November!!! Then we went and got some much needed toiletries! So a pretty awesome Friday :D The only thing is the leaves don't change here!! So yeah, I asked people to take pictures of all the leaves changing and the pumpkin carvings! I miss Fall festivities!
Sorry for being so lack on the updates! My grammie sent me an email asking if I was going to update it on Bilbao..hahah
OWU- HAVE A GREAT HOMECOMING WEEKEND!!! Thinking of everyone!
BESTIES- HOPE YOU'RE PLANNING AN AWESOME REUNION!!! I CAN NOT WAIT!!! DONATOS, CHICK FLICKS :) :)
Lots of love
Okay so here's a breakdown of my life for the past week and half or so: Bilbao and Classes.
Bilbao
Mark and I left for Bilbao on Friday Oct 1 by train. The train was 5 hours or so and relatively uneventful. Unlike Kelley, Kelly,Jess and Courtney's train ride to Portugal, which involved getting covered in blood sucking bugs (GROSS) haha. So, yeah we got to Bilbao, and this was the first time I've ever travelled with out any guidance and I'd like to think it was successful. We got there, found a map of the city, found our hotel, Barceló and headed that way. We took a walk around the city after getting settled in and saw the Guggenheim and the dog. We were hungry, so went to try and get some tapas, we found a restaurant and we ended up getting cheese nachos and mozzarella sticks! Woops haha. But they were sooooo good!! On Saturday we got up, had a great breakfast at Barceló, and then spent the afternoon in the Guggenheim. It was soooo awesome. There was exhibits from Anish Kapoor(the bean in Chicago), selections from their collection (some Andy Warhol), and then a time exhibit with huge mazes (pictures on FB). I think it was the same artist who had a piece in the Canadian airport when we went to Switzerland and Italy, so that was super neat too. We went back and relaxed for a few, then headed out that night to walk around and see more of the city. We saw a manifestacíon on one of the main streets and they were yelling ETA ETA, but it no one seemed worried, and there were families walking in it so that was kind of interesting. For all those who don't know Bilbao is in the Basque country, with it's own language and flag, and want to be there own country. When my Mom was here in the 80's they weren't allowed to go to Bilbao because of the extremists, but it's safer now, and I did not feel threatened at all. Sunday we headed back to good ol' Salamanca, riding through some storms and wind, and when we got back there were a lot of branches everywhere because of the wind! I really enjoyed the trip, it was a great first travel experience!
Classes
We just finished our second week of classes. We are taking five: Grammar, History, Art History, and two literature classes. We go to class from 9-2 then there are some classes in the evening from 5-7. They are going well. We have 3 novels we have to read, so that's a lot along with our daily homework. The history class is a little much because it's suppose to be contemporary history but he started before the invasion of 711, and it's basically the same class two hours in a row, because we're talking about the same thing in Art, so yeah. I love love love the grammar professor, I really feel like I'm learning a ton and getting a lot out of the experience, so that's definitely the best out of all of them.
Life
Life's pretty good. I was a little homesick last week, but that's passed and I'm really enjoying my time here. This afternoon I met up with Mark and went to go check out the trip to Portugal, but it was already full!! So Im going to do some research and hopefully we can go there too. We also planned our trip to Barcelona!! Im SOOO EXCITED for that :) We get to be there for 4 days, it was expensive, but its going to be soooo worth it!!!! We're going to Madrid next weekend with the group so that will be tons of fun too! Today we also went to VALOR, which everyone has been talking about since we got here, and had some AMAZING churros and chocolate. It's definitely on the list for things we're doing when Joni/Ken and the Schmitter's come in November!!! Then we went and got some much needed toiletries! So a pretty awesome Friday :D The only thing is the leaves don't change here!! So yeah, I asked people to take pictures of all the leaves changing and the pumpkin carvings! I miss Fall festivities!
Sorry for being so lack on the updates! My grammie sent me an email asking if I was going to update it on Bilbao..hahah
OWU- HAVE A GREAT HOMECOMING WEEKEND!!! Thinking of everyone!
BESTIES- HOPE YOU'RE PLANNING AN AWESOME REUNION!!! I CAN NOT WAIT!!! DONATOS, CHICK FLICKS :) :)
Lots of love
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks
Okay, so it's obvious that I have not kept up with the blog, and that there is a ton of information and pictures to update everyone on!
Excursion to the North
We left on Monday and traveled to Aquilar de Campóo where we had lunch and walked around the city. It's a village on the River Pisuerga and in the town a major part of the economy are cookie factories. We got to try some and they were sooo good :) We then continued North into the mountains and ended up at our amazing hotel in Cervera de Pisuerga, this by far was the best hotel we stayed at and it was so peaceful and beautiful. We walked down to the lake, and some people swam and then we walked back and had an amazing dinner.
Then on Tuesday we headed to Fuente De, and took a teleférico to the Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa. Although I didn't enjoy the trip up and down, the views were amazing, we had a great pic-nic, goats and all, and did some mountain climbing haha :D Then we headed towards Santander, which is on the coast of Spain. When we got to our hotel, Ben, Mark, Lauren and I decided to go swimming in the ocean. IT WAS FREEZING!!! but very refreshing after the bus ride. :D Another amazing dinner(we ate a ton of fabulous meals on this trip)
Wednesday, we went to the Altamira caves and museum. It was a very interesting museum full of life through the ages and how humans evolved with tools and art. They do not have the original cave open to the public but they had a neat recreation, with the paintings in the same areas and such as if you were in the original cave. We then headed to Burgos and had time to walk around the city. We then went to dinner and had tapas after with the whole group and some sangría. So we ate a huge dinner, then went and ate some more.. like I said tons and tons of food.
On Thursday we went to the Catedral de Burgos and saw an old monastery. The Catedral was of the gothic style and I love love old churches like that. If I remember correctly, Cervantes is buried there along with a painting of Mary Macdalene by Da Vinci. So some sweet history! The monastery was neat because there was a mixture of islamic art because of some of the artist converted to Christianity and helped design the ceilings. It was interesting to the mixture of geometric shapes and scenes from the bible. Then we headed to Peñafiel and swam in the pool and had an amazing dinner, with some fantastic wine from a local bodega.
On Friday we went to the Castillo de Peñafiel, which was obvi super guay because it was a castle. We then went to a bodega and learned how wine is made. We got to go out and try the grapes and then see the process. It was a very small bodega but it had been in this women's family for years, and she absolutely loved it. We got to have some of her wine and then we all went out for lunch at a little hole in the wall restaurant, then headed back to Salamanca!!!!!!!
The trip was amazing and it was soooo beautiful. Especially the Picos de Europa.
Once back in Salamanca, on Saturday Mark and I celebrated his birthday in the city and had a great dinner together!
The title is from a Tom Petty song, which I have been listening to a lot lately. So the days that were the diamonds, then on Monday we started classes, YESTERDAY, wow, that seems like ages ago to me. Anyways we started classes and let me say all the freedom of the day is gone! We already have been assigned 3 novels and short stories, so much reading!!! We didn't even have a syllabus day, we were literally thrown into it. SO.. yeah... I'm pretty tired. We have classes Monday-Thursday 9-2 then we go back 5-7. It's a long day, and we have breaks but they are all in the same classroom so it gets pretty stuffy when you're in there for long periods of time.
Tomorrow is the Huegla General de España, it's a general strike around all of Spain against the economy and jobs, so, we don't have some classes tomorrow, and we're not sure if the building we are in is even going to be open. It's a pretty neat thing though, to think a whole country is coming together against something they have an issue with. I'm interested to see what happens.
So, that's my update for the past week and a half. Mark and I go to Bilbao this weekend, so there will be an update after that trip!! And we booked our trip to Barcelona today! You would think it would be easy to travel in the country, but it requires a bus, taxi, and plane to get there!!!!!
I get to skype with Anita tonight woot woot, and hopefully with my family after Bilbao!!!
Missing everyone tons and tons!
Sending DeeGee love to OWU, missing you girls tons!!!!
Excursion to the North
We left on Monday and traveled to Aquilar de Campóo where we had lunch and walked around the city. It's a village on the River Pisuerga and in the town a major part of the economy are cookie factories. We got to try some and they were sooo good :) We then continued North into the mountains and ended up at our amazing hotel in Cervera de Pisuerga, this by far was the best hotel we stayed at and it was so peaceful and beautiful. We walked down to the lake, and some people swam and then we walked back and had an amazing dinner.
Then on Tuesday we headed to Fuente De, and took a teleférico to the Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa. Although I didn't enjoy the trip up and down, the views were amazing, we had a great pic-nic, goats and all, and did some mountain climbing haha :D Then we headed towards Santander, which is on the coast of Spain. When we got to our hotel, Ben, Mark, Lauren and I decided to go swimming in the ocean. IT WAS FREEZING!!! but very refreshing after the bus ride. :D Another amazing dinner(we ate a ton of fabulous meals on this trip)
Wednesday, we went to the Altamira caves and museum. It was a very interesting museum full of life through the ages and how humans evolved with tools and art. They do not have the original cave open to the public but they had a neat recreation, with the paintings in the same areas and such as if you were in the original cave. We then headed to Burgos and had time to walk around the city. We then went to dinner and had tapas after with the whole group and some sangría. So we ate a huge dinner, then went and ate some more.. like I said tons and tons of food.
On Thursday we went to the Catedral de Burgos and saw an old monastery. The Catedral was of the gothic style and I love love old churches like that. If I remember correctly, Cervantes is buried there along with a painting of Mary Macdalene by Da Vinci. So some sweet history! The monastery was neat because there was a mixture of islamic art because of some of the artist converted to Christianity and helped design the ceilings. It was interesting to the mixture of geometric shapes and scenes from the bible. Then we headed to Peñafiel and swam in the pool and had an amazing dinner, with some fantastic wine from a local bodega.
On Friday we went to the Castillo de Peñafiel, which was obvi super guay because it was a castle. We then went to a bodega and learned how wine is made. We got to go out and try the grapes and then see the process. It was a very small bodega but it had been in this women's family for years, and she absolutely loved it. We got to have some of her wine and then we all went out for lunch at a little hole in the wall restaurant, then headed back to Salamanca!!!!!!!
The trip was amazing and it was soooo beautiful. Especially the Picos de Europa.
Once back in Salamanca, on Saturday Mark and I celebrated his birthday in the city and had a great dinner together!
The title is from a Tom Petty song, which I have been listening to a lot lately. So the days that were the diamonds, then on Monday we started classes, YESTERDAY, wow, that seems like ages ago to me. Anyways we started classes and let me say all the freedom of the day is gone! We already have been assigned 3 novels and short stories, so much reading!!! We didn't even have a syllabus day, we were literally thrown into it. SO.. yeah... I'm pretty tired. We have classes Monday-Thursday 9-2 then we go back 5-7. It's a long day, and we have breaks but they are all in the same classroom so it gets pretty stuffy when you're in there for long periods of time.
Tomorrow is the Huegla General de España, it's a general strike around all of Spain against the economy and jobs, so, we don't have some classes tomorrow, and we're not sure if the building we are in is even going to be open. It's a pretty neat thing though, to think a whole country is coming together against something they have an issue with. I'm interested to see what happens.
So, that's my update for the past week and a half. Mark and I go to Bilbao this weekend, so there will be an update after that trip!! And we booked our trip to Barcelona today! You would think it would be easy to travel in the country, but it requires a bus, taxi, and plane to get there!!!!!
I get to skype with Anita tonight woot woot, and hopefully with my family after Bilbao!!!
Missing everyone tons and tons!
Sending DeeGee love to OWU, missing you girls tons!!!!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Toros
I try to coordinate posts with pictures, so check out FB after you read this!
Miercoles- We had class from 10-3, then lunch and Mark Kelley and I met up at 5:30 to work on our "prueba" for our class. We had to ask for directions and take down any common phrases, body movements that occurred. Basically, they give you the directions by saying getting there is very easy and showing you all the turns with their hands. :) After we went to the Mueso de Taurino, a bullfighting museum, in order to prepare ourselves for the bullfight we went to on Thursday. It was really interesting, with some bull heads on the wall, and awesome art depictions of bullfighting (paintings, sculpture, pictures..). Then our group went out for coffee together, then Mark and I went out to dinner. :)
Jueves- We had class, and Mark Kelley and I gave our "presentation" basically just a discussion with the class on what happened when we asked directions, it went great. Went home for lunch, had a small siesta, then met up with Mark and Ann in the park and walked to the Plaza de Torros. Once we were there, we were able to see La Vuelta, a bike race through Spain, enter Salamanca, so that was really neat, and an added bonus. :) So, the bullfight. La Glorieta, Salamanca's bullfighting ring was completed in 1893, and can seat up to 10,000 people. Our group sat on the second level of the ring, in the shade. There were tons of people around us, and all of them were smoking. I think the 4 guys who sat in front of me, smoked the entire 2 and a half hours, needless to say my throat was burning after. There were 3 matadores(nicknames) Morante de la Puebla, El Julí, El Fandi and a total of 6 bulls. Here's how a bullfight works: Each matador has 6 assistants. The 6 assistants include two picadores ("lancers") mounted on horseback, three bandilleros ("flagmen") and a mozo de espada ("sword page"). Collectively they comprise a cuadrilla ("entourage"). There are 3 stages of the bullfight each beginning with the trumpet. First, the whole group enters the arena, then the bull is let out and the matador and bandilleros test the strength of the bull with the capes. This is the part I enjoyed the most, because it was the bull running at the cape or capote, and the matador would try to impress the crowd. After this the picadores enter the ring on horse back with the a lance and strikes the bull in the neck. After this the bandilleros enter with two bandrillas (very sharp sticks) each striking the bull in the shoulder area. At the end of this stage, there is 6 bandrillas in the bull shoulders, if all are done correctly and stay in the bull. If you check out Marks pictures he has a neat picture of this. In the third stage, the matador re-enters the ring with a red muelta (cape) and a sword. The matador uses the muelta to wear the bull down and after a series of passes will position the bull in a way so he the sword will through his heart. If it is done well the people will wave white handkerchiefs so the matador will be rewarded an ear. So, thats how it works. Each of the matadors went, and both El Julí and El Fandi were given an ear of the bull they killed. It was definitely an intense experience, and Im glad I was able to have the opportunity to see something that has been a part of the Spanish culture.
Viernes- This was the last day of our class with Carmen, she gave us her email and told us if we needed help with anything to let her know, traveling, school or anything else, so it's great to have the connection. At 6 we met and went to an old mill that has been turned into a casino and hotel. It was neat how they utilized the space with the mill and they are also were having a reception of some sort there, and had some really cute center pieces. :) Then we went to another park outside the city, so we got to see another view of the wall around Salamanca, which was neat. Then we all went and had coffee. That night we met up with Lauren, Shannon, Elyse, Ben and Ellen and went to Italianos and had gofres and just talked. It was super yummy and pretty chill.
Hoy- Didn't wake up until 11:15, which was sooooo nice :) Mark and I met up with Kelley and Courtney at an athletic store close to our house then walked to the Corte Ingles. Then Mark and I went to Las Torres for lunch, because my madre is getting her house painted and I didn't want to have to eat alone in my room. We got to skype with Marks family which was awesome and then we went and got Universidad de Salamanca sweatshirts because there super cute and really inexpensive. Plus, its going to be cooler in the north so it will be a sweatshirt to take :)
Our excursion to the north is Monday through Friday. We are going to Palencia, Santander, Burgos and Valladolid. Im not sure what the wifi situation will be so I may not be able to update my blog until I get back. If that's the case it's going to be one long blog entry. haha After our excursion to the north we start classes on Monday. Im excited and nervous for them :)
Tomorrow we're going to Rastro, its like market sort of thing, super cheap. They told us to keep an eye on our stuff and to keep our valuables in our pockets, so that will be interesting. :)
Missing everyone!
Miercoles- We had class from 10-3, then lunch and Mark Kelley and I met up at 5:30 to work on our "prueba" for our class. We had to ask for directions and take down any common phrases, body movements that occurred. Basically, they give you the directions by saying getting there is very easy and showing you all the turns with their hands. :) After we went to the Mueso de Taurino, a bullfighting museum, in order to prepare ourselves for the bullfight we went to on Thursday. It was really interesting, with some bull heads on the wall, and awesome art depictions of bullfighting (paintings, sculpture, pictures..). Then our group went out for coffee together, then Mark and I went out to dinner. :)
Jueves- We had class, and Mark Kelley and I gave our "presentation" basically just a discussion with the class on what happened when we asked directions, it went great. Went home for lunch, had a small siesta, then met up with Mark and Ann in the park and walked to the Plaza de Torros. Once we were there, we were able to see La Vuelta, a bike race through Spain, enter Salamanca, so that was really neat, and an added bonus. :) So, the bullfight. La Glorieta, Salamanca's bullfighting ring was completed in 1893, and can seat up to 10,000 people. Our group sat on the second level of the ring, in the shade. There were tons of people around us, and all of them were smoking. I think the 4 guys who sat in front of me, smoked the entire 2 and a half hours, needless to say my throat was burning after. There were 3 matadores(nicknames) Morante de la Puebla, El Julí, El Fandi and a total of 6 bulls. Here's how a bullfight works: Each matador has 6 assistants. The 6 assistants include two picadores ("lancers") mounted on horseback, three bandilleros ("flagmen") and a mozo de espada ("sword page"). Collectively they comprise a cuadrilla ("entourage"). There are 3 stages of the bullfight each beginning with the trumpet. First, the whole group enters the arena, then the bull is let out and the matador and bandilleros test the strength of the bull with the capes. This is the part I enjoyed the most, because it was the bull running at the cape or capote, and the matador would try to impress the crowd. After this the picadores enter the ring on horse back with the a lance and strikes the bull in the neck. After this the bandilleros enter with two bandrillas (very sharp sticks) each striking the bull in the shoulder area. At the end of this stage, there is 6 bandrillas in the bull shoulders, if all are done correctly and stay in the bull. If you check out Marks pictures he has a neat picture of this. In the third stage, the matador re-enters the ring with a red muelta (cape) and a sword. The matador uses the muelta to wear the bull down and after a series of passes will position the bull in a way so he the sword will through his heart. If it is done well the people will wave white handkerchiefs so the matador will be rewarded an ear. So, thats how it works. Each of the matadors went, and both El Julí and El Fandi were given an ear of the bull they killed. It was definitely an intense experience, and Im glad I was able to have the opportunity to see something that has been a part of the Spanish culture.
Viernes- This was the last day of our class with Carmen, she gave us her email and told us if we needed help with anything to let her know, traveling, school or anything else, so it's great to have the connection. At 6 we met and went to an old mill that has been turned into a casino and hotel. It was neat how they utilized the space with the mill and they are also were having a reception of some sort there, and had some really cute center pieces. :) Then we went to another park outside the city, so we got to see another view of the wall around Salamanca, which was neat. Then we all went and had coffee. That night we met up with Lauren, Shannon, Elyse, Ben and Ellen and went to Italianos and had gofres and just talked. It was super yummy and pretty chill.
Hoy- Didn't wake up until 11:15, which was sooooo nice :) Mark and I met up with Kelley and Courtney at an athletic store close to our house then walked to the Corte Ingles. Then Mark and I went to Las Torres for lunch, because my madre is getting her house painted and I didn't want to have to eat alone in my room. We got to skype with Marks family which was awesome and then we went and got Universidad de Salamanca sweatshirts because there super cute and really inexpensive. Plus, its going to be cooler in the north so it will be a sweatshirt to take :)
Our excursion to the north is Monday through Friday. We are going to Palencia, Santander, Burgos and Valladolid. Im not sure what the wifi situation will be so I may not be able to update my blog until I get back. If that's the case it's going to be one long blog entry. haha After our excursion to the north we start classes on Monday. Im excited and nervous for them :)
Tomorrow we're going to Rastro, its like market sort of thing, super cheap. They told us to keep an eye on our stuff and to keep our valuables in our pockets, so that will be interesting. :)
Missing everyone!
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