Do as the Spaniards Do
I recently returned from a three-week trip around the country of Spain. The culture, food and lifestyles are very different from those of the United States.
As we walked through the streets of Spain, we noticed that Spaniards all had one thing in common: they were fit and lean. They were like this because their diet is very different from ours. Some of the common dishes were paella, pasta and jamon. Paella is made of rice with saffron, lima beans, green beans, red bell peppers, chicken and seafood. The taste at first is a little spicy then after a few bites it is quite good. The pasta was the same everywhere we ate and the only difference was the amount of sauce they put on it; some was less than others. The pasta was noodles and the taste of the tomato sauce was like ravioli sauce. The food was foreign to me at first, but after awhile I got used to it. The Spaniards have three meals a day but at dinner, they have a three-course meal. The first course usually consists of either paella, pasta or soup. The second course can be some kind of meat or fish served with french fries. The third course, dessert, was often a small dish of ice cream. Served on the side of every meal was water and a piece of very hard bread that can almost knock someone’s teeth out.
In America, we have a different way of life compared to Spain. Texas is considered one of the fattest states in the United States, and San Antonio is one of the nation’s fattest cities. Here in the States, everything is cooked with oil or lard. When you order a burger here in the States, the grease just drips from your hands as you take a bite. It’s just a heart attack waiting to happen. In Spain, when you order a burger you get bread with a thin pieces of meat that is not even beef, but rather veal and with lettuce and tomato. Diet is a primary factor of the cause of obesity and diabetes here in the United States.
One of the guys in the group met a girl from Japan named Mami, who was very thin. When she was introduced to us, her first reaction was “Whoa, you are all very voluptuous people.” Mami told us that she was considered a fat person in Japan. She was a size large there. We were all shocked at that because she was quite small. In America, she would be considered either a size small or an extra small.
Here in the States, mostly everyone has a car. People drive wherever they need to go. They never walk. In Spain, everyone walks everywhere. I talked to several people while in Spain. I asked Luciano, a guy I met on the subway, about getting a car and a driver’s license. He said, “I don’t have one; I never really needed to get one and besides it would be almost 1000 euros to get one.” Therefore, they usually just walk or use public transportation like the metro, costs one euro. In Spain, there are many stairs. If you are going to take the metro, be prepared to take a lot of stairs going down and up, which is much harder. The metro is not the only place that has stairs. Restaurants and malls have them, as do some of the parks.
Another one of the causes for obesity in the U.S is the TV and the lack of things to do. The sun sets here at about 6 or 7 in the evening. In Spain, the sun sets at about 10 or 10:30 in the evening. At around 2 p.m., there is a thing called siesta. At this time, all the little shops close down for lunch and take about a three-hour break. The people in Spain are very active. At all hours, they go to parks to walk or run and at night, to bars or clubs. While I was in Spain, we never ever touched the TV. If we were in the States, we would be sitting on the couch eating and watching TV. I asked several people about what kind of shows they watched. They did not know because there was really no need to turn the TV with all the things there are to do.
Spain has the healthiest lifestyle I have ever seen. It seems that it would be very good for us to do as the Spaniards do. If we would follow their lifestyles, the U.S. especially San Antonio would benefit. The rate of obese children and adults would decrease as well as the incidence of diabetes. Two very huge health concerns here.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
6/15/07 Bilbao and San Sebatian
Today we are in Bilboa and about to take off to San Sebastian.
We are going over chapters 6-8 in our Story of Spain book.
Madrid was founded by the Moors in the 9th century. Madrid did not become the capital of Spain til 1561 under Felipe II a member of the House of Hapsburg. The Hapsburgs were the most important royal dynasty in Europe. Felipe II was the key figure in the family. Felipe's reign began with a sigh of relief throughout Europe at the breakup of the awesome Hapsburg domains, and there was peace for several years. The last century had witnessed the decline of powerful city states such as Venice. The Bourbons later took control of Spain in 1713 through the war of the Spanish succession.
In Madrid we went to visit the famous museum The Prado. In this museum there were alot of 16th and 17th century painting by many famous artists like, Goya, Gaudi, Vasquez and many more. The main painting we focused on was the painting by Fransisco Goya the Second of May. His works inspired many of other artists. This painting shows a scene from the Spanish War. His work is very life like it has a sense of like you are looking at a picture. In the painting you can see suffering and anguish in the peoples faces. Goya shows much detail with the blood and the scared people in the back ground. even though this painting is very gory it is a great painting.
We are going over chapters 6-8 in our Story of Spain book.
Madrid was founded by the Moors in the 9th century. Madrid did not become the capital of Spain til 1561 under Felipe II a member of the House of Hapsburg. The Hapsburgs were the most important royal dynasty in Europe. Felipe II was the key figure in the family. Felipe's reign began with a sigh of relief throughout Europe at the breakup of the awesome Hapsburg domains, and there was peace for several years. The last century had witnessed the decline of powerful city states such as Venice. The Bourbons later took control of Spain in 1713 through the war of the Spanish succession.
In Madrid we went to visit the famous museum The Prado. In this museum there were alot of 16th and 17th century painting by many famous artists like, Goya, Gaudi, Vasquez and many more. The main painting we focused on was the painting by Fransisco Goya the Second of May. His works inspired many of other artists. This painting shows a scene from the Spanish War. His work is very life like it has a sense of like you are looking at a picture. In the painting you can see suffering and anguish in the peoples faces. Goya shows much detail with the blood and the scared people in the back ground. even though this painting is very gory it is a great painting.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
7/8/07 Back in San Antonio Tx
We have finally returned from our amazing trip to the country of Spain. I had just gotten used to the lifestyle in Spain, and now I have to adjust back to American living.
Today is exactly 6 days after we returned from the country of Spain. We arrived at 11:30 pm on July 2. We were separated into two groups a group of four left at 11:30 am from Madrid and the rest left at 1:15pm.
The class experience is very different from that of being in a room at PAC.
I thought that learning from experience is the best way to learn because you take in everything. It is very hard from me to learn history but with this experience, learning it first hand, in person was just so easy. The teaching went on while on the bus on our way to a new destination. It was somewhat hard to concentrate on the professors teaching because we were in a different country that was just breathtaking. The windows were to tempting to look out to see what was happening on the outside. Apart from the distraction of the beautiful countryside, the other thing that made it hard for me to concentrate was that I get carsick really easy. While on the road, we often had to read or recap by looking back at the book and well, I could not because the moving looking up and down on the book made me very nauseous.
Personally, I think that this experience has taught me a lot. While in Spain, we were allowed to be on our own when there was opportunity. We were given the opportunity to experience things on our own to explore and to learn. In Spain, I felt such freedom that I have never felt before I did not feel suffocated by problems or drama. I have learned to appreciate my life more. The way of life is very different in Spain it is healthier being there gave me the strength to try to be a healthier person now and to exercise more. I learned so much of myself that I did not know I feel like a more independent person, as if I can do anything and everything on my own.
My view of the world had changed a bit I really did not know much about the goings on no further than my hometown. This trip opened up a door to another world to me. Seeing and experiencing Spain was just like a very wonderful dream. I hope one day to return.
Today is exactly 6 days after we returned from the country of Spain. We arrived at 11:30 pm on July 2. We were separated into two groups a group of four left at 11:30 am from Madrid and the rest left at 1:15pm.
The class experience is very different from that of being in a room at PAC.
I thought that learning from experience is the best way to learn because you take in everything. It is very hard from me to learn history but with this experience, learning it first hand, in person was just so easy. The teaching went on while on the bus on our way to a new destination. It was somewhat hard to concentrate on the professors teaching because we were in a different country that was just breathtaking. The windows were to tempting to look out to see what was happening on the outside. Apart from the distraction of the beautiful countryside, the other thing that made it hard for me to concentrate was that I get carsick really easy. While on the road, we often had to read or recap by looking back at the book and well, I could not because the moving looking up and down on the book made me very nauseous.
Personally, I think that this experience has taught me a lot. While in Spain, we were allowed to be on our own when there was opportunity. We were given the opportunity to experience things on our own to explore and to learn. In Spain, I felt such freedom that I have never felt before I did not feel suffocated by problems or drama. I have learned to appreciate my life more. The way of life is very different in Spain it is healthier being there gave me the strength to try to be a healthier person now and to exercise more. I learned so much of myself that I did not know I feel like a more independent person, as if I can do anything and everything on my own.
My view of the world had changed a bit I really did not know much about the goings on no further than my hometown. This trip opened up a door to another world to me. Seeing and experiencing Spain was just like a very wonderful dream. I hope one day to return.
Monday, June 25, 2007
6/25/07 Back in Madrid!!
Buenos dias today is Monday, we just arrived from Seville at 6:30 pm. We put our luggage in our room and went down stairs to bid our last farewell to our bus driver Ricardo. This is the last week we are in Spain.
Last night we decided we wanted to go out in Seville since it was going to be our last. Gary told us about the love boat, he said it was a big boat that takes you up and down the river. So we all decided ok it will be fun. We left at 9:45 the boat left at 10 pm and when we got there we were so surprised at what we saw. The boat was like a big paddle boat with no roof and with windows on the first floor. We got on and there were bugs flying around everywhere, it was gross. We went down the first floor to get drinks, the boat started moving and the music started. Honestly, it felt as if I was at a middle school dance, everyone was jumping around to disco music like they were 12.
On our way back to Madrid we stopped in Cordova to visit the very beautiful architecture the mosques.The outer building is very run down and had no color but once you get inside it is just breathtaking. In the inside ther are so many arches that are red and white it remided me of the stripes on the American flag. They were built by the Christians destroyed by the moors and rebuilt by the moors. The Christians later retook it back and that is why it has a Muslim influence to it.
Well Hasta Mañana
Last night we decided we wanted to go out in Seville since it was going to be our last. Gary told us about the love boat, he said it was a big boat that takes you up and down the river. So we all decided ok it will be fun. We left at 9:45 the boat left at 10 pm and when we got there we were so surprised at what we saw. The boat was like a big paddle boat with no roof and with windows on the first floor. We got on and there were bugs flying around everywhere, it was gross. We went down the first floor to get drinks, the boat started moving and the music started. Honestly, it felt as if I was at a middle school dance, everyone was jumping around to disco music like they were 12.
On our way back to Madrid we stopped in Cordova to visit the very beautiful architecture the mosques.The outer building is very run down and had no color but once you get inside it is just breathtaking. In the inside ther are so many arches that are red and white it remided me of the stripes on the American flag. They were built by the Christians destroyed by the moors and rebuilt by the moors. The Christians later retook it back and that is why it has a Muslim influence to it.
Well Hasta Mañana
Thursday, June 21, 2007
6/21/07 Torremolinos, Spain
Last night, we stayed in Granada. When we arrived, we had to go searching for a place to wash our clothes, so we got directions from Gary. The guys thought they could read a map, and they took us in a whole circle so we got tired of waiting. We went back to Gary and me, Jackie and Paul found the "lavanderia"washateria in a few minutes.
The whole group went out to a salsa club it was so much fun. There were not alot of people there and it did not smell like smoke. We were all dancing, me, Jackie, Erica, and Sarah were dancing with "G"(Gerardo).
Today we are in Torremolinos Costa del Sol. We left Granada at 8am and arrived at around 5:30pm. We got to our hotel and it is worse than the last. It does not have air conditioner, and it's small. The guys have a room with two beds and a couch that turns in to a bunk bed. That is just too funny we are in such a crappy hotel ha ha because it's just so small and very hot.
The Moors had so much influence on Spain especially in the Andalucia region. Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. The battle between the Chritians and Moors who invaded Spain was so long
Today we had a tour around La Alhambra in Granada. The structures there were so amazing. You can tell so much just by the way they built the buildings. They were so magestic.
The whole group went out to a salsa club it was so much fun. There were not alot of people there and it did not smell like smoke. We were all dancing, me, Jackie, Erica, and Sarah were dancing with "G"(Gerardo).
Today we are in Torremolinos Costa del Sol. We left Granada at 8am and arrived at around 5:30pm. We got to our hotel and it is worse than the last. It does not have air conditioner, and it's small. The guys have a room with two beds and a couch that turns in to a bunk bed. That is just too funny we are in such a crappy hotel ha ha because it's just so small and very hot.
The Moors had so much influence on Spain especially in the Andalucia region. Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. The battle between the Chritians and Moors who invaded Spain was so long
Today we had a tour around La Alhambra in Granada. The structures there were so amazing. You can tell so much just by the way they built the buildings. They were so magestic.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
6/20/07 Granada, Spain
Today is June 20, and we are in Granada. We left Valencia at 8 am and we arrived here at 4 pm. When we first arrived, I was so exhausted from the 7 hour drive.
On the bus we reviewed chapter nine in our "The Story of Spain." We talked about a 20th century artist Antonio Gaudi. While we were in Barcelona, we went to see two structures designed by him. First we went to the Sagrada Familia. Iast is a gothic looking cathedral. This church has been in the process of being completed for over 200 years. The stucture of the church seemed playful like he was trying to make it fun and at the same time serious.
We then went my favorite place, Parque Guell. This is such a beautiful site, in my opinion. I think that this park is so much gorgeous than the River Walk or the mission ruins in San Antonio. They have so much greenery and it's just gorgeous.
When we were done we went into a nice hotel. As we walked in we could not believe that this would be our hotel. It was just too good to be true and of course it was. A few minutes later Gary came back with the keys to our real hotel the entrance was small but the rooms are ok they are like suites but not as good looking. The room has two rooms a kitchen, a small bathroom, it is so hot and stuffy in there and the toilet did not flush.
After we put our stuff away, we went on a search for a washateria. We asked people for directions and all we got was I don't know, and straight to the right. Everyone and everywhere we asked their respond was straight to the right. After so many tries we found it. We waited forever but it was worth it, we got our clothes washed. After, we went to eat at Pizza Hut, it was just awesome. It was like a party in my mouth, compared to the food we have been eating all week.
Hasta Mañana
On the bus we reviewed chapter nine in our "The Story of Spain." We talked about a 20th century artist Antonio Gaudi. While we were in Barcelona, we went to see two structures designed by him. First we went to the Sagrada Familia. Iast is a gothic looking cathedral. This church has been in the process of being completed for over 200 years. The stucture of the church seemed playful like he was trying to make it fun and at the same time serious.
We then went my favorite place, Parque Guell. This is such a beautiful site, in my opinion. I think that this park is so much gorgeous than the River Walk or the mission ruins in San Antonio. They have so much greenery and it's just gorgeous.
When we were done we went into a nice hotel. As we walked in we could not believe that this would be our hotel. It was just too good to be true and of course it was. A few minutes later Gary came back with the keys to our real hotel the entrance was small but the rooms are ok they are like suites but not as good looking. The room has two rooms a kitchen, a small bathroom, it is so hot and stuffy in there and the toilet did not flush.
After we put our stuff away, we went on a search for a washateria. We asked people for directions and all we got was I don't know, and straight to the right. Everyone and everywhere we asked their respond was straight to the right. After so many tries we found it. We waited forever but it was worth it, we got our clothes washed. After, we went to eat at Pizza Hut, it was just awesome. It was like a party in my mouth, compared to the food we have been eating all week.
Hasta Mañana
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
6/19/07 Valencia, Spain
Our surroundings around the town
Today is June 19 and we have just arrived in Valencia, Spain we left at 8:30am this morning and arrived here at 1pm. We have just been here for about an hour, and it is very hot here. Today we are going to visit the Holy Grail in a Cathedral in front of Plaza la Reina.
We have just gotten off the bus, and we had to stand out in the hot burning sun waiting for our tour guide, Gary, to come back. The sun was so hot that at the end of the day I had another sun burn, now I have two rings of red, hurtful, burn. While we were waiting I noticed that these two men were standing by a wall looking at us all. I got creeped out. We have been told many times to watch for pickpockets and gypsies because they will rob you blind. We all placed our backpacks and purses in front of us and just watched make sure they did not come near.
While we were walking down the street to come here to a cyber cafe called Ono centro de internet, I saw two ladies sitting at a cafe talking really loudly. I dont know if anybody else noticed but they were talking about us. They were mentioning about how weird we were, they were calling us dumb Americans. I just thought it was funny. I think they noticed that we were because of the map we were looking at to figure out were we were trying to go.
After a long day, it felt so good to lay on the hard but soft to us bed.
Each town we visit is more different than the next, the people the food and the sites. We see so many things in one day that we feel like we have been here for more than one week. Spain is just such a wonderful, place but some of the times it is makes you miss home and appreciate what you have.
Today is June 19 and we have just arrived in Valencia, Spain we left at 8:30am this morning and arrived here at 1pm. We have just been here for about an hour, and it is very hot here. Today we are going to visit the Holy Grail in a Cathedral in front of Plaza la Reina.
We have just gotten off the bus, and we had to stand out in the hot burning sun waiting for our tour guide, Gary, to come back. The sun was so hot that at the end of the day I had another sun burn, now I have two rings of red, hurtful, burn. While we were waiting I noticed that these two men were standing by a wall looking at us all. I got creeped out. We have been told many times to watch for pickpockets and gypsies because they will rob you blind. We all placed our backpacks and purses in front of us and just watched make sure they did not come near.
While we were walking down the street to come here to a cyber cafe called Ono centro de internet, I saw two ladies sitting at a cafe talking really loudly. I dont know if anybody else noticed but they were talking about us. They were mentioning about how weird we were, they were calling us dumb Americans. I just thought it was funny. I think they noticed that we were because of the map we were looking at to figure out were we were trying to go.
After a long day, it felt so good to lay on the hard but soft to us bed.
Each town we visit is more different than the next, the people the food and the sites. We see so many things in one day that we feel like we have been here for more than one week. Spain is just such a wonderful, place but some of the times it is makes you miss home and appreciate what you have.
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