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
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
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.
Monday, June 18, 2007
6/18/07 Barcelona, España
One week down, two to go. The trip has turned out to be so much fun. We never know what is going to happen next or who we are going to meet.
After a very long drive, we are now in Barcelona, Spain we left at 10 am yesterday June 17 and arrived at 8pm. On our way here we made a stop in Pamplona to see where to running of the bulls takes place each year on July 6-10.
We have been running into many other groups from the EF tours company. At our hotel last night, we talked to a group from Chicago, and today we met some from Thumb, Ohio, Colorodo, and Columbus, Ohio.
We heard many interesting conversation as we walked throught the streets of Spain. While we were in San Sebastian the language was Basque. The language was very different from Catellan which is similar to Spanish.
On the way back to our temporay home, from town, we had a converstion with the taxi cab driver, he was very nice he taught us some words in Basque like: nilinche polita means pretty woman, and aguro means bye.
In the town San Sebastian we saw a couple fighting in the middle of the plaza. I could tell they were because some of the words were similar to the Spanish language.
Another conversation was at the dock where we purchase tickets to go to a little island in the middle of the ocean. The owners had three kids, and they set up lunch for them in the middle of the plaza in front of the ticket booth. The little boy was playing soccer with his dog and dad, and we could hear the boy tell the dog " anda fecha." Then the ball got away from the little boy. One of the pedestians walking by kicked to ball back causing the drink of one of the kids to get all over her and the whole family ran to help.
They are so liberal here in spain. At the island there were so many kids,their parents just let them run without underwear or diapers. We also passed by a nude beach.
Tonight we are going out to paint the town red, so we will see what new experiences await.
Aguro! Bye
After a very long drive, we are now in Barcelona, Spain we left at 10 am yesterday June 17 and arrived at 8pm. On our way here we made a stop in Pamplona to see where to running of the bulls takes place each year on July 6-10.
We have been running into many other groups from the EF tours company. At our hotel last night, we talked to a group from Chicago, and today we met some from Thumb, Ohio, Colorodo, and Columbus, Ohio.
We heard many interesting conversation as we walked throught the streets of Spain. While we were in San Sebastian the language was Basque. The language was very different from Catellan which is similar to Spanish.
On the way back to our temporay home, from town, we had a converstion with the taxi cab driver, he was very nice he taught us some words in Basque like: nilinche polita means pretty woman, and aguro means bye.
In the town San Sebastian we saw a couple fighting in the middle of the plaza. I could tell they were because some of the words were similar to the Spanish language.
Another conversation was at the dock where we purchase tickets to go to a little island in the middle of the ocean. The owners had three kids, and they set up lunch for them in the middle of the plaza in front of the ticket booth. The little boy was playing soccer with his dog and dad, and we could hear the boy tell the dog " anda fecha." Then the ball got away from the little boy. One of the pedestians walking by kicked to ball back causing the drink of one of the kids to get all over her and the whole family ran to help.
They are so liberal here in spain. At the island there were so many kids,their parents just let them run without underwear or diapers. We also passed by a nude beach.
Tonight we are going out to paint the town red, so we will see what new experiences await.
Aguro! Bye
Saturday, June 16, 2007
6/16/07 San Sebastian, España
On Friday June 15 we went to Bilbao and when we arrived there we had some free time so we went to the mall called Zubiarte next to the Guggenheim museum. Then we went to a little park a block a way from the mall it was so beautiful it was like a dream. We then had to meet so we can enter the museum but first we took pictures of the famous dog made of flowers.
The pieces in the museum were very exquisite they were wonderful I especially loved the piece by Anselm Kiefler. The piece was a series of dresses made of plaster, each sculpture represented something different. One of them represented one of the gods in the odyssey. Then we drove to the next city to stay.
Today we are in San Sebastian España we are about 25 kilometres from France. The weather here is very cold, the days as well as the nights. We took a tour around san Sebastian we visited some churches, the Mercado where they had fish which smelled really bad, we went to a plaza where they used to held bullfights and we took a hike to a really beautiful place where you can over look the ocean and the town.
We had about seven hours to burn so we decided that we were going to go eat then after we would take a boat ride out to this little island in the middle of the water. We ate at a really great hamburger place called Va Bene Disco Burger.
We boarded the boat it took about five minutes to reach the island is was breathtaking. We hiked up the mountain to the house at the very top so we would to able to take a better look at everything. We then had to return back and we headed to the warmest beach every, just kidding, the water was so freezing cold I think it might be colder than the pacific ocean, that’s bad. We burned so many calories today its not even funny.
Tomorrow we leave for Pamplona then the sleepless town Barcelona.
Hasta Luego
VALE!!
The pieces in the museum were very exquisite they were wonderful I especially loved the piece by Anselm Kiefler. The piece was a series of dresses made of plaster, each sculpture represented something different. One of them represented one of the gods in the odyssey. Then we drove to the next city to stay.
Today we are in San Sebastian España we are about 25 kilometres from France. The weather here is very cold, the days as well as the nights. We took a tour around san Sebastian we visited some churches, the Mercado where they had fish which smelled really bad, we went to a plaza where they used to held bullfights and we took a hike to a really beautiful place where you can over look the ocean and the town.
We had about seven hours to burn so we decided that we were going to go eat then after we would take a boat ride out to this little island in the middle of the water. We ate at a really great hamburger place called Va Bene Disco Burger.
We boarded the boat it took about five minutes to reach the island is was breathtaking. We hiked up the mountain to the house at the very top so we would to able to take a better look at everything. We then had to return back and we headed to the warmest beach every, just kidding, the water was so freezing cold I think it might be colder than the pacific ocean, that’s bad. We burned so many calories today its not even funny.
Tomorrow we leave for Pamplona then the sleepless town Barcelona.
Hasta Luego
VALE!!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
6/14/07- Burgos,Spain- A cold day in Spain
A cold day in Burgos!
Today we are in Burgos. The day is so cold and rainy. I was not expecting it to be like this.
When we arrived, the first thing we saw was a Gothic cathedral. It was so amazing around the plaza of the cathedral there were merry go rounds. They were very odd they were like from a fantasy story. We have a tour scheduled for 4pm at the Cathedral de Burgos. This church took 300 years to build. El Cid is buried in this cathedral he is considered a national hero. He took part in fighting Moors and was banished by the king.
The culture of Spain is very similar to that of the culture in San Antonio. The culture was brought over to the United States by the Spaniards. Most of the buildings were built in using the architectural structure from the Spaniards. The food is also a mix between the Spaniards and the Mexicans, since most of the Mexicans are descendents from Spaniards. Therefore the cultures intermixed. The Spanish traditional dance, flamenco, is just like the traditional Mexican dance, ballet folkloric. The similarities between the two cultures are immense.
The Spanish culture is a culture that you just have to learn about and experience. I have read many things about Spain, and it’s just not the same until you experience the many foods, the music, and the performances.
NOS VEMOS!
Today we are in Burgos. The day is so cold and rainy. I was not expecting it to be like this.
When we arrived, the first thing we saw was a Gothic cathedral. It was so amazing around the plaza of the cathedral there were merry go rounds. They were very odd they were like from a fantasy story. We have a tour scheduled for 4pm at the Cathedral de Burgos. This church took 300 years to build. El Cid is buried in this cathedral he is considered a national hero. He took part in fighting Moors and was banished by the king.
The culture of Spain is very similar to that of the culture in San Antonio. The culture was brought over to the United States by the Spaniards. Most of the buildings were built in using the architectural structure from the Spaniards. The food is also a mix between the Spaniards and the Mexicans, since most of the Mexicans are descendents from Spaniards. Therefore the cultures intermixed. The Spanish traditional dance, flamenco, is just like the traditional Mexican dance, ballet folkloric. The similarities between the two cultures are immense.
The Spanish culture is a culture that you just have to learn about and experience. I have read many things about Spain, and it’s just not the same until you experience the many foods, the music, and the performances.
NOS VEMOS!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
6/12/2007 Madrid-Spain after arrival
We are here we are finally in Spain!!
We departed from San Antonio at 12:30 pm we arrived in Newark at 5:30 pm.
We had to wait a couple of hours at the airport until we were to depart for Spain. We boarded the plane at 8pm but we had to wait on the plane for about an hour until our turn came to depart we were number 60 out of all the planes.
We arrived in Madrid at 11am today the plane ride was a smooth one compared to the one from San Antonio to Newark. This was the first time I have ever been on a plane. I have terrible jet lag. I am so tired I just want to close my eyes and sleep forever.
When we arrived I did not know what to feel I was so excited to know that I was in Spain, but the thought of it did not feel like I was finally hear. When we arrived I did not know what to think the smell was somewhat cleaner than that of home, from the plane you could see that the areas are filled with trees and flowers. When I first looked out of the window I was speechless.
When we met up with our tour guide at the airport, we took a bus to our hotel to freshen up and get ready to go. We settled in to the hotel and I, Sarah Jackie and Victoria decided to take a nap, but we accidentally slept too much. We literally had to run down 7 flights of stairs. We were late and embarrassed. It will never happen again.
We took a tour around Madrid first then we were off to the Palacio Real. It was amazing. I had never seen such beauty in my life. The rooms all had different décor and colors.
We then took a tour around Madrid seeing some beautiful architecture. We then went to go eat at a wonderful restaurant Museo del vino we had the paella and the steak and fries and then some ice cream the tastes of the food were just exquisite.
I can´t wait to see what awaits tomorrow. Tonight, we are going to see the Spurs play and win, woo hoo!! The things here in Europe are so expensive a euro is worth like 1.40 in dollars. it does not matter where you go the clothes, the food are going to be twice as expensive as the U.S.
HASTA MAÑANA
We departed from San Antonio at 12:30 pm we arrived in Newark at 5:30 pm.
We had to wait a couple of hours at the airport until we were to depart for Spain. We boarded the plane at 8pm but we had to wait on the plane for about an hour until our turn came to depart we were number 60 out of all the planes.
We arrived in Madrid at 11am today the plane ride was a smooth one compared to the one from San Antonio to Newark. This was the first time I have ever been on a plane. I have terrible jet lag. I am so tired I just want to close my eyes and sleep forever.
When we arrived I did not know what to feel I was so excited to know that I was in Spain, but the thought of it did not feel like I was finally hear. When we arrived I did not know what to think the smell was somewhat cleaner than that of home, from the plane you could see that the areas are filled with trees and flowers. When I first looked out of the window I was speechless.
When we met up with our tour guide at the airport, we took a bus to our hotel to freshen up and get ready to go. We settled in to the hotel and I, Sarah Jackie and Victoria decided to take a nap, but we accidentally slept too much. We literally had to run down 7 flights of stairs. We were late and embarrassed. It will never happen again.
We took a tour around Madrid first then we were off to the Palacio Real. It was amazing. I had never seen such beauty in my life. The rooms all had different décor and colors.
We then took a tour around Madrid seeing some beautiful architecture. We then went to go eat at a wonderful restaurant Museo del vino we had the paella and the steak and fries and then some ice cream the tastes of the food were just exquisite.
I can´t wait to see what awaits tomorrow. Tonight, we are going to see the Spurs play and win, woo hoo!! The things here in Europe are so expensive a euro is worth like 1.40 in dollars. it does not matter where you go the clothes, the food are going to be twice as expensive as the U.S.
HASTA MAÑANA
Sunday, June 10, 2007
6/10/07 San Antonio Only hours to go!!
OH MY GOSH, its finally here there are only 20 hours left until we depart for Spain!
Several of us had trouble with our passports. A few days before we depart and they still were not in our hands. We had to go through so much just so that someone could give a clear answer.
A word of advice: if you are traveling out of the country, make sure you send in the applicationto get your passport at least three months before your departure date to insure that you will get it in on time. I sent my application in on March 13 and my passport did not arrive until June 7.
Nothing can be sure until you are on plane about to take off and even then you still worry, up until your feet are on the ground at your destination.
Spain here we come! See you all tomorrow at the airport.
Several of us had trouble with our passports. A few days before we depart and they still were not in our hands. We had to go through so much just so that someone could give a clear answer.
A word of advice: if you are traveling out of the country, make sure you send in the applicationto get your passport at least three months before your departure date to insure that you will get it in on time. I sent my application in on March 13 and my passport did not arrive until June 7.
Nothing can be sure until you are on plane about to take off and even then you still worry, up until your feet are on the ground at your destination.
Spain here we come! See you all tomorrow at the airport.
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