My Best School Experience
17 years ago
Monday, July 21, 2008
¡Me gusta el norte del país también!
Wow, time flies so quickly! We just got back from our tour of the north and I loved it there also! We got to see lots of different scenery...for example, we went to Asturias and it reminded me a lot of Oregon, where my family lives. It can be rainy (and actually rained the day we were there) and is very green and beautiful! There were lots of trees, as well as mountains and hills. This trip to Spain has helped me see how many different landscapes there are in Spain! Just like the US and other big countries, there are many climates and different vegetation depending on where you go. As we drove up from the south of Spain, back towards Madrid, we saw lots of hills FULL of olive trees. It was beautiful. Olives are defintely a staple here, whether as olive oil or just the olive. I love black olives, but have never been found of the green ones. Here I have seen lots of different kinds of olives. In the grocery story there is a whole frigerated section dedicated to only olives! I have tried some different kinds here but still they aren´t my favorite. Oh well...it´s one of very few Spainsh foods that I don´t like! I have tried lots of different dishes here and have loved most! One thing I have noticed is that they like the combination of tomatoes and tuna. You can get them together in an empanada or in a sandwich with olive oil. Yum. Also, I had some pizza today that had the tomato sauce, tuna, ham, and onions. It was really good. I think I will go get an empanada now for dinner actually. Well, more later. This locutorio, where I am using the computer, is closing. I love you all!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Some things I am learning about the culture
Hey! I hope you are having a great day!! Today I went with our group to the Palacio Real ("Royal Palace"). The king and queen today actually live in another palace but this is one the royalty used until 1931. It was cool to see inside and was huge! Since then we have just been walking around and taking the metro (subway) to see different plazas and monuments. I thought I was going to take a siesta but that didn´t happen...oh well. :)
I have been thinking lately about some of the customs and traditions that I have had to get used to here in Spain. For example, even though many places don´t officially have "siesta" anymore (or quiet, nap time in the afternoon), many stores are closed in the afternoon and don´t open until 5 or later. In a smaller town we went to (Aranjuez), we talked a family and they said they don´t have siestas usually but some still do (maybe those of the older generation). They said when they did have siesta more officially, during 3 and 5 you had to be quiet or you could be fined for making lots of noise that would disturb others. Interesting! Anyway, another thing is that lunch is the biggest meal of the day and dinner starts usually at 8pm at the earliest. We have often gone out to dinner at 10pm. Lots of the restaurants are open till lots later than in the states. Also, it is more relaxed and you can take your time eating and talking. The waiter won´t bother you much and won´t bring the check until you ask him to! You could be there 3 hours and they would never say a word. It´s kind of cool! It´s different though because I am used to eating quickly and moving on...especially lunch!
Well, have a great day!
Talk to you later!
I have been thinking lately about some of the customs and traditions that I have had to get used to here in Spain. For example, even though many places don´t officially have "siesta" anymore (or quiet, nap time in the afternoon), many stores are closed in the afternoon and don´t open until 5 or later. In a smaller town we went to (Aranjuez), we talked a family and they said they don´t have siestas usually but some still do (maybe those of the older generation). They said when they did have siesta more officially, during 3 and 5 you had to be quiet or you could be fined for making lots of noise that would disturb others. Interesting! Anyway, another thing is that lunch is the biggest meal of the day and dinner starts usually at 8pm at the earliest. We have often gone out to dinner at 10pm. Lots of the restaurants are open till lots later than in the states. Also, it is more relaxed and you can take your time eating and talking. The waiter won´t bother you much and won´t bring the check until you ask him to! You could be there 3 hours and they would never say a word. It´s kind of cool! It´s different though because I am used to eating quickly and moving on...especially lunch!
Well, have a great day!
Talk to you later!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Fotos
In Granada we dressed up in Arab clothes to take a picture! I will have to post the professional one.
This is Vélez-Málaga. I have ancestors from this town! It was cool to see.
A car elevator in one of the underground parking lots in Granada.
Un lindo niño que quiso salir en mi foto. (A cute boy that wanted to be in my picture.)
Our group in Estepona, Spain (we were there looking at the place where Professor Nieves´family was from)
La Alhambra in Granada from a distance
Check out this ice cream! Hmmm...
La Alhambra-so cool! So intricate and amazing.
I love Juanes! I barely missed his concert in 2 different cities here! Maybe another time. :)
Ruinas romanas en Córdoba (Roman ruins in Córdoba)
Inside some of the gardens at La Alambra
In the Mesquita in Córdoba. Incredible... Interesting fact-after the Christians took back their land, they built a cathedral inside of the mosque... so inside now we can see both these arabic archs, as well as the Christian chapels, etc.
I was taking pictures outside a cafe in Málaga (for my classes) and this worker saw me taking them of the place where he worked. He came out and wanted to be in the pictures! He was funny!
Brad, Natziely, and I with a guy celebrating Spain´s victory of the Eurocopa in the street. Read explanation below!
Keep smiling! ¡Sigue sonriendo!
More photos
This is our groups. Cristina (daughter of Nieves), Profe Nieves Knapp, Profe Alan Meredith, Natziely, Brad, and Marcella.
I will put up more later but I am almost out of euros at the locutorio (internet place)!
Mi cumpleaños
Oh, and thanks for sending me e-cards and notes on my birthday! I love you guys! It was a good day! We saw ruins and lots of cool stuff in Mérida and then drove to Sevilla. It was very hot so once we arrived at our hotel we went swimming! That was nice! We then went to the main street of Sevilla on bus and walked around. We ate fried fish for dinner (and i tried some differnent ones!) and while we ate a bird pooped on my hand from the tree above our table (we often eat on "terrazas" or outside cafes)!! I was temporarily grossed out but then had a great birthday! We later then walked around more and had yummy ice cream.
Many adventures and lessons!
Hey, friends and family!
Well, yesterday we just returned from our tour of the South, mostly in the region of Andalucía. It gets hot down there! We saw the Mediterranean Sea in Estepona, Spain but we didn´t get in because of time. Oh, well! We were on a crazy schedule because each day we had things planned to see and do...which I like because we get to see a TON! We have seen many beautiful cathedrals, churches, and Roman ruins (like a theater and bridge). Also, we are learning about all the influences in Spain, like the Romans and the Arabs, for example. Finally, after all the different occupations, the christians reconquered their land and got it all back, now influenced by many. One of the coolest things I loved to see were the buldings built by the Arabs in southern Spain. We saw the "Mesquita" (or mosque) in Córdoba as well as "La Alhambra" (which I think means "Red Castle" in arabic) in Granada. They are incredible...and so OLD!! Wow! Also, our professors have taught us a lot more about the arabic influence in Spanish. (Sorry for those who aren´t into language (or already have learned this), but this is cool!) For example, we know there are lots of words we have in Spanish that are Arabic, like "azul" and "ojalá" but also many if not all the words that start with "al" are Arabic too! They told us that "al" was an article in Arabic. For example...almohada, alhambra, etc. And "guad" means river (río) and that´s why lots of the rivers (especially in the south) here start with "guad"-- guadalquivir, guadalfeo (ha ha! The ugly river!), guadalete, guadiana, guadiaro, etc. Anyway, I´ve learned a lot about the history of Spain and the language too. It´s awesome to read about some Roman ruins and then to go and actually SEE them! Cool!
Another thing that has impressed me is ALL the work these people have put into their buildings of worship, whether it be the christians or muslims, etc. They all inspire us to look heavenward to a higher power than ourselves. It´s beautiful. I know there is a God and he loves us!
Well, so far we´ve been in Trujillo, Talavera, Mérida, Sevilla, Ronda, Málaga, Estepona, Granada, Córdoba, and Consuegra. Now you will understand why I am writing so much! Also, today is a free day so I have time! We are back in Madrid now and Marcella, Natziely, and I are staying with a widow named Fe. After a week of seeing Madrid and working on some homework and projects, including interviews with the people, we will go on a tour of the north of España.
One more thing...the Eurocopa 2008 just ended and Spain won!! They haven´t won this Europe Soccer cup in like 44 years I think!! We were arriving home to the hotel when we heard screams every around us....they won! Shortly after, people were running out of their apartments (in the cities most live in apts.) and screaming, waving flags, driving in their cars and scooters, honking their horns, etc. What excitement! It was so fun to see the celebrations!! What patriotism! People of all ages were celebrating in the streets...I even saw an elderly lady waving a flag from her window! These shouts, horns, and parties went on for at least 3 hours but then quieted down a little but I am sure people were still partying!
Well, Happy 4th! I love you all!
Well, yesterday we just returned from our tour of the South, mostly in the region of Andalucía. It gets hot down there! We saw the Mediterranean Sea in Estepona, Spain but we didn´t get in because of time. Oh, well! We were on a crazy schedule because each day we had things planned to see and do...which I like because we get to see a TON! We have seen many beautiful cathedrals, churches, and Roman ruins (like a theater and bridge). Also, we are learning about all the influences in Spain, like the Romans and the Arabs, for example. Finally, after all the different occupations, the christians reconquered their land and got it all back, now influenced by many. One of the coolest things I loved to see were the buldings built by the Arabs in southern Spain. We saw the "Mesquita" (or mosque) in Córdoba as well as "La Alhambra" (which I think means "Red Castle" in arabic) in Granada. They are incredible...and so OLD!! Wow! Also, our professors have taught us a lot more about the arabic influence in Spanish. (Sorry for those who aren´t into language (or already have learned this), but this is cool!) For example, we know there are lots of words we have in Spanish that are Arabic, like "azul" and "ojalá" but also many if not all the words that start with "al" are Arabic too! They told us that "al" was an article in Arabic. For example...almohada, alhambra, etc. And "guad" means river (río) and that´s why lots of the rivers (especially in the south) here start with "guad"-- guadalquivir, guadalfeo (ha ha! The ugly river!), guadalete, guadiana, guadiaro, etc. Anyway, I´ve learned a lot about the history of Spain and the language too. It´s awesome to read about some Roman ruins and then to go and actually SEE them! Cool!
Another thing that has impressed me is ALL the work these people have put into their buildings of worship, whether it be the christians or muslims, etc. They all inspire us to look heavenward to a higher power than ourselves. It´s beautiful. I know there is a God and he loves us!
Well, so far we´ve been in Trujillo, Talavera, Mérida, Sevilla, Ronda, Málaga, Estepona, Granada, Córdoba, and Consuegra. Now you will understand why I am writing so much! Also, today is a free day so I have time! We are back in Madrid now and Marcella, Natziely, and I are staying with a widow named Fe. After a week of seeing Madrid and working on some homework and projects, including interviews with the people, we will go on a tour of the north of España.
One more thing...the Eurocopa 2008 just ended and Spain won!! They haven´t won this Europe Soccer cup in like 44 years I think!! We were arriving home to the hotel when we heard screams every around us....they won! Shortly after, people were running out of their apartments (in the cities most live in apts.) and screaming, waving flags, driving in their cars and scooters, honking their horns, etc. What excitement! It was so fun to see the celebrations!! What patriotism! People of all ages were celebrating in the streets...I even saw an elderly lady waving a flag from her window! These shouts, horns, and parties went on for at least 3 hours but then quieted down a little but I am sure people were still partying!
Well, Happy 4th! I love you all!
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