Seville

So in Seville we got a chance to tour a bullring, this was much appreciated because I had the bullfight that I had previously seen explained to me, so I now understand what it was I was seeing a few weeks ago. Also it was about 80 degrees outside with palm trees everywhere and absolutely beautiful! We spent a day and a half in the city. We went to the royal gardens where I proceeded to allow my camera to fall out of my hand onto the 100s of years old tile floor. So photos of Seville are limited do to a human (my) error. But I was able to snap a couple of good pictures of the cathedral before the fatal error. My favorite part of Seville was the minoret (the muslim tower, and only part left of the mosque). The Catholics tore down the mosque in Seville and replaced it with an impressive church, but they did leave in tact the outer courtyards where water runs through so worshippers could wash there feet before entering the mosque, and the minoret, the tower that would be used to call people to worship 5 times a day (its been converted into a bell tower). Another interesting tid-bit about Seville is that it is a center for Flamenco, I have yet to see a show but should be seeing one in Madrid soon, but walking through the streets of Seville the colorful dresses worn in Flamenco are in every shop window.

Cordoba

Ok faithful readers...after a briefish hiatus due to midterms I am back at the blogging. I left off my tales of travel way back in Paris since then I have ventured to 2 other Spanish cities: Cordoba and Seville. In Cordoba we visited a famous and old mosque. When the Catholics took back the city they actually did not destroy the mosque but built a cathedral up in the middle, so its a rather interesting building. Here's a photo of some of the arches in the mosque.

Also in Cordoba we visited the royal gardens, in my travels here I think I have seen some of the most beautiful and well taken care of gardens. Lots of roses, and hedges, and water incorporated together, a lot of which I believe is due to Muslim influences in the country.

Pictures from Paris!

4 day weekend what should we do? Paris? OK!

So for this past long weekend my friend Megan and I set off for a little place known as Paris. My second time around so I'm feeling confident, how does the trip start off? We have to run to catch our plane, upon arrival are locked out of her friends apartment, and upon trying to get to Versailles the French Public transportation police seem to think it's a really good idea to fine a student 40 euros for not managing to hold on to a 1 by 1.5 inch piece of paper, and the Louvre closed at 5 not 8. How did we compensate for these few misfortunes...you guessed it sight seeing, champaigne, baguettes, and chocolate/nutella crepes. All in all it was a really good weekend travelling and exploring another part of the world. We climbed the eiffel tower all the way to the top! Went back at night to see it all lit up like the French flag. Checked out Notre Dame Cathedral with it's Flying Buttresses, did plenty of shopping and people watching. My favorite excursion of course was Versailles and Marie Antoinettes gardens. They were absolutely amazing. This was by far the most impressive aspect to Paris. I took over 200 pictures just at that one sight. We also tried our hand at cooking and tasting both french cheeses and wines while in the city of lights. Overall I think that the two non-french speaking American girls took the city by storm pretty adequately. Here is a sampling of some of my Parisian pictures. Enjoy!

Mi Primera Corrida

This past Sunday Megan and I went to our very first bullfight. Though beautiful and interesting though it was it was most likely also my last. I learned that for the faint of heart and weak of stomach: don't sit close to the ring, and also look at it as a form of art. The movements between the picadors and the bull, (the ones with the pink cloth) were like watching a choreographed dance with added intensity, because if one of the partners misses a step it becomes dangerous for the others. Also the size and strength of the bull was impressive, we were not sitting close to the ring at all an even from our far off seats the shear strength of the animal was apparent. My only real qualm with the event was that a: seats are not made for the people like myself who are long of leg and b: the horses that are used at one part even though given good amounts of protection are blindfolded so they do not even know what hit them. One aspect that we got to see which is apparently a rarity is when the president of the Corrida decides that a bull is not to be killed. In this case the bull was not active enough, therefore it would not have been a good or fair fight. I have pictured below how they got the bull out of the ring. Yup they released the ladies. Just proof that men will follow a pretty woman anywhere. The cows all followed their herder in and then back out of the ring, the bull followed the cows.

All in all I really enjoyed the event for what it was, A cultural experience in Spain.

Errors

Disregard any grammatical errors, I just noticed a couple. As my Spanish gets better my English is getting worse.

More Segovia

Also in Segovia is the Roman Aquaducts, crazy thing about them is that worked up until 20 years ago and would still work today except that the city decided to close them to preserve them. And...The aren't even kept together with cement or mortar it is all just the way the stones are stacked. Also check out the picture of me and the mini cooper...if you thought I was tall at home I think I either grew here, or everything shrank.

Segovia!

Megan and I in front of my new home...I wish. Actually that castle back there was built for the Spanish King I want to say Fernando, but far more importantly it is the castle that Walt Disney used to design Cinderella's castle. So let me just say as a girl faithfully raised on Disney Princess stories I was more than excited to be there! Put me in a ball gown and I probably would have stayed there forever. Also here are some pictures from the castle towers, yes we climbed all of the twisting staircases to the top. I could just imagine what it must have been like to live there. Pretty sure I was born in the wrong century.

Toledo

So what does Toledo have that we don't? Winding narrow streets, a wall, and of course...Swords. Toledo has some of the best metal weapons in the world. It was pretty amazing, I was tempted to come home with a sword but desisted for a few reasons 1. I assume customs does not look favorably on that sort of thing 2. Not sure what my host mother would say upon finding a sword in my room but 3. and most importantly Dinah + Big Sharp Object...not going to end well. So for the safety of those around me and myself I left the handmade swords in their glass casings. Another thing that we passed was the gold metal working. The artisans use the same tools to inlay gold into jewelry that they have used for hundreds of years. It was all very beautiful, even the weapons were handmade.

(Example of why college students shouldn't be given weapons)

Toledo is also known for its marzipan, a treat that I bravely tried, and it was good. Not something I would choose over chocolate but good, sweet and a little nutty. I did get some chocolate as a back up just in case the marzipan fell through. My newest weakness...Chocolate croissants. They are only 1.20 at the corner store and they are hard to resist anywhere.

The first Excursion

This past thursday the group of American students (there are 8 of us) went on our first excursion. This one to El Escorial a monastery in the mountains just outside of the city. The monastery was built in honor of Saint Lawrence, and houses not only the monastery, but the crypt for the royal family and the living quarters for the King. It is amazing to see what kind of architecture people were capable of 100s of years ago especially with the kind of technology that they have available to them. It only took 20 years for the entire monastery to be built. It is very impressive. 

We also had our first experience with the Madrid night life. It is very different from home. We went home at 5 in the morning and that was early! Not sure if  Im going to be able to keep up. It is interesting though because you see absolutely everyone out at night, all ages and walks of life. Im now beginning to truly understand why the siesta was created. 

Tomorrow classes start. It is going to be very different than the states I think. Im taking a math (not excited) , Art history (very excited) , Intermediate Spanish (should be beneficial), History of Western Civ (Im intrigued to see how history is portrayed without an American spin), and Cultural Introduction to Spain (this class has field trips to places such as Toledo and Barcalona). 

I have... embraced the "lisp"

It is already getting harder to talk in English because my thoughts are now for the most part in Spanish. If not directly then I am constantly translating my english thoughts into Spanish. Its a little bit difficult to understand some words here because of the "lisp" words with c for example gracias are "grathias". But I think I have picked it up decently because  I'm not getting weird looks from the Spaniards. Besides learning the lisp I think I have mastered the Metro (the subway in Madrid). After last nights fiasco...we missed the last train by a minute and had to walk over an hour home...I am now more comfortable with my directions and with the subway. But so far so good. The food is good, there are excellent pastries and chocolates so my sweet tooth is not suffering. The meal times are very different here, breakfast is similar, but lunch is not until 2 or 3 in the afternoon and dinner is normally 9:30 or 10, it takes some getting used to. But all the cafes are helpful in getting you through the day. Its been 3 pretty full days of exploring the city with my friend Megan from Endicott and our new friends from all over. So far I can say with a clean conscience that Madrid is a very good fitting city for me!

Arrived!

I have finally arrived in Spain!! It is currently 10:40ish in the morning local time which with the 6 hour time difference places me 6 hours ahead of time it is aound 5 o'clock in the morning back home! The apartment Megan and I are staying in is awesome right on a major road and about a 5 minute walk from school. We are living with one woman and there is another student here as well I believe doing here MBA (not sure) but we all have our own rooms! Im almost unpacked and very ready for a siesta before Megan and I head out to do some exploring!

Getting Closer

3 days before departure! The current weather in Madrid is sunny and in the high 80s looks like I'm heading back into summer.

Counting down

I am now 22 days away from departure. The idea of leaving the country for three months is still pretty surreal. Nothing has really hit me and sunk in yet but I'm sure the moment I start packing (probably the night before) the excitement will really hit.