Experiences
WEEK ONE - Madrid.
I arrived in Madrid on Monday, September 5th. That first day I didn't do too much... I became acquainted with the other API (Academic Programs International) groupies, had a dinner of Spanish-style tapas at El Museo de Jamon, and walked around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. I went to bed early that night due to a case of jetlag and a necessity to wake up at 8 am the next morning.
On Tuesday, September 6th a group of APIs and myself and Carol hopped on a bus to visit Toledo, which is known as the "City of Three Cultures." It is a monument to humanity and religious toleration, having served as an important hub for Jews, Moors and Christians over hundreds of years. The city was absolutely gorgeous... our tour guide kept telling us it's known as the second Jerusalem. We visited the Church of San Juan de los Reyes (impressive!); The Church of Santo Tome, wherein Greco's famous painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz" is housed (sadly, we couldn't take pictures of it... it was a masterpiece); and a synagogue that weirdly enough, was built by the Arabs. We then headed back to Madrid around 3 pm. I napped and then awoke for my first evening out in Spain.
Carol and I bar-hopped that evening and happened to meet two Spanish men who proceeded to try and help us learn their language. It was difficult, needless to say, in the drunken state that we both were in. We went home relatively late, which made waking up the next morning quite a drag.
At 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, we headed to El Escorial (The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial) with our other hungover API people. It was this huuuge monastery and burial place for the Burbon kings and queens of Spain. It was okay, but I think I would have been more interested in it and appreciative of it had I slept well the night before. That night, we packed up our belongings to leave Madrid and travel to what would be our homes for the next 3 months!
On Thursday, September 8th API met in the lobby of our hotel at 8 am and took a bus to the Royal Palace of Madrid. We were impressed by its size, by the beautiful frescos on the ceilings, the centuries old furniture, and the cascading chandeliers. Once the tour was over, we hopped back on the bus and made the 8 hour trip to Barcelona.
WEEK ONE (cont.) - Barcelona.
From Thursday, September 8th to Sunday September 11th Carol and I became acquainted with the city and our host family. We live in Barri Gotic (The Gothic Quarter), the city center. It's a few minutes from Las Ramblas, Barcelona's main tourist street filled with restaurants and places to shop. In the opposite direction a few more minutes away is the beach, where Carol and I got a 15 euro full body massage! We explored the bars and nightlife on Friday (Placa Reial)- interestingly enough, we met absolutely no Spaniards. The list consists of Irish bartenders, French tourists, and Italian hotties. So much for practicing our Spanish! On Sunday we met up with a group of APIs to watch a Toros fight at Placa de Toros Monumental. I can't decide if I had fun or not. I'm glad to say that I experienced it, but I probably won't ever attend one again. That night we hung out with the group for the Onze de Septembre festival at the Arc de Triomf. I've never seen so many young people drinking beer and smoking pot in an obviously public place.
WEEK TWO - Barcelona.
On Monday, September 12th, after a long separation from our APIs, we finally saw them again on one of our excursions. This time we visited Gaudi's Park Guell. It has been one of my favorite sites in Spain! The park was perfect for pictures... I need to learn how to upload pics on this site so you guys can see where I've been. Anyone know how? Anyway, that week Carol and I also visted Gaudi's Casa Batillo and Casa Pedrada; we didn't actually go inside cus it was raining and we wanted to save it for a nicer, more picture-friendly day.
WEEK TWO - Mallorca.
At 5:30 am on Thursday, September 15th, we met API at the airport and caught a 30 minute flight to the island of Mallorca, one of "Europe's most fashionable vacation destinations." The area we stayed at didn't seem too fashionable to me, but there was a fun disco called Tito's nearby. Carol and I spent Thursday and Friday night there with the other API folks. We actually didn't get too annoyed with them and happened to make some new friends along the way! Besides partying with our group, we also headed to a nice beach with them and played volleyball and frisbee. The end of our weekend was ruined by showers and cloudy skies, and we left the island Sunday, September 18th a little disappointed. But all in all, the trip was a success, and Carol and I left with some pretty good and funny stories. I might tell you if I like you.
WEEK THREE - Back in Barcelona.
Okay, I'm finally caught up with my experiences since I've been here. Hopefully I can stay on top of this.
Today, the 19th of September, was my first clase de Espanol. It was 4.5 hours long!! I didn't want to go, at all - I feel like I've been on vacation for ages. The fun won't be completely over, but I actually have obligations now. It shouldn't be too bad, however, and I'll keep posting any interesting things I've done/saw.
I miss my homies back in Texas! I get on AIM occasionally when I'm home, so send me some LOVE! Later.
I arrived in Madrid on Monday, September 5th. That first day I didn't do too much... I became acquainted with the other API (Academic Programs International) groupies, had a dinner of Spanish-style tapas at El Museo de Jamon, and walked around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. I went to bed early that night due to a case of jetlag and a necessity to wake up at 8 am the next morning.
On Tuesday, September 6th a group of APIs and myself and Carol hopped on a bus to visit Toledo, which is known as the "City of Three Cultures." It is a monument to humanity and religious toleration, having served as an important hub for Jews, Moors and Christians over hundreds of years. The city was absolutely gorgeous... our tour guide kept telling us it's known as the second Jerusalem. We visited the Church of San Juan de los Reyes (impressive!); The Church of Santo Tome, wherein Greco's famous painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz" is housed (sadly, we couldn't take pictures of it... it was a masterpiece); and a synagogue that weirdly enough, was built by the Arabs. We then headed back to Madrid around 3 pm. I napped and then awoke for my first evening out in Spain.
Carol and I bar-hopped that evening and happened to meet two Spanish men who proceeded to try and help us learn their language. It was difficult, needless to say, in the drunken state that we both were in. We went home relatively late, which made waking up the next morning quite a drag.
At 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, we headed to El Escorial (The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial) with our other hungover API people. It was this huuuge monastery and burial place for the Burbon kings and queens of Spain. It was okay, but I think I would have been more interested in it and appreciative of it had I slept well the night before. That night, we packed up our belongings to leave Madrid and travel to what would be our homes for the next 3 months!
On Thursday, September 8th API met in the lobby of our hotel at 8 am and took a bus to the Royal Palace of Madrid. We were impressed by its size, by the beautiful frescos on the ceilings, the centuries old furniture, and the cascading chandeliers. Once the tour was over, we hopped back on the bus and made the 8 hour trip to Barcelona.
WEEK ONE (cont.) - Barcelona.
From Thursday, September 8th to Sunday September 11th Carol and I became acquainted with the city and our host family. We live in Barri Gotic (The Gothic Quarter), the city center. It's a few minutes from Las Ramblas, Barcelona's main tourist street filled with restaurants and places to shop. In the opposite direction a few more minutes away is the beach, where Carol and I got a 15 euro full body massage! We explored the bars and nightlife on Friday (Placa Reial)- interestingly enough, we met absolutely no Spaniards. The list consists of Irish bartenders, French tourists, and Italian hotties. So much for practicing our Spanish! On Sunday we met up with a group of APIs to watch a Toros fight at Placa de Toros Monumental. I can't decide if I had fun or not. I'm glad to say that I experienced it, but I probably won't ever attend one again. That night we hung out with the group for the Onze de Septembre festival at the Arc de Triomf. I've never seen so many young people drinking beer and smoking pot in an obviously public place.
WEEK TWO - Barcelona.
On Monday, September 12th, after a long separation from our APIs, we finally saw them again on one of our excursions. This time we visited Gaudi's Park Guell. It has been one of my favorite sites in Spain! The park was perfect for pictures... I need to learn how to upload pics on this site so you guys can see where I've been. Anyone know how? Anyway, that week Carol and I also visted Gaudi's Casa Batillo and Casa Pedrada; we didn't actually go inside cus it was raining and we wanted to save it for a nicer, more picture-friendly day.
WEEK TWO - Mallorca.
At 5:30 am on Thursday, September 15th, we met API at the airport and caught a 30 minute flight to the island of Mallorca, one of "Europe's most fashionable vacation destinations." The area we stayed at didn't seem too fashionable to me, but there was a fun disco called Tito's nearby. Carol and I spent Thursday and Friday night there with the other API folks. We actually didn't get too annoyed with them and happened to make some new friends along the way! Besides partying with our group, we also headed to a nice beach with them and played volleyball and frisbee. The end of our weekend was ruined by showers and cloudy skies, and we left the island Sunday, September 18th a little disappointed. But all in all, the trip was a success, and Carol and I left with some pretty good and funny stories. I might tell you if I like you.
WEEK THREE - Back in Barcelona.
Okay, I'm finally caught up with my experiences since I've been here. Hopefully I can stay on top of this.
Today, the 19th of September, was my first clase de Espanol. It was 4.5 hours long!! I didn't want to go, at all - I feel like I've been on vacation for ages. The fun won't be completely over, but I actually have obligations now. It shouldn't be too bad, however, and I'll keep posting any interesting things I've done/saw.
I miss my homies back in Texas! I get on AIM occasionally when I'm home, so send me some LOVE! Later.