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Andalusia Travel Blogs

Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

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By C00PS
December 5th 2009

Kaliyoga Retreat, Las Alpujarras mountains of Spain Europe » Spain » Andalusia

Kaliyoga Retreat
Las Alpujarras, Spain

Kaliyoga Retreat, Spain These last two and a bit days at the Kaliyoga Retreat have been surprisingly full and rewarding. I found this wonderful place through a volunteer exchange program, which means in return for a few hours work each day I receive free accommodation and food. This suits me well as I'm completely broke but desperately wanting to stay longer in Spain in order to learn the language and absorb this culture I have fallen in love with!! On Day 1 we learnt the redistribution business. Big pile of rocks gets redistributed into long line of rocks. Big pile of [View Full Entry]

By Katie Rae
December 2nd 2009

Life as an Adrena Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Marbella

GEDC0094
Sarah and I along the harbor in Marbella

So, I never did get to write about Marbella. Marga and her family invited Sarah and I to spend the weekend with them in Marbella. One of Marga's nephews lives there. We camped out in their apartment, did lots of sight seeing, and had some great tapas. The harbor there was lined with so many yachts that it would put Key West's harbor to shame. Seriously, some of these boats were mansions. For those Pennsylvanians out there....they even had their own "spillway". In some areas along the dock the tourists are constantly feeding the fish. The ducks weren't quite walking on [View Full Entry]

By TravelingLindsey
November 29th 2009

Una fiesta en casa Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville

Botellón
It's blurry, but you get the idea.

Well, I SHOULD be working on a presentation that I have to do tomorrow, but telling you about last night just sounds so much more appealing. I’m going to be throwing a lot of new names out here, so just go with it. I’ve hung out with some of these folks before but have never mentioned them. Shealyn (fellow American) and I attended Joseph’s (born of English parents living in Spain) birthday party yesterday at his house in Ciudad Expo, a smaller town outside of Sevilla that was built during the World’s Fair in 1992. To avoid the unnecessary task of [View Full Entry]

By McNab
November 29th 2009

The rain in Spain, falls mainly on us. Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Málaga

OUR KITCHEN

Hola, we made it to Spain. Even though its raining, its much much better than the weather back in London. Now if only I could enjoy my juice in peace. Enjoy our video! [View Full Entry]

By TravelingLindsey
November 28th 2009

El día de Acción de Gracias- The day of the Action of Thanks Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville

Yummy
"Lindsey, you're getting way too artistic with that. It's food."

I think the Spanish translation of Thanksgiving is hilarious. It's just so wordy and so ridiculously descriptive. It’s not a Spanish holiday though, so I guess it’s just that no one cared enough to put anymore thought into it. Since no mythical pilgrims landed in Spain and had a life-saving meal with the natives on the third Thursday of whatever November it was, the Spanish really don't care about Thanksgiving. I know this, but I still tried to make jokes to a few Spanish friends… “So what did YOU do for Thanksgiving? Heh…” “We don’t celebra [View Full Entry]

By Dan McQ
November 23rd 2009

Arcos Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Arcos de la Frontera

Pots of geraniums are a common sight in Arcos
The contrast with all the whitewash is striking

The trip from Marrakech back to Madrid went smoothly. No problem with customs reentering the Eurozone, even with our bundle of carpets and other goods. The Spanish agents seemed much more interested in Europeans bringing items back than they were in Americans who were going to take their goods back out again. We talked over our next destination after we landed and decided that after Morocco, we needed a quiet place to chill out. We ultimately decided to try Arcos de la Frontera. Although it is a fairly long drive from Madrid, it is also pretty far South, so we're likely [View Full Entry]

The old churches always have interesting sculptures

Pedestrians and autos have to take turns here

The castle and cathedral are at the highest point of the town

By TravelingLindsey
November 19th 2009

¡Hola, Lola! - Mi madre española Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville

Lola!
We finally snagged a photo of her at an evening out towards the end of the trip. Smile! :)

“Did you have any fruit?” It’s a common question after our meals, since fruit is eaten often as a dessert. Today, however, I had already brought two clementines with me to school to snack on between classes, so I didn’t really feel like having another. “No,” I replied, then tried in vain to explain the situation, but Lola is impatient and if I can’t talk quickly, I don’t get to say anything. “¿¡NO!? Pues estas son muy buenas. Son muuuy buenas. ¡Toma, toma, toma!” She was waving one in my face, telling me that they were very good and s [View Full Entry]

By TravelingLindsey
November 16th 2009

Acrobats in the Costa del Sol Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Málaga

Gibralfaro
View of the city from the Gibralfaro castle.

I was watching TV last Tuesday, and a commercial popped up about “The Greatest Show on Earth,” Barnum and Bailey’s circus. Málaga, November 14-15. WHAT!? “How great would it be,” I thought, “if I could get some people together to go the circus.” And I did! Raquel and Kate answered my request for fellow circus-goers, and we met at the train station Saturday morning. I realized it was the first time this entire semester that I’ve gone on a trip not organized by ISA. It was fantastic. When we arrived in Málaga, we checked in at our hostel and did [View Full Entry]

By J Mac
November 15th 2009

Man! I feel like a woman! Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Córdoba

Las putas!

There are just some things that you have to do once in your life. No, I don't mean the classics, get a good job, car, a mortgage, a spouse, have kids etc, but a list of things that aren't as widely spoken of, yet still have an everlasting impact on your life, sort of like a really great B-side album or track. An example of such things are staying awake all night under the stars with only a woolly tartan blanket for cover (that's so small, your legs stick out the end)-check, going to a live concert- check, going to a [View Full Entry]

By Rhia Sarah
November 10th 2009

First Post :) Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville

Hello everyone! I have no idea what I'm doing on this thing, but I'm sure in the hour or so before bed calls, I can have plenty of fun playing around with it! Seville. Is. Awesome. Pretty much sums up life here. Granted, not enjoying 9am starts every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (except when we have bank holidays...which over here is like every 2 weeks!), nor am I particularly fond of the really sleazy drunk spanish men. But apart from that, all is fine and dandy! The weather is still warm considering the time of year- 27 degrees (celsius!) today, but [View Full Entry]

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