Blogs from Andalusia, Spain, Europe - page 283

Well, I've had a couple comments about food, so I guess I'll just fill you in on some of the differences. Cole . . . I ate squid for you! Well, not really for you, but because I wanted to try it. It has a really gross texture, really rubbery, but actually a good taste. I've also been eating other types of sea food, which, for those of you who know me, is something of a stretch. Also beans. We've had one type of soup a couple times that has beans in it, but I just eat it and drink a lot of water. It works. One of my favorite new foods is Spanish tortilla. It's almost like an omlet, but it's potatoes and onion and egg and then you kinda fry it together. My (awesome) ... read more

Today, i sat in a plaza. to one side of me was an ancient wall built to defend a city, to the other the 3rd largest cathedral in the world. within the cathedral is a minaret from a mosque. in front of me was a monument to the virgen mary. all around me were people speaking a beautiful language. i sat there, watching people live their lives. it was wonderful. to my left a couple, the man playing a beautiful spanish melody on his guitar, and the woman singing along. to my right, a couple with a wonderful spanish baby asleep on their laps. and a group of young spanish adults all greeting eachother with warm kisses on the cheek. It is wonderful to be surrounded by such strong and vibrant rythms. everywhere i am there ... read more

My favorite place (and the first place) was the Al Hambra in Granada (Beautiful Ancient Muslim Palace that was kept in good condition when a Catholic King decided to build his palace around it). The next afternoon we went to Nerja - a small town on the coast (in the region of Malaga). It rained most of the time, so we couldn't take too much advantage of the beach (it was also colder than I expected). We had 'orientation classes' which included Flamenco classes, specifically 'La Sevillana' - inspired me to take the semester long class too. And basically, we went out and partied every night . We also stopped by Frigiliana (a small traditional town where all the buildings are painted white, cobble stoned streets and little old ladies dressed in black hobble around. I ... read more

hola a todos! Lo siento for the short first message - I was a bit rushed and was paying for the time on the internet. Just a little summary - I am studying through an independent study abroad program called International Studies Abroad (ISA). (www.studiesabroad.com) I´ll be here until May 20. When I return, I have about a month at home before I leave for my summer training for Teach for America. Then, as I said before, I am moving to Los Angeles in August! I´m not sure I thought I´d ever write that sentence... We arrived in granada yesterday around 6pm to meet our ¨senoras,¨ the women who we´re staying with for the semester. My roommate´s name is lauren, and she´s from ohio. As I write this I keep staring at the computer trying to ... read more

Here is stuff I couldn't get up on the blog before (wireless difficulties to be elaborated in subsequent blog). A bit outdated but covers final thoughts on Spain and some travel in Morocco. Wow, that all seems so long ago! Part 5 November 22: Seville We sit in our apartment at 5:00, just having finished lunch (a not that atypical timing for Spaniards), and all is quiet as Koby and Elaine read and Manya zips through another few ounces of her math book (with the heavy pages of this book, which we throw away as they are completed, we measure homework in weight rather than time or pages). Our friends have an apartment downstairs, a perfect arrangement that took a bit of searching at the tourist office where they offered a raft of hotel rooms ... read more