Unas fotos

Here's a photo update:

Although not taken during Semana Sants because of the rain, I took these during Los Patios. This is La Virgen de Los Dolores en La Plaza de Capuchinos. The cape (I'm forgetting the proper term for it) is embroidered in gold and she is decked out in even more gold and jewels. This is what they take out of the churches and parade around the city. The other picture is of Cristo de Los Faroles.





And here are some of my favorites from my visit to the patios:







This is from the our pilgrimage. I've decided that the whole day was just really surreal. I met the parents of my Spanish Teacher's Assistant from freshman year at Wheaton and we walked about 6 miles to the "fairground" to celebrate the day. Here's La Romería de San Isidro Labrador de Cañete de las Torres:



In the spirit of Spanish romanticism:

Lo siento mucho!

HELLO!!!

I’m officially sorry to all of those people that I told I would post on here constantly and have it be an easy way to stay in touch with me. I’ve slacked off a bit. Okay… a lot, but it’s because I’ve been having a great time travelling around Europe and enjoying the little time I have left in Spain. And as I was warned in anthropology class, I’ve had a massive case of culture shock that has led to some inner reflection on practically everything.

My last post was about internships. To make this a short story, I don’t have one for this summer. Being up front with companies and telling them you are abroad, and that you are willing to do a phone and or Skype interview, does not go over well and nobody responds to you. I think forget about you much quicker than they would if you were in the States. I’ve applied to around 20-30 different internships between official ones, contacting businesses etc. Nobody responded before the funding deadline my school has so therefore I am without an internship. I have to do something this summer that is paid. I’m trying not to think about it too hard because there is nothing extremely productive I can really do while I’m abroad. I’ve looked into some local bank jobs and will probably end up applying to those and maybe volunteer somewhere.

Wow, so I definitely have a lot to fill everyone in on since March 15th! As the good (quarter) Irishman I am, some other Preshquitos and I celebrated St. Patty’s Day in all the local Irish Pubs here in Córdoba. There are a total of 3. It was a great night full of shenanigans and U2 cover bands. (Photo Credit: Kristen R.)





The next big event that happened was a trip to Portugal with two of my friends from the program. Katlin, Kristen and I took a train to Sevilla and then an overnight bus into Lisbon to meet up with my Wheaton and West Springfield friend Erin and her two friends from her study abroad program in Cork, Ireland. I personally thought Lisbon was a quaint, ‘old-world’ port city and I wish I had more time to explore the different neighborhoods. We spent a lot of time going to the attractions around Lisbon, and it wasn’t until the last day or two that we found the nice section of downtown.

(Photo Credit: Katlin M.)

The Barrio Alto is literally like a college frat party on steroids. This section of the city, that is reached after a hike up a hill, is mostly bars and little restaurants and at night turns into a bustling area of college tourists and people under the age of maybe 35 from around the world. We ate at a traditional Portuguese family-run hole-in-the-wall and then one of the nights did the bar crawl with the hostel we stayed in. In addition to the nightlife we went to three of the main attractions around the capital, Cascais, Sintra, and Belem. Cascais is a beach town and was the perfect place to rest after the day of travelling it took to get to Portugal. Sintra was a really cool place that has an abundance of castles from various time periods. The one we went to was multicolored and looked fake; it looked like something out of Candyland. While we were in the town we went to a café for lunch and ran into a fellow American. The wife of the owner was from Ludlow, MA! It was kind of another surreal lesson on how small the world really is. We also went to Belem where they have a massive monastery and a floating fortress. They’re also known for their pastries which I highly recommend. They’re delicious!








The bus ride home was a little interesting. First off, Erin and her friends didn’t book any tickets home on the only bus that leaves each night back to Spain. We looked online and the bus was sold out, but luckily the hostel receptionist knew the language and talked with the company and there was a cancellation. They had to go and catch the bus immediately. The three Preshquitos were a little less stressed out because we had booked tickets, but once we went to check in, we found out Kristen had booked the bus for the day after we were leaving. We had to plead with the ticket lady and then the bus driver to let her on the sold out bus. As we were pleading, Erin starts knocking on the window! Anyways, so after a nail biting experience and brainstorming about what we’d do if we couldn’t all leave that night, we all got on the bus. One of the seats was a cushion on the floor of the bus: classy.













After that we had a week and a half of classes and and a trip to Granada. Yes, I did eat a granada (pomegranate) in Granada. We saw the Alhambra and the Geralife and the city was pretty as well.





Then came Semana Santa, aka Easter Week. Classes were cancelled and everybody went on a vacation. I ended up going to see my cousin Ali and her boyfriend Victor in Montpellier, France. That was a fun trip on which I realized two things: one, I can’t speak French at all anymore and two, I needed a siesta every day. What am I going to do when I get back to the US?! Haha The city was cute and reminded me a little of Córdoba because it was a city but at the same time it was small enough to see everything. I ate a lot of cheese and drank French wine. I needed the stereotypical French meals. We also went ice skating one day which was a lot of fun. Ali and I tried copying the cool guys who clearly have been skating forever to little avail. Instead we rocked out to the techno music and tried to perfect our spins. I went to the museum in town and saw Courbet’s painting The Meeting which I remember studying in art history class at Wheaton. We also went to the beach one day on her bikes. I felt like I got a lot of exercise in after being really lazy for the past few weeks.




My flight home was a little different and I flew out of Marseille into Valencia instead of Sevilla. I got to spend the night and the following day in Valencia which is a beautiful city. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to have a full day there. I took complete advantage of it and went into the churches, museums, markets, and got to see the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias designed by Santiago Calatrava. It was definitely something out of a science fiction movie.




The day I was there was also the day of the Real Madrid v. Barcelona game and the whole city was abuzz. I walked around the stadium to experience it and I also got free Real Madrid paraphernalia because I walked through their pre-game celebration. Also here is a picture of a meat market in case you don't believe me on the importance of jamon.




I took another overnight bus back to Córdoba because I wanted to be back in time to see the pasos. These are the floats on which they place the Virgin Mary and Jesus statues and parade them through the town. Unfortunately, once I got back the weather was miserable. It started to rain for a week in Córdoba. There was nothing to really do because you didn’t want to walk around in the pouring rain. All of the pasos got cancelled which is uncommon. Our grammar professor told us that in Sevilla it was the first time in 80 years that one of the Virgins hadn’t left. Oh well. I watched a few of them on TV that were taking place in other parts of Spain.

That pretty much brings me up to date. The month of May is essentially one big party. I feel like I’m back in Provincetown because each week is themed. The first week was Las Cruces, then Los Patios, right now is the Cata de Vino, and then Feria. Mom and Dan visited during Las Cruces and I got to show them around the city (in the rain). We made up for the semi-bad weather by going to the Arab Baths and eating our way through the city. Los Patios are pretty and the flower lovers will be jealous. All of the old, and some of the newer complexes, have these patios that they deck out in flowers and then open it up to the public. It’s a competition and every year it’s usually the same people who win—kind of unfair if you ask me. I spent an afternoon walking around with some of my Italian and German friends and we got to see some of the winning patios. This weekend we get to go to the pueblo of my former teacher’s assistant from Wheaton for a Romeria. It’s a type of pilgrimage where we dress up in traditional flamenco outfits and then walk like 6 miles to the fairgrounds and then celebrate the city’s saint. Or at least that’s what I understand. I’m bringing my camera and will update you all with pictures.

The semester is quickly ending and it’s almost time to head home. As much as I love Spain, I am definitely ready to have my big iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts. The little café con leches that I nurse for an hour here aren’t cutting it.

Alegre

I'm finally hearing back from some places I've applied for internships at! YAY! Maybe I will get to have a good summer experience that is career-related. Also on a happy note, THE SUN IS OUT! I went for a run today and it was great. It's been a good day after many frustrating ones. Had to share that.

Un Mes

Okay so it’s been a while since the last post but all is well. I kicked the sinus infection and have been able to enjoy my time here more. The excursion I was referring to last post was the PRESHCO excursion to Zuheros. It’s this little town in Andalusia that is known for its cheese and olive oil (similar to every place around here since they are the main products). There is also a Cave of Bats, La Cueva de los Murcielagos, which is kind of like Howe Caverns in New York except here they found prehistoric bear bones and human skeletons. Another cool thing about the cave was the cave paintings, but I liked the castle more. It was perched on this outcrop and you got some really cool sights from the top of it. There was also this little trick that one of the directors showed us. On the cliff at the bottom of the castle was this rock slide and you get three people to sit in a line and then all lift your feet up and you slide down the side of the wall.







It was childish but fun none the less. The day we went was beautiful and after our playscape adventure we decided to just sit around in the sunny plaza until lunch. I use the word lunch loosely. The restaurant we went to was a popular one and had pictures of Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc. with the owner, and had really good food (minus the paté). We started lunch at like 2:30 and didn’t finish until 5:00 or something ridiculous like that. I’m still not used to eating huge meals for no reason.



The next weekend I went to Sevilla with a friend and we had a great time. Sevilla is a wonderful city and I definitely recommend it. It reminds me of Paris, or at least what I think Paris would look like since I’ve never been. The Museo de Bellas Artes was amazing and they have some wonderful pieces because Sevilla used to be a big artistic city. I was even more surprised to find out some of the facts I did on my second trip there. The following Friday, aka two days ago, PRESHCO took us on a day trip there. We visited the Plaza de España, the Cathedral, and the Reales Alcázares which are all quite impressive. And little did I know, but inside the cathedral is Christopher Columbus’ tomb! Other than that I have been enjoying Córdoba. I have made a few more friends from Spain as well as some other international friends, but I really need to start studying Spanish more. I need to get the verbs down because right now I sound horrible and it usually just causes a lot of confusion when I cannot get the tense right.











On a side note, we watch the news at every meal here. The Spanish seem to very interested in the news, but I watch the pictures. It’s bad, but it has gotten to the point where I have stopped trying to listen and understand it because I am not in the least bit interested. A bad tactic for trying to learn the language but the news is so boring for every meal. What I have noticed in comparison to the US news is that it is not politicized here. They don’t blame Iran for starting the turmoil in Africa/Middle East or try to spin things on an agenda. The news is straight forward facts with graphic images or what is actually going on. I like it, but maybe only once a day.

Resfriado

It's that time of year... I am, along with most of the rest of PRESHCO, suffering from a bad cold/sinus infection. Gross. Went to the clinic today and got an excessive amount of medicine for only like 10€! Pretty sweet. I will post a better update this weekend about our excursion!

Primero Amigo!

Today in my direct matriculation class our professor took us to the school cafeteria for coffee! Sounds lame but it is like a legitimate restaurant in the school. And yes, he paid for the class, and it was his birthday!! I like that Spanish tradition. Mi amiga de PRESHCO and I decided to suck it up and talk to the kid next to us. His name is Pedro (could his name be anymore stereotypical?) She was good because she has been speaking Spanish longer than me, but I managed to say a few things. Anyways, he invited us to go out on the weekend and he would show us some good places to go. Yay Spanish friends!

Por fin, estoy en Córdoba

The tour has ended and my first week here in Córdoba is wrapping up… or just beginning depending on how you look at it. Overall the tour was a lot of fun. We went to so many places and saw a lot of history and impressive art and architecture.

Barcelona was nice to visit, but similar to Athens… I do not think I will be going back. It might have just been my experience, but true to some of the warnings I received before going there, they do not like Americans. It is understandable as to why-- Americans are a pain. There is an influx of students that descend on the city for each semester who go there to party and many do not try to learn the language or interact with the Spaniards. Americans are loud and obnoxious, and of this I am guilty. We spent most of our free time walking in large groups around the city. Honestly, the only good part about the city was the beach during the day and the park that overlooks the city.


The nightlife was overpriced (15€ entrada con bebida) but was nonetheless fun and we danced until 4 in the morning. Luckily the friends of a Preshquita knew the name of a club promoter, Kike (Keekay, also known as sketch-ay) and we got in for free for the Valentine’s Day Party. Free Lollypops as well! Barcelona seemed like you needed a purpose to be there. It is more of a working city and for people who have money-- we Preshquit@s do not. From Barcelona we took the AVE (high-speed train) to Córdoba and our host parents met us in the train station.

My host “mother” is really nice and we get along well. The first day here we ate on the balcony that overlooks the Rectorado of the Universidad de Córdoba and the view of the mountains in the back. It is a great view to wake up to every morning. Her dog is fun as well. I am glad that there is a little puppy around to keep me warm. I know I had said it was not that cold on our tour, but it is freezing here in Córdoba during the evening. Everything is made out of stone for the summer months which are longer than winter… I just wished things would dry. I do not think my towel has completely dried since the first day I used it! Oh well. It will be warm soon enough and I cannot wait.

The first week here has been pretty busy. Between resting up from all the travelling I had been doing I went to some classes at the university. I have decided to take the history of Al-Andalus which is the Islamic name for this section of Spain. The professor talks slow enough that I think I will understand him! The classes taught by PRESHCO professor start this next Monday as well as guitar lessons. I get to rent a guitar through PRESHCO and they offer free Spanish guitar lessons which I think will be really fun. There seems to be a lot of interest in it also so it will be a great way to meet people. My host mom Olga and her boyfriend took me to and olive oil factory in the country and then Málaga for lunch Sunday. It was a great way to see the countryside and get another tour of Spain. I feel like I have been all over the country already! (I have just got to get to the Canary Islands now… It is warm there!). Today we went to the Mezquita in the center of Córdoba which was much prettier than I had thought. The beauty is just hidden inside the building. The building has a long history and was built upon and reused many times. As we were leaving the courtyard, they were setting up for a concert of some sort and “Imagine” came on. It was funny but a good way to remember the visit.


Córdoba is a nice city. Definitely a manageable size that I feel like I will get to know people. Not only Spaniards but also other Europeans because there are a lot of study abroad programs in the city… specifically Erasmus which is the inter-European study abroad program. The neighborhoods are quite interesting and I am glad I live in the Ciudad Jardin. There are a lot of cheap bars and restaurants here as well as a nice park where people walk their dogs. Also, I am in love with the Chinos-- their racially designated version of a dollar store. You can find anything here, but as a word of caution, do not walk in with another chino bag. I did this and the little boy of maybe 10 working the register yelled at me. They sell the same things in each store apparently and they do not want you stealing. Understandable, but it is different. And the sales here are great this time of year! Everything in all the stores is between 30-70% off. I have gotten to know the city a little through both my running and shopping with Preshquit@s (gender neutral). Tomorrow we have a trip to Medina Azahara.