Alright...this is for you faithful, commited Lindsay-Blog readers...the final part to the list of favorites in Spain! Its Sunday of our LAST weekend here, and I'm a whole jumble of feelings. Part of me feels tired and ready. Part of me can't believe I'm about to finish up with this once in a lifetime experience!
So here goes nothing...the final part..a tribute to my home away from home: If you're ever in Salamanca....
11. See the Plaza Mayor right when it lights up for the night. The buildings in Salamanca have this gold-ish glow during the evening, you've got to see it to believe it.
12. Go to Mass in the Cathedral. Or just go to the Cathedral and climb to the top. Theres a fantastic view of Salamanca!
13. Check out the historical University buildings. La Universidad de Salamanca is one of the oldest universities in Spain and in Europe! (Founded in 1218...I think). The university facade is famous because there are some fun hidden things etched into it that you have to find..namely, a frog ontop of a skeleton. If you find it, its good luck! Plus, its absolutely beautiful, really ornate and fun to look at.
14. Go out all night and then grab a bocadillo at a late-night food place. Salamanca nightlife is great because the city is small enough so that you can walk to wherever you want to go. Its also great that there are a ton of college-age kids..and tons of places to go when you decide its time to get some food after a long night of dancing!
15. Take a walk over the roman bridge and sit by the river. Salamanca is bordered by a river that has a very old Roman bridge over it. Its a great jaunt, and people lay out blankets on the banks of the river to sit, chat, drink, play soccer with friends, etc.
16. Get a tapa and a beer at any tapas bar off the plaza...sometimes you can get a beer and a delicious snack for about 3 dollars!
17. Hang out in the plaza on a saturday afternoon. Everyone seems to come out of their houses to walk to the plaza on weekends. People just plop right in the middle of the stone center, grab a helado, and take a nap or sunbathe. For you JMU-ers, its quite reminiscent of the quad on a perfect, sunny day.
18. Live with a Spanish Madre. I realize this one is not exactly feasible..but I had to put a tribute out there for Capilla, my Spanish mama. Its been such a learning experience living in someone else's house, especially someone else who doesn't speak your native language. We've had ups and downs, but I can honestly say now that Capilla is one of the coolest ladies I've ever met. And I think we've come to really enjoy eachother's company.
19. Shop on Calle Toro. Its lined with beautiful shops that are more than a little tempting, some we don't have in the states like: Sfera, Zara, Bershka, Mossimo Dutti.
20. Do Everything. Try Everything. Eat Anything. Love it All.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
If you are ever in Spain..Part III
I am happy to inform you that the weather here has now decided to be GORGEOUS! As if in celebration, yesterday our group spent the day riding horses at a beautiful horse farm in a town outside of Salamanca. I haven't ridden a horse in...about 10 years, and never for a long amount of time. It was crazy. Mine was pretty slow and fairly obedient, so I didn't have a bit of trouble, except for it occasionally running me into branches of trees. The neatest part was that all of our madres came a long to watch us and eat a big picnic dinner. It was cool to finally see all of the madres I've heard so much about, and to show off Capilla, too.
So back to this countdown, eh? I've only got a week left and still TONS of great things to tell you about!
8. Get food from a stand. Like a stand on a street somewhere...anywhere! In my experience, its always good. I've tried fresh baked potatoes stuffed with just about anything you could possibly imagine, and hot, crispy churros with steaming chocolate to dip them in. Way to go, Spain!
9. Try any of the three things Spaniards have thought to do with wine:
- Sangria: wine with fruit and such
- Calimocho: wine with coca-cola (sounds weird...but its good!)
- Tinto de Verano: red wine and Lemonade or lemon fanta...amazingly good and cheap!
10. Back on the places to visit track: Las Cuevas de Castilla...some of the oldest cave paintings in the world! Not to mention the region it is in...Cantabria is one of the most naturally beautiful places I've seen.
Part IV coming soon...if I can manage it amidst all these tests and papers!
Wish me luck. See you stateside in a week!
love,
Lindsay
So back to this countdown, eh? I've only got a week left and still TONS of great things to tell you about!
8. Get food from a stand. Like a stand on a street somewhere...anywhere! In my experience, its always good. I've tried fresh baked potatoes stuffed with just about anything you could possibly imagine, and hot, crispy churros with steaming chocolate to dip them in. Way to go, Spain!
9. Try any of the three things Spaniards have thought to do with wine:
- Sangria: wine with fruit and such
- Calimocho: wine with coca-cola (sounds weird...but its good!)
- Tinto de Verano: red wine and Lemonade or lemon fanta...amazingly good and cheap!
10. Back on the places to visit track: Las Cuevas de Castilla...some of the oldest cave paintings in the world! Not to mention the region it is in...Cantabria is one of the most naturally beautiful places I've seen.
Part IV coming soon...if I can manage it amidst all these tests and papers!
Wish me luck. See you stateside in a week!
love,
Lindsay
Saturday, April 19, 2008
If you are ever in Spain... Part II
Hey all!
The weather here in Salamanca has been absolutely terrible this past week. With all the exams and papers and whatnot...It has been an effort to keep marching on (Especially after being alerted to the fact that Harrisonburg and Chapel Hill are enjoying 80 degree weather!)
But I have decided in order to keep my spirits up (and to distract myself from a looming paper...) I will continue with a few more entries in the "if you are ever in Spain..." series.
Aproveche!
6. El Prado in Madrid. This musuem holds some very important pieces of art, especially by Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. You absolutely must see Las Meninas by Velazquez. It has often been called one of the most influential paintings in the history of art! Mom, Dad, and Marc got to share this experience with me, and while we were walking around, Marc and I stumbled upon one of the most amazing paintings either of us had seen. its got a long title...in Spanish it is: Fulsilamiento de Torrijos y sus companeros en las playas de Malaga by Antonio Gisbert. You can click on the title to see the picture. Its pretty graphic, I warn you...but what impressed Marc and I so much was the story in every man's face..the detail, the pain, the reality. Not to mention its an absolutely HUGE painting. I hope you find it as interesting as we did.
7. See a Bullfight (unless you are extremely morally opposed). I thought I was going to hate it, and it was a little difficult to stomach all of that killing, but in the end, it became like watching a dance, something beautiful and very skillful. Also, watching and listening to the Spaniards who flanked me was quite an experience. In an odd sense, it reminded me a lot of going to an baseball game in the United States.
Two should be good for now...I've got to keep this going, right?
to be continued....yet again...
The weather here in Salamanca has been absolutely terrible this past week. With all the exams and papers and whatnot...It has been an effort to keep marching on (Especially after being alerted to the fact that Harrisonburg and Chapel Hill are enjoying 80 degree weather!)
But I have decided in order to keep my spirits up (and to distract myself from a looming paper...) I will continue with a few more entries in the "if you are ever in Spain..." series.
Aproveche!
6. El Prado in Madrid. This musuem holds some very important pieces of art, especially by Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. You absolutely must see Las Meninas by Velazquez. It has often been called one of the most influential paintings in the history of art! Mom, Dad, and Marc got to share this experience with me, and while we were walking around, Marc and I stumbled upon one of the most amazing paintings either of us had seen. its got a long title...in Spanish it is: Fulsilamiento de Torrijos y sus companeros en las playas de Malaga by Antonio Gisbert. You can click on the title to see the picture. Its pretty graphic, I warn you...but what impressed Marc and I so much was the story in every man's face..the detail, the pain, the reality. Not to mention its an absolutely HUGE painting. I hope you find it as interesting as we did.
7. See a Bullfight (unless you are extremely morally opposed). I thought I was going to hate it, and it was a little difficult to stomach all of that killing, but in the end, it became like watching a dance, something beautiful and very skillful. Also, watching and listening to the Spaniards who flanked me was quite an experience. In an odd sense, it reminded me a lot of going to an baseball game in the United States.
Two should be good for now...I've got to keep this going, right?
to be continued....yet again...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
If you are ever in Spain....Part I
As my return to the states approaches, I have decided to collect some of my favorite anecdotes/sights/activities in a little series called "If you are ever in Spain..." Disfrutais!
1. Visit El Barrio Judio in Granada. A narrow, uphill street lined with shops, cafes, and markets...wonderful!
2. La Alhambra, which is currently in contention for a spot amongst the seven modern wonders of the world. For this fact alone, it deserves a visit. Not to mention beautiful fountains and gardens.
3. Drink a cup of cafe con leche and eat a napolitana de chocolate. mmm!
4.Valencia in General. But especially if you can visit it during the festival "Las Fallas". I don't even know how to describe this to you except to say it was one of the most spectacular things I saw in this entire country! Also, La Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias...it has a kickass aquarium!
5.Try a tortilla bocadillo. Tortilla (not the kind you have in Mexican food!) is a popular Spanish food that is basically comprised of: eggs, potatoes, and sometimes onions. They fry it up omelet style and sometimes sandwich it between two pieces of baguette. Delish.
To be continued....
1. Visit El Barrio Judio in Granada. A narrow, uphill street lined with shops, cafes, and markets...wonderful!
2. La Alhambra, which is currently in contention for a spot amongst the seven modern wonders of the world. For this fact alone, it deserves a visit. Not to mention beautiful fountains and gardens.
3. Drink a cup of cafe con leche and eat a napolitana de chocolate. mmm!
4.Valencia in General. But especially if you can visit it during the festival "Las Fallas". I don't even know how to describe this to you except to say it was one of the most spectacular things I saw in this entire country! Also, La Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias...it has a kickass aquarium!
5.Try a tortilla bocadillo. Tortilla (not the kind you have in Mexican food!) is a popular Spanish food that is basically comprised of: eggs, potatoes, and sometimes onions. They fry it up omelet style and sometimes sandwich it between two pieces of baguette. Delish.
To be continued....
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Feels like Fast-Forward
Hello all!
I am surprised and somewhat bewildered to alert you that I have a little over 2 weeks left here in the beautiful country of Spain. I feel like since Spring Break, the time here has absolutely flown by with little warning. I am now bogged down with papers, the promise of exams, and presentations. Great fun will be had by all, I can assure you. We've just arrived home from our final excursion, which was to the region of Cantabria.
Cantabria is a varied region with snow-capped crags on one side and idyllic beaches on the other! Not so surprisingly, as I have come to learn, our fearless leader Jesus Angel Jimenez decided we would see the entirety of this landscape variety in a mere 2 days. We started our travels off first at the caves of El Castillo, which house some of the oldest cave paintings in Europe! It was so incredible to walk through caves with roofs made of stalagtites, imagining some of the first men who decided to be creative just painting away with their fingers. These crude drawings have so much more significance in our society today than they could have ever realized! I was in awe at the spiritual and mystical quality of the red clay handprints, and the ocre outlines of bison. Its hard for me to explain this feeling fully, but I can sum it up with: No matter where art is, how it was made, or really...what it looks like, Me encanta (i adore it).
Afterwards, we headed to our hotel, a "parador" (basically, a lodge) right on the side of the mountain! By far, one of the most majestic places we've been lucky enough to stay in. The next morning, after sleeping soundly in our beds, we headed up the mountain in cable-cars...so far up our ears were popping from the altitude and the quick ascent. We had snowball fights, watched hardcore hikers prepare for excursions, and took tons of pictures. It was surreal to see so much snow in April, but a welcome surprise, at that.
We ended up, after a pit stop in a historic town called Santanilla, in Santander. Santander is the capital of Cantabria, and although it is sort of small, is quite lovely. Our hotel was right on the beach! After months of missing physical activity, namely yoga, I decided this would be an excellent oppurtunity to begin to rekindle my practice. Myself and a few friends woke up bright and early at 7:15 to do some sunrise yoga on the beach. The crash of the waves was extremely soothing, and doing "sun salutations" to the sun as it was rising was magical.
I am a bit sore, though. Perhaps a sign that I should keep working at it!
More excitement ensued later, including myself being absolutely drenched to the bone with fickle spanish rain and later tripping and falling in front of handsome spaniards and busting my knee while laughing and saying "todo esta bien!" (everything is alright!) But I'll spare us all the embarassment of recounting the entirety of these stories.
I LOVE you all, and can't wait to see you.
besitos para todos,
Lindsay
I am surprised and somewhat bewildered to alert you that I have a little over 2 weeks left here in the beautiful country of Spain. I feel like since Spring Break, the time here has absolutely flown by with little warning. I am now bogged down with papers, the promise of exams, and presentations. Great fun will be had by all, I can assure you. We've just arrived home from our final excursion, which was to the region of Cantabria.
Cantabria is a varied region with snow-capped crags on one side and idyllic beaches on the other! Not so surprisingly, as I have come to learn, our fearless leader Jesus Angel Jimenez decided we would see the entirety of this landscape variety in a mere 2 days. We started our travels off first at the caves of El Castillo, which house some of the oldest cave paintings in Europe! It was so incredible to walk through caves with roofs made of stalagtites, imagining some of the first men who decided to be creative just painting away with their fingers. These crude drawings have so much more significance in our society today than they could have ever realized! I was in awe at the spiritual and mystical quality of the red clay handprints, and the ocre outlines of bison. Its hard for me to explain this feeling fully, but I can sum it up with: No matter where art is, how it was made, or really...what it looks like, Me encanta (i adore it).
Afterwards, we headed to our hotel, a "parador" (basically, a lodge) right on the side of the mountain! By far, one of the most majestic places we've been lucky enough to stay in. The next morning, after sleeping soundly in our beds, we headed up the mountain in cable-cars...so far up our ears were popping from the altitude and the quick ascent. We had snowball fights, watched hardcore hikers prepare for excursions, and took tons of pictures. It was surreal to see so much snow in April, but a welcome surprise, at that.
We ended up, after a pit stop in a historic town called Santanilla, in Santander. Santander is the capital of Cantabria, and although it is sort of small, is quite lovely. Our hotel was right on the beach! After months of missing physical activity, namely yoga, I decided this would be an excellent oppurtunity to begin to rekindle my practice. Myself and a few friends woke up bright and early at 7:15 to do some sunrise yoga on the beach. The crash of the waves was extremely soothing, and doing "sun salutations" to the sun as it was rising was magical.
I am a bit sore, though. Perhaps a sign that I should keep working at it!
More excitement ensued later, including myself being absolutely drenched to the bone with fickle spanish rain and later tripping and falling in front of handsome spaniards and busting my knee while laughing and saying "todo esta bien!" (everything is alright!) But I'll spare us all the embarassment of recounting the entirety of these stories.
I LOVE you all, and can't wait to see you.
besitos para todos,
Lindsay
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sevilla..and general anecdoting
Sevilla probably deserves its own page in the grand scheme of Spring Break blogging...it was deff. one of my favorite places we went, although it is extremely hard to choose!
We arrived in Sevilla friday afternoon (my 21st birthday!) and had a lovely dinner all together as a group. My good friend David Greenslade is currently studying in Sevilla, and he promised to show me and some of my friends where he and his study-abroad friends go out for a good time. Sevilla has a somewhat similar feel to Salamanca; it was young, a big city with an approachable feel, and sort of hip. He took us around and it was wonderful to catch up with him, although I have to say that my birthday didn't feel quite as exciting or as celebrated as I hoped it would. Alas, 21 doesn't have the same significance in Spain, I suppose. Regardless, I had a great time discovering Sevilla nightlife with David, chatting about bullfights and nostalgia over huge Mojitos in clear plastic cups.
Just like many other major Spanish cities, Sevilla has a beautiful cathedral. Who would have thought I would become sick of seeing these masterpieces! Unfortunately, we've seen so many at this point, its difficult for me to differentiate.
We also got to see a really beautiful place called "reales alcazares" which was effectively giant gardens which we got to walk through. It was a perfect day and we all loved the oppurtunity to be outside in the sunshine!
That concludes my Spring Break. I think those 2 and a half weeks will be one of the most memorable aspects of my 3 months here. Its amazing to think I only have about 3 and a half weeks left in Spain. I feel in some ways like that isn't enough time to do anything...but then on the other hand, I feel very anxious to be home in America with family and friends. Living in another city, country, culture is still sort of hard to wrap my head around. I hope to be able to reflect more eloquently on my time here once it is all over.
Besos!
Lindsay
We arrived in Sevilla friday afternoon (my 21st birthday!) and had a lovely dinner all together as a group. My good friend David Greenslade is currently studying in Sevilla, and he promised to show me and some of my friends where he and his study-abroad friends go out for a good time. Sevilla has a somewhat similar feel to Salamanca; it was young, a big city with an approachable feel, and sort of hip. He took us around and it was wonderful to catch up with him, although I have to say that my birthday didn't feel quite as exciting or as celebrated as I hoped it would. Alas, 21 doesn't have the same significance in Spain, I suppose. Regardless, I had a great time discovering Sevilla nightlife with David, chatting about bullfights and nostalgia over huge Mojitos in clear plastic cups.
Just like many other major Spanish cities, Sevilla has a beautiful cathedral. Who would have thought I would become sick of seeing these masterpieces! Unfortunately, we've seen so many at this point, its difficult for me to differentiate.
We also got to see a really beautiful place called "reales alcazares" which was effectively giant gardens which we got to walk through. It was a perfect day and we all loved the oppurtunity to be outside in the sunshine!
That concludes my Spring Break. I think those 2 and a half weeks will be one of the most memorable aspects of my 3 months here. Its amazing to think I only have about 3 and a half weeks left in Spain. I feel in some ways like that isn't enough time to do anything...but then on the other hand, I feel very anxious to be home in America with family and friends. Living in another city, country, culture is still sort of hard to wrap my head around. I hope to be able to reflect more eloquently on my time here once it is all over.
Besos!
Lindsay
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Part II: Andalucia
I now feel prepared to continue recounting my amazing spring break adventures for all of you, and hopefully you'll be willing to stick with me through what may become a blog post of epic proportions.
After a late night bus trip back from Malaga that yielded me a mere 5 hours of sleep...we got on ANOTHER bus back down to Andalucia, a southern region of Spain.
Granada
Granada was our first stop on the 5 day trip, and I think it has proved to be one of my favorites. The Andalucian region was the last Arab stronghold to be taken over by Ferdinand and Isabel and their oh so benevolent christian intentions. As such, the Arabic/Muslim influence is extremely perceptible, especially in the arquitecture. We got to see a beautiful palace called La Alhambra, a masterpiece that is in contention to be added to the 7 modern wonders of the world. (is 8? or 7? I can't remember). Regardless, The palace was so interesting because from the outside..its nothing special at all. The cool thing about arabic buildings is that they are built on the idea that what is inside should be beautiful, while what is outside should be plain. Therefore, the inside of the "Mezquita" is decorated very ornately, with arabic-influenced motifs all over the walls, and the most spectacular gardens and fountains you're likely to see.
We also got to check out a "Barrio" (neighborhood) that is a really cool manifestation of the middle-eastern influence in this city. Its a winding, uphill, stone street lined with vendors selling hookahs, jewelry, sandals, dresses...everything! Walking up the hill you pass at least 4 or 5 hookah bar/cafes...where people are sitting and chatting, the perfect example of the Spanish/Arabic mix, drinking cafe con leche in between puffs from the hookah.
Cordoba
We only took a day trip to Cordoba, but it was nonetheless very impressive. Every single one of the bigger cities in Andalucia boasts a beautiful Mezquita (Mosque), and Cordoba was no different. Everything was beautifully crafted and uniquely designed. This city had a feeling totally distinct from what we've seen so far in central Spain
More on Sevilla in a few days...I am unfortunately on my way out the door for class!
Amor para siempre,
Lindsay
After a late night bus trip back from Malaga that yielded me a mere 5 hours of sleep...we got on ANOTHER bus back down to Andalucia, a southern region of Spain.
Granada
Granada was our first stop on the 5 day trip, and I think it has proved to be one of my favorites. The Andalucian region was the last Arab stronghold to be taken over by Ferdinand and Isabel and their oh so benevolent christian intentions. As such, the Arabic/Muslim influence is extremely perceptible, especially in the arquitecture. We got to see a beautiful palace called La Alhambra, a masterpiece that is in contention to be added to the 7 modern wonders of the world. (is 8? or 7? I can't remember). Regardless, The palace was so interesting because from the outside..its nothing special at all. The cool thing about arabic buildings is that they are built on the idea that what is inside should be beautiful, while what is outside should be plain. Therefore, the inside of the "Mezquita" is decorated very ornately, with arabic-influenced motifs all over the walls, and the most spectacular gardens and fountains you're likely to see.
We also got to check out a "Barrio" (neighborhood) that is a really cool manifestation of the middle-eastern influence in this city. Its a winding, uphill, stone street lined with vendors selling hookahs, jewelry, sandals, dresses...everything! Walking up the hill you pass at least 4 or 5 hookah bar/cafes...where people are sitting and chatting, the perfect example of the Spanish/Arabic mix, drinking cafe con leche in between puffs from the hookah.
Cordoba
We only took a day trip to Cordoba, but it was nonetheless very impressive. Every single one of the bigger cities in Andalucia boasts a beautiful Mezquita (Mosque), and Cordoba was no different. Everything was beautifully crafted and uniquely designed. This city had a feeling totally distinct from what we've seen so far in central Spain
More on Sevilla in a few days...I am unfortunately on my way out the door for class!
Amor para siempre,
Lindsay
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