The Aqueduct and Alcazar castle...segovia (director perspective)

After El Escorial we visited Segovia. We were amazed at the Roman Aqueduct that is still standing some 2000 years later...

Also visited the alcazar castle, castle they believe to be built on Roman ruins but has been there for nearly 1000 years. I was disappointed we couldn't climb to the top as I was hoping to do my best Monty Python and the holy grail impersonation, especially since we realized Murcia is in the south of Spain...(he could grip it by the husks...) we couldn't decide which kids to dispose of in the moat, so we kept them all...it was tempting though...but only for students that leave their tuba mouthpieces at home or their passports on the airplane... (Ahem...)

I can say I've started trying to speak in Spanish even more and I know many of the students have as well. The students are beginning to gain a lot of confidence in their ability to get around and communicate, it's been fun to watch...

The Monastery...a student perspective

Today, we went to the monastery in El Escorial. The monastery is filled with beautiful paintings and architecture!!  This 500 year-old building was built after Saint Lawrence who was burned on a grill. All over the monastery, there are pictures of grills that represent St. Lawrence. Under the church, the tombs of the past kings and queens were placed in an all marble room. Phillip the Second was the one who had the idea to create the room for all the tombs. Everything, such as the tomb and the king's room leads to the church. In the middle of the beautiful and complex church was a painting of St. Lawrence being burned on a grill. Our guide told us that if the monastery was to be turned upside down, the building would look like a grill. Overall, we thought that the monastery was absolutely beautiful and intriguing!

Adios!

~Sarah Schnecker and Allie Mitchell

El Escorial.....student perspective

Today we saw the monastery, which monks practice in. The building itself was swarmed with beautiful archeticture along the walls and ceilings. The amount of history was overwhelming in the presence of the monastery. The main attraction was the astounding murals painted on the ceilings. Our necks were aching by the end of the tour. The 5 enormous organs were truly a sight to behold; it was unfortunate we were unable to hear them. Along with the murals, the tombs were interesting... Interesting to be surrounded by deceased royalty. I recommend being comfortable with the Spanish language before coming to Spain. Though ordering may be difficult, the food is delicious and typically healthier than American food. 

Elisa and Ian

¡Food! A student perspective...

¡Hola Chicos and Chicas! This is Amy Jurczak. So Thompson handed me his iPad and said blog so here I am. One thing that I thought was really interesting about the trip so far has been the food. My first meal in Madrid was at a small sandwich shop called Rodilla. I got a "bacon huevo" and "agua mineral" (which is a bacon and egg sandwich and water for you non Spanish speakers). It only cost about 2€ which was amazing considering I spend about $6 on a Jimmy John's sandwich. 

That next morning when I went to breakfast, I was surprised to see an array of breakfast items, including sliced meat, sliced cheeses, quiche and pastries. My favorite item at breakfast has to be the Neapolitan Pastry, which is basically like a crossiant with chocolate in the middle. No joke, I've had about 15 of them this whole trip, but it's simple enough to understand why I love them so much. Weirder foods at breakfast include warm milk (if you don't get there fast enough) and cookies. I love Madrid breakfasts. 

For dinners, we have experienced the ultimate in European eating. One dinner that comes to mind is the dinner we had next to the "football" stadium. First we were served bread, which was hard as rocks but still delicious. About 15 minutes after sitting we were served two bowls of salad that one person could probably eat by themselves. I turned to the person next to me and I said, "Are we supposed to share that?" Followed by a "Yeah Amy it's Tapas". Gotcha. 15 minutes after that, we were served chicken strips and BBQ sauce, which to me was pretty American but still delicious. Maybe 20 minutes after that we had these potato breaded things, followed by our main dish of chicken, then finished by a vanilla tasting mousse that was very very very tart. Long story short, it felt like it took two hours to eat our meal because we had so much time in between. I liked it and enjoyed the experience. 

So, if you take anything away from my blog, it's that food here in Spain is, well, a new experience that is well worth a try. 

Addendum from mr. Thompson:

Many students have also experience churro  sand chocolate... It a cross between hot chocolate and semi sweet chocolate pudding. Very tasty....I had my first this evening...

Day 4...Palacio Royale and free day

This morning began pretty abruptly for me...woke up 25 minutes before we had to leave...the phone went dead, so no alarm. It was nice to get my first good sleep though since we left. I was operating on 2 hours of sleep in the prior 48 hours...

More importantly...

Today we spent visiting the royal palace. With our outstanding guides we learned some of the history of the monarchy, especially the large Noses of the Hapsburgs from too much marrying of relatives and the rule of the Bourbons. We also learned that, unfortunately much the problems, and war that has plagued the Spanish was because of the poor rule of the Monarchy...

Afterward we broke the students into groups based on who they wanted to tour Madrid with. I haven't heard all of the stories yet, but we visited the main palace of Madrid which was only finished in the last 20 years..very pretty.

We also ate in the Mercado de San Miguel and the headed to the Museo Reina Sofia. The main art museum where Picassos masterpiece Guernica is displayed along with works by Miro, Dali and many others. While I know some students got into this way more than others, it is neat hearing the stories of students that have studied the painting in their Spanish classes.most students visited without guidance, so it was a littl much for them, as it can be overwhelming. 

We then visited Retiro Park, so the crystal palace there, but the weather had really empied the place out. It was still a nice walk back to the hotel for some siesta before dinner.

I hope to add another student perspective tonight.

Tonight...dinner in the hotel and a relaxing evening, tomorrow...Segovia, el Escorial ad the valley of the fallen, followed by Flamenco Dancing.

Waiting to enter the palace.

#selfie at the Reina Sophia Museum

Outside reina sopia...

El Rey de Los Tour Guides...a student traveler perspective

Chicos...Chicas...In the city of Toledo a legend was born. This is the story of that man, but he was not just any man, he was a man defined by incredible facial hair, striking majesty, outstanding fashion sense, and a voice that could soothe the most savage of beasts. This is the story of Rufo. Words alone are not enough to fully encompass the sheer magnitude of his greatness, and so this story shall be brief. The "Most Interesting Man in the World" himself would simply be in complete and utter awe at how inferior he was in contrast to this man. Never in human history has there been as incredible a tour guide as Rufo. No other guide has ever been capable of making a two hour tour feel like it was too short. The members of tour group 1 extend their thanks to this most glorious of tour guides, and their solemn apologies to those who did not have Rufo as their guide. Vamanos...

---the students of the back of bus #1

Day 3...Toledo

Today we spent the day at Toledo. I don't have any pictures or video of the performances in Toledo, though much was taken and I'm sure will be shared elsewhere. We then went and ate, followed by a walking tour of the town.  Students were introduced to el Greco who they will see much more of tomorrow at the Prado museum.  Tonight we are heading to the Bernebeau stadium where we will eat and at least be able to see the "pitch".

We also visited a damasquinado factory where they demonstrated the art of sword making and inlaid steel both very unique and very "toledian"