2/2/13

We made it back home to Alcala today. This week we traveled around the southern region of Spain, Andalucia. On Tuesday we left from the Knapp’s house bright and early. I was pleasantly surprised with how fun the bus ride was, and how it didn’t seem like it was 5 days long. We made a stop in a town called Trujillo and climbed up around an old castle that was way pretty, and it was super green around it. It reminded me of Scotland and how I think it would look there, considering I’ve never actually been there. The next stop we made was in a town called Merida. We had a guide that took us to the ancient Roman ruins and museum so that was a lot of fun to go do and see. Our final destination for that day was Sevilla and when we got there we went and explored the city. We walked through different plazas and shops and stuff it was fun. I really liked it, the city was way chill and it didn’t seem like there were many tourists at all so that was nice. We also passed this park where there were a ton of roller bladers that did tricks up and down this line of cones so that was a lot of fun to see!

Wednesday morning we had a bus tour of Sevilla and we were able to see more of the beautiful city. After that our tour guide showed us a museum of travellers, because Sevilla is the port Columbus, Magellan and all the other famous explorers sailed from. After that we went to the Cathedral, which is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world! It really was huge. It was beautiful inside though as well. After that a few other girls and I took a horse drawn carriage ride around the town. I absolutely loved it! It was so fun, and I loved seeing the city more. While we were in the park by the Plaza de Espana this homeless man playing his guitar started playing and walking next to the carriage, and he would not leave. When our driver started picking up the pace the man just started running and panting to keep up! It was so uncomfortable and he finally left after we paid him. It was so funny though because it was just awkward and funny too seeing him chase after us singing and playing his guitar. That night we all went to a Flamenco bar! I loved it:] We got drinks and then the show consisted of this group doing many different types of Flamenco. There were group numbers, partner work, solos, percussive footwork, scarves, and fans and pretty dresses. It was so fun to watch I loved it! After dinner we went to a restaurant that was made out of an old Arabian Bathhouse. It was delicious, really pretty, and a lot of fun so that was great.

On Thursday we went to Cordoba. Our stop before Cordoba was at this restored castle that we were able to walk up to and go inside! It was a lot of fun going into the different rooms and areas of the castle. It was so fun exploring and learning more about the castle. After that we got to Cordoba and checked into our beautiful hotel right next to the Mezquita.  We grabbed some lunch in a café by the hotel before we met with our tour guide who showed us around the Mezquita. It was fun going inside to see the famous arches of Cordoba that I had learned about my last semester in Art History so that was really cool for me. After the Mezquita we walked around town and our tour guide showed us the Jewish quarters and a synagogue there. Then we walked to their main plaza and found a great fruit stand where we all bought a ton of delicious oranges that were cheap too! That evening we walked around the town more and got some frozen yogurt that was yummy. Reminded me of being home eating that frozen yogurt :] Then we came back to the hotel and played some cards before we had a dance party in the room. It was a lot of fun, and our director’s son who is 12 years old has unlimited energy and can dance! Haha So that was fun.

We got to Granada on Friday. When we got there we walked up the mountain (or hill as we would call it in Colorado) to an open market at the top. It was a beautiful walk up there. And I ran into some people that are going to school at CU! One of the guys was wearing a shirt that said Colorado on the back so I went and talked with them and they are here studying too. It was so fun running into them. I just love Colorado so much:] At the market I got some more delicious oranges. After that we went to go meet our tour guide to show us the Alhombra.  It was a big complex of Arabic/Muslim palaces and living quarters and towers and it was huge. The gardens were my favorite part, they were so beautiful. When we got back to the hotel we went to go get some dinner in town then came back because Landon, the directors’ son wanted to have another dance party. So we moved the beds, made a playlist and everything and we had another little dance party. It was a lot of fun having everyone there. Everyone in our group is so fun I love them all! It seriously has been so great being here with them I am loving it!