Archive for April, 2009
Day Trip To Cordoba
Since Cordoba is literally 40 minutes from Sevilla, I figured I’d take a day and go see the famous Mesquita/Catedral (mosque/cathedral), the Synagogue (one of only three left in Spain) and its other historical monuments. Cordoba is a rather interesting town, it’s river looks like a reflection of sand, but it has a cute little streets and a beautiful royal garden…very old, just how I like Spain!
I think after seeing at least 50 cathedrals, I am over the awe factor. Cordoba’s mosque was really nice but the Alhambra in Granada was WAY better.
pics below, enjoy!
Add comment April 26, 2009
Spring Break: Ibiza, Palma Mallorca, and Valencia
The university system in Spain is weird. We have a week break for Holy Week aka Semana Santa and another week break for Feria, a Spanish cultural festival. So for our first break for Holy Week, Tammy and I decided we would finally go to Valencia and its islands of Ibiza and Palma Mallorca off the east coast. Valencia was the one place that was recommended to me by all my friends that studied abroad in Spain and in my opionion it is my favorite city other than Sevilla (I still love my little town and am SO glad I moved).
The islands were relaxing of course, nice beaches, cool yachts, the usual…but Valencia was just great. The old buildings, the new futuristic aquarium and facilities, plus the awesome park African dance performance, I was in culture heaven.
I enjoyed myself though and if I had to pick one city other than Sevilla to check out, it would be Valencia hands down. Greece is next for our Feria break, pics of Ibiza, Palma Mallorca, and Valencia below!
Add comment April 26, 2009
Barcelona: Great Culture Experience, Overrated City
So after a thousand movies, books and films that romanticize the city of Barcelona, I arrived and was like HUH???? The city is a splitting image of New York City, which was such a disappointment because I was expecting to see more small old streets with winding passage ways and black gated balconies, but perhaps maybe I watch too much tv. Since my expectations were so high, after touring the city I was kind of confused, but I have to say the region of Catalunya as a whole (the region in which Barcelona is located) is BEAUTIFUL. Catalunya is engulfed by mountains and small villages with Barcelona being the city of its center. Thanks to Tammy’s uncle we got the chance to stay with one of his business clients whose family goes back generations living in Catalunya, hence he knew all of the less visited tourist spots that he thought we’d love to see, and we LOVED it.
We visited the Montserrat, the oldest school of music in Europe (perhaps the most prestigious) and its gorgeous cathedral. Interestingly enough, two of his nephews are attending school there and just to give you an idea, approximately 50 students (its a boys only school) are accepted into the school and it ranges from ages 10 to 14 across various grades. His family was probably the most interesting part of my trip. Between meeting all of his musical genius nephews, nieces, and sisters to talking with his parents about their FIRST HAND experiences with Spain’s Franco era, I couldn’t have had a better time or more culturally enlightening experience. And of course, all the hospitality/accomodations were free and we got a ton of free dinners, lol, student bliss.
Anyway, he also took us to Nuria, which is this awesome ski resort up in the mountains. It was SNOWING!!!! How cool, I drank fresh mountain water from a rock (thought of you Uncle Bruce and your hatred of bottle water lol) and then played in the snow like I was 8 again.
In all, the trip was amazing, but recommendations to all who are planning to travel to the region, spend a day in Barcelona and AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS.
Pics are below, love ya!
1 comment April 26, 2009
