Spanish Food

When coming to Spain, be ready for an incredible culinary experience. Spain has so much to offer in it's cuisine as each region of Spain has it's own local specialties. A menu in Andalucia would look entirely different than a menu in Galicia. The diet in Spain is much different than in the United States. I think it is safe to say it is much heathier as well.

Olive oil is used in most cooking and it is also a substitute for butter on bread. To be perfectly honest, Spaniards don't find many foods unworthy of a little olive oil to add some extra flavor. Olive oil is a staple of Spain and they pride themselves on having the best olive oil in the world. Any trip by bus or train to the countryside would give evidence to the many olive oil groves in Spain.

You can expect to find beans and legumes (garbanzo beans and lentils especially) in many Spanish dishes, especially soups. Another common dish is garbanzo beans and spinach which is often served as a tapa.

Another Spanish staple that is viewed with great pride is Jamon Serrano. Essentially, it is just smoked ham and is usually served on bread with olive oil. In most tapas bars the pig legs are actually hanging from the ceiling.

Great pride is also taken in the wine of Spain. Wine can be found at very reasonable prices. The region Rioja is typically a mark on quality as it is one of the better wine regions in Spain. You can get a nice bottle of wine from this region for less than 3 euro.

A major difference of Spanish meals is the time they're served. Lunch is typically served around 2:30 and dinner never begins earlier than 9:00. Tapas function both as an in-between-meal snack or a full mean in itself. On the weekends, many Spaniards go out for tapas as late as 11 at night before heading out to the bars. Breakfast is not an important meal in Spain. Most Spaniards have coffee and toast for breakfast at a bar (yes, bars double as cafes and restaurants during the daytime) on the way to work.

Camino de Santiago

Next week, I will embark on a pilgrimage across 120km of northern Spain called Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James). The entire length of the pilgrimage is actually about 780 km and would take at least a month. Because I am short on time and money my plan is to experience the final leg of the pilgrimage in five days.

The Camino de Santiago began in the medieval ages when the remains of Santiago (St. James) were allegedly discovered in the town of Compestela. According to the legend, his remains were carried by a boat guided by angels from Jerusalem to Northern Spain where they came to rest in Compestela. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people from across Europe began making the journey to Compestela to see the remains. Because of this religious pilgrimage, the economy of northern Spain exploded as it became more and more populated. After over 1000 years, the Camino is still a religious pilgrimage experienced by many.

If you're interested in doing the Camino, I would recommend stopping by the office in Sevilla. It is located in Triana on San Jacinto 25. Go through the iron gates into the little patio behind and look for Portal 6. Here you will find the office. It is open from 7-9 PM and is run by volunteers who are very informed and willing to help you plan your trip.

If you plan on doing the Camino, plan on doing at least 100 km. By traveling at least 100 km you are able to recieve a certificate which you can have stamped at each church you pass along the camino and more importantly it allows you to stay in albergues. Albergues are essentially hostels which are available to only to pilgrims. These albergues range in quality and price but many are as low as 4 Euro and as high as 10 Euro. This makes the trip very affordable.

You can begin and end the Camino from any location and it can be done any time of year. There is no set time. Some Spaniards I have talked to take a week off each year and do a different segment of the Camino until they have done the entire route.

Our plan is to fly into Santiago de Compestela and then take a bus out to the town of Sarria and then hike back to catch our flight.

If you're interested make sure you check out the office in Triana and also look at the website below. Good luck!

http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the top destinations in Spain for most students studying abroad. There is so much to see that at first the city seems overwhelming. I will try to attempt to narrow down some of the basics.

The sights:

• La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi's architectural masterpiece. This church which began construction over 100 years ago is still not complete. This is a MUST SEE because unlike most other churches which more or less look the same, Gaudi has created a cathedral that is in a league of its own.
• Be sure to walk by Gaudi's other works because his architecture will not disappoint: Casa Batllo, La Pedrera and Park Guell. If you're on a budget, Park Guell is the best free attraction in Barcelona. This park is situated on a hill overlooking the entire city. Make the extra effort to climb the stairs all the way to the top and you'll be rewarded with the best views of the city.
• Get lost walking around in the Barri Gothic and Born neighborhoods. It's pretty incredible what you will stumble upon just wandering around.
• Visit the Pablo Picasso museum. Free on Sundays
• Explore Montjuic. This hill overlooking the ocean has a castle on top, as well as numerous museums and parks. This was also the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics. The Olympic Stadium is free and there is a great museum for only 2.50 Euros. Additionally make sure you finish this excursion by heading to Placa D'Espanya to watch La Font Magica which is a fountain light show timed to music each night.
• Take a stroll down La Rambla, which is a hub of Barcelona with countless street performers, restaurants, and shops.
• Watch the surfers, kite boarders, swimmers, and sunbathers along the beach at Barceloneta. Be sure to stop by Port Olympic where you will find a great variety of restaurants, bars, and discotecas along the beach.

NOTE: Don't forget to watch out for pick pockets. There is no need to be afraid of thieves in Barcelona as long as you exercise caution during your time there. When in large crowds or riding public transportation keep your hands in your pockets and your purses or backpacks in front of you. Simply being aware of your surroundings will send a signal to pick pockets that you are not the easy target they're looking for.

Transportation to Barcelona:
I would recommend booking a flight through Vueling Airlines. This airline is the cheapest and best airline to get anywhere in Spain. Unlike RyanAir, Vueling will fly directly into Barcelona's airport instead of the airports and hour outside of town (Girona and Reus). Be careful when booking your flight to Barcelona because if you fly in to GRO or REU then you will have to catch an hour long bus into town that will cost you about 10 additional Euros. From the Barcelona airport there is a bus that will take your right to the center of town. If you get off at the centrally located Placa de Catalunya, there is a tourist booth where you can get a map and directions to your hotel or hostel.

I find the Catalan culture particular interesting and the views they have of the rest of Spain, as well as the views other Spaniards have of Catalan. Barcelona being a part of Catalan for the most part wants to be considered a separate nation. They are proud of their culture which is very different than other parts of Spain and they even speak a different language. This creates quite a controversy among most Spaniards and they won't be afraid to express their opinions.
Overall, Barcelona is a sight to see. Don't miss it.

Study Spots

Finding a good place to study in Sevilla can be a little frustrating at unless you know where to look. Oddly enough, I think most of us studying here have missed Mary Couts Library at one point or another. I've created a Google map to help aide in finding a place to get some work done. Hope it helps.


View Study Spots in a larger map

Madrid

Madrid is an obvious choice for travel with its vast history, grand plazas, savory restaurants, and thriving night life. A weekend in Madrid will not disappoint.

While it is often more economical to visit sites without a tour guide, Madrid is an exception. A European tour group actually offers daily tours of Madrid free of charge (however tipping is highly encouraged, if not expected). I am normally wary of things that seem to good to be true but this tour is worth your time. Tours last 3.5 hours, however, my tour guide was so enthusiastic about explaining the history of Madrid that the tour actually went for nearly 5 hours. It was worth every minute. Without a tour, many of the sights of Madrid would have gone unnoticed to me without a proper explanation. Here is the website for the tour group.

One sight that is not visited on the tour is Parque del Buen Retiro. Pack a lunch one afternoon and eat in the park as it is easy to spend a couple hours there. Also, for about 5 € you can rent a boat for an hour. Be sure to wander this park as it is one of the biggest and best in all of Europe. On your way out of Parque del Buen Retiro, make sure to visit the Puerta de Alcala which is located at the North West entrance.

Other sites worth seeing include Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, the childhood home of Miguel Cervantes, the Metropolis building and Plaza del Cibeles. There is so much to see in Madrid that a weekend doesn't even begin to do the city justice.

Transportation to Madrid can be done a number of ways. The cheapest is about 40 € by bus. Unfortunately it will take you 6 hours. If you don't mind sleeping on a bus, a great way to be economical is to take the overnight trip which leaves around midnight and arrives the next morning.

There are also two types of train that travel to Madrid. One is high speed and the other is not. Ticket prices range from about 60-80 € but the trip is significantly shorter. The regular train takes about 3 hours while the high speed train arrives in about 2.5.

Ronda

Ronda is easily my favorite pueblo blanco (all the houses are painted white) in Spain. The town is nestled on an enormous gorge overlooking a snaky river. Crossing the gorge is the picturesque Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) which links the old town to the new town.

After checking out the Puente Nuevo, be sure to visit the Casa Don Bosco which is a Adalucian Palace built in the late 19th century. The house itself is incredible but the best part is the gardens in the back which overlook the gorge and make some great photo opportunities.

Another great site to see Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring) which was built in 1785 and is the oldest in Spain. Additionally it is one of the three most important bullfighting rings along with the Real Maestranza in Sevilla and Las Ventas in Madrid. The museum is incredible and showcases paraphernalia from some of Spain's most famous bullfighters like Pedro Romero. It also has photos of some of bullfighting's most famous fans Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles. I found this bullring to have a better tour and museum than the one in Sevilla so be sure to check it out.

Spend the rest of your day simply meandering about the city and exploring it's winding medieval streets that surely won't disappoint. A good place to start your exploring is on the main shopping street Calle Nueva.

Traveling to Ronda can only be done by bus. The bus leaves from Prado San Sebastian Station at the following times: 7:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 17:00. Tickets are only about 15 € round trip.

Granada

Granada is another Jem of Andalucia. I have been told by a tour guide (possibly a slightly biased one) that Granada is the #1 study abroad location for European students in all of Europe. I believe it. If you think Sevilla has a laid back, relaxed, love-life attitude then wait until you see Granada. The city was one of the last strongholds of the Muslims in Spain until around 1492. The remnants of Moorish architecture are everywhere which give the city an almost Moroccan feel. Alhambra sits on a rock ominously overlooking the entire city with the Sierra Nevada mountains as its backdrop. It's a very picturesque town.

The Alhambra is the number one thing you have to see when in Granada. If you're taking a Spanish history class, you will quickly realize that Granada played a significant role in the history of Spain. The Alhambra was the palace and fortress of all the Moorish rulers in Granada when Spain was occupied by the Muslims. It is wise to buy your tickets ahead of time but we bought ours the day of because it was not peak tourist season. Also make sure you check the time on the ticket that you buy. Each ticket has a specified time you are allowed to enter the main palace of the Alhambra and if you miss the time, you're out of luck. Once inside the Alhambra you could easily spend half a day meandering around the many palaces and gardens. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to explore the Granada at your leisure.

Another great area to explore in Granada is the Albaicin, which is the old Arab quarter of Granada. Here you will find a great deal of Moroccan and Arabic influenced shops selling all sorts of rugs, blankets, and trinkets. Also there are many restaurants with great Arabic food and tea. Most have dim lighting with Arabic light fixtures and low tables with seating on floor pillows. At sunset climb to the highest point in the Albaicin and find any of the plazas situated there. The sunset is breathtaking with the Alhambra and Sierra Nevadas in the background. These plazas are also often accompanied by some authentic flamenco music played by locals.

If you have time, a quick visit up the the Sierra Nevada Mountains is worth your time. There is a bus that runs from the bus station to the mountains a few times a day. Check the schedule and don't get stuck on top of the mountain for the night. Once on the mountain there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore as well as great views and even a little skiing or sledding if you're feeling brave.

And finally, make sure to head out to a tapas restaurant before you leave because Granada is known for it's free tapas. Granada is actually one of the last places in Spain to still offer a free tapa with your drink. Nearly every bar you go to will offer your a free tapa of some sort with your drink. A college student's paradise.

Transportation to and from Granada can be done by bus or by train. Both are similar and price and duration so it's up to you. The advantage of taking a bus is that the bus station is much easier to get to in Sevilla than the train station. Either way, the trip should take around 3 hours.

Semana Santa

The week of Semana Santa has just passed and after hearing many people give advice on what to do and not to do during the week, I wanted to shed my own light on the subject.

Prior to the week, I heard a number of opinions from locals and foreigners on the topic of Semana Santa. For example:

• "The way we celebrate holy week in Sevilla is amazing and facinating and you don't want to miss it." -my Spanish professor
  
• "Semana Santa is fun but once you've seen one paso, they all pretty much look the same after that so you really only need to be there for one day." -A local tour group coordinator explaining why I should pay to go on his week-long trip instead of see Semana Santa.
• "Semana Santa is touristy. Only foreigners come in to see it and all the locals hate the crowds and take vacations to other places for the week." -a student at UPO.

In my opinion, first statement is most accurate however the second and third statements also hold some truth. Semana Santa is a time in Seville that you don't miss. What I like about Semana Santa is that it isn't as commercialized as many American holidays and it maintains a religious tone that keeps consistent with the real meaning of the holiday.

While it is true that many of the processions look the same, I disagree that it is enough to just see one procession. Especially on the night of Madrugada (Thursday night and into the early morning of Good Friday) the atmosphere in Sevilla is electric. Imagine the streets packed at 4 in the morning as if it were New Years Eve in New York City, but instead of a drunken mess, it is a crowd of people of all ages (7 year olds to 70 year olds) waiting eagerly to see some of the most famous processions in Sevilla pass by. Incredible.

Since the best floats and the best atmosphere of Semana Santa can be found late Thursday night and into the morning of Good Friday (Madrugada), I would recommend returning from any trips prior to this night if you want to see the processions at their best. In fact returning Wednesday so you can get a good night of sleep is even better.

It is a good idea to pick up a schedule at a local kiosk and plan out which processions you would like to see. The time each procession arrives at each street is scheduled to the minute and the schedule is followed very precisely (unlike most other things in Spain). It is best to simply ask locals which processions are the best to see on any given day. From what I have found the most famous processions to see during Madrugada are:

• El Silencio - The oldest procession which proceeds in complete silence and in complete darkness
  
• El Gran Poder
• La Macarena - One of the more lively processions and also one of the largest and longest
• Esperanza de Triana - My personal favorite with great views from the Triana bridge

Overall, Semana Santa is an incredible event that has been my favorite memory of Sevilla so far. Even if you aren't religious the event is still worth seeing. The buzz and excitement in the air is unlike any event I've ever attended. Make sure you take advantage of this incredible opportunity to see the culture of Sevilla at its finest.

Teaching English

Teaching English as a second language is a great way to gain another perspective on language learning. In Spain, there is a huge demand for native English speakers to teach not only in schools but private lessons as well. I have spent the semester volunteering my time at a local elementary school teaching 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and the experience has been really rewarding. The kids are so enthusiastic about meeting and learning from someone from another country. On the first day I spent the whole first hour answering their questions about what my life was like in the US. They were pretty surprised that I actually like the same things they did as they asked me things like "Do you like basketball?"

My usual lesson plan consists of teaching the students some new vocabulary each week and then playing some sort of game with them. A few examples of daily lesson plans that have proved to be effective for me include:

• Simon Say is a really easy game to play because the vocabulary is easy to teach. Students can simply point to parts of their body to ask for new vocabulary. While this game seems pretty juvenile, even the 5th graders loved it because they get very competitive.
• The fly swatter game is the stand out favorite of all my classes. I went to a local Chino (a inexpensive bazaar typically run by Asians, thus in Spain they are called "Chinos") near my house and purchased two fly swatters. Then you simply write vocabulary words on the board in English. Two players come up to the board and I say a word and Spanish and the first student to slap the English word with the fly swatter wins.
• Another game that is fun to play requires a small soft ball or some sort that is easy to toss around the room without breaking anything. Next I select a topic (clothing, food, animals, school supplies, etc) and the person must say a word that fits the topic and then throw the ball to another student. If you drop the ball, repeat a word, or can't think of a new word, then you must sit down.
• Near Easter I took some time with my older students to talk about what Semana Santa is like in Sevilla and how that differs from the Easter holiday in the United States. I found it really fun to explain to them holidays like Thanksgiving and the 4th of July as well since most of them had never heard of these holidays.

For a list of more ideas in planning lesson plans for teaching ESL, I have found a very helpful website for ideas. http://www.eslkidstuff.com/Classroomgamesframe.htm

My experience teaching English has been one of the highlights of my experience in Spain. It's exciting to see such young kids have such and enthusiasm for learning a new language. I would recommend to anyone studying abroad in Spain to try volunteering at a local school once a week. My vocabulary has greatly expanded because as I teach the students new English vocabulary, I must learn the Spanish equivalents. In addition, I have learned so much from my students about the culture in Sevilla. For example, my teachers and students gave me a list of the best beaches in Andalucia, and a list of good tapas restaurants to take my family, and a complete explanation of how to best experience Semana Santa and Feria de Abril.