tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67753971817599506622024-02-02T13:00:56.385-08:00Melanie's Spain Study AbroadMelanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-91742651574723084632016-04-28T10:37:00.001-07:002016-04-28T10:37:41.175-07:00An Adiós or Maybe Hasta Luego<span style="font-size: large;">I now have only two days left in Valencia. I have finished my final exams, and I was assured that I got good grades. Yesterday I did not have any finals so I decided to take the day off of studying in order to go to the aquarium, or it's official name, the Oceanogr</span><span style="font-size: large;">àfic. It is the largest aquarium of this type in Europe. It took me about three hours (with going to two dolphin shows) to get through the whole thing. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFX49K_z5m9igXLZTC9h8GCa8r45SWbXOUDHymnpBxcwitXvE7UQpXbAi6A-Sp0vRNODg0BKwKovfcGni3_f0vVHkKBI7fIgtlsbOCbLbZ4rBLMrfUDu473Tq3zBMp8iJTMQQaiy7-4vk/s1600/DSCN2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFX49K_z5m9igXLZTC9h8GCa8r45SWbXOUDHymnpBxcwitXvE7UQpXbAi6A-Sp0vRNODg0BKwKovfcGni3_f0vVHkKBI7fIgtlsbOCbLbZ4rBLMrfUDu473Tq3zBMp8iJTMQQaiy7-4vk/s640/DSCN2431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWaiEbzZagpboUjmgdAd1euUHVbOXm_BqPBfVEat5EpwcbNn6IVJZXyZIVm1mgG5CW109wL5csqgIY5eoBcWyYYV0xWf_pcDxuNxA8QjmMGed5sIcpRtUaaCoZHuCx0eClTf2sn1NJ26k/s1600/DSCN2437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWaiEbzZagpboUjmgdAd1euUHVbOXm_BqPBfVEat5EpwcbNn6IVJZXyZIVm1mgG5CW109wL5csqgIY5eoBcWyYYV0xWf_pcDxuNxA8QjmMGed5sIcpRtUaaCoZHuCx0eClTf2sn1NJ26k/s640/DSCN2437.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found Dory!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqht5u3Lu5UEi4TbPSSnMkDhHul8l2-P3rAnuIZeA6ASSnb_Q9Gkk3UBHGc8oKTqYTnVrk-BILmWiHxJt_SKPPA9Pxeo8P31Fe1Zk7-Xds3IiHd9jEWLwTlDe71uR6J7bhPz1MT43cMYVG/s1600/DSCN2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqht5u3Lu5UEi4TbPSSnMkDhHul8l2-P3rAnuIZeA6ASSnb_Q9Gkk3UBHGc8oKTqYTnVrk-BILmWiHxJt_SKPPA9Pxeo8P31Fe1Zk7-Xds3IiHd9jEWLwTlDe71uR6J7bhPz1MT43cMYVG/s640/DSCN2438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE8UIXQsgK8CJUUKaoVSJSAtqd8n59cnoLxEv_FlI8g4bPfz1p9dRBoTPP4QdsgYNcgRH6onjb_ThzdJNv_9219IqvnZ5Z2NydMENeTtZveCioKLFk6ibiZzgxpsfZA2kZJDQxrFv47YR/s1600/DSCN2441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE8UIXQsgK8CJUUKaoVSJSAtqd8n59cnoLxEv_FlI8g4bPfz1p9dRBoTPP4QdsgYNcgRH6onjb_ThzdJNv_9219IqvnZ5Z2NydMENeTtZveCioKLFk6ibiZzgxpsfZA2kZJDQxrFv47YR/s640/DSCN2441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also found Nemo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcv4cRI2xRc9CNAfVvPcd2dMxkqUnHuDkSGKfHJwH_99ACHpH8Kh5-nWGD0_rADG5-ouKImT1yiLLCqVwVQdrdbKfslBgQSFxWVXx2F5hSMxA_GQUYTeTW6u7759RId9prNpiOdrfJOM_/s1600/DSCN2448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcv4cRI2xRc9CNAfVvPcd2dMxkqUnHuDkSGKfHJwH_99ACHpH8Kh5-nWGD0_rADG5-ouKImT1yiLLCqVwVQdrdbKfslBgQSFxWVXx2F5hSMxA_GQUYTeTW6u7759RId9prNpiOdrfJOM_/s640/DSCN2448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWG1eHaw8XvSz29kujkt9SXIBtezNsymB4ZcoYfek9ZXdkeYo-8TvdgBmY847nCFjgHaIxCDcul6AVerCyWy5-zSa4s9VSPY-jNX2mMFAdoTTpWuMzeTnzaeYy42ysLhPyCajEBInLlDD/s1600/DSCN2466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWG1eHaw8XvSz29kujkt9SXIBtezNsymB4ZcoYfek9ZXdkeYo-8TvdgBmY847nCFjgHaIxCDcul6AVerCyWy5-zSa4s9VSPY-jNX2mMFAdoTTpWuMzeTnzaeYy42ysLhPyCajEBInLlDD/s640/DSCN2466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eJJOUhHPq4boVkZjfZzlkENJQi4ex1go5rUbJR3Tyfcz5_u2RW7zo1zlnMsES49SCJYJhEG71GsRHY108QMkAfevIpCDAv8EE7XBbxB5iyw8Q9RRyIJDCSu87uGaXsulf46dS5XU82lr/s1600/DSCN2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eJJOUhHPq4boVkZjfZzlkENJQi4ex1go5rUbJR3Tyfcz5_u2RW7zo1zlnMsES49SCJYJhEG71GsRHY108QMkAfevIpCDAv8EE7XBbxB5iyw8Q9RRyIJDCSu87uGaXsulf46dS5XU82lr/s640/DSCN2481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ZOeJf9nnJtrnqD2rxeQHKfupXvOiptotMn7DMDipbDL8jKHO7Z-PzYmjHl8YbqOKrr9jm-jLT3O_nbYygYHxjcR6YCM1awbOp_0uh9fuYBMvbiE6VVoyBqK7bPgxK2ba_AC1-J0Gn2x/s1600/DSCN2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ZOeJf9nnJtrnqD2rxeQHKfupXvOiptotMn7DMDipbDL8jKHO7Z-PzYmjHl8YbqOKrr9jm-jLT3O_nbYygYHxjcR6YCM1awbOp_0uh9fuYBMvbiE6VVoyBqK7bPgxK2ba_AC1-J0Gn2x/s640/DSCN2485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSYXMx433bqPi2rK6dTIemd0T4oX3Sh-8MMCnz7LN8PB86lnE7ywbc0_STY8MoyKXfgQKxO6-ifmS6rmZxKnQZeA7rxlWcvhnraoeaeQXVV2nqhP62l3Z-aC0_POMvKH62av45we2EGTq/s1600/DSCN2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSYXMx433bqPi2rK6dTIemd0T4oX3Sh-8MMCnz7LN8PB86lnE7ywbc0_STY8MoyKXfgQKxO6-ifmS6rmZxKnQZeA7rxlWcvhnraoeaeQXVV2nqhP62l3Z-aC0_POMvKH62av45we2EGTq/s640/DSCN2491.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFckElIM5Ozp7zdXXSUHTJkv9qRrL_Ki-ckbxD7DSWt8uApW5gUWXN3RCxBt2ujE2avYbqBJ0Y4WPCrJd8mktS0-SlbNhFbLGcbPo2ZyjJt_a2YtnQQzlLTr5pSxX-zlzWOMODW9dc7vi/s1600/DSCN2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFckElIM5Ozp7zdXXSUHTJkv9qRrL_Ki-ckbxD7DSWt8uApW5gUWXN3RCxBt2ujE2avYbqBJ0Y4WPCrJd8mktS0-SlbNhFbLGcbPo2ZyjJt_a2YtnQQzlLTr5pSxX-zlzWOMODW9dc7vi/s640/DSCN2494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQqL0azwbbicLTbWS5ZvIDJ0Hr0GgaBXZswgP7D3z7VZNo1Z9v3m9nKPe9eNvDAC0p4Fj1tAFHw9dlOlwPsiaY4LHfhmIwUIU9APsBWuSVNli4nwMKKm4LTeJLutPeLg0OL77NPUjXeFn/s1600/DSCN2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQqL0azwbbicLTbWS5ZvIDJ0Hr0GgaBXZswgP7D3z7VZNo1Z9v3m9nKPe9eNvDAC0p4Fj1tAFHw9dlOlwPsiaY4LHfhmIwUIU9APsBWuSVNli4nwMKKm4LTeJLutPeLg0OL77NPUjXeFn/s640/DSCN2500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beluga Whales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikohyR3t_L5P9yuBCaTPOdWFb9Uj5vmNl4LaCf33pzBK9zFXn9gpZfWXMB-g8V5kZDs2iwO-3vceaA-GSTJ0XUVMJjJsXae0rRdXN2d3KcPw5w_pEyZK7TOogMop4_GsjaRXrjXyheOe8j/s1600/DSCN2505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikohyR3t_L5P9yuBCaTPOdWFb9Uj5vmNl4LaCf33pzBK9zFXn9gpZfWXMB-g8V5kZDs2iwO-3vceaA-GSTJ0XUVMJjJsXae0rRdXN2d3KcPw5w_pEyZK7TOogMop4_GsjaRXrjXyheOe8j/s640/DSCN2505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17rdz_iIvJcCM42VCQHyfzNOJV__203XB5hXH9wAMwDp8VMdA01UZ68VP-fKWXweuAoKuiVJ1bHVMrtOnyQUIp0WYh9YgMjuAqmjJjmQZIIi7F7HECP2mWcv6mQMeb8BGVsdF0X3wBucI/s1600/DSCN2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17rdz_iIvJcCM42VCQHyfzNOJV__203XB5hXH9wAMwDp8VMdA01UZ68VP-fKWXweuAoKuiVJ1bHVMrtOnyQUIp0WYh9YgMjuAqmjJjmQZIIi7F7HECP2mWcv6mQMeb8BGVsdF0X3wBucI/s640/DSCN2511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONVXyC5RPeisABWBd_h4XFn6jTnkakrhFb9mUKS0A_-gCA-QFgZi2ajUQFGWuWwQHDfk28vMHxPynFgptUUmrNi-Clu-q_qIQr0Nt7KHlSXfnzckRB3yaEwI2AsTbpPsnc-tgq_S6aDJl/s1600/DSCN2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONVXyC5RPeisABWBd_h4XFn6jTnkakrhFb9mUKS0A_-gCA-QFgZi2ajUQFGWuWwQHDfk28vMHxPynFgptUUmrNi-Clu-q_qIQr0Nt7KHlSXfnzckRB3yaEwI2AsTbpPsnc-tgq_S6aDJl/s640/DSCN2512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was also my last day of dance classes. I cannot be an happy to be given the opportunity to have danced at the studio, learning both Flamenco and attending a class of Ritmos Latinos (we learned salsa, bachata, and cha cha cha). It was sad when I had to perform the choreography that I was learning in flamenco for the last time. </span> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSZ1iMwPR_5_9KiwaTzE36QEPdoAOFF3aRpf2uyPDDX0m52wH31fh4FHXYqW0g09a81aqHQcrpOPyP8CGHw8TxgXU2jFNDdK8lUe7wBhjlJqyF5PdWNbge4mLzWmJUZ2LP-aEnK-Rfex0/s1600/DSCN2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSZ1iMwPR_5_9KiwaTzE36QEPdoAOFF3aRpf2uyPDDX0m52wH31fh4FHXYqW0g09a81aqHQcrpOPyP8CGHw8TxgXU2jFNDdK8lUe7wBhjlJqyF5PdWNbge4mLzWmJUZ2LP-aEnK-Rfex0/s640/DSCN2526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mar and Rocío</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64-2L-nlAUpBqNkmVOI1929P0U-l3PBsDDIX3GEmG-c9rdLyJUBTczOIOxQXmfBKz4z9SlZ3a_uhtnry3R2V1-_P0J3tqbiqTOwahT4E_QGDX8aOI0428PITA776vKKIaXOtJROLBF5JN/s1600/DSCN2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64-2L-nlAUpBqNkmVOI1929P0U-l3PBsDDIX3GEmG-c9rdLyJUBTczOIOxQXmfBKz4z9SlZ3a_uhtnry3R2V1-_P0J3tqbiqTOwahT4E_QGDX8aOI0428PITA776vKKIaXOtJROLBF5JN/s640/DSCN2532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo and Marta with "the crew"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Today was also our end of the semester party with the school. It was fun because we had tapas, paella, and a good dessert, but at the same time it was very sad because it is the last time that we will all be together, especially with the professors. I now have two days until I have to fly home. It was definitely a great experience and you'll hear from me again when I arrive home. It was sad saying good-bye to everyone that I have become so close to the past four months, but it isn't so sad knowing that I will becoming back to Spain/Valencia to visit on a spring break trip with the university. </span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-63474178219244271602016-04-24T05:55:00.002-07:002016-04-24T05:58:50.896-07:00Last Sunday in Valencia<span style="font-size: large;">This week is my last week in Valencia and today is my last Sunday here because at this time next I will be on my 8 hour flight coming home from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On Sundays, museums are free, so I decided to hit up the Ceramic Museum and climb some towers today. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">First I went to the museum, which is housed in an old
palace that started construction in the 18th century and was finished in
the 19th. The rooms inside are very beautiful and ornate and the
pottery was also cool to see since there was pottery from the first
century all the way up to the 20th. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXp8aj-VGGWRI7C9PuNguUFGQ5SZd0VJ_lKlAWmvGqS_5R10PghCwQfM1jqBmDCLxJtRqk5meZCLzwx6hCNQRAJMfH4UdA3w91tnUCgMunl3uBcr3Z9n9UeHzmDWR6TikFR8qNZ8nR4H3/s1600/DSCN2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXp8aj-VGGWRI7C9PuNguUFGQ5SZd0VJ_lKlAWmvGqS_5R10PghCwQfM1jqBmDCLxJtRqk5meZCLzwx6hCNQRAJMfH4UdA3w91tnUCgMunl3uBcr3Z9n9UeHzmDWR6TikFR8qNZ8nR4H3/s640/DSCN2366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fa<span class="_Tgc">çade of the Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwRxjcyIqFCjJ0qB-VyMgih5T3Gx0TgGl97crTg5muS0W9j7uBar4FKIXWyftV7xEgQR4x-Ly66ZX9DPIQKFgrTJ7b3d-BF9ioPjWF6Hu7TIKPri3nRhSG4T7C3jrCzTp9R3x8rG1_0-v/s1600/DSCN2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwRxjcyIqFCjJ0qB-VyMgih5T3Gx0TgGl97crTg5muS0W9j7uBar4FKIXWyftV7xEgQR4x-Ly66ZX9DPIQKFgrTJ7b3d-BF9ioPjWF6Hu7TIKPri3nRhSG4T7C3jrCzTp9R3x8rG1_0-v/s640/DSCN2331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEBqjP-b78ftiOpHGr2fmal_65p7LBNlluOuMN2gQaxEW4OLBSXzcilDs-NXjLrvsbsO_NsmwJag_A3YjaPfpglHFJJ3LVPunR94yqX3kQ8YYbqZo2ZnrTe_DriXVid8kUjPojUg3QqsT/s1600/DSCN2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEBqjP-b78ftiOpHGr2fmal_65p7LBNlluOuMN2gQaxEW4OLBSXzcilDs-NXjLrvsbsO_NsmwJag_A3YjaPfpglHFJJ3LVPunR94yqX3kQ8YYbqZo2ZnrTe_DriXVid8kUjPojUg3QqsT/s640/DSCN2333.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EGRJCKiY01hh7HcbdrwZgr2X72O6B1GUxpKJYKPjZvAC2f37_h8fUhl7E-uFEzLi2UDsVzK7uXoSMl1n672Uqj1FbgcGXZf8_RK-VfhubMTbGWwoKC62ZR_NlY5vDqk-tg785Nlg_FSH/s1600/DSCN2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EGRJCKiY01hh7HcbdrwZgr2X72O6B1GUxpKJYKPjZvAC2f37_h8fUhl7E-uFEzLi2UDsVzK7uXoSMl1n672Uqj1FbgcGXZf8_RK-VfhubMTbGWwoKC62ZR_NlY5vDqk-tg785Nlg_FSH/s640/DSCN2335.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaH7ZSt71ZqiyQSlP1MT9Y_xlpegziklNBi3d1BE6NJWWIkjfOSZnL-SE-TGy_DtQixCyGrLCp2qYBWvViTX-h_2EMb36NQWhMv3_5t-Z3n6_jYNH5We0bsZ7v9lOw8cMczrGDhtjqurz/s1600/DSCN2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaH7ZSt71ZqiyQSlP1MT9Y_xlpegziklNBi3d1BE6NJWWIkjfOSZnL-SE-TGy_DtQixCyGrLCp2qYBWvViTX-h_2EMb36NQWhMv3_5t-Z3n6_jYNH5We0bsZ7v9lOw8cMczrGDhtjqurz/s640/DSCN2339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpiC5YpW3Qapwb-aMDYyU-ZHnYdHkS7zr72TB4z9D2YlEea3Q_vBqahCNXFpKTAIcgQMTucNOcRFHAxqwP7-0JheEzzg9G95uH1JOlyik8HPvwc9DomcjD92xq1i0f1dqSmIH8_AevwuE/s1600/DSCN2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpiC5YpW3Qapwb-aMDYyU-ZHnYdHkS7zr72TB4z9D2YlEea3Q_vBqahCNXFpKTAIcgQMTucNOcRFHAxqwP7-0JheEzzg9G95uH1JOlyik8HPvwc9DomcjD92xq1i0f1dqSmIH8_AevwuE/s640/DSCN2341.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAwH9vx1GKyNyrE7e3GX3cKebgu2_21vf1PzBlt6hKriiUdZp_pTWs1nlF5kQnEypKgJvkw0dt-NdOdx-UraTuKh5TOMoglzHpcR4bk7MnmnXIBTdYQR_Sz0HWDINfqc7uEFJg6kqyleh/s1600/DSCN2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAwH9vx1GKyNyrE7e3GX3cKebgu2_21vf1PzBlt6hKriiUdZp_pTWs1nlF5kQnEypKgJvkw0dt-NdOdx-UraTuKh5TOMoglzHpcR4bk7MnmnXIBTdYQR_Sz0HWDINfqc7uEFJg6kqyleh/s640/DSCN2344.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvh1WnlZl_e3lsbjFE0IOHDj2SgKTIPVFF8vQ5QfPdx09GdP8rrdVdTZ87kd8dUg1Z2PzdVxWL11E-PSSon8bWampB1rah_xPrbWjBfV9WHB59QqEMOxxPtGLeepiTVg7hdyw95_RskJo/s1600/DSCN2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvh1WnlZl_e3lsbjFE0IOHDj2SgKTIPVFF8vQ5QfPdx09GdP8rrdVdTZ87kd8dUg1Z2PzdVxWL11E-PSSon8bWampB1rah_xPrbWjBfV9WHB59QqEMOxxPtGLeepiTVg7hdyw95_RskJo/s640/DSCN2348.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0kB-7fp-QUWtU9jbEM7qk4dcpy4zhY4zICnLPGBvGEaZVu4WFb8tJ1z5d_ik16VbqrqedEYgoqd9895Lxv66pIGk7gZEWZn9uHE9JGRmafFJipLtk56lB9NW_Con6uoAt5X1aqNyfprp/s1600/DSCN2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0kB-7fp-QUWtU9jbEM7qk4dcpy4zhY4zICnLPGBvGEaZVu4WFb8tJ1z5d_ik16VbqrqedEYgoqd9895Lxv66pIGk7gZEWZn9uHE9JGRmafFJipLtk56lB9NW_Con6uoAt5X1aqNyfprp/s640/DSCN2360.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballroom - my favorite room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> My next adventure took me to the Plaza de Ayuntaminto where I found that there was a flamenca with a live guitarist and singer giving instructions to the passerby of how to dance flamenco. I stayed for a little bit to watch. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I headed up to the Plaza de la Reina to climb the Torre del Micalet, which is the bell tower attached to the cathedral. To get to the top, there are 207 stairs. (What a workout!) Once I arrived to the top, there was a really nice view of the city of Valencia from the mountains to the sea. I was also at the top of the tower for 12 o'clock so I got to hear it ring, and that was really cool. I even took a video but the sound was so loud that my camera did not pick it up. I also heard other church bells ringing, and I was going down the tower, there were some more bells ringing from somewhere in the tower. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When I went back down, there was a demonstration of a kind of acrobatic act where people stand on top of each other, and that's why there are so many people in the Plaza de la Virgen. It was really captivating to watch because the children were the ones on the top, and I would think it would be really scary for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS6Ejpo44iCZccvWdqx1Aj6AtuuFSAlsNdoEp_lqg8g7d3hXosUP_o4272-iPvYXDW1LYgbiRQjATV2hyphenhyphenObc9E95Z9lcknLdStz-53aEL2JIZKXsIEzPvWtXcFRGd1cTl6a6TE4dyjlpD/s1600/DSCN2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS6Ejpo44iCZccvWdqx1Aj6AtuuFSAlsNdoEp_lqg8g7d3hXosUP_o4272-iPvYXDW1LYgbiRQjATV2hyphenhyphenObc9E95Z9lcknLdStz-53aEL2JIZKXsIEzPvWtXcFRGd1cTl6a6TE4dyjlpD/s640/DSCN2374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de Ayuntamiento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60-MjEjhKcY7mV6AXeVRLxY96iraAoTWQ1xpfZxwTjbjCS7puLDzKJ2WCZa7eranVqx0kNn1QRIayggtU4c23gzjECDBbgDA651E0cRlXYeXnAFWChWBnPe3w4V1MWxVUN-q3VAjhyphenhyphenF5c/s1600/DSCN2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60-MjEjhKcY7mV6AXeVRLxY96iraAoTWQ1xpfZxwTjbjCS7puLDzKJ2WCZa7eranVqx0kNn1QRIayggtU4c23gzjECDBbgDA651E0cRlXYeXnAFWChWBnPe3w4V1MWxVUN-q3VAjhyphenhyphenF5c/s640/DSCN2384.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral and Torre del Micalet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsarz9BO0fRoWQr3YmKr6iV2NlOEXqmXBBNw9aR_byGVByN7FFyKCK9r05t-2NinpGJ1hMsAq6O9HJBuaJIz6ZqMRrz5wGsmCrv5WzOxJSA5r9U47K6EndTeauf7JUboWV-aptX7kIhhks/s1600/DSCN2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsarz9BO0fRoWQr3YmKr6iV2NlOEXqmXBBNw9aR_byGVByN7FFyKCK9r05t-2NinpGJ1hMsAq6O9HJBuaJIz6ZqMRrz5wGsmCrv5WzOxJSA5r9U47K6EndTeauf7JUboWV-aptX7kIhhks/s640/DSCN2386.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u2pOFFItVfx7h7egPNV8dLs8tRSEYDM0A8AJY4G9lvAScQqzuGntB02TkJaqgmz3n9flwAE2S1BjP0Nzc_E8zchRRNEglZLYRF2gEQIzyl5i3AGy6deTB1v9GZZ-VSVrxAp4jHOdQwh7/s1600/DSCN2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u2pOFFItVfx7h7egPNV8dLs8tRSEYDM0A8AJY4G9lvAScQqzuGntB02TkJaqgmz3n9flwAE2S1BjP0Nzc_E8zchRRNEglZLYRF2gEQIzyl5i3AGy6deTB1v9GZZ-VSVrxAp4jHOdQwh7/s640/DSCN2391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of mountains and las Torres de Serannos </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaiEd6rCgTgcq7DHNvw4QNnUVApQXSkpndNzHoPwb77bXPyusabfaDJ197_n4q07XRnSl65HReV5KHl-bj4zYPPWIFFOpJzxlmIr7Uut_TvAThi4E4e8ioIbl4K9euhyqTa8dqR-hD2QA/s1600/DSCN2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaiEd6rCgTgcq7DHNvw4QNnUVApQXSkpndNzHoPwb77bXPyusabfaDJ197_n4q07XRnSl65HReV5KHl-bj4zYPPWIFFOpJzxlmIr7Uut_TvAThi4E4e8ioIbl4K9euhyqTa8dqR-hD2QA/s640/DSCN2393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de la Virgen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Yxid_zAUlot2p9GrvBBHpEIMeIHp0FN7poXI3i35SBs9YYw7FecNSaOnbAz5BcGSpdxG2aZGzuw97DvZ06R8hPI2gzdBbBOrdExquHPgSpUqmidcwdfdVAvL15EwDY8TsRfVP5JK0N8A/s1600/DSCN2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Yxid_zAUlot2p9GrvBBHpEIMeIHp0FN7poXI3i35SBs9YYw7FecNSaOnbAz5BcGSpdxG2aZGzuw97DvZ06R8hPI2gzdBbBOrdExquHPgSpUqmidcwdfdVAvL15EwDY8TsRfVP5JK0N8A/s640/DSCN2395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City of Arts & Sciences in the distance and the sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHqWFDuLxlexAG-dQtT9TeEbGbWYu-Oy0uCSCjoSvbdI9bptRoNgOt8-IW2Q6uzRIZM3ORUe7YwGf9plB89PzyM__fmUk8riXQj-GgrgA3SNbds8M-esNfxZHga3hRwoecuArFnxHcGkZ/s1600/DSCN2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHqWFDuLxlexAG-dQtT9TeEbGbWYu-Oy0uCSCjoSvbdI9bptRoNgOt8-IW2Q6uzRIZM3ORUe7YwGf9plB89PzyM__fmUk8riXQj-GgrgA3SNbds8M-esNfxZHga3hRwoecuArFnxHcGkZ/s640/DSCN2397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de la Reina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> You would be wrong if you think that my journey of climbing towers for the day ended there, but I also went to climb up to the top of the Torres de Serranos. I have come to the conclusion that it is human nature to find the highest point of the city to see the view from the top, because every city I went to, we found the highest place, whether it was a mountain or a tower. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmNsBwAT1D0HDh9B6Pw3wPJvv4SD8L1NXrz0dq0b7KxIJcV1BQ6m3bQFqbWtzAwrNxsD01ciDHqjCUmofspeUthMaJ9wLUd0fGl5i_FCdGeaVxs97QwKrHo8zI7vaWpabXh9VTr1wDLJz/s1600/DSCN2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmNsBwAT1D0HDh9B6Pw3wPJvv4SD8L1NXrz0dq0b7KxIJcV1BQ6m3bQFqbWtzAwrNxsD01ciDHqjCUmofspeUthMaJ9wLUd0fGl5i_FCdGeaVxs97QwKrHo8zI7vaWpabXh9VTr1wDLJz/s640/DSCN2426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torres de Serranos - I was up there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam4xPG72Xt7NH_yb4_jsJmc3XHoePHoqPH4LFCm9OoWi0hzjKb6aTA_3JPTuBGjA7bnnyZ6uW3C7L2hOWIrH9-4kTeG_9vR-_R4JHdW8zqJ6lCqz6kFBjPVtlvFUVLCSZDuuueKNOJnK1/s1600/DSCN2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam4xPG72Xt7NH_yb4_jsJmc3XHoePHoqPH4LFCm9OoWi0hzjKb6aTA_3JPTuBGjA7bnnyZ6uW3C7L2hOWIrH9-4kTeG_9vR-_R4JHdW8zqJ6lCqz6kFBjPVtlvFUVLCSZDuuueKNOJnK1/s640/DSCN2403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puente de Serannos from top of towers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dVLBkE__xb_j33zGjGuH6NFr1sf6YeloUCRvrDxwg859afb4fUE44t7KdDvA0II0PQreBDAPt7grj2JQKQGTFsOFRAocya76Ao4dIK5yzIBb-pDse8WQI9QUTBbAtftQ6uDHd6TQ8XXu/s1600/DSCN2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dVLBkE__xb_j33zGjGuH6NFr1sf6YeloUCRvrDxwg859afb4fUE44t7KdDvA0II0PQreBDAPt7grj2JQKQGTFsOFRAocya76Ao4dIK5yzIBb-pDse8WQI9QUTBbAtftQ6uDHd6TQ8XXu/s640/DSCN2408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgqHnLg10SYY2qpSIqhWenUlCuI798HDXeRPsa7RgQ522OI5ZNUxykIFv3SvlnU46rziJIRFdxloc8Vj8h2uKe2LrApzztRYeVaooDfK7MP1izw93uxYk5MuXb0Eb7xrtOPXaECA10YFT/s1600/DSCN2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgqHnLg10SYY2qpSIqhWenUlCuI798HDXeRPsa7RgQ522OI5ZNUxykIFv3SvlnU46rziJIRFdxloc8Vj8h2uKe2LrApzztRYeVaooDfK7MP1izw93uxYk5MuXb0Eb7xrtOPXaECA10YFT/s640/DSCN2407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because this is my last week here, that also includes finals. I have two on Monday (one of which is translation that I don't need to study for), one Tuesday, and one Thursday. On Wednesday I plan to go to the City of Arts and Sciences and go to the aquarium! Friday and Saturday will be my last free days that I have in Valencia before catching a cab at 4:30am Sunday to go to the airport. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll probably do another blog at the end of this week saying how finals went, talking about my trip to the Oceanogràfic, and anything else I do this week. But if not, I will blog when I get home and reflect on my entire study abroad in Valencia, Spain. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have to study for my finals. </span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-21724388352591439602016-04-19T09:39:00.000-07:002016-04-19T09:46:12.016-07:00Final Exams<span style="font-size: large;">With final exams being next week.....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrkHgyFSJB0iD2N5VMIbUWn2VtzZjQAPoOP9d8nYu4kKzVsUGBHedlpmJv-v8Vtt4HpLUxhIsEmj2JjU1uGrwnlu9ohVJoO-YTMigDUVhZ5dZgPo-QcF96CWlZGbJHKREwEQrM0qWiaGq/s1600/b861053d5dc136abe19fd601ec48fa7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrkHgyFSJB0iD2N5VMIbUWn2VtzZjQAPoOP9d8nYu4kKzVsUGBHedlpmJv-v8Vtt4HpLUxhIsEmj2JjU1uGrwnlu9ohVJoO-YTMigDUVhZ5dZgPo-QcF96CWlZGbJHKREwEQrM0qWiaGq/s400/b861053d5dc136abe19fd601ec48fa7b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jHERvCGN-koc2u_xLKNwNS1W8d7Zq81WRh_shc1DsPbI1BHL5VEGYTmrYQhkXwQzZkNs5_pf2m2EgA_IA9ZSXxTuOqiVvLadC3KqPtHCwQQWEqSdJmViYBFWWoIp6Z_PwQCemyz0u9jG/s1600/memes-de-examenes14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jHERvCGN-koc2u_xLKNwNS1W8d7Zq81WRh_shc1DsPbI1BHL5VEGYTmrYQhkXwQzZkNs5_pf2m2EgA_IA9ZSXxTuOqiVvLadC3KqPtHCwQQWEqSdJmViYBFWWoIp6Z_PwQCemyz0u9jG/s640/memes-de-examenes14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68AQKjk_OgTc9KZO91OHJQ_i4T8fMGaBjo-aW9E6B4s-Sg8yryOTMW4lSXflCk8JorlkCg1gxoqYZQWVLFd7YKcUCLC18jU5ksZv8hDARD9i6bGkYDs_Zg0y7lwroRrBWzgCucW3b7C71/s1600/8d04acae13e70c35c1fda76cee1c2591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68AQKjk_OgTc9KZO91OHJQ_i4T8fMGaBjo-aW9E6B4s-Sg8yryOTMW4lSXflCk8JorlkCg1gxoqYZQWVLFd7YKcUCLC18jU5ksZv8hDARD9i6bGkYDs_Zg0y7lwroRrBWzgCucW3b7C71/s640/8d04acae13e70c35c1fda76cee1c2591.jpg" width="432" /></a></span></div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-39886286083161267482016-04-17T04:12:00.002-07:002016-04-17T04:27:37.540-07:00Albarracín and Teruel ~ Cities from the Middle Ages<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was my last excursion provided with the school. We took a day trip to Albarracín and Teruel in the neighboring community of Aragón. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our first stop was Albarracín. This is a city that still maintains its medieval look, which dates back to the twelfth/thirteenth century. I had the opportunity to climb on the wall. There still remains the wall which served as protection of the city. The streets are all really small and narrow which made it really cool to wander through. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoXDyB7xjTWQ8AwFDbvLY2jkXq8kT_6IJII0pwVRv_y9LBQbMwG_HbUw2dbt_DXOhUt1TxuphpJX-28bi_D7VXdWYLLiX5Ty6krGtQZs2q2NS_P_kfndSKBpurujlCKlRDFN0RgbhZJgJ/s1600/DSCN2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoXDyB7xjTWQ8AwFDbvLY2jkXq8kT_6IJII0pwVRv_y9LBQbMwG_HbUw2dbt_DXOhUt1TxuphpJX-28bi_D7VXdWYLLiX5Ty6krGtQZs2q2NS_P_kfndSKBpurujlCKlRDFN0RgbhZJgJ/s640/DSCN2254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDCigrTRfpmSzRX-u20opzWBwE1UBUMnq_HpVmyysiMkmjTPrO91p1wP88GVmQrpqn5hG35cZPfL3UcGX1KVC99knmvFg-reA8ogvsfrvG_kWN8lkTCtUoioOVzFOsbxRuzKKdO2yEPa0/s1600/DSCN2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDCigrTRfpmSzRX-u20opzWBwE1UBUMnq_HpVmyysiMkmjTPrO91p1wP88GVmQrpqn5hG35cZPfL3UcGX1KVC99knmvFg-reA8ogvsfrvG_kWN8lkTCtUoioOVzFOsbxRuzKKdO2yEPa0/s640/DSCN2261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-oJiAspVbAy11a6CiDHUPkImwuh-YSFiCeUXA69zy0pjB8U9xUZKhaYbDI6hSkN3XyUMxwQxlEeGhOQU6IRhAieT08F9VgvpHeoWkfqEIX0WqympaYlFXBfuRRr5EjbRr6RBvPbXTLmW/s1600/DSCN2263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-oJiAspVbAy11a6CiDHUPkImwuh-YSFiCeUXA69zy0pjB8U9xUZKhaYbDI6hSkN3XyUMxwQxlEeGhOQU6IRhAieT08F9VgvpHeoWkfqEIX0WqympaYlFXBfuRRr5EjbRr6RBvPbXTLmW/s640/DSCN2263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtXB011o-9GXpyqb8wytZzGS97_be9qSFUIoiEiqJnMv_F54vGZpiSw36M9gM35PyCOwbHbwyf2iADQg-GJD4hs8DEZVsBOE1vzTMoNmIb5AfQBgA3-Hs4pdqMifXY0qJZYmERSkqdQPZ/s1600/DSCN2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtXB011o-9GXpyqb8wytZzGS97_be9qSFUIoiEiqJnMv_F54vGZpiSw36M9gM35PyCOwbHbwyf2iADQg-GJD4hs8DEZVsBOE1vzTMoNmIb5AfQBgA3-Hs4pdqMifXY0qJZYmERSkqdQPZ/s640/DSCN2265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsVETDqmT-Db15DfZJdlToDp5cBWwLN8B47Edik99s7d6d6wHV3SjWL2PEcaCg4_jin_ZlgMMmqMHcsZJw8hIDb2XN47Z2P-I-5qe3_tgdWqZYZ7yNxtwWjKyVDJsFwiBIMsrEl7-yV_X/s1600/DSCN2279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsVETDqmT-Db15DfZJdlToDp5cBWwLN8B47Edik99s7d6d6wHV3SjWL2PEcaCg4_jin_ZlgMMmqMHcsZJw8hIDb2XN47Z2P-I-5qe3_tgdWqZYZ7yNxtwWjKyVDJsFwiBIMsrEl7-yV_X/s640/DSCN2279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8K_pemY0Djy7zTX5UauLiLiQjmJII3Gw9FrXOvV38NrMHt82QX0DJQ5hOo4gjy4xYr_csmR4AnJJJxIkW_vZz-nU-DlaPopgtQr2lMJSFEgB5QYYIIKFqQTfNUlpPVBx1HVqkD1hJbgz/s1600/DSCN2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8K_pemY0Djy7zTX5UauLiLiQjmJII3Gw9FrXOvV38NrMHt82QX0DJQ5hOo4gjy4xYr_csmR4AnJJJxIkW_vZz-nU-DlaPopgtQr2lMJSFEgB5QYYIIKFqQTfNUlpPVBx1HVqkD1hJbgz/s640/DSCN2296.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxVeRq2h5Jflxw2tv0VaWoX6IZMscGskXWY6RfJj0nzp8n4o3loJrIEYjUA1QXqHCb_eqBEZDkCzUDtp5azIntMXih_D-IbVFgjlo3GqjbhNEUwMBxHI-kvossoUnLdu9xuF6g5NsFhL/s1600/DSCN2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxVeRq2h5Jflxw2tv0VaWoX6IZMscGskXWY6RfJj0nzp8n4o3loJrIEYjUA1QXqHCb_eqBEZDkCzUDtp5azIntMXih_D-IbVFgjlo3GqjbhNEUwMBxHI-kvossoUnLdu9xuF6g5NsFhL/s640/DSCN2298.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The second stop on our itinerary was at Teruel. This city is not too far from Albarracín also located in the community of Aragón. This city dates back to the 12th century, and it was known for having the three main religions at that time all living together (Catholics, Jewish, and Muslims). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is also the city that is known for the los Amantes de Teruel (early 13th century). See story here: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovers_of_Teruel"> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovers_of_Teruel</a>. Inside of the tombs are the mummies which are visible from the sides. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJChlmYUHpN6xkV5bIpy7HSXiMgn7DWYwGsMeS-oHua4_ecR-IsfIQo7bibYY7t8mJ4svrV3GbYREnmUvIDborOxeAPqEJeq-iUk7aI4FxK6Ilh-OswUuw5tOjsaoJZdEWSHCpywklHH53/s1600/DSCN2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJChlmYUHpN6xkV5bIpy7HSXiMgn7DWYwGsMeS-oHua4_ecR-IsfIQo7bibYY7t8mJ4svrV3GbYREnmUvIDborOxeAPqEJeq-iUk7aI4FxK6Ilh-OswUuw5tOjsaoJZdEWSHCpywklHH53/s640/DSCN2306.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4hweeNOvl1gUktzbzJhHENqwf_57awe1JfZjnmCUQLBRoveceCM1VvVIwEsDKSy8uFBslJ1_2CfuwDjNCKGIbt3YxkeYsQlBFieMwU7bDi-qJ2EaYLXNyICKReJdX0hJmD0snthOgqLT/s1600/DSCN2308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4hweeNOvl1gUktzbzJhHENqwf_57awe1JfZjnmCUQLBRoveceCM1VvVIwEsDKSy8uFBslJ1_2CfuwDjNCKGIbt3YxkeYsQlBFieMwU7bDi-qJ2EaYLXNyICKReJdX0hJmD0snthOgqLT/s640/DSCN2308.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbudkmJKTYKeQm9sAjcKLRAinAgwuzM-LLlBsogsmFqSCX8B-euU9vGVfJU7rEj-C37PZy2HeW2Dou0uI4SSZoSJAOctMvrDvVd-VhH1aNvcZ02s6B4M7OLE7RWkSfn1m5poLNeqewhff2/s1600/DSCN2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbudkmJKTYKeQm9sAjcKLRAinAgwuzM-LLlBsogsmFqSCX8B-euU9vGVfJU7rEj-C37PZy2HeW2Dou0uI4SSZoSJAOctMvrDvVd-VhH1aNvcZ02s6B4M7OLE7RWkSfn1m5poLNeqewhff2/s640/DSCN2311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Pedro Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the lovers and the church, we got to see another important monument of the city, which is the tiny bull, or "torico," in a plaza. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Legend has it that when the Christians reconquered the territory of
Teruel in 1171, they sent bulls with burning torches on their horns to
force the Moors out. At the end of the battle, a single bull remained
standing under a star. The Christians thought it was a good sign to
build a city around where it stood." ~<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lori-needleman/spain-teruel-city-of-love_b_1680157.html">Huffington Post</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQkHspyBtYRdVShwQqHVbILrBE0Q8lbdK5ahQ4jJmJOeYctCBDWFb67OttUwV6q5MBpUxgztyDULn9TAIS5wC3yV2tTCRMAX5iw_4jachN_kP1gyTEylAvS3whp7xfiegEZSTFoQ3ph8u/s1600/DSCN2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQkHspyBtYRdVShwQqHVbILrBE0Q8lbdK5ahQ4jJmJOeYctCBDWFb67OttUwV6q5MBpUxgztyDULn9TAIS5wC3yV2tTCRMAX5iw_4jachN_kP1gyTEylAvS3whp7xfiegEZSTFoQ3ph8u/s640/DSCN2320.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlq_XFlA_lkMazQSSGrs5vmi6EfQ396a2D9C4QBAVupb3uZ2PxYHqAE-uYfFnQrmXdoVA2mCLQb1mqCaO4Xrkv89O0OwkSP7gJvGSq1t0NtbJHDLnKx29hsyFiutK9Xx5zcgqEd6kgqux/s1600/DSCN2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlq_XFlA_lkMazQSSGrs5vmi6EfQ396a2D9C4QBAVupb3uZ2PxYHqAE-uYfFnQrmXdoVA2mCLQb1mqCaO4Xrkv89O0OwkSP7gJvGSq1t0NtbJHDLnKx29hsyFiutK9Xx5zcgqEd6kgqux/s640/DSCN2321.JPG" width="480" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iwDZIWotvCGPfI6VXv1roblp73tP_95d6sKpzkXhjL0iOLNb_vNqrjGitptfp0Xr3bLUsPoLIMVX-feREOIpHS6Kyf9OYi3BSv7CXrqJRxOtqG26DtxCmJ6u4mvdRshl47p1PJP1rvQC/s1600/DSCN2330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iwDZIWotvCGPfI6VXv1roblp73tP_95d6sKpzkXhjL0iOLNb_vNqrjGitptfp0Xr3bLUsPoLIMVX-feREOIpHS6Kyf9OYi3BSv7CXrqJRxOtqG26DtxCmJ6u4mvdRshl47p1PJP1rvQC/s640/DSCN2330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument upon entering the city of bull and star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The city is also known for its "mudéjar" art. This is a style of art created by the Moors, and can distinctly be seen in the towers in the city. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5LAkhVfD1Ae9oUn4cQ3ez0htBdHMkCR-3gFA1v7VoTCJzEIL2ak9KoHqTMAq9bwcxSuYm-NGl1SoWHV1TASX4aoH42ltLUkZrJJU5QVUiLNj6NmBMDImJbqxREVa6DsQ7PosDSSXamVD/s1600/DSCN2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5LAkhVfD1Ae9oUn4cQ3ez0htBdHMkCR-3gFA1v7VoTCJzEIL2ak9KoHqTMAq9bwcxSuYm-NGl1SoWHV1TASX4aoH42ltLUkZrJJU5QVUiLNj6NmBMDImJbqxREVa6DsQ7PosDSSXamVD/s640/DSCN2326.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-73608942841530023042016-04-11T06:45:00.001-07:002016-04-11T07:13:35.507-07:00A Girls' Weekend in Mallorca<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend 3 of the girls from my program and I took a trip to a Spanish Balearic Island, Mallorca. I have heard a lot of good things about this island from my dental hygienist because she hosted a student from there, so I figured that I should check it out. The plane ticket was very cheap (around </span><span style="font-size: large;">€50) and we found a very nice hostel that was only a few blocks from the beach. We took a plane out on Thursday after everyone was done with their classes and the flight was only around 30 minutes. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday morning we walked by the beach to get to the bus stop to go to the city of Palma, which was about 30 minutes by public bus. </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQTzJosogZRfXB04zU-3FTkpeI282jz_KVTgc4RsivRnSHqcip35pBF05hkHZO9Y9KWL55GkeJIk4K5EjaMIG7l0p3ZL-2nEGY-89b18NcLbDeJUqmfKoGgJjV9LCVv9KWGKOZqoAhJxW/s1600/DSCN1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQTzJosogZRfXB04zU-3FTkpeI282jz_KVTgc4RsivRnSHqcip35pBF05hkHZO9Y9KWL55GkeJIk4K5EjaMIG7l0p3ZL-2nEGY-89b18NcLbDeJUqmfKoGgJjV9LCVv9KWGKOZqoAhJxW/s640/DSCN1964.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping at the beach before catching the bus into the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> While we were on the bus, it started to rain, but that didn't kill our fun. We were still able to see the cathedral. It was very unique from the outside and the inside also. There were some renovations done on the church and some of the inside was designed by Gaudí, which I thought was pretty cool. (He's the one that did designs for Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and I went to one of his houses when I was in Barcelona.) </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNfY4FE7tmBS1Nwtr-S-rB01YU4xdZhTuxOnXs3CJbjBHPZr_R3ibjeRqSJSXE4d2TmUqn1hMiiEzutIA0dzzCrfGsUk_Fq37NBDSuj6ZfKpotLKhO7gkqfFU7ttLZVq87f3-nBEBnXRi/s1600/DSCN1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNfY4FE7tmBS1Nwtr-S-rB01YU4xdZhTuxOnXs3CJbjBHPZr_R3ibjeRqSJSXE4d2TmUqn1hMiiEzutIA0dzzCrfGsUk_Fq37NBDSuj6ZfKpotLKhO7gkqfFU7ttLZVq87f3-nBEBnXRi/s640/DSCN1986.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main altar with some Gaudí designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3zGu0QyVP-47QJGY-lDqToRmbZB-kuU7_HFoe3P1YW26p1kE1_QZnzOBqwu65wAS9-Wi64IrsfHQzQdnXL_glU9-AUvGatMKa55ImqzVHs00r3N5BjLBQsbaTrBCCaBHl6-kwbY-roTt/s1600/DSCN1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3zGu0QyVP-47QJGY-lDqToRmbZB-kuU7_HFoe3P1YW26p1kE1_QZnzOBqwu65wAS9-Wi64IrsfHQzQdnXL_glU9-AUvGatMKa55ImqzVHs00r3N5BjLBQsbaTrBCCaBHl6-kwbY-roTt/s640/DSCN1984.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side altar designed completely by Gaudí with sea theme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTOnqcCkPIjODiU654DAqW0MNdh8_dAclSSJAiViELKR2P63Gyz0w_ciknaWjclvREWTjLvm6sXpaFeeAnxk2RGVYTaJXBkNQBEGmlwlVhJdr7gPvMPDwTYPqzmdoe5edQl7mt1CxEbhd/s1600/DSCN1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTOnqcCkPIjODiU654DAqW0MNdh8_dAclSSJAiViELKR2P63Gyz0w_ciknaWjclvREWTjLvm6sXpaFeeAnxk2RGVYTaJXBkNQBEGmlwlVhJdr7gPvMPDwTYPqzmdoe5edQl7mt1CxEbhd/s640/DSCN1975.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool stained glass window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the cathedral we walked around the city for a little. We stopped at an art gallery where we saw some cool artworks. After that it was still raining pretty hardly so we decided to go back to the hostel and just hang out there until the rain ceased. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">The rain stopped just before sunset and we headed to the beach. Because of our location on the island, we were able to see the sunset over the sea and the mountains. I cannot express how beautiful this was. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyBGzg2wtqusCgRe-_um1FLCcAE3KLUJaD5mu2A1xzUTp5HBEsEtXZnbqhRg7SJiD7MzPGtSiCSdjXHxNVs5HB6HqwnCPwU2AEdQkXAweKHHZ-jKMOh9PTkl9z67tR_0VTV5iTqD4ryZd/s1600/DSCN2013.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyBGzg2wtqusCgRe-_um1FLCcAE3KLUJaD5mu2A1xzUTp5HBEsEtXZnbqhRg7SJiD7MzPGtSiCSdjXHxNVs5HB6HqwnCPwU2AEdQkXAweKHHZ-jKMOh9PTkl9z67tR_0VTV5iTqD4ryZd/s640/DSCN2013.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBjsYs3qgdOk0LPSqar1Tbl79e51oeKMSeAsps6K2f7wii8Snumftt6pFCFRVVJTc2mLfioxF2-AUIUCV8WlGKt8PndjRDmWg8Nsi_sDcMjd0fkSNhwh86yVVbQwQh4qjYUJfUKZwYaSV/s1600/DSCN2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBjsYs3qgdOk0LPSqar1Tbl79e51oeKMSeAsps6K2f7wii8Snumftt6pFCFRVVJTc2mLfioxF2-AUIUCV8WlGKt8PndjRDmWg8Nsi_sDcMjd0fkSNhwh86yVVbQwQh4qjYUJfUKZwYaSV/s640/DSCN2023.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeFT4awNA_iE5s6kNJQPeX6LFHtPqT2-ZTrI-1IeJYKPiDJDLQSMNEzDrZ0Qmeidy_dA6sKmdMUoCEKo7XpoJcG_NmeRIUqr8womA3KklyBD5GAwt-RM4JyGXGrvui4aL4cUBXeSyHb3K/s1600/DSCN2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeFT4awNA_iE5s6kNJQPeX6LFHtPqT2-ZTrI-1IeJYKPiDJDLQSMNEzDrZ0Qmeidy_dA6sKmdMUoCEKo7XpoJcG_NmeRIUqr8womA3KklyBD5GAwt-RM4JyGXGrvui4aL4cUBXeSyHb3K/s640/DSCN2028.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyaF0_xkWgqcH0qFLk1yVnlawodsjtVKqEVV4UdsNwZQFLKTIWUzM0L5id_0lYOz4q4-BXyKFHdY_R535U1QKxRSdptIYeODLBYIW18zVPl0wByDcdd70N1qvlHL_MEyJEtRqLivPRwS/s1600/DSCN2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyaF0_xkWgqcH0qFLk1yVnlawodsjtVKqEVV4UdsNwZQFLKTIWUzM0L5id_0lYOz4q4-BXyKFHdY_R535U1QKxRSdptIYeODLBYIW18zVPl0wByDcdd70N1qvlHL_MEyJEtRqLivPRwS/s640/DSCN2057.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0fdbNlL_8sp0Z9Nn6MAuAjJaU9wMb-dWZaBxS-q0rwl7g_q5j-S4p-Tt_szHRBOn9SpPJOKq8eLTeP90uGUw1Vy614GWjO74YbFsQO-a4cGTBJ1VOzH2srKRIZPNdiuuPSDbF1t4T9tG/s1600/DSCN2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0fdbNlL_8sp0Z9Nn6MAuAjJaU9wMb-dWZaBxS-q0rwl7g_q5j-S4p-Tt_szHRBOn9SpPJOKq8eLTeP90uGUw1Vy614GWjO74YbFsQO-a4cGTBJ1VOzH2srKRIZPNdiuuPSDbF1t4T9tG/s640/DSCN2063.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr4l2HdSsCeE_9QIFoComqMDNmkQmqnTuUFwYlGlH-HKcEFbFnCil1Q0i05fO2b1G7eaRbaFN6jCYyIrHLRyoP4yYrNyIYsWvNSDFDPMYVeo_5VpZVG0aYHEP4ruBFa8xopGcNW_XSNW3/s1600/DSCN2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr4l2HdSsCeE_9QIFoComqMDNmkQmqnTuUFwYlGlH-HKcEFbFnCil1Q0i05fO2b1G7eaRbaFN6jCYyIrHLRyoP4yYrNyIYsWvNSDFDPMYVeo_5VpZVG0aYHEP4ruBFa8xopGcNW_XSNW3/s640/DSCN2073.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday we decided that we would go to the caves on the island and do a little hiking. In order to do this we had to take a bus into Palma, and then from Palma take another bus that goes across the island to the Caves of Drach. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyFKpq40t3oDGO2R7kg7HNH8-uvpc6jCgk7pfXZRzYRp0kPVrStIXWn5KoqrnLsCBwkTH-SjizCh1Xe8vdewsHT7TM8oKOalkR_-sFZzCHgT5oQ3uOYTdSyUsirzA08PIvYS2j6jh9loO/s1600/DSCN2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyFKpq40t3oDGO2R7kg7HNH8-uvpc6jCgk7pfXZRzYRp0kPVrStIXWn5KoqrnLsCBwkTH-SjizCh1Xe8vdewsHT7TM8oKOalkR_-sFZzCHgT5oQ3uOYTdSyUsirzA08PIvYS2j6jh9loO/s640/DSCN2085.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapped another beach picture on the way to the bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>The bus ride across the island was maybe a little more than an hour and we were at our destination. I didn't know what to expect when we were there. We payed for a tour of the caves and the tour also included a violin concert on the lake in the caves. The concert was very romantic and captivating. Now I can say I've been to a concert on a lake in a cave! After the concert we had to opportunity to cross the lake in a rowboat. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">There were millions of stalactites and stalagmites in the cave which made it very intriguing and awesome. </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cb_sjhzs4sgbzE56ySLMUPK4wz8pIUVKThhyZLs2eVTYuBcHpQ54P940BR59zvMqGxlhm58CWab-aeVDGhKKO1fT2ovdMjsyttbcEu4j_gQS67ezqZZfn18z2zGz0KLC6KtgprB9QPQS/s1600/DSCN2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cb_sjhzs4sgbzE56ySLMUPK4wz8pIUVKThhyZLs2eVTYuBcHpQ54P940BR59zvMqGxlhm58CWab-aeVDGhKKO1fT2ovdMjsyttbcEu4j_gQS67ezqZZfn18z2zGz0KLC6KtgprB9QPQS/s640/DSCN2121.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuevas del Drach (translates to Dragon Caves)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlffcdXZJxXnUtKV049wUFSU40uHOodAXgWgvdxlmaxwIlD3Rhr9ftcuKxbo9TMY-tye_LKcqAM2j8ja3_Abo-kJ4ySZYaFl87VQ8ZsrMrpVvnWtAUisXyDrmXbpmL9Bh8dJ_ObmhLgEdy/s1600/DSCN2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlffcdXZJxXnUtKV049wUFSU40uHOodAXgWgvdxlmaxwIlD3Rhr9ftcuKxbo9TMY-tye_LKcqAM2j8ja3_Abo-kJ4ySZYaFl87VQ8ZsrMrpVvnWtAUisXyDrmXbpmL9Bh8dJ_ObmhLgEdy/s640/DSCN2123.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKHjr6q1wAI5QR9FaIvXv9g5co5qyAwl-ALkHU8K-ENk7gqCrPYzURF8r8cHKG1SbSb5owpFlG6HsPkTU_bWJsN4GPDc3wK3vufnWA5UxlyDwQwuoq6DLMLelv_NWGrGc-xBAkOwolKgy/s1600/DSCN2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKHjr6q1wAI5QR9FaIvXv9g5co5qyAwl-ALkHU8K-ENk7gqCrPYzURF8r8cHKG1SbSb5owpFlG6HsPkTU_bWJsN4GPDc3wK3vufnWA5UxlyDwQwuoq6DLMLelv_NWGrGc-xBAkOwolKgy/s640/DSCN2092.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV71h3IyjJNJqZccBUMYxrW3OqEFpJEo_PhVOs_R9pVkmXEaRpbkQF1azsOoiMidmqocph1hE3yr4hBQon8q5bnJHwum03ZiyQuDmSTveIREdYisMv3G3vgpWLLaeaB38QMmXx0hyphenhyphenWhGq/s1600/DSCN2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV71h3IyjJNJqZccBUMYxrW3OqEFpJEo_PhVOs_R9pVkmXEaRpbkQF1azsOoiMidmqocph1hE3yr4hBQon8q5bnJHwum03ZiyQuDmSTveIREdYisMv3G3vgpWLLaeaB38QMmXx0hyphenhyphenWhGq/s640/DSCN2098.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ8kpRaN0QZUoYZy_Wc7AOrS3Jc4okGLlDgnuT56vpSUw-rHDBbLdaeOMuZWdsvrfyLE9XSOeFMtJgh0TVIUZelG0Et2u2HTvXfI-RfOhAJjjzXMxsJgcMGJYJCB_i4KvHcPQDHNMNLjF/s1600/DSCN2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJ8kpRaN0QZUoYZy_Wc7AOrS3Jc4okGLlDgnuT56vpSUw-rHDBbLdaeOMuZWdsvrfyLE9XSOeFMtJgh0TVIUZelG0Et2u2HTvXfI-RfOhAJjjzXMxsJgcMGJYJCB_i4KvHcPQDHNMNLjF/s640/DSCN2099.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XnS7arBIDHJpLN0jjMvPIx4V-a-D1sQhh6tthzE_FTPenNF5PJB5sG2Q_kYNzPbSqiLjP9wZkIKPE1E-LrHG9eGdkyeLHOHagdMfsXbvBmLzaE0mMOmaVagP1b-w35jlen5rV7gsphBB/s1600/DSCN2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XnS7arBIDHJpLN0jjMvPIx4V-a-D1sQhh6tthzE_FTPenNF5PJB5sG2Q_kYNzPbSqiLjP9wZkIKPE1E-LrHG9eGdkyeLHOHagdMfsXbvBmLzaE0mMOmaVagP1b-w35jlen5rV7gsphBB/s640/DSCN2111.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martel Lake in the cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi919qldeWmj2ZGa4vcTadhyVluL21nCZ1_xDnmSpxpUGX_1w_I9cQcnpdk85i9T3Rh-Fx7rQ8sfgxVodVd-ENNoc-17xDubjpaYLGBkclk8A8SFVXi6c1es683CVxtQi_116xv2h2avTbE/s1600/DSCN2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi919qldeWmj2ZGa4vcTadhyVluL21nCZ1_xDnmSpxpUGX_1w_I9cQcnpdk85i9T3Rh-Fx7rQ8sfgxVodVd-ENNoc-17xDubjpaYLGBkclk8A8SFVXi6c1es683CVxtQi_116xv2h2avTbE/s640/DSCN2115.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the lake in a boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After our magical experience in the caves we went hiking a little down to the sea, which involved climbing rocks and being scared not to fall into the sea. The view could not be an prettier and the weather was perfect for this! </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nmdtQ-4ytLoVUTlkZ43DuFGFaN8hIu-Ah5eA0VFtUFeH7eyUIhj22xvMk8w_H7Cg8G6cyFpd8VlJXQFjsexYV9aU-bGrM5RY7bEHOG2GBzlxeZZh3O0SqPrukugPovRz1UOA-XJdAzVI/s1600/DSCN2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nmdtQ-4ytLoVUTlkZ43DuFGFaN8hIu-Ah5eA0VFtUFeH7eyUIhj22xvMk8w_H7Cg8G6cyFpd8VlJXQFjsexYV9aU-bGrM5RY7bEHOG2GBzlxeZZh3O0SqPrukugPovRz1UOA-XJdAzVI/s640/DSCN2125.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTi47p6AibglSrWQnCO3y3t3pqYyS4rhCBgimveIAXCQPika-xLI8kGi7I28yMKk8xQ8dLKT9E4Hb_hrCdQ2mA8fAxuwyIWQ49-M60rjra5QLTxcWv8BJeTvArTaFHLysp0BRj1ASHNkT/s1600/DSCN2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTi47p6AibglSrWQnCO3y3t3pqYyS4rhCBgimveIAXCQPika-xLI8kGi7I28yMKk8xQ8dLKT9E4Hb_hrCdQ2mA8fAxuwyIWQ49-M60rjra5QLTxcWv8BJeTvArTaFHLysp0BRj1ASHNkT/s640/DSCN2147.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B9vWYZRVkxahgbfFjHaSlqS1xuDGBM8lvWgsbKXZuxowcnoZc0HP-a3PAysn6QLQu58byIEYoYFEU-oX4fS3Dj3-XmBwTgsfxHWYJg9eFrnxcGh55hWtStSMY2gRLI71XdrHW1BT4oq6/s1600/DSCN2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B9vWYZRVkxahgbfFjHaSlqS1xuDGBM8lvWgsbKXZuxowcnoZc0HP-a3PAysn6QLQu58byIEYoYFEU-oX4fS3Dj3-XmBwTgsfxHWYJg9eFrnxcGh55hWtStSMY2gRLI71XdrHW1BT4oq6/s640/DSCN2148.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the way back from the caves, I took some pictures of the beautiful Mallorca scenery. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf8xqfWlB3ndq8p2a1GP2CaOzt9rNBsWpOOn7LI9hBwud__EY56s_ErkjQ_mvx7ILqiI1-aJ0DOvJmYONDwNsXRsKxokqMLG9B7tJ4d-feujJW-EKxUY707Rwe1K_klCAYzv7lLcSNehw/s1600/DSCN2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf8xqfWlB3ndq8p2a1GP2CaOzt9rNBsWpOOn7LI9hBwud__EY56s_ErkjQ_mvx7ILqiI1-aJ0DOvJmYONDwNsXRsKxokqMLG9B7tJ4d-feujJW-EKxUY707Rwe1K_klCAYzv7lLcSNehw/s640/DSCN2150.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RjSX_CaihuFS8oGjvZqY0Yt9WtloB2XmJxyKzuQVorCh8X6Y6ekiyEUFBiB_z0dMEVUPU-2csQ9tGuFdhsPQqJr0eNrSYNSosQI-L-Gnq8ZGu6CTChFP-Zp1iMCG4B24ihzIsZ8Lyi0J/s1600/DSCN2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RjSX_CaihuFS8oGjvZqY0Yt9WtloB2XmJxyKzuQVorCh8X6Y6ekiyEUFBiB_z0dMEVUPU-2csQ9tGuFdhsPQqJr0eNrSYNSosQI-L-Gnq8ZGu6CTChFP-Zp1iMCG4B24ihzIsZ8Lyi0J/s640/DSCN2160.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q28_vVGvX9s5g22t5BjSErHj2OUVt7bUvAs2Cp13ygvSq547hk5gR3qTMx9IA_qTnn2-5loNowZD4WKhDPa5qVNpWDBd8qUrlkPLDS8nKf79fAATWJCeCxVm3glY_vO_Junk2oQr0u2q/s1600/DSCN2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q28_vVGvX9s5g22t5BjSErHj2OUVt7bUvAs2Cp13ygvSq547hk5gR3qTMx9IA_qTnn2-5loNowZD4WKhDPa5qVNpWDBd8qUrlkPLDS8nKf79fAATWJCeCxVm3glY_vO_Junk2oQr0u2q/s640/DSCN2163.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of a windmill (there were a tons of windmills along the way)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since we were arriving back in Palma at sunset we went to the cathedral and took some pictures of it from farther away because it is so stunning at nighttime. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAinzxeNAYqkaMWrl2apzS5sPM8qucFWHaj8c7Bfh1rrnXia02XLkOU6gQ9XeFb3JQ7UvKhkVpnebWy9zkgZ_8hl2qvRZZmCxL4sp54QDDL0aeNWC5B4K1ndjli2qEzIC9l_QSpY-fTV9/s1600/DSCN2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAinzxeNAYqkaMWrl2apzS5sPM8qucFWHaj8c7Bfh1rrnXia02XLkOU6gQ9XeFb3JQ7UvKhkVpnebWy9zkgZ_8hl2qvRZZmCxL4sp54QDDL0aeNWC5B4K1ndjli2qEzIC9l_QSpY-fTV9/s640/DSCN2191.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkVGHTpH3TTkYl5yO7-0mlMP3J4SHJIf6S3PyQaivyGyR_2Ns8Kcv8hdgEqv3MC92N0xw2UEbSQ9wBd8lf7qJSNLNIfWsmv6cZ0Jxjm19smOL1eZpU2DLsrLg4iFF3dIIA6cB0i46f0hC/s1600/DSCN2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkVGHTpH3TTkYl5yO7-0mlMP3J4SHJIf6S3PyQaivyGyR_2Ns8Kcv8hdgEqv3MC92N0xw2UEbSQ9wBd8lf7qJSNLNIfWsmv6cZ0Jxjm19smOL1eZpU2DLsrLg4iFF3dIIA6cB0i46f0hC/s640/DSCN2194.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday was a day on the beach. We considered this our "Spring Break 2016."</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKsDCSekqX2RkbnWKAotLRg1oMqdGMlhGg0iXmiod9XiU_Tin-YeEFbh0BSh6rn85KHtDmpSjJ8pgON2pvZfs3y1I216n79Xc7OBbK_OqlfB7QpuQ0WnAVEIUM0h2KBmEaDuZIqhMMkmJ/s1600/DSCN2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKsDCSekqX2RkbnWKAotLRg1oMqdGMlhGg0iXmiod9XiU_Tin-YeEFbh0BSh6rn85KHtDmpSjJ8pgON2pvZfs3y1I216n79Xc7OBbK_OqlfB7QpuQ0WnAVEIUM0h2KBmEaDuZIqhMMkmJ/s640/DSCN2202.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCpCZq0FLkYgptKojZKTWq9aPnTwfVOf8jhxWkrZJmaSJbk8uEqBa5j4ZLqbcc3eh5zYI0BOGmRUmqjoGPtpdUjLzjJX2z4gehnisj_l1ukSivYKcbEful_T5rQ-zdH1H8WzyyVx00BMq/s1600/DSCN2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCpCZq0FLkYgptKojZKTWq9aPnTwfVOf8jhxWkrZJmaSJbk8uEqBa5j4ZLqbcc3eh5zYI0BOGmRUmqjoGPtpdUjLzjJX2z4gehnisj_l1ukSivYKcbEful_T5rQ-zdH1H8WzyyVx00BMq/s640/DSCN2210.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSEJ3iwxnFZE4bJNFVjn3aGqbG9esrx7g5nnCLh_5y38H9GYwmnFpvtH1iNM-TxCBWDVqte0IOGUvwbzOqwBOIP0am4KfVfdtBM9_Wdv-tb-In0zWDHjF77bjRLwHwVGYfD91dv526JrJ/s1600/DSCN2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSEJ3iwxnFZE4bJNFVjn3aGqbG9esrx7g5nnCLh_5y38H9GYwmnFpvtH1iNM-TxCBWDVqte0IOGUvwbzOqwBOIP0am4KfVfdtBM9_Wdv-tb-In0zWDHjF77bjRLwHwVGYfD91dv526JrJ/s640/DSCN2214.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUuHr-qGvxebniwgso48Wo5s-mG5O1dAK6ICk7RuP_68x_RVENxLrQ3pIql47jn7KnucNzIvssB4esLcbauPPcGgGn_n9_nCJPrp2S5biDu1hg7yiqchf6ZhLS8r9WxKvwwHigMOLBRZQ/s1600/DSCN2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUuHr-qGvxebniwgso48Wo5s-mG5O1dAK6ICk7RuP_68x_RVENxLrQ3pIql47jn7KnucNzIvssB4esLcbauPPcGgGn_n9_nCJPrp2S5biDu1hg7yiqchf6ZhLS8r9WxKvwwHigMOLBRZQ/s640/DSCN2242.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEduu5xWehW8pUtI2chu9UBMY0yb8EbKzPUmMASY7Eug22saclKmiZrLLbXwdfpTFBqXvbbhj0YDXIoCvve4WIwFS_Lc_D6EXJy59sKnFHpQ1VRjlny1vdmi5Unf1ISphZKu5uEQqh87v/s1600/DSCN2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEduu5xWehW8pUtI2chu9UBMY0yb8EbKzPUmMASY7Eug22saclKmiZrLLbXwdfpTFBqXvbbhj0YDXIoCvve4WIwFS_Lc_D6EXJy59sKnFHpQ1VRjlny1vdmi5Unf1ISphZKu5uEQqh87v/s640/DSCN2226.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a great weekend with the girls, even though I am now a "lobster back." This was our last trip on our own. We have one more excursion with the school this Saturday. Then we have a week left of classes and it is already time for finals! I'm excited to come home and see everyone again but I'm nostalgic about leaving Spain. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br></span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-20633085462857926452016-04-05T06:38:00.002-07:002016-04-05T06:38:52.041-07:00Changing from "sí" to "oui" ~ A weekend in Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend I took a trip to Paris by myself to meet up with one of my best friends from high school, Angela, who is studying abroad this semester in Nantes, France. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBCwhwWRhhyG8gtCrvdXliH505KLG1OYqh9NRmcJbKJRXBg-oPL_vmXBwOuFhDBSVu5xenVwXaB1mF6y2WPMTKZQMmG5jeaLUfa-A1t4F8NVNFNo5dgqz0c3AOaV7PijqZ0p-APlDwzo_/s1600/ang+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBCwhwWRhhyG8gtCrvdXliH505KLG1OYqh9NRmcJbKJRXBg-oPL_vmXBwOuFhDBSVu5xenVwXaB1mF6y2WPMTKZQMmG5jeaLUfa-A1t4F8NVNFNo5dgqz0c3AOaV7PijqZ0p-APlDwzo_/s640/ang+and+i.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela & I with our new felt hats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhApxS6LDVmTU8gDqntj75kP_PuBQ7Bg6EH852JCi1DzHBWwcDBANQ4yHyExHn0gAbCjJl1MpPO1dEBDTa3uH-xpJ_BHGsyZLNpRuAmsn1ovgGYFirNWvYEmPmHhCme5jwX4_IpwwdTGC3/s1600/plane.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhApxS6LDVmTU8gDqntj75kP_PuBQ7Bg6EH852JCi1DzHBWwcDBANQ4yHyExHn0gAbCjJl1MpPO1dEBDTa3uH-xpJ_BHGsyZLNpRuAmsn1ovgGYFirNWvYEmPmHhCme5jwX4_IpwwdTGC3/s640/plane.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been to Paris three years ago on my trip to France and London with my high school French teacher. Because of this traveling alone there didn't scare me. Angela came with three of her friends in her program to celebrate the one girl's birthday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> When I arrived there I had to wait for them to arrive since they were coming later, so I went to the Champs-Élysées to hang out for a bit. Then I walked around a little bit and I saw the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower from afar, the Musée de l'Armée, the H</span><span style="font-size: large;">ôtel des Invalides, and walked down some fancy streets. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh8ACKhQVkZ3lzI5T0DAg04PwJclqJJLXDgGeaCnPtHh9_tEkmfNZKrKynsbX7kDu16CVSh7cTxardYjJlIuGhJvYNU9qGQF-11cku_SbF-I3FTH5H-TywZf4BAiEgpjsmVzzFfyXEEkE/s1600/DSCN1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh8ACKhQVkZ3lzI5T0DAg04PwJclqJJLXDgGeaCnPtHh9_tEkmfNZKrKynsbX7kDu16CVSh7cTxardYjJlIuGhJvYNU9qGQF-11cku_SbF-I3FTH5H-TywZf4BAiEgpjsmVzzFfyXEEkE/s640/DSCN1801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L'Arc de Triomphe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXVcr4PdzM8N9aGFdnCcjPmtWLgNJxVKxwT3xY-6s-ubkZ2KlpIh8_bWxVegmdipJKFndmVJ_9i4CpomA1qQF6_njcQ0Ij9BAN_uEedP1QJGJFwGrGwBKHMlD7nEW-VvucotWRMfmTsS8/s1600/DSCN1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXVcr4PdzM8N9aGFdnCcjPmtWLgNJxVKxwT3xY-6s-ubkZ2KlpIh8_bWxVegmdipJKFndmVJ_9i4CpomA1qQF6_njcQ0Ij9BAN_uEedP1QJGJFwGrGwBKHMlD7nEW-VvucotWRMfmTsS8/s640/DSCN1831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musée de L'Armée Cannons & Eiffel Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwzBKzxnVZKF9QMAYC-Qk7FnSOz2s1f0Pu0QDPDGOzJrrUmTTv-4OU4go8v9zA-48ICul4VXZH3BaihrlNNzkdbW-huJaWVcrbGEqg8nN4k8DJReQZuj5_eLMLoSnXsWsKZPVWT1KDIdd/s1600/DSCN1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwzBKzxnVZKF9QMAYC-Qk7FnSOz2s1f0Pu0QDPDGOzJrrUmTTv-4OU4go8v9zA-48ICul4VXZH3BaihrlNNzkdbW-huJaWVcrbGEqg8nN4k8DJReQZuj5_eLMLoSnXsWsKZPVWT1KDIdd/s640/DSCN1827.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hôtel des Invalides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went back to our apartment that they rented from Airbnb to meet up with them when they arrived. After they got all settled we went out and had dinner at a crêperie near Sacre Coeur where I had a galette for dinner. Then we went up the hill to visit to Sacre Coeur. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbkApHnK-I3gqqGN-HnevTTTfzksP6kDXJfy14KoWA9koRjrnWd4IfJkfgZMxOGQk7TuUt2giOPgsXa19LdqngtyF30KMO-cvKb3dYSkJvmFZTq0Hs_FTb9ep4t3B6awDcXJ64vHSyqO7/s1600/DSCN1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbkApHnK-I3gqqGN-HnevTTTfzksP6kDXJfy14KoWA9koRjrnWd4IfJkfgZMxOGQk7TuUt2giOPgsXa19LdqngtyF30KMO-cvKb3dYSkJvmFZTq0Hs_FTb9ep4t3B6awDcXJ64vHSyqO7/s640/DSCN1845.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacre Coeur lit up at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we headed out on the town, this time starting with visiting the Louvre. Unfortunately Angela's friends did not want to go inside but it was fun just being able to visit again. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoJ6MiS_lJCCaFZRflaqw1pdxwHIqVsbrjes1gvDRDvveK2ZpMU5Kr6On9Nws2QPKTFiV9TF-ak2q6ln2CsNhCQY2iv5gCdh2nrZ_cMiwhjqCkk2ScJnROlsTboMBJfXttKf0uhvEqwjL/s1600/DSCN1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoJ6MiS_lJCCaFZRflaqw1pdxwHIqVsbrjes1gvDRDvveK2ZpMU5Kr6On9Nws2QPKTFiV9TF-ak2q6ln2CsNhCQY2iv5gCdh2nrZ_cMiwhjqCkk2ScJnROlsTboMBJfXttKf0uhvEqwjL/s640/DSCN1846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metro stop at the Louvre</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUdVzWrMEHcu2KpAXqY4PPGqVffUTBrLaoXA4dM517S_nvaqEwfppS6xDzF7l0zeynN4BTWqQHnH49kTlHF23hJebeW8OiIWrqHEltpiAJUpNya17vdRfzTAD4PCT56d6aq5TPjQqXYat/s1600/DSCN1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUdVzWrMEHcu2KpAXqY4PPGqVffUTBrLaoXA4dM517S_nvaqEwfppS6xDzF7l0zeynN4BTWqQHnH49kTlHF23hJebeW8OiIWrqHEltpiAJUpNya17vdRfzTAD4PCT56d6aq5TPjQqXYat/s640/DSCN1849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding up the Louvre Pyramid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the Louvre we walked through the Tuileries garden and went for a ride on the Ferris Wheel. That was really cool because I was never on it before and it was a neat view of the city. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next stop on the agenda was the Musée l'Orangerie which is a museum that houses impressionism and post-impressionism paintings. The most important ones are the works of Claude Monet and his Water Lilies. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZKA-5jvcdx47DqQxLrUvwOU08hpfLi9ojeW8qXmXLqAFfwgZFO5gQ1ScGsSSpyTT3ja_tlDB6aXbDDH7goq42-h89037PIunJ8rurqcyQzbleGEuKtR9KrZK7YGU6UyZT4vfpQJs1wr1/s1600/DSCN1864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZKA-5jvcdx47DqQxLrUvwOU08hpfLi9ojeW8qXmXLqAFfwgZFO5gQ1ScGsSSpyTT3ja_tlDB6aXbDDH7goq42-h89037PIunJ8rurqcyQzbleGEuKtR9KrZK7YGU6UyZT4vfpQJs1wr1/s640/DSCN1864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Claude Monet's Water Lilies Mural</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GXWkEDbn9jDWoKfQW-eFzI4-pV9aAECRvbsIDmo2zJlxiC0J8bcHNbEt98_1enuHXVCXwZ-uyVLM7kwXw78BSj29olFej910VuZcfk46xFQiEo0A_wzljZomnpK6DRtVUhEai6Bmn-fE/s1600/DSCN1868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GXWkEDbn9jDWoKfQW-eFzI4-pV9aAECRvbsIDmo2zJlxiC0J8bcHNbEt98_1enuHXVCXwZ-uyVLM7kwXw78BSj29olFej910VuZcfk46xFQiEo0A_wzljZomnpK6DRtVUhEai6Bmn-fE/s640/DSCN1868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo-title">Argenteuil - Claude Monet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> We ate lunch on the Champs-Élysées where I went the day before for some sandwiches. After that we walked down the street again to visit the Arc again and then went to check out the Eiffel Tower. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAGk7xB6edGD2GG9DheDuIdFaW4cBEX_bCjx9j8C6RHNg8BvDuzJYs5YO1j5QE3xvbdC2sWXC_fYvFQ7uLhTJZAyDpyUMVkatHV6uuH-gDBYD02EZxolX0V22EZCMkwC51gxhM_rk8WgL/s1600/DSCN1874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAGk7xB6edGD2GG9DheDuIdFaW4cBEX_bCjx9j8C6RHNg8BvDuzJYs5YO1j5QE3xvbdC2sWXC_fYvFQ7uLhTJZAyDpyUMVkatHV6uuH-gDBYD02EZxolX0V22EZCMkwC51gxhM_rk8WgL/s640/DSCN1874.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eiffel Tower from a bridge over the Seine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin625Y-mcelNuagm-IPhVbMpfcum9t48bSb4X3AP-8HF73KdPB4MoU_A75vkQkPWO1Tvnb2eMPpGkg6DQvFyVdBbCd8Jptea0SYxp1q-0dZkXnlfxNPASm5-9zGkjAKnvEhapTx0a6XpsC/s1600/DSCN1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin625Y-mcelNuagm-IPhVbMpfcum9t48bSb4X3AP-8HF73KdPB4MoU_A75vkQkPWO1Tvnb2eMPpGkg6DQvFyVdBbCd8Jptea0SYxp1q-0dZkXnlfxNPASm5-9zGkjAKnvEhapTx0a6XpsC/s640/DSCN1880.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That night we all got dressed up and went out to celebrate Angela's friend's birthday. We had reservations at the most famous macaroon restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. I had a plate of king crab mixed with noodles and some other ingredients. The best part was dessert. I had macaroons with ice cream inside of them and then a scoop of ice cream underneath. I got four macaroons with that and it's the first time I ever had them. The flavors I had were chocolate, coffee, pistachio, and rose. I got to choose the flavor of ice cream underneath and I chose caramel. It was so good!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jgftc5_8efNw1Dzu6gB3e03Yd_P2tbkp2oXEH_CYQe8YDSvpy6fwg_wyhhVxHO3_fuDSfPjoMj_FdrJWU7rsnNdQhElkF557cPQHhweS_a87G8aEcdcxKXuCIrGGez_SK-Ikohq1dK8v/s1600/restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jgftc5_8efNw1Dzu6gB3e03Yd_P2tbkp2oXEH_CYQe8YDSvpy6fwg_wyhhVxHO3_fuDSfPjoMj_FdrJWU7rsnNdQhElkF557cPQHhweS_a87G8aEcdcxKXuCIrGGez_SK-Ikohq1dK8v/s640/restaurant.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu of the Restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKArM7nDi1-4j2BL8AuC4OihXfTYOpJbwy9xdEnLfYcLGJpkelWSwYxM-KN4NabgR2oW2kJBqi_Emx_fUr2XkwY2-yIz5c69gwtFcSDXWIHer8t7Cdct6rFTeYAWecBSBbCvk_0ecmIJd/s1600/dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKArM7nDi1-4j2BL8AuC4OihXfTYOpJbwy9xdEnLfYcLGJpkelWSwYxM-KN4NabgR2oW2kJBqi_Emx_fUr2XkwY2-yIz5c69gwtFcSDXWIHer8t7Cdct6rFTeYAWecBSBbCvk_0ecmIJd/s640/dessert.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macaron glacé dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> After our dinner where we felt like princesses, we went to see the Eiffel Tower at night and watch it sparkle on the hour. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5EKpCKrRWQKOhTQdCoLU0QxowJdLBg4WZvkAwHsLfO0EqGMTD0aBgk7rVRj-7Gc9sZ-I-A_yDgw-L7y3ecY67gl-LMXetsGgnxzCXKBtGneWrq8ueMjJmAOAd4fabO761PYENAGIQchl/s1600/DSCN1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5EKpCKrRWQKOhTQdCoLU0QxowJdLBg4WZvkAwHsLfO0EqGMTD0aBgk7rVRj-7Gc9sZ-I-A_yDgw-L7y3ecY67gl-LMXetsGgnxzCXKBtGneWrq8ueMjJmAOAd4fabO761PYENAGIQchl/s640/DSCN1894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBLVoigqxWS393py1vU_6tIe2OnkLZY_sDn4VLCYCchN-fG77_bbkZp3nhUPlncUpO9WXCpRZf2cgnqHNIcseU2r7m15w_HUumwuZKAITdAXmHIFwJ-QS4qdEjehm4LZFcpJw0-OLxFo0/s1600/DSCN1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBLVoigqxWS393py1vU_6tIe2OnkLZY_sDn4VLCYCchN-fG77_bbkZp3nhUPlncUpO9WXCpRZf2cgnqHNIcseU2r7m15w_HUumwuZKAITdAXmHIFwJ-QS4qdEjehm4LZFcpJw0-OLxFo0/s640/DSCN1904.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we went to Hillsong, which I did not like at all and was against their ways of doing things and things that they were saying, but I can say it was an experience. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After that, Angela, her friend, and I went to a restaurant in the Theatre district, which I later realized was a chain restaurant. The food there was very good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next stop on our agenda was Notre Dame. It was really neat to experience it again when I didn't have jetlag. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyL8qfFQ9ton8RzJRuE5rPnI_FoxF8vYewHwUfP5jivobxqK8_C_kkKcmSl5-k6GVMffOT4fF7ZzkHROOgam7LMSFaKixfwOES8VVmJC8FqCR9hW7psroprAxX7wItU_6IbVMaC8D4rnd/s1600/DSCN1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyL8qfFQ9ton8RzJRuE5rPnI_FoxF8vYewHwUfP5jivobxqK8_C_kkKcmSl5-k6GVMffOT4fF7ZzkHROOgam7LMSFaKixfwOES8VVmJC8FqCR9hW7psroprAxX7wItU_6IbVMaC8D4rnd/s640/DSCN1908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADaHwDmHLODX4gAaANDM6BQa9KOTtN1qwBCqViBoMB2CjKOyQ13CqM_0XSVyVme3HnrhGVgYl0hOc1Yj1Hvr5QV9NlWvhylHOSUNApCO3Z7L-WG0BoO2wObZWxApcAfe0h1Kehr4_12Bu/s1600/DSCN1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADaHwDmHLODX4gAaANDM6BQa9KOTtN1qwBCqViBoMB2CjKOyQ13CqM_0XSVyVme3HnrhGVgYl0hOc1Yj1Hvr5QV9NlWvhylHOSUNApCO3Z7L-WG0BoO2wObZWxApcAfe0h1Kehr4_12Bu/s640/DSCN1912.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had to then head back to the apartment because their train was leaving that evening. We all gathered our belongings and then we got on the metro to later split our separate ways again. They were going to catch their train and I was going to my hostel near the Louvre because my plane wasn't until the next morning. I was so glad that I got to see Angela again and meet her friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After I checked into my room at the hostel, I headed back out onto the town to revisit the Bastille monument. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnLa8k9sskdL2N1ydb3Iy808G97X1RJLVtm3tcMILKFkucqF3Msxw1I0ETlVoPg3mj1DXEeF2qmGCsGdDSL-JBSBN6cbzofbCS2KnE7wjbrQlNa0EeAuQejOBVjaNbvpNyaCtORxB2Pds/s1600/DSCN1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnLa8k9sskdL2N1ydb3Iy808G97X1RJLVtm3tcMILKFkucqF3Msxw1I0ETlVoPg3mj1DXEeF2qmGCsGdDSL-JBSBN6cbzofbCS2KnE7wjbrQlNa0EeAuQejOBVjaNbvpNyaCtORxB2Pds/s640/DSCN1924.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was there that I found a McDonald's because I did not want to spend a lot on dinner because I spent a ton the night before. This is the first time that I had it outside of the US. Long and behold, it tastes the same and it's not made any neater. I ordered a drink and a double cheeseburger. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-s7ebo10gzsJJPb_wpvrobXoLT0LSUPVl8TcqQnWFc0K4NkuOeQ728OmHAeg6LVvxJWN773ArIyl1F9vJ6WSgcnnr-16vXaI7kCG4YkzcSdRhDoAY31w9DaIyJv0kic5TyfX1MmbyVHS/s1600/mcdonalds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-s7ebo10gzsJJPb_wpvrobXoLT0LSUPVl8TcqQnWFc0K4NkuOeQ728OmHAeg6LVvxJWN773ArIyl1F9vJ6WSgcnnr-16vXaI7kCG4YkzcSdRhDoAY31w9DaIyJv0kic5TyfX1MmbyVHS/s640/mcdonalds.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I went back to the Eiffel Tower one last time that night and I also took the elevator to the top. The view is more amazing than I had remembered and I went all out because I don't know when I'd be able to come back again and bought rosé champagne in a glow cup. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBR2lGHTHm5rx44N1Qc8Kas1M81MHHuEgx1_2Ityhu-HqzaNepilY-Y9diRRdHxXgzNYsBrmhpvJbE2FmM5GpvxnOog6jqp7hyphenhyphenl9rR7YGIrZBD-JnBR5Ca90pZUsuTjGewFk5dC1xKMqz/s1600/DSCN1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBR2lGHTHm5rx44N1Qc8Kas1M81MHHuEgx1_2Ityhu-HqzaNepilY-Y9diRRdHxXgzNYsBrmhpvJbE2FmM5GpvxnOog6jqp7hyphenhyphenl9rR7YGIrZBD-JnBR5Ca90pZUsuTjGewFk5dC1xKMqz/s640/DSCN1931.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwzb4ERKwqs0sf6evp7GE47FMIgpXiKLrlUkGdHIGekfHUNDC4uUHO0pV9c3tSHnokKiqvlWmMuNDm30T_e6vdKXV2srluiwN7Cr-7L7AQWAL2rpT7iUowUcTQYQ1jLWZC7u_a3AWZ7mH/s1600/DSCN1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwzb4ERKwqs0sf6evp7GE47FMIgpXiKLrlUkGdHIGekfHUNDC4uUHO0pV9c3tSHnokKiqvlWmMuNDm30T_e6vdKXV2srluiwN7Cr-7L7AQWAL2rpT7iUowUcTQYQ1jLWZC7u_a3AWZ7mH/s640/DSCN1945.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyHbGhIfSh_cU0_jmaUKzLLu2_hy3xmnf35fZjnNXEU8e4ecszykCDelUYqgkkthv_dlc9nIZGSAWVYDvTZc7aPDGGVTEv0ILIDEFK6FayXLjFCn4QwfKYSjGaupw2hWhMJjFV_LM7-17/s1600/DSCN1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyHbGhIfSh_cU0_jmaUKzLLu2_hy3xmnf35fZjnNXEU8e4ecszykCDelUYqgkkthv_dlc9nIZGSAWVYDvTZc7aPDGGVTEv0ILIDEFK6FayXLjFCn4QwfKYSjGaupw2hWhMJjFV_LM7-17/s640/DSCN1951.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV7CQK9OoGmSWI4PzX8vI1XjS3Sef3_1ugODlMMcV0eJtmQgvWrf72X7L8a04xnpFtkemVmS0ndRNwtHg25_1v_KBesrympYpBrYlbnHlZHHrZE6eJLvUlpx2YCOJMeiJa063PQTda6Bu/s1600/DSCN1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV7CQK9OoGmSWI4PzX8vI1XjS3Sef3_1ugODlMMcV0eJtmQgvWrf72X7L8a04xnpFtkemVmS0ndRNwtHg25_1v_KBesrympYpBrYlbnHlZHHrZE6eJLvUlpx2YCOJMeiJa063PQTda6Bu/s640/DSCN1955.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> It was sad to say good-bye to the Eiffel Tower but I took one last picture and went back to the hostel so I could get some sleep before I had to leave to go to the airport early the next morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time Paris! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ycU-NAjWRYXh1KpHm6Usovo7fzw2VvAYVU5ElFB6n3N35MGq7oG_3v7DrAxVjfqMG21cGC5_t1tyOMHy7x6YUpIYDNCQAN984ntcBMdtGe5glqYIdvE4lcMj7u4fg1x0KJ5a38I_XeU8/s1600/DSCN1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ycU-NAjWRYXh1KpHm6Usovo7fzw2VvAYVU5ElFB6n3N35MGq7oG_3v7DrAxVjfqMG21cGC5_t1tyOMHy7x6YUpIYDNCQAN984ntcBMdtGe5glqYIdvE4lcMj7u4fg1x0KJ5a38I_XeU8/s640/DSCN1962.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I now have a little less than 4 weeks until I come home from my study abroad. I've had a wonderful time while I'm abroad, but I also cannot wait to be home again. My weekends are all booked for the rest of my time here. This Thursday night I leave for Mallorca, the next one I have a concert on Friday and an excursion with the school on Saturday, then the week after that is the weekend to study for finals, and the last weekend I pack and come home. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-60513338778692537142016-03-28T07:36:00.002-07:002016-03-28T08:03:29.725-07:00La Samana Santa - Easter<span style="font-size: large;">This
past week I had Thursay - Monday off of school for Easter break. I was
very excited to see how Easter is celebrated in another country. Here
in Valencia, the most Easter activity is at the beach and here it is
called, "La Samana Santa Marinera." There isn't much activity in the
center of the city except for additional tourists and the Cathedral. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
week for Easter, my host mom bought me a traditional Spanish Easter goodie called
"Mona de Pascua." It's a sweet bread and then it also had a chocolate
egg with a surprise inside. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPLyYK9lktCiziMnGOIi7CFiB0BI4fNpAgkqEd5SNiFX_9j0UKCsQ7PR9nV313U8oKUU7nGZ1s5nRtPV1XX1Z8FX1EuoeepWDoZcUwJjr2GTYCgmN1YLyA_1T_7sKKZUqqqBkIBwv-xfD/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPLyYK9lktCiziMnGOIi7CFiB0BI4fNpAgkqEd5SNiFX_9j0UKCsQ7PR9nV313U8oKUU7nGZ1s5nRtPV1XX1Z8FX1EuoeepWDoZcUwJjr2GTYCgmN1YLyA_1T_7sKKZUqqqBkIBwv-xfD/s640/IMG_3317.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday
I went to the beach for a little while since we had nice weather to
play volleyball. Thursday night I went over Hannah's house to hang out
with her and some friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday Christina's friend came from Salamanca (she's studying there) and I went with them around the city. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday
night was pretty cool because we went to a procession at the beach.
There were many processions there all of the Holy Week. The one that we
went to Friday night was the burial, which was called, "Procesión
General del Santo Entierro." Watch the video and find out what it was
like! (No, that is not the KKK.) </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UzANkqCzEEw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UzANkqCzEEw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhok6_X4EzS-Sz-hNgRM-L-iA-qj1U5JxNYfX5moslZyWD25tV2hzGDhrIBNqpvzcIQ-90TjPq1CJnVYndTE0KqUhmLucJkDYZh8zqTkZTgPT7SJ-wYC6KPEAB5QIV1474TGfCNnOQ6tVma/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhok6_X4EzS-Sz-hNgRM-L-iA-qj1U5JxNYfX5moslZyWD25tV2hzGDhrIBNqpvzcIQ-90TjPq1CJnVYndTE0KqUhmLucJkDYZh8zqTkZTgPT7SJ-wYC6KPEAB5QIV1474TGfCNnOQ6tVma/s400/IMG_3334.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still kinda scary even though it's not the KKK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">I looked up where this tradition of wearing the hooded cloaks came from because I was curious. This is what I found: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capirote">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capirote</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Saturday,
my friends and I that were around took a day trip to Dénia. It is a
smaller port city that is located south of the City of Valencia, but is
still in the Comunitat Valenciana. It was about an hour and 45 minutes
by bus. I really enjoyed the city and the time that we spent there.
Our day included hiking up a mountain that contains caves, exploring
remains of a castle, and hanging out at the beach. (To me, what else
can someone ask for?!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A7ftKAv20YbgN-Z_ypgvPrcKGsbIVlYXAIbRh0XgeSUUZ_66-BI6fuBNuywUwfQqVOE-FP84SkW4CLpPaMDs9PnR3i1t430GXbMQAZxOuOPFY1HP5B0Th_5VYOc20Wha_WKmkxk1RPv0/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A7ftKAv20YbgN-Z_ypgvPrcKGsbIVlYXAIbRh0XgeSUUZ_66-BI6fuBNuywUwfQqVOE-FP84SkW4CLpPaMDs9PnR3i1t430GXbMQAZxOuOPFY1HP5B0Th_5VYOc20Wha_WKmkxk1RPv0/s640/IMG_3347.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie from mountain side while hiking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONtjM-tWPk2npAJ4VsG5C99z56QgObEB-IP5rOuP8Sna0mvuiRXwyOhFExKkSLAwrvnvnaLZ0IcvtRJQU9g1mz3GZ__E-4J1IBvILw8xBNqsXDBGsghosGwVPptZeek4xy0MsGJLTZGCr/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONtjM-tWPk2npAJ4VsG5C99z56QgObEB-IP5rOuP8Sna0mvuiRXwyOhFExKkSLAwrvnvnaLZ0IcvtRJQU9g1mz3GZ__E-4J1IBvILw8xBNqsXDBGsghosGwVPptZeek4xy0MsGJLTZGCr/s640/IMG_3355.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the inside of the cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPotKVbeiaC4veHjcbhpeLurXeoMPOHOkIff8oVETV9zqrW7s9XQPbqsEc2yZSgGW2xHU03qwBbnyZTmBde6wfPmNzrHF72BOUO_FcUodC5V50o-SkdapzTL7MG63MSdLvWNpbHF9qMwC6/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPotKVbeiaC4veHjcbhpeLurXeoMPOHOkIff8oVETV9zqrW7s9XQPbqsEc2yZSgGW2xHU03qwBbnyZTmBde6wfPmNzrHF72BOUO_FcUodC5V50o-SkdapzTL7MG63MSdLvWNpbHF9qMwC6/s640/IMG_3356.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After exploring caves we stopped on the mountainside to eat lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbXYx8-RVYtrEOzQkCpQ5qw37wmkRT5gW5x8LKJ12pIfjT7saKPNQRvGDVClFyVUaUXOv3MDzKfcixGobliGLN2DvnZmvjBAO-Ms3zHIx-fQsF3mknh1IB12m5VygxKtXqEIxdejwUiEv/s1600/IMG_3358.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbXYx8-RVYtrEOzQkCpQ5qw37wmkRT5gW5x8LKJ12pIfjT7saKPNQRvGDVClFyVUaUXOv3MDzKfcixGobliGLN2DvnZmvjBAO-Ms3zHIx-fQsF3mknh1IB12m5VygxKtXqEIxdejwUiEv/s640/IMG_3358.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medieval-themed marked where we discovered a candy stand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4cewt6lxdySwsPCX2i8xcssdynvzDYFqgwK28NdwU4ArEWnK8bcEMBoPkNuT_86j3eMrJuxgAvWwlHn6rcpHwvbgbFsRyzpy5py-EAbbuERg7oHSw3njaqAF4bAThuo2RRzD822x4Vxh/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4cewt6lxdySwsPCX2i8xcssdynvzDYFqgwK28NdwU4ArEWnK8bcEMBoPkNuT_86j3eMrJuxgAvWwlHn6rcpHwvbgbFsRyzpy5py-EAbbuERg7oHSw3njaqAF4bAThuo2RRzD822x4Vxh/s640/IMG_3361.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of mountain from window in castle tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxrjb2EdQ5o_KZmpGtjfkQWOYJjSNoxUam_ynYHojYiit0d3DcbKs_OUmxTmcpwX2anp-XrD03lGluIiL1Lj5nEIs28-81yckvs6hI4FJ7J8Ln8ncGRSn8DhsrBghw1eyskPnkP-AMwN-/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxrjb2EdQ5o_KZmpGtjfkQWOYJjSNoxUam_ynYHojYiit0d3DcbKs_OUmxTmcpwX2anp-XrD03lGluIiL1Lj5nEIs28-81yckvs6hI4FJ7J8Ln8ncGRSn8DhsrBghw1eyskPnkP-AMwN-/s640/IMG_3368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkii9RUWBueICmfLAonXp_VCN7PEzD_PZCWRbrBA7VOqpkUqt2hTLT0FS9nzqULwcMTMbhL3P7eMRfTtb2rySX-iWPdcTMmKIoi_qEMsF1yLRjNnbItRxjCmyzivTLUIU3iLul1K8a_iz/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkii9RUWBueICmfLAonXp_VCN7PEzD_PZCWRbrBA7VOqpkUqt2hTLT0FS9nzqULwcMTMbhL3P7eMRfTtb2rySX-iWPdcTMmKIoi_qEMsF1yLRjNnbItRxjCmyzivTLUIU3iLul1K8a_iz/s640/IMG_3369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama photo of the port from the castle ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjchDj-S9YtKhqEA-bh0hTvOAgYiIhAGFiuA0tWPtzWTt1bXNpyo1rIEdyUzCyUeHrOXTRTrGXH-NlsWHzfnpVTVp3a_zLf17wzKmNvXhL6tVEp19-dDGUl405wvif6du2BgBolzLb_cm/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjchDj-S9YtKhqEA-bh0hTvOAgYiIhAGFiuA0tWPtzWTt1bXNpyo1rIEdyUzCyUeHrOXTRTrGXH-NlsWHzfnpVTVp3a_zLf17wzKmNvXhL6tVEp19-dDGUl405wvif6du2BgBolzLb_cm/s640/IMG_3372.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsD-5TWoBFKnWxQwcFdTZyfegmvrWibjVgr5Y4SGvEdUyJWro0LCp13j7BKgiRIPKUyZrfzuG7A9NIlMq6eFV_nlIyHld8D3vjrjpWYAXJIZPA71rzFmMe5n_XLoofP-fTdiD4AL093CPL/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsD-5TWoBFKnWxQwcFdTZyfegmvrWibjVgr5Y4SGvEdUyJWro0LCp13j7BKgiRIPKUyZrfzuG7A9NIlMq6eFV_nlIyHld8D3vjrjpWYAXJIZPA71rzFmMe5n_XLoofP-fTdiD4AL093CPL/s640/IMG_3373.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV3pqa8zsRKm4Z3vo7iKE3Hl9oqsl3wO2zIk_pjinmP6L6lQnPkjFj3B7QKlB4Zep_MQurOTANvclm79c9Uf19HwFiug5t60B2jGVq4tqgloEPLopSf-XTpgIIuM5QnBJwNmPfWlwziZ5/s1600/IMG_3374.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV3pqa8zsRKm4Z3vo7iKE3Hl9oqsl3wO2zIk_pjinmP6L6lQnPkjFj3B7QKlB4Zep_MQurOTANvclm79c9Uf19HwFiug5t60B2jGVq4tqgloEPLopSf-XTpgIIuM5QnBJwNmPfWlwziZ5/s640/IMG_3374.PNG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy statistics according to my FitBit from our trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday
was Easter and my host mom's daughter came over for lunch with her
family. It was really fun to get to see them visit. It was her
daughter, her daughter's husband, and their four children (Javier,
Diego, Blanca, and Lucia). The youngest is Lucia and she's only 7
months old. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After they left, I Skyped with my family for a little bit before I went to mass at the Cathedral. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmchnHhcxeVvzRoTS3TOj4gAp1GaZ1_2y2AN3GGQ93ImY4XLL3CSQxZijLT3YZoSbp6UJ0GkzwTig-MDgaFg4PK2-bDVQU4I2sGw40VSRKiGxoQVzQeNjoET4PvT7Rag0cvQrudgkr_dkL/s1600/index.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmchnHhcxeVvzRoTS3TOj4gAp1GaZ1_2y2AN3GGQ93ImY4XLL3CSQxZijLT3YZoSbp6UJ0GkzwTig-MDgaFg4PK2-bDVQU4I2sGw40VSRKiGxoQVzQeNjoET4PvT7Rag0cvQrudgkr_dkL/s640/index.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that everyone had a good Easter!</span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-73914267748426662472016-03-20T10:50:00.000-07:002016-03-20T12:19:25.342-07:00¡Las Fallas!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Masclet</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="_Tgc">à</span>, Castillos, Discotecas, la Ofrenda, Streets of Lights, Falleros, Fallas, Buñelos de Calabaza, M</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;">úsica, Fuego, la Cremà</span></span></span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45MJMhaslWDZAszjS-KHWIeIk0OAoOTzcIsuHPcDFX5KkBJPInWopvTsJ6boP0CbtYtSFO9IUl7vxWo0aFw66cyLMNV7g4QkEd0sdHPo3P-HJugEpe7_0qHNy-sKZi-D1lcqooQ_YA9Gz/s1600/cartel-fallas-2016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45MJMhaslWDZAszjS-KHWIeIk0OAoOTzcIsuHPcDFX5KkBJPInWopvTsJ6boP0CbtYtSFO9IUl7vxWo0aFw66cyLMNV7g4QkEd0sdHPo3P-HJugEpe7_0qHNy-sKZi-D1lcqooQ_YA9Gz/s320/cartel-fallas-2016-1.jpg" width="223"></a></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of those things that I just mentioned are major factors in the celebration of Las Fallas in Valencia. The celebration begins on the 15th of March and concludes on the 19th, which is Día de San José. This marks the spring for the city, and therefore it is brought in with a lot of loud noise. Also, because Saint Joseph was a carpenter, the people used to burn the left over woodwork and that's how the "fallas" came to be burned. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read more about Las Fallas at: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falles">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falles</a></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing that I did to start out the celebration of Las Fallas was go to the "Exposició del Ninot." This is where all of the ninots that were made are on display and visitors can vote for the ninots in each category that will not be burned on March 19th. There are two categories: ninots infantiles and ninots grandes. The ninots are constructed with wood, paper maché, and other combustible products. Below are some of my favorites. </span></span></span></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw8ReNpbNWvr7y24Y8Vz_4oEX_70krczc87sV1LrZ6fVnt-JEavgwg_vrfjyNmAHchaeyA0w6HbtP5izKunV4uRXIRKbI_D2zByqcY8rRAAn5fr1vQlhw8V4anjUeNAkgnXj0A9qnnSko/s1600/DSCN0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw8ReNpbNWvr7y24Y8Vz_4oEX_70krczc87sV1LrZ6fVnt-JEavgwg_vrfjyNmAHchaeyA0w6HbtP5izKunV4uRXIRKbI_D2zByqcY8rRAAn5fr1vQlhw8V4anjUeNAkgnXj0A9qnnSko/s640/DSCN0691.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museu de Ciences Principe Felipe where the Exposició del Ninot was located, City of Arts & Sciences</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4AQxwq0FzyNfckgqNFbPUP7RsqJRfv5rU3ZGxLuFlGiZ88VUb_-4AJHaULMItHWHykPJ8lgyzTv3N4IUFElsVUF7MFaau8B_Crs7dX7LZuWHLEi7oYEmU6OUNsRAfWvjkXToIfJRpjTx/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4AQxwq0FzyNfckgqNFbPUP7RsqJRfv5rU3ZGxLuFlGiZ88VUb_-4AJHaULMItHWHykPJ8lgyzTv3N4IUFElsVUF7MFaau8B_Crs7dX7LZuWHLEi7oYEmU6OUNsRAfWvjkXToIfJRpjTx/s640/DSCN0695.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninots Infantiles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gg9Zd9C0Y0OA3ocVop7nn3FH-yV4p42geNNVvrOhtobyRKR2D0IJtkIGRJoTNBgMJUTLA9s4GJuqEjfkTOiIoSOGhmAjiwNwVVgCI0AY8ZE11rjoEX3adtQxTR8Q5SqQl8meV710g1bV/s1600/DSCN0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gg9Zd9C0Y0OA3ocVop7nn3FH-yV4p42geNNVvrOhtobyRKR2D0IJtkIGRJoTNBgMJUTLA9s4GJuqEjfkTOiIoSOGhmAjiwNwVVgCI0AY8ZE11rjoEX3adtQxTR8Q5SqQl8meV710g1bV/s640/DSCN0697.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Infantil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxhh9UEH5zq7-dXvH1QeW18wBYmPHsRJSEOeswzFmTkWjvKx3fRU8M6I0cEmXa8MCjkPTru0FxNWUzImVgU2rhYImH8nGIFoPmsBsGPcwOVUOVkJ5RnWFqRB2q2-VTa_ZPiI0TEfIGRht/s1600/DSCN0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxhh9UEH5zq7-dXvH1QeW18wBYmPHsRJSEOeswzFmTkWjvKx3fRU8M6I0cEmXa8MCjkPTru0FxNWUzImVgU2rhYImH8nGIFoPmsBsGPcwOVUOVkJ5RnWFqRB2q2-VTa_ZPiI0TEfIGRht/s640/DSCN0699.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Infantil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIOMNhQZNOGftXs1jLVQWcwqVZXdm-fmk6NZ47ayOxKHI1Us3YswUS2V4Z2BU4GZMsUSuiVQYNS9N_JuKkzhGufbz-uTHTMcYAzzen5AB4EBcItf2q-utyFp8jL7SuVgZqXlh6IDw1ETx/s1600/DSCN0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIOMNhQZNOGftXs1jLVQWcwqVZXdm-fmk6NZ47ayOxKHI1Us3YswUS2V4Z2BU4GZMsUSuiVQYNS9N_JuKkzhGufbz-uTHTMcYAzzen5AB4EBcItf2q-utyFp8jL7SuVgZqXlh6IDw1ETx/s640/DSCN0701.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Infantil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD0TLdLrzR_1KTX99rGOJq8QUmBOhk2P1vR0ZC7pqPjwMMbwxBldRn6b15qXZkn5W5q_o8sE5T28LPBW9Pc8YkUj5AYo4LLGHDY81hL4ElqhSr6EAZ-wUsnBU8qLg3d6K_MHj_IHzDc14/s1600/DSCN0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD0TLdLrzR_1KTX99rGOJq8QUmBOhk2P1vR0ZC7pqPjwMMbwxBldRn6b15qXZkn5W5q_o8sE5T28LPBW9Pc8YkUj5AYo4LLGHDY81hL4ElqhSr6EAZ-wUsnBU8qLg3d6K_MHj_IHzDc14/s640/DSCN0722.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Grande</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj8YwXEEc29oK7mRfyd1usUmDw2R6J3Wf0ncyrbgfFYCx9ESxAfAGZmFxS9qWCOD4na6BIx1srKs_OSwjl49aNFKRGlI2iD60yXm0CV2kN5UFyaPrq4cWwttEnG731xrn4o58LmOqgW8B/s1600/DSCN0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj8YwXEEc29oK7mRfyd1usUmDw2R6J3Wf0ncyrbgfFYCx9ESxAfAGZmFxS9qWCOD4na6BIx1srKs_OSwjl49aNFKRGlI2iD60yXm0CV2kN5UFyaPrq4cWwttEnG731xrn4o58LmOqgW8B/s640/DSCN0724.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Grande</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBpuH3a5E_2TVaR5irH2NWMR_Cf0J7SydXZNEqE6tvCnKaTsDqTzFaUWwjrPzlrj69Vxne2XuI2-ryi57MF68XslJ1N2JtTWLw2JACerZNh94SjZqfId_DFpIi9LldIVmQzFQ_Zkq9tWG/s1600/DSCN0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBpuH3a5E_2TVaR5irH2NWMR_Cf0J7SydXZNEqE6tvCnKaTsDqTzFaUWwjrPzlrj69Vxne2XuI2-ryi57MF68XslJ1N2JtTWLw2JACerZNh94SjZqfId_DFpIi9LldIVmQzFQ_Zkq9tWG/s640/DSCN0729.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Ninots Grandes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6IGIzBGUS1Aevgvfqpq7iG_2z7l0hkuSptZgHzcIqH8n8uck6sUYY8_nPidSSMp3BnWV7Pumy1jDSqaHpmIl-GtV70bO0Hh9Us3spMvHQVNBgSwHyN_fcmBsuHRcB58f4-unYQG2dSJR/s1600/DSCN0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6IGIzBGUS1Aevgvfqpq7iG_2z7l0hkuSptZgHzcIqH8n8uck6sUYY8_nPidSSMp3BnWV7Pumy1jDSqaHpmIl-GtV70bO0Hh9Us3spMvHQVNBgSwHyN_fcmBsuHRcB58f4-unYQG2dSJR/s640/DSCN0741.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Grande</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0y0OftpMiOYvZXZ8fT8PR7Hr8yPlY5Mcu2X5OEdENNyk16Qd0Md0AH0x-3PU0G4E53JIHzr6-jPoYeYJsTXyQKM9Mh4JWA0rmpdpXbQGuxK2JLxFlETZnPjOvLY2qne1iIvwHSB3c_WG/s1600/DSCN0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0y0OftpMiOYvZXZ8fT8PR7Hr8yPlY5Mcu2X5OEdENNyk16Qd0Md0AH0x-3PU0G4E53JIHzr6-jPoYeYJsTXyQKM9Mh4JWA0rmpdpXbQGuxK2JLxFlETZnPjOvLY2qne1iIvwHSB3c_WG/s640/DSCN0717.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninot Grande</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also every day at 2pm since March 1st there have been the masclet</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc">à</span> in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento. I didn't start going until this past week because I have a class that goes until 1:15 but I watched them on tv. The first time I went I realized how much different it is in person. It's so loud and the ground shakes so much but that makes it so cool. The video is from the first day that I went and it was after my class so we weren't able to get a good spot. But I did go again the past three days and was able to see a lot better because I was able to arrive earlier. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></span></span></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_99xqkCw6bs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_99xqkCw6bs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something similar to the masclet</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc">à</span> that began on the night of March 15 was the fireworks at night that are also known as the "castillo de fuego" that were presented over the river park. These fireworks were really spectacular and it was cool because we were so close to them. The fireworks were every night on the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th, each night getting better and better. </span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa8MtX-zphgI73W5ZFwAY_dtWplVAusdTvb6l8HGHfpndwIBbfUQUgVjb5cyk4UYT47mqnn4win3rqJHtxohcmygMuFzIh4xIz14DqQmqKPwbFgPQVYLwM2hcBv0UAn6JJqFcFE2vSno0/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa8MtX-zphgI73W5ZFwAY_dtWplVAusdTvb6l8HGHfpndwIBbfUQUgVjb5cyk4UYT47mqnn4win3rqJHtxohcmygMuFzIh4xIz14DqQmqKPwbFgPQVYLwM2hcBv0UAn6JJqFcFE2vSno0/s640/IMG_3243.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the nights after the fireworks there were plenty of things to do such as buy foods from food tents in the streets and even go to outside discotecas with cool music. There were also rock concerts with live bands and I'm not one to stay out late but I really enjoyed all of this after the fireworks. </span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">One afternoon I went out with my friend Megan to wander around the city and see fallas and eat some buñuelos and chocolate. Buñuelos are similar to churros (a type of fried dough which are also very popular here) and they are made with pumpkin in them also. They taste the best if they are fresh and hot and are eaten by dipping them in a cup of hot chocolate (which is thicker than hot chocolate in the US). Meg and I bought a dozen and put down six each! There were stands all around the city that were selling these, churros, and other sweets. </span></span></span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWbE0YEBgFQSF3frHkmAVgNEkeCWN0Fp0RRN3K58VUp-akS3baPa3qIZShJkezVT_zAJAQqxP5R_dct5TidQhqrCRDdkutC_dqrvdCQZLOE6KFD_aN4OpeIfl9ivM07MlwRAlcCQC163_/s1600/DSCN1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWbE0YEBgFQSF3frHkmAVgNEkeCWN0Fp0RRN3K58VUp-akS3baPa3qIZShJkezVT_zAJAQqxP5R_dct5TidQhqrCRDdkutC_dqrvdCQZLOE6KFD_aN4OpeIfl9ivM07MlwRAlcCQC163_/s640/DSCN1623.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also on our walk we saw some of the fallas that were on the streets around the center of the city. </span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsQnA4ljSZCjCt8s6C1YGXr9AzdVMB6AEqNSnl2imxrfrjBfuzg01qNK8XeayEfkA18XEcUvwJqUtjOt4F-IH96f2oFXwDgGll9fllmBbHoIefc8qBBoQS9dqJd-0fIFrhX4lbSb6qJ5C/s1600/DSCN1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsQnA4ljSZCjCt8s6C1YGXr9AzdVMB6AEqNSnl2imxrfrjBfuzg01qNK8XeayEfkA18XEcUvwJqUtjOt4F-IH96f2oFXwDgGll9fllmBbHoIefc8qBBoQS9dqJd-0fIFrhX4lbSb6qJ5C/s640/DSCN1600.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falla in Plaza de Ayuntamiento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9VLbBJ5wnd-QnlC-Pp1qWZO9AS3eNCgs3a07Lm4Nt_dP-UfYZoEfv8MlFjN_KiSkhLOTcV0Bq_cufMMSdXhPoi46cjDQM392bcN3LRtlYnJ_37LtjQxt7Vwl3mZMakVA99y5HKEKVEY6/s1600/DSCN1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9VLbBJ5wnd-QnlC-Pp1qWZO9AS3eNCgs3a07Lm4Nt_dP-UfYZoEfv8MlFjN_KiSkhLOTcV0Bq_cufMMSdXhPoi46cjDQM392bcN3LRtlYnJ_37LtjQxt7Vwl3mZMakVA99y5HKEKVEY6/s640/DSCN1604.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZkXWooHWbbyLDmek01xWlouJuxMzEnTl1Hv-WF-86Oj8iDsi_oP98kLBxDyGT65PLnAWJXk9yfICdMXg1SpoaCTgmMVx5jBHmvSM_fPzSiKy20YsAICXWBKWs9IUlXGwOA9G4Y2RvjAa/s1600/DSCN1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZkXWooHWbbyLDmek01xWlouJuxMzEnTl1Hv-WF-86Oj8iDsi_oP98kLBxDyGT65PLnAWJXk9yfICdMXg1SpoaCTgmMVx5jBHmvSM_fPzSiKy20YsAICXWBKWs9IUlXGwOA9G4Y2RvjAa/s640/DSCN1625.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-88vBrHh7ZzZSqRD0AR7dRrW8wxwHAyE5qA13nJ0QFJhTZGAlHBcxeJP_7DPyzi1pDGFjTlpPC2KS39hET8ZkBeOJoUYwOfGSO4M7Au4bulzFy0xu1mxzUNPcqlKphyphenhyphen5xHqOUYflTl8kk/s1600/DSCN1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-88vBrHh7ZzZSqRD0AR7dRrW8wxwHAyE5qA13nJ0QFJhTZGAlHBcxeJP_7DPyzi1pDGFjTlpPC2KS39hET8ZkBeOJoUYwOfGSO4M7Au4bulzFy0xu1mxzUNPcqlKphyphenhyphen5xHqOUYflTl8kk/s640/DSCN1685.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the night of Thursday, March 17, Christina and I went to see some of the Ofrenda de flores. Falleras and falleros (men, women, and children) are dressed up in traditional Valencian dress and have a procession through the city bringing flowers to the Virgin Mary in the Plaza de la Virgen. The falleros are also followed by a band playing Fallas music. This procession lasts from 3:30pm until almost midnight on March 17th and March 18th. There is a wooden structure in the plaza in which people place the flowers on and make a beautiful design as her dress. I wish I was able to record the smell of all the flowers in the plaza as I walked through it because it was so nice and beautiful! Also all of the dresses of the falleras were so beautiful and there were so many of them! </span></span></span></span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3t3IvUuKhO7RQloc51VzGsUh28SVD55vsIGs2EqCfoMGN3ZA5wC43fvS_8JQKH3kK50KCoI8uYxy5uhUd7Tns0JKr8w0zxM3eZAB7fAIH9JTPikSNueI_J0MBCOYJkfcBTCUOt8ULrtp/s1600/DSCN1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3t3IvUuKhO7RQloc51VzGsUh28SVD55vsIGs2EqCfoMGN3ZA5wC43fvS_8JQKH3kK50KCoI8uYxy5uhUd7Tns0JKr8w0zxM3eZAB7fAIH9JTPikSNueI_J0MBCOYJkfcBTCUOt8ULrtp/s640/DSCN1648.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ofrenda in Plaza de la Virgen with the placing of the flowers on the Virgin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPkiDUsrwXhzuzYO4ICzpoTYRBghGsFdA5ZLybItvLj4roAZyFuGIgUrSBxgu77WfBYJUVQEF_ARIb7Ac5nl8b1yI79PeWWSRixONNQCl0K_8d5pyH2yCk7GDuP1wDeXiYP_XGqyBgjkY/s1600/DSCN1666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPkiDUsrwXhzuzYO4ICzpoTYRBghGsFdA5ZLybItvLj4roAZyFuGIgUrSBxgu77WfBYJUVQEF_ARIb7Ac5nl8b1yI79PeWWSRixONNQCl0K_8d5pyH2yCk7GDuP1wDeXiYP_XGqyBgjkY/s640/DSCN1666.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Procession of young falleras during the Ofrenda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Friday, March 18th I went to my first bull fight in Plaza de los Toros. They only have bull fights in Valencia during the week of Las Fallas so we took this opportunity to go. Bull fighting began in the south of Spain and when one were to think of Spain, one of the first symbols of the culture that would come to their head would be a bull fight. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a very exciting experience and it was fun to experience the art and culture it. Unfortunately, six bulls were killed that evening by two matadores. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span> </span></span></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiOVX7FosiY5-0ZSy-VXzwLJevMeV9_lfeyYNX-MOiaHOAYBaHZiE51gr4DnubeRSU1UW28sALUzLV9secKn7ZPRM_Y0Cw8IMkXSOXbIiRhOcQtQOQsFF4TvV6p4kOG09XUjriLTM6hif/s1600/DSCN1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiOVX7FosiY5-0ZSy-VXzwLJevMeV9_lfeyYNX-MOiaHOAYBaHZiE51gr4DnubeRSU1UW28sALUzLV9secKn7ZPRM_Y0Cw8IMkXSOXbIiRhOcQtQOQsFF4TvV6p4kOG09XUjriLTM6hif/s640/DSCN1612.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de los Toros, Valencia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo754Tq05XWm5HxjcIqh7myCt1yiups3VhfplszJ6zNmC3py1Ko_SLemweJtyO2RxVSXCXlkSafjgTFlQ2iQNvFg_5glGYnL-jpyrgLnFtsA4sQzLZNZ3qGhuaVRbZx8v_mivbHJIs6qUA/s1600/DSCN1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo754Tq05XWm5HxjcIqh7myCt1yiups3VhfplszJ6zNmC3py1Ko_SLemweJtyO2RxVSXCXlkSafjgTFlQ2iQNvFg_5glGYnL-jpyrgLnFtsA4sQzLZNZ3qGhuaVRbZx8v_mivbHJIs6qUA/s640/DSCN1769.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIK2AAQpzl7vF9Q-4S2sdpWGFeHrr1oyzzTEg1VDz8GI4GiqWCKPRWcBtWkbFoib6KgynpBZjW_bhgYsHV6TqBHgRl8NO7YKZeJMZdjSOIe1lrp9LEBfCQrww0-d5PlasNHw7WTJwuVlU/s1600/DSCN1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIK2AAQpzl7vF9Q-4S2sdpWGFeHrr1oyzzTEg1VDz8GI4GiqWCKPRWcBtWkbFoib6KgynpBZjW_bhgYsHV6TqBHgRl8NO7YKZeJMZdjSOIe1lrp9LEBfCQrww0-d5PlasNHw7WTJwuVlU/s640/DSCN1725.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banderillo "flagman" - a type of assistant to the matador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Rk4eAuKaegONZrfZ8ReZTbVBZ0vSKinBbhATblXfeed88Gi7jBddeY1qI5uWvKNUCcPliwLRPsC0k9-5qNFdOio7EWwtAx6ydKHmwsUv833PVXww6ACnqNLt5GUJ2GiNJ5wZWuzwsc3/s1600/DSCN1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8Rk4eAuKaegONZrfZ8ReZTbVBZ0vSKinBbhATblXfeed88Gi7jBddeY1qI5uWvKNUCcPliwLRPsC0k9-5qNFdOio7EWwtAx6ydKHmwsUv833PVXww6ACnqNLt5GUJ2GiNJ5wZWuzwsc3/s640/DSCN1728.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matador - "El Juli"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NL-NDeDGeop9ElVsdn3gw1LrjOhvMEM_2noQXRI9xuirTkHzdNmzCvIWWahRwtqj_2gbCo2Eagwp80myr101DkdouPOsxTyb2yMCJMvQSyzcD475mbwJDUD6c4xQYTMPlRARHtpfD3W/s1600/DSCN1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9NL-NDeDGeop9ElVsdn3gw1LrjOhvMEM_2noQXRI9xuirTkHzdNmzCvIWWahRwtqj_2gbCo2Eagwp80myr101DkdouPOsxTyb2yMCJMvQSyzcD475mbwJDUD6c4xQYTMPlRARHtpfD3W/s640/DSCN1732.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picador <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picador">(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picador</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BhV1EL3jqJiPqN6cogVx1EcHjzI9wmz5z-oMerg_XDgYOe6DYsn3XIE5CsMAEzqX73tU4cb7btHIofl0eG5grPWquRxW8W1b_UriF-qu7LVMQnPnFjWBfR0TdY63zcAzd7Wqcw1qMyN5/s1600/DSCN1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BhV1EL3jqJiPqN6cogVx1EcHjzI9wmz5z-oMerg_XDgYOe6DYsn3XIE5CsMAEzqX73tU4cb7btHIofl0eG5grPWquRxW8W1b_UriF-qu7LVMQnPnFjWBfR0TdY63zcAzd7Wqcw1qMyN5/s640/DSCN1735.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matador "López Simón" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Iw-05gV1Bc8cjXPklTJQbxO0W1Gfnu_gp5JIhRbv1FCklEJckVgnpkJFCFUHokajMh8DhhKsKqjJdcgg2k57ufzlqWX9knnTC3DMULbr7Bq9jbjT0IQJDXTOGrtpTl0NsBgmPZ8ZSB1m/s1600/DSCN1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Iw-05gV1Bc8cjXPklTJQbxO0W1Gfnu_gp5JIhRbv1FCklEJckVgnpkJFCFUHokajMh8DhhKsKqjJdcgg2k57ufzlqWX9knnTC3DMULbr7Bq9jbjT0IQJDXTOGrtpTl0NsBgmPZ8ZSB1m/s640/DSCN1750.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"López Simón" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">That night I also went out with my friends Christina and Jackie to see the lights in Russafa. They are really pretty and the two main streets also have light shows with music which were really amazing. The streets were so packed that there was zero personal space watching the light show. </span></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></span></span></span>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfDOaAMcBeJ_ZjOKDDZDKWGmmgwDR6CvT3VQP1xcWqinuwm0Ex1Y5qYGoekrtzPP35aTrVh2w-Zh0k8uDKurfo23HSUCIS6pUOGY789DIwMQWSp6_cEERGugcmy5nVKbcA_skWTpsQpSL/s1600/DSCN1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfDOaAMcBeJ_ZjOKDDZDKWGmmgwDR6CvT3VQP1xcWqinuwm0Ex1Y5qYGoekrtzPP35aTrVh2w-Zh0k8uDKurfo23HSUCIS6pUOGY789DIwMQWSp6_cEERGugcmy5nVKbcA_skWTpsQpSL/s640/DSCN1698.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light Show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipakmdKakDgiBrPw8S-7ktcqwR6H2JhkZwUWw2QBAB72cPThyphenhyphenD_WFyjivSZaQjPjxv0pGby2m8sglLBSBnn7cbr7wY3wmoR4X1NLnoulqV2tofiMNrO1BciasJtx8Y50ITtDaK_EbIySyi/s1600/DSCN1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipakmdKakDgiBrPw8S-7ktcqwR6H2JhkZwUWw2QBAB72cPThyphenhyphenD_WFyjivSZaQjPjxv0pGby2m8sglLBSBnn7cbr7wY3wmoR4X1NLnoulqV2tofiMNrO1BciasJtx8Y50ITtDaK_EbIySyi/s640/DSCN1700.JPG" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of Lights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W3Yw1AlJOp2n04FlRPhQ35oHS9XbwjnewSwPrO3933MCP-lX1Pbk5amNaX3jHUrPVeG9Ks5PAxKP4z22u7bqKE2t34HmTFdEE2gR5UVAtx6E53w54uubJ4RDKW58GLoNhzakldI7d_1A/s1600/DSCN1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W3Yw1AlJOp2n04FlRPhQ35oHS9XbwjnewSwPrO3933MCP-lX1Pbk5amNaX3jHUrPVeG9Ks5PAxKP4z22u7bqKE2t34HmTFdEE2gR5UVAtx6E53w54uubJ4RDKW58GLoNhzakldI7d_1A/s640/DSCN1702.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other street with lights and show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="es"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, March 19th, Día de San José is the last day of Las Fallas and the day when all of the fallas and their ninots get burned. That afternoon I went to the last masclet</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc">à and then went home to eat lunch and take a rest before the night of burning began. After my nap I went to meet up with the rest of my friends at Leo's apartment and we played games all evening until it was time to go out and see the buring, also known as "La Crem</span><span class="_Tgc">à." When we left her house we went to see a small falla be burned. It was neat because first they shoot off fireworks, which were really close so we were right underneath them, and then they light a rope that has some fireworks attached and then the fire continues down the rope and lights the falla on fire. So cool! After the little one we kept walking to find a big one being burned a little later. It is the same process. The large falla got go hot that we had to move backwards and there were so many people I had people right on top of me and no personal space whatsoever. This was scary but fun at the same time. </span></span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="_Tgc"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaaJbbXDKHyRNLxVTUPI3bpjF7ymCYGJa_-gU7ww6ZVSeu-0Ex-WheJUpV0LxIZGbK-anWnxUcSnP2haICIx3Y3PoxRqczoTg5iDfxJrVxRnwJCvDHROgeXr5_u9E-ZjQexqhU0KD-EPw/s1600/DSCN1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaaJbbXDKHyRNLxVTUPI3bpjF7ymCYGJa_-gU7ww6ZVSeu-0Ex-WheJUpV0LxIZGbK-anWnxUcSnP2haICIx3Y3PoxRqczoTg5iDfxJrVxRnwJCvDHROgeXr5_u9E-ZjQexqhU0KD-EPw/s640/DSCN1772.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Crem<span class="_Tgc">à of small Falla<b><br></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2teH0VEURICXsO69irDMZ4S5VAHpeeOtALV-o-DDDl-Ec3ZI7caHET01b-69h2Cx87CXWyJNwOt7_Aek6S3yRGbyBOMpxjX6zeSLb_0jpPTBrO-CEd3716zH1M8x5i8VySdzB7g5mtPhV/s1600/DSCN1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2teH0VEURICXsO69irDMZ4S5VAHpeeOtALV-o-DDDl-Ec3ZI7caHET01b-69h2Cx87CXWyJNwOt7_Aek6S3yRGbyBOMpxjX6zeSLb_0jpPTBrO-CEd3716zH1M8x5i8VySdzB7g5mtPhV/s640/DSCN1773.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At La Crem<span class="_Tgc">à</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hYlvZ0A6_oD44zH0y78UyJ5bZNBHMkZYz6lAdj8xIbOcdn1AZy_55atPyWf-dg1ZZXmvJZQwlytBcdOyaRR1Nt2iOz35nvvMxi98UqM391iwzbC_Y5T0evYmL9gEB0HuFxVPrYaS3zPh/s1600/DSCN1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hYlvZ0A6_oD44zH0y78UyJ5bZNBHMkZYz6lAdj8xIbOcdn1AZy_55atPyWf-dg1ZZXmvJZQwlytBcdOyaRR1Nt2iOz35nvvMxi98UqM391iwzbC_Y5T0evYmL9gEB0HuFxVPrYaS3zPh/s640/DSCN1776.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large falla that we watched get burned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMxDyOUoCBY2WbrJhLxyof21GaCl-ANkJBj2K-5iMBVToiB8CF5eUwb7sD9mR2fBDD72B7fO_VwuJ0wWo-H42zYcaDZ83-3IwoasKKdskWjDMdnZPu5vtzvFFviSeqxyHznQ71qho9PmH/s1600/DSCN1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMxDyOUoCBY2WbrJhLxyof21GaCl-ANkJBj2K-5iMBVToiB8CF5eUwb7sD9mR2fBDD72B7fO_VwuJ0wWo-H42zYcaDZ83-3IwoasKKdskWjDMdnZPu5vtzvFFviSeqxyHznQ71qho9PmH/s640/DSCN1781.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning of large Falla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBd2zlp_Mim8CCyVkaAqrUctOdTeWD4zdD9TtEqu8PKq4nFyGLT_MOVcid8r9jUK53O0DdWDMEq_871u4OzVfXezv-qA5HImmi1l6SuwNoqIFm-OwwAHlncYNZt6M6nBRaxWLJm5mA-br/s1600/DSCN1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBd2zlp_Mim8CCyVkaAqrUctOdTeWD4zdD9TtEqu8PKq4nFyGLT_MOVcid8r9jUK53O0DdWDMEq_871u4OzVfXezv-qA5HImmi1l6SuwNoqIFm-OwwAHlncYNZt6M6nBRaxWLJm5mA-br/s640/DSCN1784.JPG" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all the smoke! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The last thing for the night was going to the Plaza de Ayuntamiento to see the fireworks and watch them burn the large falla there. The problem was that because there was so many people we did not arrive early enough where we could see the falla be burned but we still saw the fireworks and were there for the burning. It was so packed that I was leaning on everyone and everyone was leaning on me. I think every inch of all the streets going into the plaza was covered with people. </span><br>
<span class="_Tgc"></span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-80061957063833337322016-03-15T11:43:00.001-07:002016-03-15T11:48:05.960-07:00Madrid - Spain's Capital<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend I took a trip via bus with Christina to Spain's capital of Madrid. The bus ride from Valencia is about 3 and a half hours and we were in Madrid Friday through Sunday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What was really neat was that our room at the hostel is located in Plaza Mayor and we were about to go out onto the balcony and look out into the plaza below. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb660DAsrj_KGfXFA7BW_bJ5LW1EYDnzQgYaK8hNgYZV9ATjoVptRLckT1JjY1R0HlNsJpxdksR0mgFgSMXNle9o5Q8mz6pAl7s-0g9iYSd9Ei1reEGygiAl2t-rBQByVs1-7NHRWq3cw5/s1600/DSCN1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb660DAsrj_KGfXFA7BW_bJ5LW1EYDnzQgYaK8hNgYZV9ATjoVptRLckT1JjY1R0HlNsJpxdksR0mgFgSMXNle9o5Q8mz6pAl7s-0g9iYSd9Ei1reEGygiAl2t-rBQByVs1-7NHRWq3cw5/s640/DSCN1348.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza Mayor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After we settled into our room, we ate lunch that we had brought with us from home. Then after we ate, I was looking out on the balcony after I was ready to go out and saw that people were gathering for a free tour so I told Christina and we ran down to catch it. On this tour we learned a lot about the history of Spain, especially about the kings and what they were known for. We also saw the oldest restaurant in the world. Other stops along the way included the cathedral and the royal palace. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA6Ryh0AjspzU6NGBpcsnMFEMJ7M5dHgPWppUg8xZyM_2MpkEOsuL1Oj6Vtx7xbwwkMKwCdBiMFmx58Eh83CRe05uqRPMJ85bSt-MiUzYENTGaMsXjrVqvnPz8-F5rZEOlvR0pB4VZE7F/s1600/DSCN1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA6Ryh0AjspzU6NGBpcsnMFEMJ7M5dHgPWppUg8xZyM_2MpkEOsuL1Oj6Vtx7xbwwkMKwCdBiMFmx58Eh83CRe05uqRPMJ85bSt-MiUzYENTGaMsXjrVqvnPz8-F5rZEOlvR0pB4VZE7F/s640/DSCN1357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almudena Cathedral <span class="_eph"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYaY5awk6Dlk4rAEksAIcw5IZ-RHYMv72Kgg3HlbxmDx1U7i8trlN-tgJqQwRN6e-unFIsh_AKzkH-t6oo1HdGBQ1Yp5mL6H0xbeSG_Rc98uO6KlLARwoozDvZCAhKH1XpZO5JROLs2vk/s1600/DSCN1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYaY5awk6Dlk4rAEksAIcw5IZ-RHYMv72Kgg3HlbxmDx1U7i8trlN-tgJqQwRN6e-unFIsh_AKzkH-t6oo1HdGBQ1Yp5mL6H0xbeSG_Rc98uO6KlLARwoozDvZCAhKH1XpZO5JROLs2vk/s640/DSCN1362.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Royal Palace of Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92WtSxGCWDlp8mNZEVbtrmq1iGK6Tq7O9VrKNApwjZC75FqXZs8D27paFX0LqkiYL7tiE241OVy-53HLxIFI8ZSZhyH5FGZipugfLcKNcG-ljSJKKOevUTeMrsAFKDiWhaDehYt5g4kOi/s1600/DSCN1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92WtSxGCWDlp8mNZEVbtrmq1iGK6Tq7O9VrKNApwjZC75FqXZs8D27paFX0LqkiYL7tiE241OVy-53HLxIFI8ZSZhyH5FGZipugfLcKNcG-ljSJKKOevUTeMrsAFKDiWhaDehYt5g4kOi/s640/DSCN1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felipe IV in front of Royal Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwfoSqQwfsBe9xswTS3vNXpibmOokq-RqCZouWa5ZmuUC8vD4_2A0x1bp0emPAPcbBKfyb0o8tnuVtNKIeYGZM4wvJvBXkTUZK-umGi9b88LZlrpjgoB9h6sFXlvB9nK4-NU1KyEmRLLu/s1600/DSCN1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwfoSqQwfsBe9xswTS3vNXpibmOokq-RqCZouWa5ZmuUC8vD4_2A0x1bp0emPAPcbBKfyb0o8tnuVtNKIeYGZM4wvJvBXkTUZK-umGi9b88LZlrpjgoB9h6sFXlvB9nK4-NU1KyEmRLLu/s640/DSCN1376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de Isabel II and the Opera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our tour ended in front of the Opera in Plaza de Isabel II. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After our tour we decided to walk around and see what we could find for ourselves in Madrid. That's when we stumbled upon the largest doughnut that we have ever seen and decided that we had to buy it and try it. (It wasn't as good as I hoped it to be.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We wandered around for the rest of the day and got dinner in Plaza Mayor where the waiter was really cool. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIxHpLkNjHkV7BajqYTXxblHRj0DnEICvW8zexSJ5sg-qlXpb3smiXUa6NEDf8y4V-w7iu07LRpS0MXpfiqf39iokLvmfpAB6ZuhZEWHR9yL4a4URtxCVuUMPlPFYXAKaFraNAWmwTdYW/s1600/DSCN1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIxHpLkNjHkV7BajqYTXxblHRj0DnEICvW8zexSJ5sg-qlXpb3smiXUa6NEDf8y4V-w7iu07LRpS0MXpfiqf39iokLvmfpAB6ZuhZEWHR9yL4a4URtxCVuUMPlPFYXAKaFraNAWmwTdYW/s640/DSCN1380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we got up fairly early so that we could get to the Museo de Prado before it got too busy. Unfortunately they do not allow photos so I don't have any of the inside of the building. Inside I saw sculptures from Roman and Greek time, and paintings by Velázquez, Sorolla, El Greco, and Goya. I have studied these pieces and given presentations on them so it was really cool to actually get to see them in person. I was really impressed by the size of these paintings because when I went to the Louvre I was astonished by how small the Mona Lisa actually is. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlat-Ujglcy4XgatPrhdTMuvgOKj_gkCi_8jq5vTFzVP_JXImXdddnw-OrlWTvW_f2DH3m8K-lnc-l1T8QUkB37l9PYzQppqIJoz8yA15Y9alI3HKhvIV_XcOiJlucT5nvHrMoNqrUcGD/s1600/DSCN1389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlat-Ujglcy4XgatPrhdTMuvgOKj_gkCi_8jq5vTFzVP_JXImXdddnw-OrlWTvW_f2DH3m8K-lnc-l1T8QUkB37l9PYzQppqIJoz8yA15Y9alI3HKhvIV_XcOiJlucT5nvHrMoNqrUcGD/s640/DSCN1389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museo del Prado</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we did a little more wandering around and found a nice cafe to have lunch where we sat down for a while and relaxed. On our wandering we came across some important things to see while in Madrid such as Las Cibeles, the Ayuntamiento building, and Puerta de Alcalá. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt72wLoyTv96likEj7Y1YiLdyCelGcZuKD0eF4Oc3_5feltnmdpCXp4mNj2pQAB6FcSi-_1bfQ52bnUzB6gdG_c7yyPiBLjoGgsoJoEcMlPAsT9jAFLCtZhtwh2Fh4Q1K1rpklGdIpzgn/s1600/DSCN1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt72wLoyTv96likEj7Y1YiLdyCelGcZuKD0eF4Oc3_5feltnmdpCXp4mNj2pQAB6FcSi-_1bfQ52bnUzB6gdG_c7yyPiBLjoGgsoJoEcMlPAsT9jAFLCtZhtwh2Fh4Q1K1rpklGdIpzgn/s640/DSCN1406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Cibeles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaxhzyFAjtLPcWqao70i4mnHXBDRVB2aC3UbNmYNXNJ_HNmWbc4aShdg02fLi5FfjRW-sQQR5BVSt7KsgeNlpN7XF7MmDCeXDzlbrlLKdL98DIalCRHnINUJpb2O4UrRk8eYo1rd3fLNE/s1600/DSCN1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaxhzyFAjtLPcWqao70i4mnHXBDRVB2aC3UbNmYNXNJ_HNmWbc4aShdg02fLi5FfjRW-sQQR5BVSt7KsgeNlpN7XF7MmDCeXDzlbrlLKdL98DIalCRHnINUJpb2O4UrRk8eYo1rd3fLNE/s640/DSCN1407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayuntamiento de Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF38SNSH19T2c0QXgfHYmlkhVE7uwoTDhD6K26nRWSfL1bbjHCg9Jd5bw8tFrDlqaJ_odoYR5m5soqthJiU6LJ__6nqbikKgUPp_e5i_tPZGkdcAU6MhrVEPOeCIBsILrng2B69IHePnY/s1600/DSCN1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF38SNSH19T2c0QXgfHYmlkhVE7uwoTDhD6K26nRWSfL1bbjHCg9Jd5bw8tFrDlqaJ_odoYR5m5soqthJiU6LJ__6nqbikKgUPp_e5i_tPZGkdcAU6MhrVEPOeCIBsILrng2B69IHePnY/s640/DSCN1414.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puerta de Alcalá</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we wanted to explore Parque del Retiro where we found some really interesting trees (that look like broccoli to me), the lake where people can rent boats and row around, Palacio de Cristal, and Palacio de Velázquez. I thought it was pretty cool that inside of the Palacio de Cristal that they had a collection of fossil bones hanging from the ceiling. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdluF0CKpFYbS6-6yeeP57IrmgFGT_SBkn9Bp4wMI-5LLhRATz3w2m-iyrmVbiObYfBgtsZAMbppw-MXokb-OnUi9S0FSB97spBVrBuR9dBdsYX3KOVyit6XF4pjoK8GmfmeC_XwGtk1X5/s1600/DSCN1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdluF0CKpFYbS6-6yeeP57IrmgFGT_SBkn9Bp4wMI-5LLhRATz3w2m-iyrmVbiObYfBgtsZAMbppw-MXokb-OnUi9S0FSB97spBVrBuR9dBdsYX3KOVyit6XF4pjoK8GmfmeC_XwGtk1X5/s640/DSCN1421.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4ncgP_ikyMVXNzv1HfCux1AD9ELWx-VbNvIYYHf30c8Vc5mPtNMp6lHtPoEOtGlLBkDdJq6hA3bZe3kAEilwUviL4zEVBHKo_LmhpzFGAMzXeQaquPrx9QQWYAlG22ppo9UEZni8SYKc/s1600/DSCN1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4ncgP_ikyMVXNzv1HfCux1AD9ELWx-VbNvIYYHf30c8Vc5mPtNMp6lHtPoEOtGlLBkDdJq6hA3bZe3kAEilwUviL4zEVBHKo_LmhpzFGAMzXeQaquPrx9QQWYAlG22ppo9UEZni8SYKc/s640/DSCN1423.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbXkyoZGpQxpOlelTYYl2P1n2WFgaS426Lq0van24HKJy1bNhI_7GyCuQbjDhSqWxvHu5_YM5-YNo7fd_HKxla3zGy1Lg0U7I8t-aRW76QCW1I3pKP79LhsNlInV4a_1QyrfnblGW8stY/s1600/DSCN1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbXkyoZGpQxpOlelTYYl2P1n2WFgaS426Lq0van24HKJy1bNhI_7GyCuQbjDhSqWxvHu5_YM5-YNo7fd_HKxla3zGy1Lg0U7I8t-aRW76QCW1I3pKP79LhsNlInV4a_1QyrfnblGW8stY/s640/DSCN1432.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRAmMnrnpMrGo3HI1lod3MWv82rYJmhHoj8Re9nLEV7tw4R5ZjO5a13Io-xdeav84P4_4FBhqqYgzZ66hVUHZGcocxk2MsMdMInlsJcMihL3Qk4VmkNqRO1iukJShA4vMIQWDkoFX_xM8/s1600/DSCN1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRAmMnrnpMrGo3HI1lod3MWv82rYJmhHoj8Re9nLEV7tw4R5ZjO5a13Io-xdeav84P4_4FBhqqYgzZ66hVUHZGcocxk2MsMdMInlsJcMihL3Qk4VmkNqRO1iukJShA4vMIQWDkoFX_xM8/s640/DSCN1435.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUx6VjLoReNd_tDuNmNAK82K9-HStZn83Gr5dRNM1ucmg2XBHEjcBfZSBQhznD-RFPSso6j1zGusUPpPyzqxAWtfNXnbo4H0vkLkwlQ1b2nm8mFN8mh_IIPjNSmvi1kXq76cQzpEKwT2-/s1600/DSCN1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUx6VjLoReNd_tDuNmNAK82K9-HStZn83Gr5dRNM1ucmg2XBHEjcBfZSBQhznD-RFPSso6j1zGusUPpPyzqxAWtfNXnbo4H0vkLkwlQ1b2nm8mFN8mh_IIPjNSmvi1kXq76cQzpEKwT2-/s640/DSCN1446.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWMbmIN0J3RifKzMQvp9UVy3X9g54JUPpy3CUEkwNGymS-6Es1A59aCBZwwIgdwTGAXYUZ7qpoJk2q7cDrBDFnwSgOfaFD2GMigi85PUIQGZxqr7s0-Rijg0rFk-HD6xQMWtQxSDj7esE/s1600/DSCN1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWMbmIN0J3RifKzMQvp9UVy3X9g54JUPpy3CUEkwNGymS-6Es1A59aCBZwwIgdwTGAXYUZ7qpoJk2q7cDrBDFnwSgOfaFD2GMigi85PUIQGZxqr7s0-Rijg0rFk-HD6xQMWtQxSDj7esE/s640/DSCN1456.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7a3o65z4kVA4AtrBc7WwRrrEAhHyWtT3bREE9_YyFg8pCedfV-upuaGfoHGwMp6BUTFd1wBj2jW_qJDnuYTlT1rkAIVLo1s8Kbmn0eG8yY_0VRXDAaoRoEfv1dDMkJ1bENP5bl_uDi3M/s1600/DSCN1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7a3o65z4kVA4AtrBc7WwRrrEAhHyWtT3bREE9_YyFg8pCedfV-upuaGfoHGwMp6BUTFd1wBj2jW_qJDnuYTlT1rkAIVLo1s8Kbmn0eG8yY_0VRXDAaoRoEfv1dDMkJ1bENP5bl_uDi3M/s640/DSCN1461.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While we were wandering around the city it started getting dark and we were lucky enough to have ended up outside of the Royal Palace in front of the gardens to see the sunset. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the whole weekend. (In my picture I was able to capture the picturesque sunset along with the palace, its gardens, the moon, and a little bit of the city behind the palace.) </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahyQ7nAjf2CBN5k81O3go-9ekjXT9UB3yyMfcxf919GxJKp5guzXIRqJGV6ALOQeE6H8X0SQoiKaNYzlqMRPam9zlzfo0kD-kkFFWScJDgEdJUR0rG8WrnL2msqjAPf2jhkMqBV2JK0xf/s1600/DSCN1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahyQ7nAjf2CBN5k81O3go-9ekjXT9UB3yyMfcxf919GxJKp5guzXIRqJGV6ALOQeE6H8X0SQoiKaNYzlqMRPam9zlzfo0kD-kkFFWScJDgEdJUR0rG8WrnL2msqjAPf2jhkMqBV2JK0xf/s640/DSCN1494.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiDLdNW6FzU0A5KybAsvBqBHFw6AM7vOIbTZC8PkRbYLCh4PVOte2QljOXfcHOYFOEZmZGNMIz32txqb8d6_AU6KSqVcntGvtLWdIR8IdxW4pO0w_AIIl_K5S5_N4fknvfepsHSAwbBR2/s1600/DSCN1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiDLdNW6FzU0A5KybAsvBqBHFw6AM7vOIbTZC8PkRbYLCh4PVOte2QljOXfcHOYFOEZmZGNMIz32txqb8d6_AU6KSqVcntGvtLWdIR8IdxW4pO0w_AIIl_K5S5_N4fknvfepsHSAwbBR2/s640/DSCN1495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the palace from the gardens during sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the sun set we were in search of a place to eat dinner and we ended up going to a really cool restaurant that was lit up in green lights right next to the river. On the way, we saw this view that I thought was really cool of the palace and cathedral from across the river. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaVkk1epd-x52Jrb8DeS3buHMqDhVNo3bQDF0KiJHS7weDcv8fO1LvAigRYdXiMPR02FN8EYxTvMO7n_Q6X1LtOHAEccunSP4SeRVcwVKYaVM3jXEqTmI5CT1JGPHpdNbzQUMMMEKMCif/s1600/DSCN1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaVkk1epd-x52Jrb8DeS3buHMqDhVNo3bQDF0KiJHS7weDcv8fO1LvAigRYdXiMPR02FN8EYxTvMO7n_Q6X1LtOHAEccunSP4SeRVcwVKYaVM3jXEqTmI5CT1JGPHpdNbzQUMMMEKMCif/s640/DSCN1510.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we were off to see the Temple of Debod. This was really neat to see because this temple was a gift to Spain that originally was in Egypt. Inside there are hieroglyphics on the walls and I was able to explore various rooms. Behind the temple there was a really cool view of the city. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VmKJZ9wzJLJizx9sf8eV55rPViVdGsMWsC9JI16qY0pF9Zlshg1XfPV54Sp-8zSw9lGP6mqJiWwvAWl3l3_TGoIUCN58Mtd_ypZnkLa_CfWbE7pKtyiXsTpapPP83BvkbAKSn81zI5Oj/s1600/DSCN1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VmKJZ9wzJLJizx9sf8eV55rPViVdGsMWsC9JI16qY0pF9Zlshg1XfPV54Sp-8zSw9lGP6mqJiWwvAWl3l3_TGoIUCN58Mtd_ypZnkLa_CfWbE7pKtyiXsTpapPP83BvkbAKSn81zI5Oj/s640/DSCN1528.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mtfizo_7DgXcFjnG7NtFUpfxJrts8uOBBVpWDwBnd6TkM5UdF-mWO97t6V-BBgyWdK7om8lSlninz9KNiOvFBp0XFoBKSrZRwM0CearN_afa0S2Pu1xo91US8o-coJbGe4VjUq7mvZ44/s1600/DSCN1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Mtfizo_7DgXcFjnG7NtFUpfxJrts8uOBBVpWDwBnd6TkM5UdF-mWO97t6V-BBgyWdK7om8lSlninz9KNiOvFBp0XFoBKSrZRwM0CearN_afa0S2Pu1xo91US8o-coJbGe4VjUq7mvZ44/s640/DSCN1553.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our last few hours that we had left we continued to walk around the city and we found Plaza de España. And before we left, we finally found the bear and tree statue, which is the official symbol of Madrid. We didn't know but we passed it a couple times in Puerta del Sol. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Hgjtfo6QUiUpst5oe3QBeX7RlwtVX6KrM5FkYVK3oKxjbwrQvbagMfldXaDOCIOKrYGXXPIcxNUCP2ozFaxLgDe_FtB_rCV9VGH7e43SouteRqyGYV_xsoh0JE1ZuPybTmbXJHypUy1/s1600/DSCN1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Hgjtfo6QUiUpst5oe3QBeX7RlwtVX6KrM5FkYVK3oKxjbwrQvbagMfldXaDOCIOKrYGXXPIcxNUCP2ozFaxLgDe_FtB_rCV9VGH7e43SouteRqyGYV_xsoh0JE1ZuPybTmbXJHypUy1/s640/DSCN1570.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the fountain in Plaza de España</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tck3wZMpOYhyphenhyphenqjnuc_EIyKuGGe5ikSnEhQw3yU8fJihIVr5siJQBIdIQGJey9VATf5U3eKpHfUAsiFo-2cqwmlDSS5ah21sFJrvpmS10_-z5rKG3zajpVlEwT0SIpwW0AH2G1FqZqjol/s1600/DSCN1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tck3wZMpOYhyphenhyphenqjnuc_EIyKuGGe5ikSnEhQw3yU8fJihIVr5siJQBIdIQGJey9VATf5U3eKpHfUAsiFo-2cqwmlDSS5ah21sFJrvpmS10_-z5rKG3zajpVlEwT0SIpwW0AH2G1FqZqjol/s640/DSCN1580.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend I tried two very typical foods of Madrid, which are Calamari sandwiches and candies that are shaped and taste like violets. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This week begins Las Fallas in Valencia, which is a huge celebration in honor of St. Joseph. This will include a lot of fireworks, parades, food, and fires. I can't wait to share all my experiences during this celebration in my next blog next week! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-75495271933941367882016-03-06T10:58:00.000-08:002016-03-06T11:01:32.618-08:00Flamenco!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NatwqNV9IjY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NatwqNV9IjY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ever since the end of January I have been taking flamenco and ritmos latinos classes at a nearby dance studio. Flamenco is a traditional Spanish dance that originated in the south of Spain (Andalucía). It is a combination of Arabic and Spanish music and dance. It is not very common in the Valencia area but I thought it would be really cool to learn a traditional Spanish dance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been practicing a choreography for about a month or so now and today I finally got to perform it. Today is "Día de la Mujer" and Rocío Giner, the owner of the studio and professional flamenca, set up to do a flash mob type video and perform for the public on the bridge in front of the Torres de Serranos. It was very exciting because everyone in the studio was learning the same choreography (slightly different for each level) and we would all perform it together. It was such an emotional and cool experience to be a part of! I hope I will be able to participate in another flamenco demonstration before I leave! </span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1mCorI6BkK5KJcjIH82jWEf0D9svysAHklUOtVc-inhO_DfjxoZp-D1YTDvix3WkZfRZbIInx7FGAWtgNyHxdQc6k9SVKos61IYt5MysMAQ0lEer22Jbi05kj6dmo0yMYnLZbPD9MKjo/s1600/DSCN1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1mCorI6BkK5KJcjIH82jWEf0D9svysAHklUOtVc-inhO_DfjxoZp-D1YTDvix3WkZfRZbIInx7FGAWtgNyHxdQc6k9SVKos61IYt5MysMAQ0lEer22Jbi05kj6dmo0yMYnLZbPD9MKjo/s640/DSCN1329.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX1vkDzR02eEqgb5FBA79Dt14RC_Erc3Fm5z7CTc9OzdVSb0vOl-ZkWe7wf1S2Y77PLRxDTdbGfbkR6lX1MujIWMbN7U8wkJKCw6dh6vJbMxQnQB1vaIx1smDYcklBtzVgAdInYDuZ0pl/s1600/DSCN1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX1vkDzR02eEqgb5FBA79Dt14RC_Erc3Fm5z7CTc9OzdVSb0vOl-ZkWe7wf1S2Y77PLRxDTdbGfbkR6lX1MujIWMbN7U8wkJKCw6dh6vJbMxQnQB1vaIx1smDYcklBtzVgAdInYDuZ0pl/s640/DSCN1333.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72AFeMrUYr-Fg6CeZ1ua0jCl0g2S-jsjh5suR2pzPpyi8rQ77H3PkFyAzMRCQhvb5SgorPtKNINPaKUz8k2x3h91E-Sp3Lw0tltgdVFXiT2e4wpGx5cE469ZjquMw-7XTBfiukZ6mOCfY/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72AFeMrUYr-Fg6CeZ1ua0jCl0g2S-jsjh5suR2pzPpyi8rQ77H3PkFyAzMRCQhvb5SgorPtKNINPaKUz8k2x3h91E-Sp3Lw0tltgdVFXiT2e4wpGx5cE469ZjquMw-7XTBfiukZ6mOCfY/s640/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWEugemcAnNh65-8y1mkzIahoYAQo6gU9cNO41K6XPxFCVzm9misV4-M886uCmU1X5zFn0-Uko-Cl2CvIRppVghMD9ldYrQlO_PCWjtMU_h9ZFl9Oi8Lo139L2FJ8tM33d_1KwG-maxm7/s1600/DSCN1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWEugemcAnNh65-8y1mkzIahoYAQo6gU9cNO41K6XPxFCVzm9misV4-M886uCmU1X5zFn0-Uko-Cl2CvIRppVghMD9ldYrQlO_PCWjtMU_h9ZFl9Oi8Lo139L2FJ8tM33d_1KwG-maxm7/s640/DSCN1336.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-6fmad5fSW4xMD9yQ5N-D2wCM58STq3HQ_nneoV5PhXK4lSVk8FV3LcLaVTuhyerCtUT0VYH8sygk8tCY3q_Xy0v3DPcj9rHt5o9ixjwUQoRbhwBAWcUk_H6JBLEm3LmBOstBB_UOrRu/s1600/DSCN1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-6fmad5fSW4xMD9yQ5N-D2wCM58STq3HQ_nneoV5PhXK4lSVk8FV3LcLaVTuhyerCtUT0VYH8sygk8tCY3q_Xy0v3DPcj9rHt5o9ixjwUQoRbhwBAWcUk_H6JBLEm3LmBOstBB_UOrRu/s640/DSCN1338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1r8EEli79X_U-UxV-1N2EIO_FR5J7Za3i9PAV0lPqH5_avNuF0eO-sA5aZZF1xZl0bp-QFS7qeHCDFNRCLCDvC6ViOo7lXKxc2VzFKRTG_wj7WMfIZk7QgoFVts7bQRPXIx8Nr2hZRnz/s1600/DSCN1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1r8EEli79X_U-UxV-1N2EIO_FR5J7Za3i9PAV0lPqH5_avNuF0eO-sA5aZZF1xZl0bp-QFS7qeHCDFNRCLCDvC6ViOo7lXKxc2VzFKRTG_wj7WMfIZk7QgoFVts7bQRPXIx8Nr2hZRnz/s640/DSCN1342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-36996687480559056932016-03-01T13:50:00.002-08:002016-03-01T13:50:47.103-08:00A weekend in Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba: long bus rides and climbing to tower tops<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend, Meg, Christina, and I took a trip to three cities in Andalucía, Spain. Those cities were Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba. Our journey started at 12am on Friday morning when we left Valencia for an eight hour bus ride to Granada. I'm not really one for bus rides, especially because I cannot sleep when I am traveling. The ride wasn't too bad but I was worried that we would make our tour on time. When we originally went to buy the tickets online to the Alhambra, which is "the thing to see" in Granada, they were sold out, so we had to pay three times the price for a private tour to be assured that we would get in. The tour was to begin at 9am and we were cutting it close, but I text messaged the tour guide and we were golden. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Alhambra is a fortress/castle on the top of a hill in Granada. It traces back to the 9th century. In the 13th century it was converted into a royal palace for Mohammed I, an Arab ruler. When the catholic monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, took over Spain and the Spanish Inquisition began, the fortress was peacefully handed over to them at the end of the 15th century. During the rule of Carlos V, he had a palace built atop the hill in the fortress also. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Generalife - Alhambra gardens </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTBAe2jwAf91vrD_VYPpL4uTSCUiweBpbY2NT7UpQePWbfjrPl59WWisgZsFomaJNir0bIfUkQcCEzWQYPwi-85r52Lf85YdfmxrT0EwtLwcKjHVXjLa6tA6E-jg2jGzcVpzRpro_TgSc/s1600/DSCN0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTBAe2jwAf91vrD_VYPpL4uTSCUiweBpbY2NT7UpQePWbfjrPl59WWisgZsFomaJNir0bIfUkQcCEzWQYPwi-85r52Lf85YdfmxrT0EwtLwcKjHVXjLa6tA6E-jg2jGzcVpzRpro_TgSc/s640/DSCN0786.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcZUxowZ6MGckxi2xPQCnhfQ4G4A4ayDTt1lCkPxKrk3ljTkhUkkLRf7KYPxpFUhtpI_thKWSt4R2f8-Ft60lOrxNB-HXil5UWZtu9sNcJ02qNRftQF9-qGYwI1qUuUzHhIpYQFIDc1G/s1600/DSCN0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrcZUxowZ6MGckxi2xPQCnhfQ4G4A4ayDTt1lCkPxKrk3ljTkhUkkLRf7KYPxpFUhtpI_thKWSt4R2f8-Ft60lOrxNB-HXil5UWZtu9sNcJ02qNRftQF9-qGYwI1qUuUzHhIpYQFIDc1G/s640/DSCN0789.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Palace of Carlos V</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryRWi_AyGhgTltz6HokMnsyStqh_-Xmy6OXeCD2zJQ5pfcsBaQ2bY_uNhBzSRlyeBBPq5RmYEmWixjfUuxaAj13aT_Ih0xC469Mc1CFlfHYyYY47qCW11DArkyKWGoATXfo2vjkGZDEIZ/s1600/DSCN0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryRWi_AyGhgTltz6HokMnsyStqh_-Xmy6OXeCD2zJQ5pfcsBaQ2bY_uNhBzSRlyeBBPq5RmYEmWixjfUuxaAj13aT_Ih0xC469Mc1CFlfHYyYY47qCW11DArkyKWGoATXfo2vjkGZDEIZ/s640/DSCN0825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nasrid Dynasty Palace </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R-ncgs5RX3Z-bqxwGGF5vZZflIbf_UZhHAALrrlTHigDiHUK5sWGA5_xsvkqCsEpLSJ8yDYEATYjWT5ypheq2xTM4QHCOFerduTQqaoB-4nL95i6PvgtNoO9N9qchqUTTty4W246b3lx/s1600/DSCN0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R-ncgs5RX3Z-bqxwGGF5vZZflIbf_UZhHAALrrlTHigDiHUK5sWGA5_xsvkqCsEpLSJ8yDYEATYjWT5ypheq2xTM4QHCOFerduTQqaoB-4nL95i6PvgtNoO9N9qchqUTTty4W246b3lx/s640/DSCN0840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUiVXYbZsnknbIs4n96RfZjwzgXJ_rxFQwM4k0G-5jpzccZ70vhEJ8tnw7EN1-YK_uNByhhTQwGiacPy4GPM5QUXfJrBysZ9FaOanFDWSCNxte3P11zXHf3zmS_w2yr3biMhOChbqA0iq/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUiVXYbZsnknbIs4n96RfZjwzgXJ_rxFQwM4k0G-5jpzccZ70vhEJ8tnw7EN1-YK_uNByhhTQwGiacPy4GPM5QUXfJrBysZ9FaOanFDWSCNxte3P11zXHf3zmS_w2yr3biMhOChbqA0iq/s640/DSCN0854.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Patio of the Lions - courtyard in Nasrid palace</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOKCb39NDCvrsKgcn_pfUwppxtTQ9niBONlld3kxnI10_HSShQ_3Out5DWEHHzW3L-rcWaGwnclDIqWOhyFHblchirdI8u8I0Z98fVtEBnEdHYzQ3_zoyIXLzPTMf5cPlrFzq9vucCZSu/s1600/DSCN0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOKCb39NDCvrsKgcn_pfUwppxtTQ9niBONlld3kxnI10_HSShQ_3Out5DWEHHzW3L-rcWaGwnclDIqWOhyFHblchirdI8u8I0Z98fVtEBnEdHYzQ3_zoyIXLzPTMf5cPlrFzq9vucCZSu/s640/DSCN0872.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">View from atop Torre de la Vela</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Vo7lEHkldmzJjWzVqPIEnhtEqKqZoEPotwA3P6qr1FHFqCp9dz7dwc33okFRjqdsAeb14mVfHHvjdlRDI-WR2gNRnNwdUzJoPyGpshzHY20thpoj9-9o5UXIi_vQGn3-EcoSvzp9oXV/s1600/DSCN0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49Vo7lEHkldmzJjWzVqPIEnhtEqKqZoEPotwA3P6qr1FHFqCp9dz7dwc33okFRjqdsAeb14mVfHHvjdlRDI-WR2gNRnNwdUzJoPyGpshzHY20thpoj9-9o5UXIi_vQGn3-EcoSvzp9oXV/s640/DSCN0915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nsdce-mWvh6_t-IJY2iK9zsQ1SbGh7PRhcq0tMAYmJMRJF4mLYwHlFxnxfnVKXPDixkd0cUW-Rxd0qZ6VPKDKFJgwyDMKBo9CLsvNMee12KJyZIjbHbRvjMhZ_3RuHdPCBkcpX1gDn_L/s1600/DSCN0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nsdce-mWvh6_t-IJY2iK9zsQ1SbGh7PRhcq0tMAYmJMRJF4mLYwHlFxnxfnVKXPDixkd0cUW-Rxd0qZ6VPKDKFJgwyDMKBo9CLsvNMee12KJyZIjbHbRvjMhZ_3RuHdPCBkcpX1gDn_L/s640/DSCN0924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD13kwDoFB3Z_kSLejTFQhURfQDUjYfNprG-v-HTy6BZGZQL6ctgil8vZ22qPupcJmrXWzuhMDlX15aWUyjbgTBzScG_NnDuNyE4Bj300R3rinHDvUOlnrhl2khr2H2yPDWIujYsQm5mk3/s1600/DSCN0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD13kwDoFB3Z_kSLejTFQhURfQDUjYfNprG-v-HTy6BZGZQL6ctgil8vZ22qPupcJmrXWzuhMDlX15aWUyjbgTBzScG_NnDuNyE4Bj300R3rinHDvUOlnrhl2khr2H2yPDWIujYsQm5mk3/s640/DSCN0931.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After our tour ended at the Alhambra we started going down the mountain and had lunch on a bench on the way down, sitting in nature. Then we continued all the way down where we encountered lots of tourist shops and narrow streets that were really cool. (Nothing you could see in the United States!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Granada Cathedral </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQsgx21QNHpCxlG3SufDJPaqlb52zX1_k3wFJbxmYeR-cvjDjsbTMPW4Ofwz5LbDUJvaUWzGAGINx8JSzq6iSrmHYJDeU2m8NVN8uGKsrck3nv9srT5Ii5hBdzBW1BGSB4-SQQSz6W3T6/s1600/DSCN0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQsgx21QNHpCxlG3SufDJPaqlb52zX1_k3wFJbxmYeR-cvjDjsbTMPW4Ofwz5LbDUJvaUWzGAGINx8JSzq6iSrmHYJDeU2m8NVN8uGKsrck3nv9srT5Ii5hBdzBW1BGSB4-SQQSz6W3T6/s640/DSCN0943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found my night in shining armor.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvVWiWgoNEdzba7iN-yOlxLHHqW8REXdgAtF_IIm5l1q7_wUqdTi6hd527n8XP4OJ-HDOlUoJNP4rdpkeNF3GxlPOPGaa5fU4ky1B4KnzffQfL7mUk4eLBLqp8bTdUsrQS1MqAVy_otoM/s1600/DSCN0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvVWiWgoNEdzba7iN-yOlxLHHqW8REXdgAtF_IIm5l1q7_wUqdTi6hd527n8XP4OJ-HDOlUoJNP4rdpkeNF3GxlPOPGaa5fU4ky1B4KnzffQfL7mUk4eLBLqp8bTdUsrQS1MqAVy_otoM/s640/DSCN0946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After wandering the streets of Granada, that same day we got back on the bus for about a two hour bus ride to Sevilla. By the time we got to Sevilla and found our hostel (after about 10 minutes of wandering and asking someone who works at a bar & then another hostel) we were able to sleep after a long day of traveling and exploring. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we woke up to go out and explore the city of Sevilla. We started with a "free" walking tour that we found out about at the hostel. On this tour we saw many of the main sights within the city. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sevilla Cathedral</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This cathedral was once a mosque for the Muslims who lived in the city before the Catholic rule of Spain. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and third-largest church in the world. The tower is known as 'Giralda' and was the old minaret converted into a bell tower. It also took 500 years to build! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYsTZIljVdAx1-Iv0edxIn9DmsIqctX_LdcksKTdm7cu29GzxEFxmr0pJtrgF5am3Oll2mxiEoY8Si9kOcJYGod6ymrN7SharT9jGhppSs7r947G9JCaSVN_PhQ587snlvfloeNa0uKvy/s1600/DSCN0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYsTZIljVdAx1-Iv0edxIn9DmsIqctX_LdcksKTdm7cu29GzxEFxmr0pJtrgF5am3Oll2mxiEoY8Si9kOcJYGod6ymrN7SharT9jGhppSs7r947G9JCaSVN_PhQ587snlvfloeNa0uKvy/s640/DSCN0956.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQq1Gv-nXuNyddA_ra7_dTvj1sazKRitzRSe2rKsdzZVk_v4T3hKGC-q0M1bmEbo0otd82PILSz9SVSw-_x7FT1sUsLmvLTYNGD_MJaRGBjNAzHexVrzXtEUUEeAy_Q5G5Pyby1v6bFe2/s1600/DSCN0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQq1Gv-nXuNyddA_ra7_dTvj1sazKRitzRSe2rKsdzZVk_v4T3hKGC-q0M1bmEbo0otd82PILSz9SVSw-_x7FT1sUsLmvLTYNGD_MJaRGBjNAzHexVrzXtEUUEeAy_Q5G5Pyby1v6bFe2/s640/DSCN0962.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sKMlT2DnwnX6nBheHFKLrKgCPzfw36PJkfRlmVr7iNOVg1ZNr8TCIXyTMqQ1WcgjIAxANJJNe7xlUg6ei9rPthmzGZ-chfIoAilN-cK6d4VjRXjwjU6pMwgSD-vrAtU_BXY8Nu3DW9SD/s1600/DSCN0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sKMlT2DnwnX6nBheHFKLrKgCPzfw36PJkfRlmVr7iNOVg1ZNr8TCIXyTMqQ1WcgjIAxANJJNe7xlUg6ei9rPthmzGZ-chfIoAilN-cK6d4VjRXjwjU6pMwgSD-vrAtU_BXY8Nu3DW9SD/s640/DSCN0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold)</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmxsfnieK7izHW0334Pf3TuoS0rdBexCpNtO6aeHNz42hM8z9ITfFbo2wWLKf4yELjpCVWbNc6x1SwwCMWzyKejM5gh2SK-G-dM19bM5a7lMtghiSsWi0toJYyz04wPJZQDeTCUNIb3Ey/s1600/DSCN0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmxsfnieK7izHW0334Pf3TuoS0rdBexCpNtO6aeHNz42hM8z9ITfFbo2wWLKf4yELjpCVWbNc6x1SwwCMWzyKejM5gh2SK-G-dM19bM5a7lMtghiSsWi0toJYyz04wPJZQDeTCUNIb3Ey/s640/DSCN0984.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Plaza de España </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A scene in Star Wars was filmed here and it was built for the Exposition of 1929. It is shaped like a horse shoe and it was built this, with the opening facing the west as an apology to America for conquering them. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Dy5QgTMSqpBhNecGqyayGVrwk_9mymn7nsntQoxtn6ZM0QWhyphenhyphen2abLsgSy2IUmSuYUFFJV1M2gVrvp-DqJCZ0quwTq4agzq8i0nRZnNrlps1GWDKdrTHzO9zY_TJD-4txxn3xLG4BopjD/s1600/DSCN0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Dy5QgTMSqpBhNecGqyayGVrwk_9mymn7nsntQoxtn6ZM0QWhyphenhyphen2abLsgSy2IUmSuYUFFJV1M2gVrvp-DqJCZ0quwTq4agzq8i0nRZnNrlps1GWDKdrTHzO9zY_TJD-4txxn3xLG4BopjD/s640/DSCN0997.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg813BUdtMPMh407wCpzw_FLvTu54Jr9tXRivFDjvmnPiWnFh7pb9ThSKw7gT3abzOMkIEIK2iFb2HSMY-MwJ1Bl3M3ZjAuMWKmeMoUqepfxHQa10QvhZjbnRJWRphcCnv3GlmQDHsrawGp/s1600/DSCN1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg813BUdtMPMh407wCpzw_FLvTu54Jr9tXRivFDjvmnPiWnFh7pb9ThSKw7gT3abzOMkIEIK2iFb2HSMY-MwJ1Bl3M3ZjAuMWKmeMoUqepfxHQa10QvhZjbnRJWRphcCnv3GlmQDHsrawGp/s640/DSCN1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T6bGQdCLnxeN7YttCSbMlzRfK3HnJwLSTVoJ72E5kxfSIoZGEiKB7gPYjuiq5LLFRLgQRoKEaaUzR63ZZ05OjgI__QTVl5QiXPvgAgE96dAtkQKNWaPRn_EKLWUvoH3aFRYbqM30tzBB/s1600/DSCN1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T6bGQdCLnxeN7YttCSbMlzRfK3HnJwLSTVoJ72E5kxfSIoZGEiKB7gPYjuiq5LLFRLgQRoKEaaUzR63ZZ05OjgI__QTVl5QiXPvgAgE96dAtkQKNWaPRn_EKLWUvoH3aFRYbqM30tzBB/s640/DSCN1034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgSzYc_Quu1Pz85rkSky8e0bKiowT5ylDrMLbNAdfPDG638q_To_MnBbx6-_Eyi5KtKdnvSBK3ygGb-thi5M28lkTtkLtPdSD5jn2DW16LFuAwX7DWzVlyXevRVt1pUXAHKMKscYGbVoy/s1600/DSCN1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgSzYc_Quu1Pz85rkSky8e0bKiowT5ylDrMLbNAdfPDG638q_To_MnBbx6-_Eyi5KtKdnvSBK3ygGb-thi5M28lkTtkLtPdSD5jn2DW16LFuAwX7DWzVlyXevRVt1pUXAHKMKscYGbVoy/s640/DSCN1044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SPhVjEj-zpsfgz7mePVLkooGr0cIX7uX8A8tkkSgP1cU9-MeNRmjayPFrWMJv_2wp55YSar5bEVzGwlrRn97hKxOakNy_FoeJCoGylUGBk0U-88gR2inYs1ipclpRBtd82F_gKm9desE/s1600/DSCN1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SPhVjEj-zpsfgz7mePVLkooGr0cIX7uX8A8tkkSgP1cU9-MeNRmjayPFrWMJv_2wp55YSar5bEVzGwlrRn97hKxOakNy_FoeJCoGylUGBk0U-88gR2inYs1ipclpRBtd82F_gKm9desE/s640/DSCN1049.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Around the inside wall there is a representation of every province of Spain, and since we study in Valencia, we got a picture at that one. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF5r_DMccS7fGW8TQW-xiEMccZ2Nlgu_1__RZCT_F5g9_HsnM_aSikM5u7ptIpkOIoMjEU-kCbbeGP_2KowMKR6MJgtmJsBDlsub3TJaFvjvtRm-hxUA5YdXjOTvIXt_MSY7LtiOpJFWY/s1600/DSCN1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF5r_DMccS7fGW8TQW-xiEMccZ2Nlgu_1__RZCT_F5g9_HsnM_aSikM5u7ptIpkOIoMjEU-kCbbeGP_2KowMKR6MJgtmJsBDlsub3TJaFvjvtRm-hxUA5YdXjOTvIXt_MSY7LtiOpJFWY/s640/DSCN1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon entering the cathedral, there were an abundance of altars throughout the who thing. Also, there is the altar made of gold. (Yes! The whole thing is pure gold.) There is also a tomb of Christopher Columbus. </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBRjrmsV16T7UaFCbzwQ5JAkv3LYX5Wo4103hK1OM3ZQygnyUFYpiX-b2Mu9QyfVZZDHRB8DgKhGZmf3gUc2Tb1IMEqPkXdKEX5Z3tC0SG7E903B7llWV5cSiu-QBbiiq2Di_ELUo5uXe/s1600/DSCN1071.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBRjrmsV16T7UaFCbzwQ5JAkv3LYX5Wo4103hK1OM3ZQygnyUFYpiX-b2Mu9QyfVZZDHRB8DgKhGZmf3gUc2Tb1IMEqPkXdKEX5Z3tC0SG7E903B7llWV5cSiu-QBbiiq2Di_ELUo5uXe/s1600/DSCN1071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB5NtOv3g88FGpvu3gmNNy-mB77mWUHy3xsakpvjzFeYxoNGYr0lFkG-VCUP7IRyCcCUarnkX7FobScANgHNOl09jY9_Eqlprw9vfkIGy80mtgVWonjcQ19aGBO232myyAD0VFOBCZPOx/s1600/DSCN1080.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB5NtOv3g88FGpvu3gmNNy-mB77mWUHy3xsakpvjzFeYxoNGYr0lFkG-VCUP7IRyCcCUarnkX7FobScANgHNOl09jY9_Eqlprw9vfkIGy80mtgVWonjcQ19aGBO232myyAD0VFOBCZPOx/s320/DSCN1080.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were also allowed to climb the Giralda, which is about 34 floors. But don't worry, the whole tower is a ramp. This is because Sevilla gets really hot in the summer and a person had to climb the tower 5 times a day to call the Muslims to prayer, so he rode a donkey to the top. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The view from the top is stunning and in this first picture you can see the bull ring. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r3GIWIPXX5NzjRcXGTk_6XZuaQgV3ERFv-XHJlOfWi_VvMRXIq0keZOQjoDTq10Pv4kZyuwLvMjKUIYLWN8UP8ZlnBAaM0O0QC6g6wcfnORUyn088CQ_L1F1pIfWYcAki7xuwagN2dJL/s1600/DSCN1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r3GIWIPXX5NzjRcXGTk_6XZuaQgV3ERFv-XHJlOfWi_VvMRXIq0keZOQjoDTq10Pv4kZyuwLvMjKUIYLWN8UP8ZlnBAaM0O0QC6g6wcfnORUyn088CQ_L1F1pIfWYcAki7xuwagN2dJL/s640/DSCN1123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu_yAvcFtT2ricWn_1fwu_or05KEtePd4LNNgmHR2E0uzJpuA6hBg768ZDLH3pg2Gtb9lN4ctAaeLq5ciPV2CG7xtl8ELPAi6O6dAgXbg7xxHhYMNXpigRGGQA0eGeW0_tk_GkrMQ_tmA/s1600/DSCN1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu_yAvcFtT2ricWn_1fwu_or05KEtePd4LNNgmHR2E0uzJpuA6hBg768ZDLH3pg2Gtb9lN4ctAaeLq5ciPV2CG7xtl8ELPAi6O6dAgXbg7xxHhYMNXpigRGGQA0eGeW0_tk_GkrMQ_tmA/s640/DSCN1126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwjWn18e8DZWq7TkFyfMRMFVwCHCcQK_xQMuM1Z_oGg6vX3Jfa3H5gnL1mcoVy2J4tymXqBSODMHnAuTrdReod62xI93eSQds3Vg7gf9WJp8Zfc-HVlSD8ALHF2KD5G3oR8NBCIeR7Nq/s1600/DSCN1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPwjWn18e8DZWq7TkFyfMRMFVwCHCcQK_xQMuM1Z_oGg6vX3Jfa3H5gnL1mcoVy2J4tymXqBSODMHnAuTrdReod62xI93eSQds3Vg7gf9WJp8Zfc-HVlSD8ALHF2KD5G3oR8NBCIeR7Nq/s640/DSCN1132.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Puente de Isabel II - crosses the Guadalquivir</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvK20Pd_Ag1Rxk2JnH-UGNiqHyXnoCZ9kK-siJA1li6UAqzsPtKv-RAJ_ynvxbzduDwXY9OlBcBtoHpT7sgQnHpX6vQa3_kJhx7NHbc0iwluK2CyJeIw8W-Keuie4LxTh_mm1BRoLXTuU/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvK20Pd_Ag1Rxk2JnH-UGNiqHyXnoCZ9kK-siJA1li6UAqzsPtKv-RAJ_ynvxbzduDwXY9OlBcBtoHpT7sgQnHpX6vQa3_kJhx7NHbc0iwluK2CyJeIw8W-Keuie4LxTh_mm1BRoLXTuU/s640/DSCN1153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Metropol Parasol</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Claims to be the largest self-supporting wooden structure in the world. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPkbQR95jvl3ltPzbiGbQxOmR6lGdroAMgBBBIQrCqOfdO30MMpA_WnALRSGMOujkJhRQs5Rz47JsC5svHNKKFvaAKMqZym8HuH8y9hk50MsGXdUwvG7FJcxxdpR3rmKZ9whvXuzurVD/s1600/DSCN1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPkbQR95jvl3ltPzbiGbQxOmR6lGdroAMgBBBIQrCqOfdO30MMpA_WnALRSGMOujkJhRQs5Rz47JsC5svHNKKFvaAKMqZym8HuH8y9hk50MsGXdUwvG7FJcxxdpR3rmKZ9whvXuzurVD/s640/DSCN1165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HL7UAl9agaR9L8cGng7Xi52DhyfhaAOGmAfrNtmM3WaGuxfJRDKKi3SFhY3fKeGz1QtTyusHCQlTx0xNj7pzaieWHZ24uBqTSuoqgxT2LwQTG3_1FdsQyV7gaK2v3l8KnxvqCf4kYsJn/s1600/DSCN1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HL7UAl9agaR9L8cGng7Xi52DhyfhaAOGmAfrNtmM3WaGuxfJRDKKi3SFhY3fKeGz1QtTyusHCQlTx0xNj7pzaieWHZ24uBqTSuoqgxT2LwQTG3_1FdsQyV7gaK2v3l8KnxvqCf4kYsJn/s640/DSCN1187.JPG" width="640" /></a> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That same night we also remained in Sevilla in the same hostel. In our room that night there were a group of Spanish girls who were fun to chat with. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we got up and took a morning bus to Cordoba. The ride was fairly short again. When we arrived we walked into the historic center of the city to explore around for a bit. The main attraction, the Mezquita, was closed for mass until 3:30. We found an old roman bridge, went to the Alcazar (palace), and grabbed some lunch at a cafe. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Old Roman Bridge (1st century B.C.) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4PULIxB0bA-SEltuCUWXSvwHUKWc3acOVA1YgixinuZm33skNpZDmzuW1uT4HgC-O1x5elN-pWa-YqY5m-24W_nvhtZcDOCsoLoWEDGPC9BmmqhyDUh__o5NKggibuNOJtfKOgdgis1a/s1600/DSCN1219.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4PULIxB0bA-SEltuCUWXSvwHUKWc3acOVA1YgixinuZm33skNpZDmzuW1uT4HgC-O1x5elN-pWa-YqY5m-24W_nvhtZcDOCsoLoWEDGPC9BmmqhyDUh__o5NKggibuNOJtfKOgdgis1a/s320/DSCN1219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Alcazar</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg3e0n9PjJNLKclZybHRNgxklBOSWvy_Sry4E4t2MIK0j6BuRvN7JLwcYAwcFKhmyXebsmmlsc0mDx5G9CGTJcS-oBrnYBhCFWzqfq4VCS9SswGAPrG6jS8J3e8gZLJmPhgmBlRZIMlWm/s1600/DSCN1250.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg3e0n9PjJNLKclZybHRNgxklBOSWvy_Sry4E4t2MIK0j6BuRvN7JLwcYAwcFKhmyXebsmmlsc0mDx5G9CGTJcS-oBrnYBhCFWzqfq4VCS9SswGAPrG6jS8J3e8gZLJmPhgmBlRZIMlWm/s320/DSCN1250.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">View of city from atop a tower in Alcazar</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJT2aiOVSzOYvB_LqpKeq5XaK2WAzWFHu3rJUJZx-zswKVxKPQOXbbGeeI8bel8B5FXNEHr1feNGjjt_e62cQsXtBKN7ohBow1HZ7goOd23YvYhVC0Gw9A8NLq8WZb2VlZQMaj_uG4lTlk/s1600/DSCN1268.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJT2aiOVSzOYvB_LqpKeq5XaK2WAzWFHu3rJUJZx-zswKVxKPQOXbbGeeI8bel8B5FXNEHr1feNGjjt_e62cQsXtBKN7ohBow1HZ7goOd23YvYhVC0Gw9A8NLq8WZb2VlZQMaj_uG4lTlk/s320/DSCN1268.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Alley of Flowers</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXokZFXatGbK5e_G6BNPIV2RHk7Xxv0-QglidxP1ahgZKSdbAwhXhiOHXX9yKBwb61FoGqam32IO5TRGAGm3mcOsXBdrywtM5iZkUH3rGtX00JZLcKkyA1T_KiB25bL_tKuzHMrhi7zK/s1600/DSCN1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXokZFXatGbK5e_G6BNPIV2RHk7Xxv0-QglidxP1ahgZKSdbAwhXhiOHXX9yKBwb61FoGqam32IO5TRGAGm3mcOsXBdrywtM5iZkUH3rGtX00JZLcKkyA1T_KiB25bL_tKuzHMrhi7zK/s640/DSCN1271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3N42qt70033A38d8OJiyofCADUUKVzYgWon682DUu8RmVTlWZHkqNWah7eUOeSUQtwKz282PggpgSgGLOlp-7538hZzvMrxF71iWMz1T216ramdLlTRnB_HqqfM5ftnSH8iA3s1_3Eiy/s1600/DSCN1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3N42qt70033A38d8OJiyofCADUUKVzYgWon682DUu8RmVTlWZHkqNWah7eUOeSUQtwKz282PggpgSgGLOlp-7538hZzvMrxF71iWMz1T216ramdLlTRnB_HqqfM5ftnSH8iA3s1_3Eiy/s640/DSCN1280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mezquita/Cathedral</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Mezquita is yet another mosque-converted-cathedral. It is hard to believe that these two pictures are from inside the same place. There still remains a lot of Arabic architecture/art/writing on the walls, but the inside also contains many Roman Catholic altars on the sides, and the large altar in the middle. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithSH7Ncj9lSSc4KXTcgNygVDOsMNyTvteBYL6DOVFVHc3BH8gKjZzTTFwCuGzJIlapQKgf7c6LbaEbWBJFyFaBYzML6iA0lnVGMCTJjeDf9Y6Va4F9ye1L9Uh5aHGIz0UT1RXVjLd-1aS/s1600/DSCN1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithSH7Ncj9lSSc4KXTcgNygVDOsMNyTvteBYL6DOVFVHc3BH8gKjZzTTFwCuGzJIlapQKgf7c6LbaEbWBJFyFaBYzML6iA0lnVGMCTJjeDf9Y6Va4F9ye1L9Uh5aHGIz0UT1RXVjLd-1aS/s640/DSCN1291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB19vB7EV__84gRokLPEKPyxLY3d7jkHx0Zz05i_AD3kM0w1RfqKf3ljxqmyGl8iuk-USw8GmkQ5LKX-LtFb2x-aELgjBLNNGH7iloIyyP0thwPoTh8eiwIU9J8wkjNg3rV8Wt5vZrCdYu/s1600/DSCN1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB19vB7EV__84gRokLPEKPyxLY3d7jkHx0Zz05i_AD3kM0w1RfqKf3ljxqmyGl8iuk-USw8GmkQ5LKX-LtFb2x-aELgjBLNNGH7iloIyyP0thwPoTh8eiwIU9J8wkjNg3rV8Wt5vZrCdYu/s640/DSCN1316.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The weekend was very long and filled with lots of sight-seeing but I really enjoyed it. The festivals of Las Fallas are starting to begin here in Valencia, so I am really looking forward to that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have also started giving English lessons to a little girl that is six years old. I have only given one lesson so far but I really enjoy it and I think that it will be a good resume-builder. </span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-4487628375844579342016-02-12T11:52:00.003-08:002016-02-12T12:26:40.038-08:00Valencia versus Barcelona<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday was a long day for me between Spanish classes, dance classes, and the best part of all, the soccer game between Valencia and Barcelona. The week before Valencia lost to Barcelona 0-7 in the Copa del Rey, so this was kind of a bummer knowing that Valencia really didn't stand a chance, but I didn't really care because I was so excited to see these two teams play! The other bummer was that a couple days before the game I found out that one of the best players for Barcelona was not going to play because of a medial problem (Messi), but again, I still was very excited to see the matchup between these two teams. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">When arriving at the stadium I was really excited because it seemed so big and so high. We waited in a long line to get in because we weren't sure where to go, and it turns out we picked the wrong line because we actually were supposed to go to the "tower" where the lines weren't as long. I really didn't mind this because I was so excited to just be there. We climbed up and up, going around in circles in the tower to reach the top where our seats were. When I walked out into the stadium part, I under stand why we walked so far up! When I looked down from the top to see where our seats were I was kind of scared to look down because the steps were so steep. And even to scare me more they had medical teams at the top. Once we walked down and got to our seats, the view was really good. We arrived a little late so I didn't get to see the kick off of the game but I was just so excited to be there that it didn't really bother me. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is customary to bring a sandwich, drink, and snack into the game (unlike in the US where you have to pay an ungodly amount for food). As soon as we got comfortable in our seats I started to eat my sandwich because I was so hungry and I wanted to enjoy the rest of the game without being hungry. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">The game was a lot better actually being there rather than watching it on tv. Soccer seems to be a rather boring sport for Americans to watch because we have so many more sports with a lot more action like football or hockey, but the atmosphere of being there made it really great. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Valencia scored in the first half (45 minutes), but Barcelona was able to retaliate with a goal later on in the second half. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">The final score was 1-1 and Barcelona was already moving on to the finals for the Copa del Rey, but it was definitely</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> a really fun experience! I'm thinking about going to another game sometime in the future! </span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50FmYAMNA2MPrdMgL1OFMjqSSf9rzgMrebt5BQxoxXZ-lt0PJBLABfz6DlxCI5xyQf31eajWS2VnOd2dTTQp0mLBiB3UjlI1-_hDodlSIuxWdJX-L_HREU8cWnFRv5N-399nC3u2uGC_A/s1600/DSCN0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50FmYAMNA2MPrdMgL1OFMjqSSf9rzgMrebt5BQxoxXZ-lt0PJBLABfz6DlxCI5xyQf31eajWS2VnOd2dTTQp0mLBiB3UjlI1-_hDodlSIuxWdJX-L_HREU8cWnFRv5N-399nC3u2uGC_A/s640/DSCN0685.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxS9Dlf6sBWNKY5ortleqBD7ImvEYW1bGPoEyZm4icLk2L9rWA2AJuDfqyUMlHmC750qErXTxxf1_Qhjuw5jYPWhxh6bpYEPZUrj19AG2dc6gRk63Msok_6s_q04nNyaxXWW2lXld4FS_/s1600/DSCN0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxS9Dlf6sBWNKY5ortleqBD7ImvEYW1bGPoEyZm4icLk2L9rWA2AJuDfqyUMlHmC750qErXTxxf1_Qhjuw5jYPWhxh6bpYEPZUrj19AG2dc6gRk63Msok_6s_q04nNyaxXWW2lXld4FS_/s640/DSCN0673.JPG" width="640"></a></span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IxJDwHF5kXVbwJwnjE8bdNbSDuwaWIcf4-4aNYRR-dbRWIOIj73fbb041gCwKrOY1jDe5ShIzRYV3gX66R-UAwsfFaWl3Ej82X1JUdiZfsYcN8Bf6VvtG-2n07BXmB7GPSUkteJ0Vlqr/s1600/DSCN0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IxJDwHF5kXVbwJwnjE8bdNbSDuwaWIcf4-4aNYRR-dbRWIOIj73fbb041gCwKrOY1jDe5ShIzRYV3gX66R-UAwsfFaWl3Ej82X1JUdiZfsYcN8Bf6VvtG-2n07BXmB7GPSUkteJ0Vlqr/s640/DSCN0677.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6X8i9pO0_WCiM08sYKxq7T8eflpNVpd3GO1GxPy2SK5nWXCsoEJoGHUw5dfCKmZmk_oMXnP_gQVsK5xJ_GSDkm8SNCsIsUandDk1MRlDvOvolTuS4UD5jUnhlRbnVC-U6MzBPYopPFxt/s1600/DSCN0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6X8i9pO0_WCiM08sYKxq7T8eflpNVpd3GO1GxPy2SK5nWXCsoEJoGHUw5dfCKmZmk_oMXnP_gQVsK5xJ_GSDkm8SNCsIsUandDk1MRlDvOvolTuS4UD5jUnhlRbnVC-U6MzBPYopPFxt/s640/DSCN0681.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDFbBPGrhOaCoAzRNuVmrtfFiR3bqjbr6inWoH-yKCN6teEyx0jG-VLTFpE_Avs3T1_bEHxpRlLX6iiAjVMLLntK1BPI9C8ZsAYnuTjoMRoOzGWhlO_O3hn3x8FVVjO7RNpJ4NC0W2Dup/s1600/DSCN0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDFbBPGrhOaCoAzRNuVmrtfFiR3bqjbr6inWoH-yKCN6teEyx0jG-VLTFpE_Avs3T1_bEHxpRlLX6iiAjVMLLntK1BPI9C8ZsAYnuTjoMRoOzGWhlO_O3hn3x8FVVjO7RNpJ4NC0W2Dup/s640/DSCN0682.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-2372103901436467562016-02-09T08:12:00.000-08:002016-02-12T12:24:24.514-08:00Spanish Mass, Flamenco, More Parties, and a Weekend in Barcelona<span style="font-size: large;">The day after my last blog post (January 24) I went to a mass in the morning at the cathedral in the center of the city. I thought it was really cool to experience mass in a different language. The archbishop gave mass and it turns out that he is also a Cardinal, which was another neat experience for me. After mass, Rachel, Christina, and I explored the cathedral a little bit because during the week one must pay 5€ to enter. After exploring, we decided to go to a cafe nearby that is known for their chocolate and I ordered churros and a hot chocolate. (The hot chocolates here are of a lot thicker consistancy.)</span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyIj3MUy9vS3WUwZQWk6507hwDbPL9ucWnFqZmccu-I4rc5CyrDn8Cnw211zxIX5JbLuuZRgPP7goJ3IMbAOBWSTSoMsYdCexStf_hETAnjSpc7RuEwyGUTKh47SM7QBk9h51BC8iwAG0/s1600/12669672_10208962915380121_2689919828342699523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyIj3MUy9vS3WUwZQWk6507hwDbPL9ucWnFqZmccu-I4rc5CyrDn8Cnw211zxIX5JbLuuZRgPP7goJ3IMbAOBWSTSoMsYdCexStf_hETAnjSpc7RuEwyGUTKh47SM7QBk9h51BC8iwAG0/s640/12669672_10208962915380121_2689919828342699523_n.jpg" width="360"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBjSs_DObkXrGHbac3_kw6y-WWfvClioLgMya0tylkkIO_g05-SQUnlD65qscJnwsPckpvWFWuylI5CMzw81eEpn-HmGmQsMpInWknkjEyzqkVQdgwK1zC4PppMKPMTgQQRGu0i8u_OzP/s1600/12705169_10208962915700129_5108904636302047940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBjSs_DObkXrGHbac3_kw6y-WWfvClioLgMya0tylkkIO_g05-SQUnlD65qscJnwsPckpvWFWuylI5CMzw81eEpn-HmGmQsMpInWknkjEyzqkVQdgwK1zC4PppMKPMTgQQRGu0i8u_OzP/s640/12705169_10208962915700129_5108904636302047940_n.jpg" width="360"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The hand of St. Vincent the Martyr)</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCzbjfAeAgjtDCqL569k1MyE_kDNOB9MK3lXwgejD4bkvgXfmlvTQ5NPPpZIxpqkr68hJLBWzFec1TMHrJoJOOfZwDHgIaoH8Zi83kp6JZ7PoF3OX3RNCfz8YnV3NFZjxPuHxkGVp-7WY/s1600/12705588_10208962915780131_8645074945248747777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCzbjfAeAgjtDCqL569k1MyE_kDNOB9MK3lXwgejD4bkvgXfmlvTQ5NPPpZIxpqkr68hJLBWzFec1TMHrJoJOOfZwDHgIaoH8Zi83kp6JZ7PoF3OX3RNCfz8YnV3NFZjxPuHxkGVp-7WY/s640/12705588_10208962915780131_8645074945248747777_n.jpg" width="360"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two weeks ago I decided to start Flamenco classes. There is a studio near my house and also close to the school. I had taken a class before in NYC at Steps on Broadway and I loved it so much that I knew I had to find a studio here. I had contacted them before I left to make sure that it would be okay for me to take classes there. Dancing is such a big part of my life, I felt that I would be missing a great opportunity to learn a traditional dance of Spain. (It's actually not common in Valencia because it is from the south of Spain.) Then this past week, my friend Christina and I also tried the Ritmo Latino class which is right after my Flamenco class. </span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKvslY3s-020sN-nUQeVufxTaPFhEkfWay0JxuT59gLKlemPj-UUijFmK5J4iIdIFskWk4cg-1xfiUjpsU07XTmZvSKSAov9vztb2p1U1Y06BmUsblILUl9qVMpnvpoCli8XY1doAASup/s1600/12717503_10208962914740105_7760985506703574900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKvslY3s-020sN-nUQeVufxTaPFhEkfWay0JxuT59gLKlemPj-UUijFmK5J4iIdIFskWk4cg-1xfiUjpsU07XTmZvSKSAov9vztb2p1U1Y06BmUsblILUl9qVMpnvpoCli8XY1doAASup/s640/12717503_10208962914740105_7760985506703574900_n.jpg" width="360"></a></span></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">For my Flamenco class I had to go to a store on the other side of the city to buy the shoes and skirt for the class. I decided to go last Friday. After I found the store and bought the items, I decided to wander around for a bit. I eventually found the Torres del Quart and I kept walking and ended up finding a cool museum, where I also encountered Meg and Jake going into the museum so I went with them. It was a museum of lead soldiers that has the largest collection in the world. There were exhibits there from prehistoric times to the Iraq War and many exhibits of events and battles that happened in Spain. I was also surprised that there was a whole room for the American Revolution and the American Civil War. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGREapMr1ujD09WDclpejMREAS7QmcosKMfVEOPm9c76yGxxTgjuExH2vfy77plUg2JJR1cgysb8l5P1FznQqY3S95yZmnosuaLAcgiiFTM2_F1abz3Cyyk1k-AIcE6RqIVq0x2dRXfiG/s1600/12654323_10208962918060188_597124311411236406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGREapMr1ujD09WDclpejMREAS7QmcosKMfVEOPm9c76yGxxTgjuExH2vfy77plUg2JJR1cgysb8l5P1FznQqY3S95yZmnosuaLAcgiiFTM2_F1abz3Cyyk1k-AIcE6RqIVq0x2dRXfiG/s640/12654323_10208962918060188_597124311411236406_n.jpg" width="480"> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4p4OQPEtoi4vfTE11-hBsm0UMmGNqn3a-Nc5GhpN4AxFiHY5dkAB7VkSXOAcptl42xUJ7kOxTm5Y71Rvu0nRm8PPJG6OsLFASIhn8L0thx62nlODrDbgJlkD8a2Da0waUSN0VFhON-u/s1600/12670291_10208962918860208_6740463944585967726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR4p4OQPEtoi4vfTE11-hBsm0UMmGNqn3a-Nc5GhpN4AxFiHY5dkAB7VkSXOAcptl42xUJ7kOxTm5Y71Rvu0nRm8PPJG6OsLFASIhn8L0thx62nlODrDbgJlkD8a2Da0waUSN0VFhON-u/s640/12670291_10208962918860208_6740463944585967726_n.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogtYSwVr3S-pZSCZL9qWdgIqwCkxGdBBaIMJAMQ5IcdyM7FSK1Z9gRgAwqDzmLQ0v0odEitgDdSI-1E1vYc-EWXwJsqWz5jyM7q8wswLnG0Wt1ibgRSsNku0fB4yyj1mqyp3JYI-3QjI/s1600/12728842_10208962920100239_4825558695391581224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogtYSwVr3S-pZSCZL9qWdgIqwCkxGdBBaIMJAMQ5IcdyM7FSK1Z9gRgAwqDzmLQ0v0odEitgDdSI-1E1vYc-EWXwJsqWz5jyM7q8wswLnG0Wt1ibgRSsNku0fB4yyj1mqyp3JYI-3QjI/s640/12728842_10208962920100239_4825558695391581224_n.jpg" width="480"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">That Friday was also Christina's birthday so we had a surprise party for her at Rachel's house. It turned out that she showed up an hour later than planned, but we still all had a really good time. We surprised her as soon as the elevator opened to Rachel's floor. It was really great! The next day, we also had a party for Christina at Hannah's house with all of the friends that we made through Rachel. That was a really fun experience too. The best part about this is that I think Christina really enjoyed her birthday even though she is away from home! </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxUcbA1iabMt6s-gWyu4K8vHkqLRwRtFrezsQR5o54gdg7eAhWnMScLvMQUxw7BPk9kYk61TmhPrVEA-6v-9C4ton-GRac-izO3PIsl7Lob6Xrr1S_47Jc0uTVeIuQgqS6IAizqkQ0coy/s1600/12669668_10208962915220117_6621797808510044378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxUcbA1iabMt6s-gWyu4K8vHkqLRwRtFrezsQR5o54gdg7eAhWnMScLvMQUxw7BPk9kYk61TmhPrVEA-6v-9C4ton-GRac-izO3PIsl7Lob6Xrr1S_47Jc0uTVeIuQgqS6IAizqkQ0coy/s640/12669668_10208962915220117_6621797808510044378_n.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">This past week I attended classes and we planned our trip to Barcelona for the weekend. I also went to my Flamenco and Ritmo Latino classes. </span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;">Barcelona was an awesome experience! I don't think there are words that can justify my experience. I was one of the few to take the train (instead of the bus) in the group. The train was very comfortable for the three hour trip and the tracks also run along the coast so once the sun rose I was able to see the Mediterranean. From the train station we went to the hostile that we were staying at for the two nights. It was very clean and comfortable. All seven of us shared a room with only one extra girl in the room the first night. Friday, after we checked into the hostile we went on a free tour around the city that lasted about 3 hours but we got to go down narrow streets and see parts of the city that otherwise go unknown to tourists. Friday night two of the people in my group went to a concert but the rest of us decided to walk around and check out the beach. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A1lPpwkYiK6gOPq1a7IgiKK-LosIuPf4uG0ugZ6fJe4W2w6PpAaoPjx9ABe-eiOa617pFLYSfRNhKeSRojDQGdwP3pNJ0RwcC3bhvA8Ihm94ZKP2sn91FAwtWsA9pzaNIeGdnPyrq20G/s1600/DSCN0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A1lPpwkYiK6gOPq1a7IgiKK-LosIuPf4uG0ugZ6fJe4W2w6PpAaoPjx9ABe-eiOa617pFLYSfRNhKeSRojDQGdwP3pNJ0RwcC3bhvA8Ihm94ZKP2sn91FAwtWsA9pzaNIeGdnPyrq20G/s640/DSCN0462.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday was a very long day of walking and visiting well-known places in Barcelona. The first place on our agenda was La Sagrada Familia. This church has been under construction for 134 years and still will not be completed for about another 10 years. I was very surprised how modern the church was upon entering. I was expecting a Gothic style interior but it was very ornate in a special way that fits current times. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPMXdHCbKpQS3E6Ph-7zfQIcf0-nc3i-ro2AQSgmv2iLyukEv5HX9ucFQxENvgZtO33tEfo1eRetckszproh_3GbrYCaQtz9dmsEf2ZzOfxpnvaHusgzDFUo7JO14ER02k4wr1XlF06de/s1600/DSCN0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPMXdHCbKpQS3E6Ph-7zfQIcf0-nc3i-ro2AQSgmv2iLyukEv5HX9ucFQxENvgZtO33tEfo1eRetckszproh_3GbrYCaQtz9dmsEf2ZzOfxpnvaHusgzDFUo7JO14ER02k4wr1XlF06de/s640/DSCN0549.JPG" width="480"> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr6PGxgzAjynGQm-3eQRjOKnDmPE8cuggX7E7dLHfIvG9YTCouJqMdqahWi-yg9_QoLQZkvG2tLSXGOyD5CDMBhyIJNohQq4RzVxe_YnCCYo74emMbZ724ZVBjrqCgzu6kDyzOHpe9hmX/s1600/DSCN0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr6PGxgzAjynGQm-3eQRjOKnDmPE8cuggX7E7dLHfIvG9YTCouJqMdqahWi-yg9_QoLQZkvG2tLSXGOyD5CDMBhyIJNohQq4RzVxe_YnCCYo74emMbZ724ZVBjrqCgzu6kDyzOHpe9hmX/s640/DSCN0513.JPG" width="480"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-RTGhrkpX4qiZ48yXIhx12Sk1_L_NTVUZbU9We3frQxh_ct5nybQuTQGRjbMrS0O2cqZtEPqwyNsodIyDkCPw1a7iQaoy306kGxxh7yB51QsX0KwAc2u9TNVe36lEvON7cn7Ja11imGq/s1600/DSCN0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-RTGhrkpX4qiZ48yXIhx12Sk1_L_NTVUZbU9We3frQxh_ct5nybQuTQGRjbMrS0O2cqZtEPqwyNsodIyDkCPw1a7iQaoy306kGxxh7yB51QsX0KwAc2u9TNVe36lEvON7cn7Ja11imGq/s640/DSCN0520.JPG" width="480"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWf1xS3qe4RhDISiMcK0FlpIRaUSQymwZVY0jXlp9dSFDSHwg_bPLdhhyNaq2nbFLXNgtjDgj224cyIIXA5qKcsouZPbXMhRiYJBp92Yx0l_XjsWWqsxyQDXzLHuW6YmfU4Vmd9y6sH5g/s1600/DSCN0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWf1xS3qe4RhDISiMcK0FlpIRaUSQymwZVY0jXlp9dSFDSHwg_bPLdhhyNaq2nbFLXNgtjDgj224cyIIXA5qKcsouZPbXMhRiYJBp92Yx0l_XjsWWqsxyQDXzLHuW6YmfU4Vmd9y6sH5g/s640/DSCN0536.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">After seeing la Sagrada Familia, the next stop on our agenda was Park Guell where we also bought groceries to make lunch and have a picnic in the park. I really enjoyed having a picnic because it's something that I do not do often at home. After we ate we were able to get tickets to walk around in the park and see all the neat architecture and sculptures. </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOFO5tV4mSZCVAEIa68DfkOPB6g0NuDXuy2J3Jow5qKWSDna7fZkVFdYi-OGz8WLDPWy0pcDejVJYYfrGybPi3JhD1wI0X46jtty8Oq1WTBaQgpMkNuVDhwahpEaLSTttzqjFp1UOL3Vp/s1600/DSCN0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOFO5tV4mSZCVAEIa68DfkOPB6g0NuDXuy2J3Jow5qKWSDna7fZkVFdYi-OGz8WLDPWy0pcDejVJYYfrGybPi3JhD1wI0X46jtty8Oq1WTBaQgpMkNuVDhwahpEaLSTttzqjFp1UOL3Vp/s640/DSCN0566.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEATVpaLe1Hx3O7cefmkMXQH1BvV6uU6dhqWxTAxk6-0wMJ6Oqf2dgIfhW0V7wxb0KxiXXaxdElngAeaPGoyVvrcBpmp8AFfTRUzFoalmaxrOy-0dqvpCyupsIH51hLF9S5abrrjlyIdJG/s1600/DSCN0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEATVpaLe1Hx3O7cefmkMXQH1BvV6uU6dhqWxTAxk6-0wMJ6Oqf2dgIfhW0V7wxb0KxiXXaxdElngAeaPGoyVvrcBpmp8AFfTRUzFoalmaxrOy-0dqvpCyupsIH51hLF9S5abrrjlyIdJG/s640/DSCN0578.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6SB4DmvqE8fJJhXR83kkR4yiKzmamuHcHX-Yt44mcgbYbEX_4cWpl2pfKIyKLzLqi2PsPDfuQEGJIAr8yxf2P20p8JGAVjfc1RFJgm87AUzW0Tk4iDZH7Ls5YrjENeWlc2J4Pn120oI/s1600/DSCN0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6SB4DmvqE8fJJhXR83kkR4yiKzmamuHcHX-Yt44mcgbYbEX_4cWpl2pfKIyKLzLqi2PsPDfuQEGJIAr8yxf2P20p8JGAVjfc1RFJgm87AUzW0Tk4iDZH7Ls5YrjENeWlc2J4Pn120oI/s640/DSCN0567.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkX4kroB2O8SEMenr9TeDX5lFhzD0qYkX2V8vlWqoWjjfbrjJq4bxvOqrvqQf-Q4NidJur04TRL3I_drRUg6vsQOJLOzCKwB4nsNzzWYk9YtlqEjJMSmKMYz1cgipHjHhqId20pKLWrEm/s1600/DSCN0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkX4kroB2O8SEMenr9TeDX5lFhzD0qYkX2V8vlWqoWjjfbrjJq4bxvOqrvqQf-Q4NidJur04TRL3I_drRUg6vsQOJLOzCKwB4nsNzzWYk9YtlqEjJMSmKMYz1cgipHjHhqId20pKLWrEm/s640/DSCN0574.JPG" width="640"></a></span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVLOSe0CpXJCXNtgc4WBjzHs7o7e1A5Fftok-s2t61kA8glsbC1-8BjZXRGMfvoRFB3BVd_p-nZjhFwwNDgIqAy5gli56Ab7aN-2kt30926BRcogy0tEaiUnlzYgqJQPnwfowhV0s_M7W/s1600/DSCN0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVLOSe0CpXJCXNtgc4WBjzHs7o7e1A5Fftok-s2t61kA8glsbC1-8BjZXRGMfvoRFB3BVd_p-nZjhFwwNDgIqAy5gli56Ab7aN-2kt30926BRcogy0tEaiUnlzYgqJQPnwfowhV0s_M7W/s640/DSCN0579.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: large;">After Park Guell, the journey continued north and up in elevation because we walked to the top of <span>Mount Tibidabo where there is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica called </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón. We took the metro to a cable car that took us up the side of a mountain and then at the top of that we still had to walk up the mountain. It was quite a hike but the view on the way was magnificent because we were so high. It started getting dark while we were inside the building at the top, but even then it was an awesome view of the whole city of Barcelona. The elevation of the mountain is about 1,680 feet! </span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUZBs-yAvFURVY7xX0Q1MoMDMmaXBc1KIm3q4HoopndLl0PSg8XztjGCJxjZaa2NpGGcsow2SxHr0xqITDPtNHFbO2jn6JaLhxzxVzCcir5e3OtcuUNTyBYbJqLGhlgmbohjK8XN7Rpe0/s1600/DSCN0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUZBs-yAvFURVY7xX0Q1MoMDMmaXBc1KIm3q4HoopndLl0PSg8XztjGCJxjZaa2NpGGcsow2SxHr0xqITDPtNHFbO2jn6JaLhxzxVzCcir5e3OtcuUNTyBYbJqLGhlgmbohjK8XN7Rpe0/s640/DSCN0600.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3iFfvG2k-ljTK6Ci8jpn1KIs2SE4jAhln8gzsXSXR5UKGJ0nR2d3metZnI1oZtpqFB2qB12k0Hio8o1_NxIfsGQCw6cSy0FCTBa7gCgBUK_6Czohvzzn9mgNxRhY0ykoKoxZTAZNKSRs/s1600/DSCN0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3iFfvG2k-ljTK6Ci8jpn1KIs2SE4jAhln8gzsXSXR5UKGJ0nR2d3metZnI1oZtpqFB2qB12k0Hio8o1_NxIfsGQCw6cSy0FCTBa7gCgBUK_6Czohvzzn9mgNxRhY0ykoKoxZTAZNKSRs/s640/DSCN0595.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHLuY2LUt64lfCzjTjGmkMPpMt-SWjqfack4O13gwiOAiBrURpWoHxBmcS8Au0vian_YGdmXS-5ebp1RaNWW2DN-a26RpLpDmytkEYz8m4j8s3wrHC1-eXnOZSXcFrjGDXHZiB9Ldgdj8/s1600/DSCN0624.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHLuY2LUt64lfCzjTjGmkMPpMt-SWjqfack4O13gwiOAiBrURpWoHxBmcS8Au0vian_YGdmXS-5ebp1RaNWW2DN-a26RpLpDmytkEYz8m4j8s3wrHC1-eXnOZSXcFrjGDXHZiB9Ldgdj8/s640/DSCN0624.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX0KUWTwJW9ZI9XwTs82T3u4lzfX4tkoizLeOz3KOsyQ47rXRqq_9-6XEWEbFI3yrpGN8RsqZfUw-aWIYWNgPz-mJpLHnDNOD_cAG4j0sdzNNd8kpOxbWoNwZqL0l2rf0cqIOjIU_ewxp/s1600/DSCN0619.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX0KUWTwJW9ZI9XwTs82T3u4lzfX4tkoizLeOz3KOsyQ47rXRqq_9-6XEWEbFI3yrpGN8RsqZfUw-aWIYWNgPz-mJpLHnDNOD_cAG4j0sdzNNd8kpOxbWoNwZqL0l2rf0cqIOjIU_ewxp/s1600/DSCN0619.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sunday was also a very awesome day that included going inside of Casa Batlló, which was a project of Antoni Gaudí just like la Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. I think being able to explore this house with my five senses was one of my favorite parts of the weekend. The architecture is very unique. He loved to work with light, color, and make things in the house such as hand railings and window handles ergonomic. </span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd7sXFk9mn3QJW6yLByBjUkmIkiB55qk_3Z3hK4_Er4wxFKMhqhdvg5YL-LR-OGS29Q-LRqX5Qc327Xd-bzF3aYKLlSyPHrtFeP45pdBJkO7XhS_jc2O5qTyKs4BTY0DrFM1kFFBqV0ok/s1600/DSCN0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtd7sXFk9mn3QJW6yLByBjUkmIkiB55qk_3Z3hK4_Er4wxFKMhqhdvg5YL-LR-OGS29Q-LRqX5Qc327Xd-bzF3aYKLlSyPHrtFeP45pdBJkO7XhS_jc2O5qTyKs4BTY0DrFM1kFFBqV0ok/s640/DSCN0481.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zP8OKSrxaAHeevX8coOxI6vn-oXUzHMN6UPGoxz6Ag_3noeEB5PwZcgh0rbTFpC5-AwPekFgI9BEUTLThzlJms7t4-eBUQg8h_1ln4O-YUSJpmqQdS9EF8d8bQiX6OY_1PjXNr9-eohN/s1600/DSCN0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zP8OKSrxaAHeevX8coOxI6vn-oXUzHMN6UPGoxz6Ag_3noeEB5PwZcgh0rbTFpC5-AwPekFgI9BEUTLThzlJms7t4-eBUQg8h_1ln4O-YUSJpmqQdS9EF8d8bQiX6OY_1PjXNr9-eohN/s640/DSCN0630.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RwFqSptchmGCBqr-Ll0hy7aH1hWjMnLzgx37ls4-fGwF2Qg7xNdYz0uwEyfPJAQR1mPWo4U8NeNUTsCQoFRPRztFaGvXAXFpTJaPp3QUaoyqsfb5xRjGMByjvJC1JdklI13YkJIGgfCr/s1600/DSCN0632.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RwFqSptchmGCBqr-Ll0hy7aH1hWjMnLzgx37ls4-fGwF2Qg7xNdYz0uwEyfPJAQR1mPWo4U8NeNUTsCQoFRPRztFaGvXAXFpTJaPp3QUaoyqsfb5xRjGMByjvJC1JdklI13YkJIGgfCr/s640/DSCN0632.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1erXEzGSf7LGFh3qnomXqeqNXsBMBWA_fxRBHRT5LFPRh7-irp03vA4F43CxeCcq-FXZODPusyOPnS3FG6x1DP1RqGZOcyGADaUfmgD0If11166-gmcDSGmmXs_OBHHPJWvY5ydr9xiQe/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1erXEzGSf7LGFh3qnomXqeqNXsBMBWA_fxRBHRT5LFPRh7-irp03vA4F43CxeCcq-FXZODPusyOPnS3FG6x1DP1RqGZOcyGADaUfmgD0If11166-gmcDSGmmXs_OBHHPJWvY5ydr9xiQe/s640/DSCN0650.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The rest of the day Sunday we ate lunch in a Turkish restaurant where I got fried calamari and spaghetti and then went to a museum that had old relics from Africa. After that we got back on the train and came back home. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Overall, this was a really fun experience and I cannot wait until we plan our next trip to go somewhere out of Valencia. Walking to school yesterday morning made me feel how comfortable I am here and how much I like living here for the semester. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tomorrow I am going to a soccer game so maybe I'll post a short blog about that within the next couple of days. </span></span><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-64013851757498448932016-01-23T07:27:00.001-08:002016-01-23T07:27:47.666-08:00The Past Week ~ Classes, Trips, Parades/Holidays, & More!<span style="font-size: large;">The past two weeks have been very eventful for me. I began class on Wednesday, January 13. I have two classes on Monday/Wednesday and two classes on Tuesday/Thursday. On Monday/Wednesday I have one class at 12, then go home for lunch and siesta and go back to the school for my other class at 4:45. Those classes are General Translation and History of Spanish-America. My Tuesday/Thursday is a little less hectic with class at 10:30 and then 12, so I don't have to go home in between. I have the same professor for both of those classes, which are two literature classes but I really like her. The classes are Present Day Spanish Literature and a combined class of Spanish literature (starting with the Middle Ages) and Cervantes & the Golden Age. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I really like the three professors that I have. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The daily schedule here is a little strange compared to the American daily routine. Here in Spain, people generally wake up at around 8am, go to work and then come home for lunch for around 1 or 2pm. After that is "siesta" until about 5 or 6 when places reopen for the evening for a couple hours, until about 8 or 9pm. Then dinner is served and there is the option of hanging out or going out until it is time for bed. On the weekdays, it seems normal to go to bed around 12am and if people go out on the weekends to the bars/clubs, people generally do not return home until about 5 or 6 in the morning. That's quite a schedule compared to the United States! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last Friday I went out with the girls that live near me in my program (Megan & Christina) and also Rachel (another girl from my program who was also here last semester). We met up with some friends that she made from church at a bar. They were so cool! They are from all different countries including Germany, England, Bolivia, and Colombia. We really had a great time that night meeting each other. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Last Saturday we took our first excursion to Sagunto, which is about 20 minutes north of Valencia. It is there that the are ruins from a Roman castle and Roman theatre. That was pretty cool to see. It is located up really high because we had to walk up a really steep hill to get to the top. (My FitBit said at the end of the day that I did the equivalent of 67 floors!) Because it was so high, the view was really amazing because I was able to look down onto the city and also out to the Mediterranean Sea. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have posted videos and more photos on my Facebook. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxVTYZ8LkZjk8LHYMELlNU_1kvhPWYktHkwF_3Bzq2XOR92BzUjLE8Cf_bTxZVDRuJjbr7TrXOZZunNrWK_4j0Ly1hVA_HDTLlBy2Z0Cpqlm6wjTuN4zicpfwU3IonrkqPTRXujaJWlQ0/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxVTYZ8LkZjk8LHYMELlNU_1kvhPWYktHkwF_3Bzq2XOR92BzUjLE8Cf_bTxZVDRuJjbr7TrXOZZunNrWK_4j0Ly1hVA_HDTLlBy2Z0Cpqlm6wjTuN4zicpfwU3IonrkqPTRXujaJWlQ0/s640/IMG_2959.JPG" width="360" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-vEPCEMIX51-nFzdVsg8pc8rHf8dt1jrD_oZJjz50g6CHjnsB69dgnyCCZSmCCHYfF6l4TEJh7Kki4QDxzRQQGrp-jDFTl1yNEX9JSmSpK1M3IKyegG-8jkn04NqV268HOToR7wZ_TNS/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-vEPCEMIX51-nFzdVsg8pc8rHf8dt1jrD_oZJjz50g6CHjnsB69dgnyCCZSmCCHYfF6l4TEJh7Kki4QDxzRQQGrp-jDFTl1yNEX9JSmSpK1M3IKyegG-8jkn04NqV268HOToR7wZ_TNS/s640/DSCN0306.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv3Zrt3DboD3BiI9VNuLRgeMUxooocNBdi9Pumf54z2VXO14tR7j0NyHiQ7UvM8jLLVaBxPpjewbW6-SBIpqAd53n67Ipg2pL-puWzqgYl3V0aATMWptrO8rPXx43Ykd1UZG6NVsWYyTl/s1600/12573772_1664154323840956_9163200118728883395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv3Zrt3DboD3BiI9VNuLRgeMUxooocNBdi9Pumf54z2VXO14tR7j0NyHiQ7UvM8jLLVaBxPpjewbW6-SBIpqAd53n67Ipg2pL-puWzqgYl3V0aATMWptrO8rPXx43Ykd1UZG6NVsWYyTl/s640/12573772_1664154323840956_9163200118728883395_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj0j0UHEjjkC644-NuUx-h67PbV9U8fl-4GFBH8cX8uGw9YwTD3dIu4aprtgD8vPuheW_VCiRhpjigbZqBLLE_xWD56WxTMEcK2-3UGwq57MqgGvTJJjqeMfpicxg0P1ZW7EeT_EZBmVY/s1600/DSCN0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj0j0UHEjjkC644-NuUx-h67PbV9U8fl-4GFBH8cX8uGw9YwTD3dIu4aprtgD8vPuheW_VCiRhpjigbZqBLLE_xWD56WxTMEcK2-3UGwq57MqgGvTJJjqeMfpicxg0P1ZW7EeT_EZBmVY/s640/DSCN0374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jQEdPIR0jFkBuugNS4vtYh1o-xypPajI8jbFlr7mP7iHVUGuhhnQfxiHyHDIf1MX_Ah6suCemn27knNjiXi6RXiqbwbnf1-Lq3LFwqMRgVR8dtWAIYKbmBVLHMVt4m3of85UioBngeeT/s1600/DSCN0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jQEdPIR0jFkBuugNS4vtYh1o-xypPajI8jbFlr7mP7iHVUGuhhnQfxiHyHDIf1MX_Ah6suCemn27knNjiXi6RXiqbwbnf1-Lq3LFwqMRgVR8dtWAIYKbmBVLHMVt4m3of85UioBngeeT/s640/DSCN0333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_wGqid3GPnvumdsxoy2wRLeUGL_2ZbPhPh6MwVR7SY6RtSoSxgwlqqbusGT9jJ5y6YNlWdhhlMWM4lW9c855dtDcLyR6SFG2j-s7nXwhgeZ5yOA2NV-NFk2IwLW96A6yodzV0JaJMhO/s1600/DSCN0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPV_wGqid3GPnvumdsxoy2wRLeUGL_2ZbPhPh6MwVR7SY6RtSoSxgwlqqbusGT9jJ5y6YNlWdhhlMWM4lW9c855dtDcLyR6SFG2j-s7nXwhgeZ5yOA2NV-NFk2IwLW96A6yodzV0JaJMhO/s640/DSCN0386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Id8zgO7TijxaY_OIlB6x8HxsaZIYw-ivZ_wYq19UpXa-9oBROHs_6pg3HEWJ0apAdQf0PFYKpxs4lLqe9hS7pGsktmd_9IadfTl7eyGASpfzGvxI_KlEoh7J43cYMXBRT2kFkS5r3Jj/s1600/DSCN0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Id8zgO7TijxaY_OIlB6x8HxsaZIYw-ivZ_wYq19UpXa-9oBROHs_6pg3HEWJ0apAdQf0PFYKpxs4lLqe9hS7pGsktmd_9IadfTl7eyGASpfzGvxI_KlEoh7J43cYMXBRT2kFkS5r3Jj/s640/DSCN0363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloeRWzfRF4VK4o2tK71b_wcppl8AQuokYQMP1mwliDXVlMY2RUdeyw3arIGE4bA1rYGJNriL0OjKgLZ2tbGsV6lPoL6T-8WC4Qkq19y_IUXbTGvru_YtUcwL1fL7x36crY7iYGLAeKlDM/s1600/DSCN0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloeRWzfRF4VK4o2tK71b_wcppl8AQuokYQMP1mwliDXVlMY2RUdeyw3arIGE4bA1rYGJNriL0OjKgLZ2tbGsV6lPoL6T-8WC4Qkq19y_IUXbTGvru_YtUcwL1fL7x36crY7iYGLAeKlDM/s640/DSCN0393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQvAX36-cVFGKwh_SUTkHQCeXRkyAvrBSSK_e0iPhDJt-69QKQHfU9mg_KleMGVbwn5BXfLfqCRUdb0wgmlkw2JSkB6rAP2Ytci5pHd9ZfqS07qzOW4t7eqFhGdACp-dhbhcreAodvPr6/s1600/DSCN0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQvAX36-cVFGKwh_SUTkHQCeXRkyAvrBSSK_e0iPhDJt-69QKQHfU9mg_KleMGVbwn5BXfLfqCRUdb0wgmlkw2JSkB6rAP2Ytci5pHd9ZfqS07qzOW4t7eqFhGdACp-dhbhcreAodvPr6/s640/DSCN0376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF6_YXNgTXYVJegHtDm3S0iT-nE52jF0JpSOtXj4FbZwSrj04gh6M9FdFpFk_bnE3jvu8vdiErneTtpVtzOzLI7yWtc9Qk49_8UcRUwLvg1Nw0icnSsfVvLSbmQEAO4rlbb8zQJMyS-hD/s1600/IMG_2961+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF6_YXNgTXYVJegHtDm3S0iT-nE52jF0JpSOtXj4FbZwSrj04gh6M9FdFpFk_bnE3jvu8vdiErneTtpVtzOzLI7yWtc9Qk49_8UcRUwLvg1Nw0icnSsfVvLSbmQEAO4rlbb8zQJMyS-hD/s640/IMG_2961+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83bH72-1kPtLHUAeB1cRm8NbqfNjN9IkiFvCC8BOMpAWybTQaRNj3NCEiHSahi1Fe4_HLjNixvm4MYrarM6SZQ_T3lRmWY8iEj0OVawNdFMUrqBYMsaxWC2WYH5RxIcQzsRrzoIjNO6U7/s1600/DSCN0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83bH72-1kPtLHUAeB1cRm8NbqfNjN9IkiFvCC8BOMpAWybTQaRNj3NCEiHSahi1Fe4_HLjNixvm4MYrarM6SZQ_T3lRmWY8iEj0OVawNdFMUrqBYMsaxWC2WYH5RxIcQzsRrzoIjNO6U7/s640/DSCN0400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The day after our excursion to Sagunto, there was a festival in my neighborhood. I live in San Antonio and Sunday was San Antonio Day, the patron saint of the protection of animals. I went out with Christina & Megan to go see what was going on at 11am. We walked through the streets of our neighborhood where people were out walking their dogs and also looking at all the horses that were lined up in the street getting ready for a parade. So we walked around looking at the animals until the parade started at 12. I have a video of my Snapchats from that day on Facebook. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, last Sunday I met my "mom's" son, daughter, and 3 out of 4 of her grandkids (one had soccer). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The beginning of the week was nowhere near as exciting as last weekend was for me. I went to my classes and back home and started getting into a routine. On Wednesday I got very sick where my stomach was bothering me a lot. I went to my class in the morning but was unable to go to my second class because I wasn't feeling well enough. I think I may have gotten sick from something that I had eaten the night before. After I slept for the rest of the day on Wednesday after lunch, I was feeling well enough on Thursday morning to go to my classes. After attending class, I also took the rest of the day to rest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, Friday, was yet another holiday for Valencia. It was the day of San Vicente Mártir, who lived and died in Valencia around the year 304AD. Christina and I met up with Rachel, Jordan, and Jackie (other people from our group) to see a procession from the cathedral in the center of the city. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigo1wLCLfvpASaEVsBm_J20qqhmp8bdafJ7XFBK1oTtX1Y0gKLIhpElVURdxPdWNJPTklEYit0NDcv9DqDAL7PkP4BsmWPSbBI2k_Tywcwb0kTsypOi8KrmYzkDSUrqe1iNJ0x2cime1cP/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigo1wLCLfvpASaEVsBm_J20qqhmp8bdafJ7XFBK1oTtX1Y0gKLIhpElVURdxPdWNJPTklEYit0NDcv9DqDAL7PkP4BsmWPSbBI2k_Tywcwb0kTsypOi8KrmYzkDSUrqe1iNJ0x2cime1cP/s640/IMG_2977.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After the procession we decided to walk around a bit and go to an art museum. On the way there we stopped to watch another short procession that was also pretty cool. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vSAD7R_TAS7eUrV3JNFmE-IWZl6MKEJag2TEV4_uee5hTIbGWzuyAGNgCG_H3RsOWBTbdQ9Wt-BWAY46rxZSqUatkp3jGQZMFaZqFTKbzDiLr7CxcKprrMP62XIlvYNuQ3CM3ngDD9F5/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vSAD7R_TAS7eUrV3JNFmE-IWZl6MKEJag2TEV4_uee5hTIbGWzuyAGNgCG_H3RsOWBTbdQ9Wt-BWAY46rxZSqUatkp3jGQZMFaZqFTKbzDiLr7CxcKprrMP62XIlvYNuQ3CM3ngDD9F5/s640/IMG_2980.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the people dressed up to represent San Vincente, there were people dressed up in traditional Valencian dress. That was cool to see! What was also cool was that they were also throwing out candy, something that I was not expecting from a parade in Valencia. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After the parade, we finally ended up at the art museum where there was a whole floor of a Picasso exhibit and upstairs were more really cool paintings to see. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Later that night, there was a birthday party for one of Rachel's friends (Hernan) that we had met the previous week, and we were all invited. We went to the apartment of one of the other friends (Leonie) where we surprised Hernan when he arrived. It was a fun celebration. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMPb1cb7xuXgsP9mtuP1Hb3HbAMptcX4NQtTcbOz0kxf8YAxAEQ_tuFm8hksQI57nvuCbf0ov9d7EnSTleIgBRLRNMopEV4Jv22WYrwOJAakuDdfVS91ZYbifQKyFoNq10n8Vp0bFWzNa/s1600/IMG_2986+%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMPb1cb7xuXgsP9mtuP1Hb3HbAMptcX4NQtTcbOz0kxf8YAxAEQ_tuFm8hksQI57nvuCbf0ov9d7EnSTleIgBRLRNMopEV4Jv22WYrwOJAakuDdfVS91ZYbifQKyFoNq10n8Vp0bFWzNa/s640/IMG_2986+%25282%2529.PNG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(In the picture is me, Leonie, Megan, Christina, and Rachel.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a really eventful past two weeks since I arrived and I hope it will only get better, including my Spanish skills! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more! </span> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com2Valencia, Valencia, Spain39.4699075 -0.3762881000000106739.2736095 -0.69901160000001061 39.6662055 -0.053564600000010676tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-57272245449240153002016-01-13T05:36:00.001-08:002016-01-13T05:39:39.245-08:00Orientation with the School & Some Exploring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning was my first day at school. I got up at 7:30 this morning and left the apartment with my host mom to meet up with two other girls and their host moms to walk to the school together. When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the office staff, Arturo, Isabel, and Laura. We then received packets with our schedules and information about Valencia. After all the students arrived (there's only 7 of us!), we had a brief meeting about the school and expectations and such. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After the meeting, Laura took us on a bus to tour the city. (This was my favorite part of the day.) One of the coolest parts of the city is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias). Those are the pictures posted below. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Eck2R8BnFsVKMbHQTpCN0N95BjrtwZqUdn_U5TzXZne28NXy7nmRTqR3aM3Z8ZBuOrT-oIDXT1r5t7eLDy5tc7tlwKq-SOw-_eC47nxN2CxW3VlLSCwbU4LAAZ7LHnhwqz8W9QKZaC4/s640/blogger-image-1482870021.jpg" /> </div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnM16PvGa8jTQd9_qu0baqkyALz3ggp-K6racFc-Nxp4OkTqwbt2PzZWxlIjTNsXFwbYLzyklh7uyVTwKaoXEVvuUyMZxUrK412dyM0UfHPYgqHSMU39vAdsNN9ySyKBfMnYtxmKTgQev/s640/blogger-image-1500198404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnM16PvGa8jTQd9_qu0baqkyALz3ggp-K6racFc-Nxp4OkTqwbt2PzZWxlIjTNsXFwbYLzyklh7uyVTwKaoXEVvuUyMZxUrK412dyM0UfHPYgqHSMU39vAdsNN9ySyKBfMnYtxmKTgQev/s640/blogger-image-1500198404.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JVoBV5TztvQaNDTAEiwcUzwhw2haOg7dlK1dcg_dJbLquHHgJcpJXUcmi5d3gWmnHi3czT19ey8A9jYp2lxkcQ0ePqnvJ5RuFPVkd-rgXD7DJboeMRUsZVV8zaEyO1ovPaVvcwpTK_Gx/s1600/blogger-image-1235113312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JVoBV5TztvQaNDTAEiwcUzwhw2haOg7dlK1dcg_dJbLquHHgJcpJXUcmi5d3gWmnHi3czT19ey8A9jYp2lxkcQ0ePqnvJ5RuFPVkd-rgXD7DJboeMRUsZVV8zaEyO1ovPaVvcwpTK_Gx/s640/blogger-image-1235113312.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Close to there is the beach. We stopped there briefly to take pictures. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9vozPXL7Ma6Hfi68jJa2pkFmWQIj_YdLbxRIUYy5XsFwRlnjQPCbRHeIm3uv-EnRXkFBM-n6fK3oJT0sPt0UTLgsi4UUQbjyoPjIaLHG25rwYM6c-H5abpCK95-XHenEPXFDg7BcvS9S/s640/blogger-image--911677944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9vozPXL7Ma6Hfi68jJa2pkFmWQIj_YdLbxRIUYy5XsFwRlnjQPCbRHeIm3uv-EnRXkFBM-n6fK3oJT0sPt0UTLgsi4UUQbjyoPjIaLHG25rwYM6c-H5abpCK95-XHenEPXFDg7BcvS9S/s640/blogger-image--911677944.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRDUE_pKakpuTN5NH7Qxi8xpV415Mi7VXJCl1Y6P2uVxJxMU726n3SregzZOcEb9j0uqtMMM0nLCZOEPZcHqVDc8cal1jpzGLi7iitDsJ3x1dQaaUMbMyftQ4H889EFvLT1piyNlMtUXA/s640/blogger-image-1910833576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRDUE_pKakpuTN5NH7Qxi8xpV415Mi7VXJCl1Y6P2uVxJxMU726n3SregzZOcEb9j0uqtMMM0nLCZOEPZcHqVDc8cal1jpzGLi7iitDsJ3x1dQaaUMbMyftQ4H889EFvLT1piyNlMtUXA/s640/blogger-image-1910833576.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirtg_IfjBh0KAId6dWWgr-t1rSLhJ_CQjE5H4d6_Z5uMcJhA3hyphenhyphenAcZEB7ztLIWt9ShU5KWlAwfcJzCkZseqBHKrRID-RFlRIEILkQpPtCcUqQmrWJRyLpIjop2396mZ8NTDT2ihcpNolw/s640/blogger-image--1700480503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirtg_IfjBh0KAId6dWWgr-t1rSLhJ_CQjE5H4d6_Z5uMcJhA3hyphenhyphenAcZEB7ztLIWt9ShU5KWlAwfcJzCkZseqBHKrRID-RFlRIEILkQpPtCcUqQmrWJRyLpIjop2396mZ8NTDT2ihcpNolw/s640/blogger-image--1700480503.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After stopping at the beach, we drove around the city a little more so we could get an idea of where we will be staying the next couple of months. We then arrived back at the school and asked any questions that we had. After that, Megan, Christina, and I planned to go for a walk/run lunch with Rachel, a girl who was also here last semester, also hoping that she would show us around a little bit. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We all met up at 5:45 and went to meet Rachel at the school for 6. From the school, we went to walk in the Jardines de Real. This is a park throughout the river that used to run through the city. It's really cool because there are bridges going over top and you get to walk under them. There are also dog parks and soccer fields located here. Below is a picture. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSZZK7TKiwZvaCk1-qio1rYlw1DtBLQmYHzS4Wdr0N2I97c-_UVR-K9FyaJ1-ohNih0lDILWOOLd3ho3ZKawSQ4cPn0YvExQj5c9zdCGr2C-j520uHfGJSV899RLEGuPIpzk4__XTTF0b/s640/blogger-image-232449559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSZZK7TKiwZvaCk1-qio1rYlw1DtBLQmYHzS4Wdr0N2I97c-_UVR-K9FyaJ1-ohNih0lDILWOOLd3ho3ZKawSQ4cPn0YvExQj5c9zdCGr2C-j520uHfGJSV899RLEGuPIpzk4__XTTF0b/s640/blogger-image-232449559.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked for about half an hour and from where we ended up walking, we almost arrived back at the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias because we saw the cool buildings in the distance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After walking through the Jardines de Real, we walked down Calle Colón, which is like the 5th Avenue of Valencia. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That was basically the end of my day yesterday. We walked back home and I ate dinner, showered, and went to bed because today is my first day of classes. I will write about that in the next blog, possibly tonight. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-27870976635455149032016-01-11T06:17:00.001-08:002016-01-11T06:19:31.722-08:00Mi Apartamento<span style="font-size: large;">La Sala de Estar - The Living Room</span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1OxEqkyFzH1VZ1AIbgj4CgugPYDD8KozOHMwk6JtKaLYrvKlXKNN7_zw1dX5q0VKRt-6zClsf01HtOv9B5llSQ3ejP_UZxpvAVIcpmZWrjyWwl-zmpmO9cfD48JCyFMfx258xRsr9lqK/s640/blogger-image-923970425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1OxEqkyFzH1VZ1AIbgj4CgugPYDD8KozOHMwk6JtKaLYrvKlXKNN7_zw1dX5q0VKRt-6zClsf01HtOv9B5llSQ3ejP_UZxpvAVIcpmZWrjyWwl-zmpmO9cfD48JCyFMfx258xRsr9lqK/s640/blogger-image-923970425.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNClHbAEnPxwtcVOx252M2MZByh52zF5KAoMwmQy60cA36wWM3iv4XDiKEHkH73hyZx0USF60O0kRR6nR0W9hk0ehDj5DXxwo7xExcOuS3Q6kppSwd2p3mM57m_eWZyTb1Igz-DktCyve/s640/blogger-image--96509985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNClHbAEnPxwtcVOx252M2MZByh52zF5KAoMwmQy60cA36wWM3iv4XDiKEHkH73hyZx0USF60O0kRR6nR0W9hk0ehDj5DXxwo7xExcOuS3Q6kppSwd2p3mM57m_eWZyTb1Igz-DktCyve/s640/blogger-image--96509985.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mi Habitación - My Bedroom </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQilaODHpBab09QW08ZBLF-068Q8cRpbXN4IafFi1YNQqU1sSi7VptYOP37IJvQuA0JUF1jCyckTjKPaX6I3kUgaPme6TRnqIsvXLxCGjgRbgmSB4IJIhQXnTo-DKT9NsZwQc_UWqMY-/s640/blogger-image-578759982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcQilaODHpBab09QW08ZBLF-068Q8cRpbXN4IafFi1YNQqU1sSi7VptYOP37IJvQuA0JUF1jCyckTjKPaX6I3kUgaPme6TRnqIsvXLxCGjgRbgmSB4IJIhQXnTo-DKT9NsZwQc_UWqMY-/s640/blogger-image-578759982.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">La Vista de mi Habitación - The View from my Room </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes1Tqy2zGPmy0Pq-HbNHadnNoY9-fUvD_tkNVyzlbXoAZnJOfKdsIvQuGbXphusmfIvliwwtsksr9t52YimcJMAY83YhQvND-vxvwM7qeON5z5EjFOueeMmpE_kA5KP_JrHQJtoz2_SP4/s640/blogger-image-404518413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes1Tqy2zGPmy0Pq-HbNHadnNoY9-fUvD_tkNVyzlbXoAZnJOfKdsIvQuGbXphusmfIvliwwtsksr9t52YimcJMAY83YhQvND-vxvwM7qeON5z5EjFOueeMmpE_kA5KP_JrHQJtoz2_SP4/s640/blogger-image-404518413.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">El Baño - The Bathroom </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW86v8drABiWoGh4sJ5LPH6Orcsvy3qzU79jBv7BJbPzO2p8QpBriBJnYDcRc-eXgRx_TRYLtGJHlQXHoNKvjZ-o_pD8UWaRXMY5RJUv0Dj_qA_kAAZjphq7TmzMTYh1Mx6E3L8A1s4swt/s640/blogger-image-1899261524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW86v8drABiWoGh4sJ5LPH6Orcsvy3qzU79jBv7BJbPzO2p8QpBriBJnYDcRc-eXgRx_TRYLtGJHlQXHoNKvjZ-o_pD8UWaRXMY5RJUv0Dj_qA_kAAZjphq7TmzMTYh1Mx6E3L8A1s4swt/s640/blogger-image-1899261524.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">La Cocina - The Kitchen </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq70FtZ7DFH7ag8OjWLkrZRGnngYuIqGWjeSr6z5kf4Q0kSktNBrVECP5mKg6u8yeU-TsUjXo4jz4GUc-_da2jg3M6qBwNSy4xA34CmP3sA7Xsca3LzRsszPckQTY1rvHt4l5_r8cCjqg/s640/blogger-image--280325686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq70FtZ7DFH7ag8OjWLkrZRGnngYuIqGWjeSr6z5kf4Q0kSktNBrVECP5mKg6u8yeU-TsUjXo4jz4GUc-_da2jg3M6qBwNSy4xA34CmP3sA7Xsca3LzRsszPckQTY1rvHt4l5_r8cCjqg/s640/blogger-image--280325686.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com1La Saïdia La Saïdia39.489041 -0.370267tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-908257937100989302016-01-10T22:13:00.001-08:002016-01-11T06:21:55.107-08:00Arrived in Valencia!<span style="font-size: large;">Today, well yesterday now, I have arrived to my homestay in the city!</span><br>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time that I ever traveled by myself. It was really hard to leave my family behind in the airport. Once I finally did, I went through security easily and went right to my gate to wait to board the plane. Once I got on the plane I sat down and got ready for a long ride to Paris. Throughout the flight I found out that the girl sitting next to me was in her late 20s and American. She was flying back to Germany because that's where she did her masters and is working on her ph.d.</span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN_7f7Er0Co93Uc23LTneKqvclawNZxN6DkIEWZFOcBUVtruy0NvIVTPm5hWKC7nlnkL66LCXrp61BHW2zAx_Dc49PDxIEt19O7w8MDxUTF9r7S8oeGdI0f7A74deHZj-wKgCMQvNBKdD/s640/blogger-image--1522930304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN_7f7Er0Co93Uc23LTneKqvclawNZxN6DkIEWZFOcBUVtruy0NvIVTPm5hWKC7nlnkL66LCXrp61BHW2zAx_Dc49PDxIEt19O7w8MDxUTF9r7S8oeGdI0f7A74deHZj-wKgCMQvNBKdD/s640/blogger-image--1522930304.jpg"></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The flight felt really long because all I really did was eat and listen to the music and movies provided on the plane.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As the plane was getting near Paris, we were flying over places that I had already been to when I came to France on a trip after I graduated high school. We passed over La Havre and Rouen! This is a picture of La Havre from the plane. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLCfpIzHySOYQ2ClVsod9zMIcN4QXLvp57sQR7M3t8xEVqTbsE9SKPSMkx1adnXECweUfRjMPvw4YWIizyO_fOpu3r_jlHReb-nuToBj71CF1Q-1KdJocAgSKLRgszO4WIVr62Sr6DExo/s640/blogger-image--1577131048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLCfpIzHySOYQ2ClVsod9zMIcN4QXLvp57sQR7M3t8xEVqTbsE9SKPSMkx1adnXECweUfRjMPvw4YWIizyO_fOpu3r_jlHReb-nuToBj71CF1Q-1KdJocAgSKLRgszO4WIVr62Sr6DExo/s640/blogger-image--1577131048.jpg"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once the plane arrived, it was a smooth landing and I got off and followed everyone else to get onto a bus to take us to the terminal. That bus ride however was not as smooth. It was about 10 minutes from where the plane landed to the terminal.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once there I had to go to a different section of the airport where I had to go through customs. When I was going through I realized that I still had about half my water bottle full in my backpack and they pulled me aside and had me chug/spill out the rest (about 16 oz)! But after that happened I got in line to get my passport stamped. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Past customs, I went straight to my terminal where there were lots of people already waiting because it was about half an hour before departure. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Boarding the plane to Valencia was also easy and it felt like that plane was more comfortable than the larger plane that I was on for about 8 hours. The flight to Valencia was only about a total of two hours from getting on the plane until I got off. This landing, however, did not go as smoothly as the last. It was really rough and bumpy. When I got off the plane it was really windy so I guess that's what caused the rough landing. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I followed everyone else into the airport and waited to grab my luggage. I was hoping that my suitcase made it on the plane because it was such a short layover. And guess what! It did! My suitcase was one of the first ones to come out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After going to the bathroom and getting money out of the ATM I was ready to leave the airport and take a taxi to my homestay. I had the address written out and showed that to the taxi driver because I didn't want to say the address wrong and end up somewhere else or him not to be able to understand me. But he was really nice and the ride went well. It was maybe about 15 minutes from the airport to the apartment. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I went up to the door and rang the bell for her apartment. She let me in and I went up to the 4th floor in the elevator. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon entering I was really impressed by how modern everything was and how clean and tidy it was. She took me around the house and showed me how to use everything. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After I settled in, she made us lunch. A tomato and (maybe) tuna salad and chicken paella. After lunch I showered and unpacked my suitcases. Then I laid down for a nap and I slept about 3 hours. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I woke up later and Señora told me that we would be having dinner at 8:30. She made a salad with fruit and a pizza with ham, tomato sauce, and cheese. She also gave my some pieces of ham to try<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After dinner I went back to sleep. I slept for about 7 hours and now I have been up since about 5 o'clock. I guess I still need to get used to the time change and traffic going by.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, I think my trip went well for my first time traveling a great distance alone. And I think I am going to really like staying here. I can't wait to see what's in store for me for the next four months! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later I am going to post about what we are going to do today and about the apartment. </span></div>
Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com4La Saïdia La Saïdia39.488983 -0.370308tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-56261690083437197132015-12-23T12:13:00.001-08:002015-12-23T12:20:42.242-08:00The Process of Studying Abroad & My Homestay<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ3YG2YBsD_Rld9y1sH6mTwKkRT7wGuy7ApiiU_ttn4RPriJzKAACRX3I0uBwe23k_COjOXqlbFkwfKWWcx6at6e1_3tZI7SWJ875dhPV1dMh1-4FZi3npT8_JECpP0ROOY-w5ICeQefp/s640/blogger-image-400921571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ3YG2YBsD_Rld9y1sH6mTwKkRT7wGuy7ApiiU_ttn4RPriJzKAACRX3I0uBwe23k_COjOXqlbFkwfKWWcx6at6e1_3tZI7SWJ875dhPV1dMh1-4FZi3npT8_JECpP0ROOY-w5ICeQefp/s640/blogger-image-400921571.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW2qCyXUEGbDTJTC2x0hxyED9EW211hrJz58buePNFgpG8QlK2SmWj8zncgr9T1cKfe_GKr5JEBG-bDj7yOJ4XGFbGSjgka1BfPVmA5laI1JHkTcFRlMAd84Aj780kBe1ehmWplqLW3yW/s640/blogger-image--1110972334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW2qCyXUEGbDTJTC2x0hxyED9EW211hrJz58buePNFgpG8QlK2SmWj8zncgr9T1cKfe_GKr5JEBG-bDj7yOJ4XGFbGSjgka1BfPVmA5laI1JHkTcFRlMAd84Aj780kBe1ehmWplqLW3yW/s640/blogger-image--1110972334.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The process of studying abroad was kind of nerve-racking because of all of the people that I had to talk to and papers and applications to fill out. The most exciting part though was being accepted into the program and receiving my visa. Everyone was very helpful (except maybe the cashier's office) though. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Another exciting part before leaving was finding out about my homestay. My home is only about 12 minutes walking from the school! (I think I was really lucky to be placed there!) It's also down the street from the gardens which I heard are very beautiful! The director of the program had this to say about the woman I'm staying with: "<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">she is a widow around 65 years, she has a daughter and a son that visit frequently with the grandsons, all the former students that have stayed with say she is very clean (extremely) and very good cook." I will also be living near two other students from the United States. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<br />Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-14589338124483302182015-12-23T11:45:00.000-08:002015-12-23T11:45:05.447-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI-7P6ESr5aOJwaXzZW_AGg3Tpyv8EtrMN8b_PKMAue5EzWx-vPGhD_LgU1pOVGJPD3TITCzsY-94O6GDgleJ8OahvWY_ByFmtPfSDCRQX2bZsY_eIWGv_ssnrqwLjxQoPMzo7TAiA6dX/s1600/quote1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI-7P6ESr5aOJwaXzZW_AGg3Tpyv8EtrMN8b_PKMAue5EzWx-vPGhD_LgU1pOVGJPD3TITCzsY-94O6GDgleJ8OahvWY_ByFmtPfSDCRQX2bZsY_eIWGv_ssnrqwLjxQoPMzo7TAiA6dX/s320/quote1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775397181759950662.post-66183646095002396892015-12-23T10:16:00.001-08:002015-12-23T12:21:15.854-08:00I am excited to leave<span style="font-size: large;">I will be starting to get ready to leave for Spain after New Years! I cannot wait to start packing and getting ready to leave. I will post again once I have started the packing process. </span>Melanie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13100985121477389935noreply@blogger.com0