Day 8 - Run like a pinecone!

It's now my turn to write on the blog!

I wanted to let you know that it was a priviledge traveling with all of you wonderful world citizens.  Travel day was a pain as expected, but everyone stuck together and even though we litterally had to run to the gate in Munich, we still stayed together and watched out for one another.

I think that what I was most impressed about was that you all were:

1.  Respectful to all of our amazing guides.  Even if you were not particularly interested in the topic you listened and did not distract others who were interested in it.  Even during Flamenco dancing, EVERYONE participated!  Everyone had a good sense of humor about it and no one felt awkward...or we all felt awkward so we were in it together lol.

2.  You set the example to the Middle school group and you were patient.  Of course they are going to have a little more difficulty with the more sophisticated learning, but you set the example and I think they are the better for it.  Oh  and also the way you behaved during the British invasion...

3.  Obeying curfew and the rules I set.  It was so nice that you understood that I had to be strict while on tour.  You understood that I was thinking about your safety.  I hated to say "no", like when a few of you asked me to go to the Gay Pride parade or when you asked me if you could go across the street to get horchata, or when you asked me if you could have sangría even with your parents permission.

4.  That you had an open heart and an open mind.  This is what being a global citizen is about.  Just not being judgemental.  That's really hard, like when you were told about bullfighting.  

Some of my favorite moments were:

1.  Watching Jenny in full out laughter during dinner time on the last night as she sat at the head of the table.

2.  Logan telling me he wants to be a Spanish teacher when he grows up.

3.  The passing of the "scepter" (fan) to my graduating senior, Antonio.

4.  The transformation of Diana and Savannah as they acclimated to high school.  They started out shy and uncomfortable and by the end they were just as happy as could be.

5.  Kimberly revealing her incredible talent for navigating a city.  You saved us!

6.  NT during Flamenco.  NT you can really do any kind of dance!

7.  Emily's pretty smile on the airplane ride.  

8.  The scavenger hunt at Prado when the first group ran to say they found everything.  I've never seen anyone in a full-out sweat before at a mseum.

9.  Bill's story-telling ability.  I was so enthralled in the bullfighting story that I made us late!  

10.  Sam's bedhead style and watching him pray in the cathedral in Toledo.

11.  The look in Ms. Loetz's face when she saw that some Canadian girls had entered inside the room of one of our travelers.  It was precious.  There was such horror in her eyes. lol

12.  The serene bike ride through Barcelona.

13.  The beginning of Jasper's modeling career...GQ Model style

14.  Kerry's talent as a personal shopper...Please hook me up Kerry!

15.  Robert tolerating his admirers in Barcelona.

16.  Cory being so nice, mature and courteous despite being sick...and speaking Spanish too!

17.  Sam's very very very soft hawaiian shirt...and of course the valuable whistle "best purchase of my life" 

18.  Felicia's gummy bears.

19.  The look on Max Declan and Carson's face the day they went to the beach.

20.  All of you learning and having fun!

What was one of your favorite moments?

Day 7: Madrid and Toledo

Today we visited the Prado Museum where we saw many classic works by great Spanish artists. We walked to the art museum and saw the statues of Valasquez and El Greco. There was a scavenger hunt, but everyone cheated. 

Later that day we went to Toledo, the city of three religions. It was a medievil town with sseveral large churches. There were many cool religious artifacts and buildings, including a synagouge which is the oldest in Spain. It was later converted to a chuch during the Spanish Inqusition. Next, we went to a sword factory where we got cool swords. "Holy sppaghetti, that is fudging awesome." -Carson.

Then we got churros con chocolate. And Jasper's luggage was found in Houston adn returned to his house.

 

Day sies: Madrid

ikToday we woke up and went to the royal palace of Spain... talk about luxury. It has housed many generations of Spanish rulers, but the newest ones don't live there. They live in the outskirts of Madrid in another palace, because one just isnt enough for royalty. But the palace is still used by the royal family to host political guests and celebratory events, like weddings. Then during free time, we got some freshly made churros which you dip into hot fudge and then stuff in your mouth to enjoy. Later that night we learned Flamenco dancing. Everyone seemed to enjoy learning the Spanish version of Stomp the Yard and we were able to watch a wonderful performance by the professionals at Las Tablas. After arriving back at our hotel, we split up to grab dinner. There's a Gay Pride parade right outside the hotel. Lots of people. All in all... pretty solid day.

Madrid: Day 5

     We left Barcelona at a great hotel infested by English Gremlins.

We took a what felt like a three day bus drive to Madrid stopping at the fifth largest city in Spain.

Zaragoza is the name of this magnificent city, filled with street vendors, delicious restaruants and the bacilica Zaragoza which is a beautiful church in the city covered with intricatly sculpted sculptures of saints. 

       The hotel was the best part of the trip it is so beautiful and is located at a convenient spot! close enough to all the great spots to venture in Madrid.Our final stop on this long journey to Madrid was the geographical center of spain. It is said when you jump on to the center of spain it is good luck and means that you will visit again. 

Day 3: 02/07/15, Barcelona

This morning we went to Montserrat, the views from the top of the mountain were breathtaking. Some people took the tram to the top of the mountain, others walked the grounds of the church, and yet more looked at the museum. Several people went to visit the vendors and partook in the cheese and honey samples.

In the afternoon, after returning to the center of Barcelona, everyone had free time to do what they wished, and to have a final day of exploring the city. Some chose to take a bike tour around the city and several others took a cooking class to learn how to make paella. A few went to the Pablo Picasso Museum to view the magnificent works of art, while yet more went to La Museo de Ciencias. Everyone had a great final day in Barcelona.

Day 2: Barcelona

Today we visited ParkGüell; designed by Antoni Gaudí. He was inspired by nature, deciding to work with the environment as opposed to destroying it. There are no straight lines in Gaudí's arcitecture, since there are no straight lines in nature. The houses in ParkGüell were inspired by Hansel and Gretel. We then visited montjuice mountain to overlook the skyline of Barcelona and pass by several Barcelona Olympic stadiums. We then took a tour of Gaüdi's masterpiece; La Sagrada Familia. The cathedral has been continuesly under construction, set to finish on the 100th of Gaudi's death, in 2026. After walking through the church; free time began, with some going to the beach, others visited the Pablo Picasso museum, and the rest taking a culinary tour of the city.