Im sorry the computers have become fewer and far between and were moving at light-speed. Im going to give you something to make you wait...
Pictures and updates to come from...
The mountains of Bilbao
The treck up to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
The beaches and pintxos of San Sebastion
CHRISTIANA!
Sangria and bulls of Pamplona
Metros and grooves in Barcelona
MADELYN!
Amaying views and fireworks in Paris
Rainy and relaxing Amsterdam
Tonight were off too...
Berlin
and then...
Czech Republic
Vienna
Budapest
and the good ol U S of A.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
You may want to grab a coffee.
Coke? Chocolate bar? As long as it's not Hersheys. They don't practice fair trade and utilize child slavery.
World issues aside, this is going to be a long one...
Our last night in Valencia was the Fiesta of San Juan, one of the biggest fiestas of the year. It was bitter-sweet because our host parents had gotten us excited for this festival starting our first week in Valencia, but in the back of our minds we all knew that although it was finally here, it was our last night together.
The tradition is to make a list of things you want do in the next year and a separate list of things you want to change or leave behind. The entire city posts up on the beach all night with a bonfire (wood supplied by the city!) and at midnight, you burn your list of what to change and run into the ocean and jump 9 waves for good luck. The beach was packed, but most importantly we were all there together :)
At the port there was a techno concert full of people. I felt like I was at Lollapalooza on the beach in Spain, fo free. 
The next day we said our goodbyes and most of the group traveled to Madrid by bus to fly back to the US. I went to Madrid and checked into a youth hostel for 2 nights. It was full of people my age with computers and bar downstairs. It was so easy to meet people and explore Madrid with new friends. Another set of goodbyes later, I was on the bus to Bilbao. I found my next hostal which is very nice and clean, although the demographic ranges more from 15-45 years old.
Today I ventured into the city sola, and spent most of my time in the Guggenheim. My favorite work was by Jenny Holzer. It is a permanent light installation designed for the museum. On the outside sayings about love, such as "i hear you" and "i remember you" scrolled the screens in English and then in Spanish.
If you walked to the other side of the screens, facing the wall, the same sayings scrolled in Vasco, the "forbidden language" (in her words) of the Basque Country. The Basque people are considered another nationality in Spain, there is a rich history of nationalism, including violence and terrorism in an attempt to take over the Spanish Government. I think that having a Basque flag in your house in Spain could be compared to having a Confederate flag on the wall in the U.S.
Another favorite exhibit was called the "Didactic Wall" which included popular songs of the 60s in europe and the US. It featured bands such as Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. I assume it´s called the didactic wall because of the progression the music industry and our societies found in the 60s, but it didn't explain. I stayed for awhile watching people ages 7-75 sit down, tap their feet, strum their fingers on an invisible air guitar, or get up and dance to the music.
I have 2 day-excursions to the mountains, and a weekend in San Sebastian before Christiana comes to Spain!
Thanks for reading! :)
World issues aside, this is going to be a long one...
Our last night in Valencia was the Fiesta of San Juan, one of the biggest fiestas of the year. It was bitter-sweet because our host parents had gotten us excited for this festival starting our first week in Valencia, but in the back of our minds we all knew that although it was finally here, it was our last night together.
The tradition is to make a list of things you want do in the next year and a separate list of things you want to change or leave behind. The entire city posts up on the beach all night with a bonfire (wood supplied by the city!) and at midnight, you burn your list of what to change and run into the ocean and jump 9 waves for good luck. The beach was packed, but most importantly we were all there together :)
At the port there was a techno concert full of people. I felt like I was at Lollapalooza on the beach in Spain, fo free. 
The next day we said our goodbyes and most of the group traveled to Madrid by bus to fly back to the US. I went to Madrid and checked into a youth hostel for 2 nights. It was full of people my age with computers and bar downstairs. It was so easy to meet people and explore Madrid with new friends. Another set of goodbyes later, I was on the bus to Bilbao. I found my next hostal which is very nice and clean, although the demographic ranges more from 15-45 years old.Today I ventured into the city sola, and spent most of my time in the Guggenheim. My favorite work was by Jenny Holzer. It is a permanent light installation designed for the museum. On the outside sayings about love, such as "i hear you" and "i remember you" scrolled the screens in English and then in Spanish.
If you walked to the other side of the screens, facing the wall, the same sayings scrolled in Vasco, the "forbidden language" (in her words) of the Basque Country. The Basque people are considered another nationality in Spain, there is a rich history of nationalism, including violence and terrorism in an attempt to take over the Spanish Government. I think that having a Basque flag in your house in Spain could be compared to having a Confederate flag on the wall in the U.S.
Another favorite exhibit was called the "Didactic Wall" which included popular songs of the 60s in europe and the US. It featured bands such as Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. I assume it´s called the didactic wall because of the progression the music industry and our societies found in the 60s, but it didn't explain. I stayed for awhile watching people ages 7-75 sit down, tap their feet, strum their fingers on an invisible air guitar, or get up and dance to the music.
I have 2 day-excursions to the mountains, and a weekend in San Sebastian before Christiana comes to Spain!
Thanks for reading! :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Kitchens in the Chicken
A Valenciano student learning english told me that she always confuses the words chicken and kitchen :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
"Lend me your eyes I can change what you see"
- Awake my soul, by Mumford and Sons.
When we first arrived in Valencia I asked my host-mom where I could buy a cheap, beach towel; She told me there were many stores owned by the Chinese in Valencia, and that's where you could find the most affordable... well, anything you want.
Other ISA students heard the same from their host parents and we thought it was funny, a little forward, and maybe even racist. We knew our host parents meant nothing disrepectful by it, but in comparison to America it probably would not be respectful to direct a friend to any store run by a Chinese person for the best deal.
Although, these stores do have everything you could possibly need for one euro.
One aisle inside: plant-pots, baskets, hardware, paint, pots & pans...
So I'm wondering who is more racially tolerant.. the Spaniards who feel comfortable pointing out that the Chinese have found a niche in a country without Target or Walmart super-stores or the Americans who might consider that ¨racially profiling.¨
Just a thought...
When we first arrived in Valencia I asked my host-mom where I could buy a cheap, beach towel; She told me there were many stores owned by the Chinese in Valencia, and that's where you could find the most affordable... well, anything you want.
Other ISA students heard the same from their host parents and we thought it was funny, a little forward, and maybe even racist. We knew our host parents meant nothing disrepectful by it, but in comparison to America it probably would not be respectful to direct a friend to any store run by a Chinese person for the best deal.
Although, these stores do have everything you could possibly need for one euro.
Before you walk in: childrens clothes, post cards, the outdoor section
One aisle inside: plant-pots, baskets, hardware, paint, pots & pans...So I'm wondering who is more racially tolerant.. the Spaniards who feel comfortable pointing out that the Chinese have found a niche in a country without Target or Walmart super-stores or the Americans who might consider that ¨racially profiling.¨
Just a thought...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
We´ll sleep when we're in America.
A photographic essay of a weekend in Valencia
Saturday: The city of Albufera for surfing, wind-surfing, kayaking, and sailing
Saturday night: Las Animas, the largest night club in Valencia, located under the stars on the beach
Continued to the sunrise on the beach
Good morning friends.
Sunday morning: 2 hour train to Peniscula to see a historic castle and the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.
Success.
Good morning friends.Sunday morning: 2 hour train to Peniscula to see a historic castle and the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.
Success. Friday, June 10, 2011
Green light, yellow light, yellow light!
There are no red lights in Valencia. When drivers have a green light, pedestrians have a "no walk" sign - which also includes a red bicycle because there are so many bikes here! 
According to Yahoo, there are 6 million car accidents in America each year.
Drivers have flashing yellow "yield" lights when pedestrians & bikers have a walk sign.
According to Yahoo, there are 6 million car accidents in America each year.Spain had 350 car accidents in Summer 2010, the most popular season of pedestrains. It´s easy to tell which city is a safer bet for a pedestrain.
After observing cross-cultural driving, I have come to the conclusion that International drivers are much more aware of their surroundings than American drivers. Que pena nosotros americanos.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Shots & Cucumbers.
Every night at dinner we watch the news. Therefore, every night at dinner we watch an update about the mysterious E. Coli found in Spain´s cucumbers. This was first time I learned that ¨pepino¨is the word for cucumber.
We were sitting at dinner, and the cucumber update came on, and I, absent-mindedly, said "Oh, los chupitos!" Mistaking my new vocubulary word, and saying "Shots!" (as in a shot of whiskey), opposed to a healthful, green vegetable.
We laughed :)
We were sitting at dinner, and the cucumber update came on, and I, absent-mindedly, said "Oh, los chupitos!" Mistaking my new vocubulary word, and saying "Shots!" (as in a shot of whiskey), opposed to a healthful, green vegetable.
We laughed :)
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