I still have to write about these places and upload pictures...
I'll get to it, soon enough.
Tetuan, Morocco
Tangier, Morocco
Chef-Chaoen, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Devils Horns, Morocco
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
Lisboa, Portugal
Sintra, Portugal
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Great Afternoon
Today, I, woke up feeling shitty basically I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I had only slept 6 hours (more than at U of I, I know), had a huge presentation ahead of me, and still sick. Once I arrived at CEGRI, I asked Julia (my teacher) for an extension and she blatantly said, NOPE! All problems set aside, I put a smile on my face, coughed, and gave my presentation. I think it bombed... whatever...
Afterward, I had a muffin.
After that muffin, I went to my tarea externa I meet with the owner of "La Oliva" we had a talk. I had tea.
The day started to get better.
Came back to CEGRI, sat and listened to the lecture.
The day now: meh.
Time for lunch, there's a great Italian pasta place by CEGRI. I started talking to the owner about Italy and then he tells me: "You're charming, you are very social and what a bambino, you can woo the girls... Ill give you the calzones for a discount! You tell good stories"
What horseshit, however, I'm good at listening and know when to interject. Put my two cents. AT LEAST I got the hook up now at the Italian place! YES!
GREAT DAY!
PS. I had great cheese and wine AND I also got a free invite to a wine and cheese night on Friday...
End of day: GREAT!
Afterward, I had a muffin.
After that muffin, I went to my tarea externa I meet with the owner of "La Oliva" we had a talk. I had tea.
The day started to get better.
Came back to CEGRI, sat and listened to the lecture.
The day now: meh.
Time for lunch, there's a great Italian pasta place by CEGRI. I started talking to the owner about Italy and then he tells me: "You're charming, you are very social and what a bambino, you can woo the girls... Ill give you the calzones for a discount! You tell good stories"
What horseshit, however, I'm good at listening and know when to interject. Put my two cents. AT LEAST I got the hook up now at the Italian place! YES!
GREAT DAY!
PS. I had great cheese and wine AND I also got a free invite to a wine and cheese night on Friday...
End of day: GREAT!
Booty Booty Booty Bounce; Booty Booty Booty Bounce!
I have had to explain House music so many times that Im getting sick of it. Then explaining why its so important, the way that our older siblings, cousins, or even parents still identify with Chicago House, House and Freestyle. People from CEGRI (other students, the majority coming from University of Wisconsin-Madison) don't know what that is...
I think its about time for a mothafuckin' Juke-off!!
Missing Chicago, somewhat...
I think its about time for a mothafuckin' Juke-off!!
Missing Chicago, somewhat...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Chronicles of Conchi Vol IV
"Some warm milk and Cognac will relieve that cold" - Cochi
She was talking and pouring at the same time... half the cup was cognac and a little bit of hot milk... This is how a true Spaniard gets well: with alcohol!
She was talking and pouring at the same time... half the cup was cognac and a little bit of hot milk... This is how a true Spaniard gets well: with alcohol!
Where in the World is Francisco?
So, once again I've neglected this blog and I realized when I wrote a letter to someone back home.
Here is the letter:
Granada, November 5, 2009
Whats up?
Talk about being bombarded with questions... lol
I'm great enjoying all there is... the only downside is that I am currently sick from traveling, but being sick from traveling is a small price to pay.
Ive currently been to:
Granada, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
Cordoba, Spain
Malaga, Spasin
Nerja, Spain, Costa Del Sol (Like the French Riviera)
Las Alpujarras, Spain (Mountains)
Tetuan, Morocco
Tangier, Morocco
Chef-Chaoen, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Devils Horns, Morocco
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
Lisboa, Portugal
Sintra, Portugal
Still to come:
Barcelona, Spain
Prague, Czech Republic
London, United Kingdom
Paris, France
Amsterdam, Holland
Places I might travel hopefully:
Istanbul, Turkey
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dublin, Ireland
and St. Petersburg, Russia
Ive learned a lot of things that I am actually surprised I didn't know. Its been a good learning experience. Traveling abroad is so amazing!
I was actually really homesick kinda in the beginning and truly hating both the Spaniards and Spain. Andalucia, the state that I'm in, is actually just like Latin America. Most of the people that left for the new world came from this region of Spain (because of the proximity to the ocean) they took with them their culture, language and architecture. So I was like: been there, done that.
Of course, I have been a little social butterfly, I've made friends from England, Holland, Australia, Spain, Portugal, and Italy... The Hostels (motels) are really something else, filled with students traveling. It's been an awesome meeting place for everything. I would really want to live in Belgium or Australia. Their governments PAY their students to travel and not go straight to college. They want them to be sure that they know what they want to do with their lives and to get experience. So for 2 years they sponsor them to leave their homes and TRAVEL THE WORLD. I was really jealous when I heard this.
[I] don't watch much TV here, but I occasionally watch some stuff with my sra., shes 65 and hilarious! The food that my sra. makes is great, I love the tortilla española (its a omelet with potatoes) and the paella. I also love the fact that with every drink you order you get tapas (an appetizer). However, most of the food in Spain is rather unseasoned. Thank god, Latin America didn't inherit that. The Spaniards arent really that open to other foods which is strange cause they are rather open to other cultures.
Hope this was enough...haha...
How's everything back home? Much has changed? Ready to graduate and come back to the city? How've you been? How's your family?
Hope all is well,
Ma as-salaamah,
Frank
Here is the letter:
Granada, November 5, 2009
Whats up?
Talk about being bombarded with questions... lol
I'm great enjoying all there is... the only downside is that I am currently sick from traveling, but being sick from traveling is a small price to pay.
Ive currently been to:
Granada, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
Cordoba, Spain
Malaga, Spasin
Nerja, Spain, Costa Del Sol (Like the French Riviera)
Las Alpujarras, Spain (Mountains)
Tetuan, Morocco
Tangier, Morocco
Chef-Chaoen, Morocco
Atlas Mountains, Devils Horns, Morocco
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
Lisboa, Portugal
Sintra, Portugal
Still to come:
Barcelona, Spain
Prague, Czech Republic
London, United Kingdom
Paris, France
Amsterdam, Holland
Places I might travel hopefully:
Istanbul, Turkey
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dublin, Ireland
and St. Petersburg, Russia
Ive learned a lot of things that I am actually surprised I didn't know. Its been a good learning experience. Traveling abroad is so amazing!
I was actually really homesick kinda in the beginning and truly hating both the Spaniards and Spain. Andalucia, the state that I'm in, is actually just like Latin America. Most of the people that left for the new world came from this region of Spain (because of the proximity to the ocean) they took with them their culture, language and architecture. So I was like: been there, done that.
Of course, I have been a little social butterfly, I've made friends from England, Holland, Australia, Spain, Portugal, and Italy... The Hostels (motels) are really something else, filled with students traveling. It's been an awesome meeting place for everything. I would really want to live in Belgium or Australia. Their governments PAY their students to travel and not go straight to college. They want them to be sure that they know what they want to do with their lives and to get experience. So for 2 years they sponsor them to leave their homes and TRAVEL THE WORLD. I was really jealous when I heard this.
[I] don't watch much TV here, but I occasionally watch some stuff with my sra., shes 65 and hilarious! The food that my sra. makes is great, I love the tortilla española (its a omelet with potatoes) and the paella. I also love the fact that with every drink you order you get tapas (an appetizer). However, most of the food in Spain is rather unseasoned. Thank god, Latin America didn't inherit that. The Spaniards arent really that open to other foods which is strange cause they are rather open to other cultures.
Hope this was enough...haha...
How's everything back home? Much has changed? Ready to graduate and come back to the city? How've you been? How's your family?
Hope all is well,
Ma as-salaamah,
Frank
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Córdova
A trip from Granada to Córdova takes 3 hrs to travel 202 km (126 miles: Distance from Chicago to Champaign. Mountains kill time and people!)
Bright and early, at the ass crack of dawn, I got up for the bus to go to Córdova. It was 7 O'Clock in the morning and the sun wasn't even out. I was kinda weirded out by this, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the sun didn't come out. Back home the sun comes out between 5 or 6 am. Another difference to check off to Spain. The joke is really the fact that it took me over a month to realize this, I get up past 8 and so does Spain so I didn't know.
It took me all of 20 minutes to get ready and left. Miguel Angel told us, that at 8 a.m. the bus would leave with or without us. So of course running on Latino Time I barely made it to the bus on time.
This trip took much longer than I thought. However, the weather kept changing every half hour. It went from Sunny (when the sun finally popped out) to Foggy, to a raining back to sunny.
When we finally got into Córdova, she got off and was given the tour of the Alcazar and the Jewish quarter. Then came lunch. The guide, Miguel Angel and Nerea gave us almost 2 hours of roaming time in the city.
The great thing that came out of these 2 hours: I SAW THE QUEEN!!! lol Damn that lady is loaded!
At 5pm everyone left to go back to Granada. 5 others and myself, decided to just take a train to Sevilla.
The city of Córdova is pretty much just a cultural treasure cove of history! There was so much of it everywhere and every society.
La Mezquita de Córdova was amazing and just simply wonderful! There are endless rows of Muslim arches.
...Now to be stupid! They kept on giving us the tour and of course I was being a dumbass, because of the corner of my eye what do I see? GOLD. So I was inching my way over to the spectacle that was sure to be TONS of gold. Sure enough when the tour-guide took us to the little museum of the cathedral there was a STATUE made purely out of gold. The guide told us that it was 300 lbs. of pure gold brought back from the NEW WORLD. Then I said, "Shit, It looks like I'm coming back tonight for my cut." After that room we were taken to the Cathedral part of the Mezquita (the church sits in the middle of the old Mezquita). There the guide told us to sit down on the beautiful handcrafted mahogany benches. She then proceeded to tell us about their origin. Since in Europe mahogany doesn't exist, it came from CUBA. Without any hesitation I said: "WHOA??! I'm taking this shit too..." and the whole group started laughing... Nerea just sighed and began to laughed... I guess I can't seem to control my rants.
I'm going to post some pictures of the Cathedral in a later post, so just watch out.
Peace (It's almost siesta time! lol)
Bright and early, at the ass crack of dawn, I got up for the bus to go to Córdova. It was 7 O'Clock in the morning and the sun wasn't even out. I was kinda weirded out by this, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the sun didn't come out. Back home the sun comes out between 5 or 6 am. Another difference to check off to Spain. The joke is really the fact that it took me over a month to realize this, I get up past 8 and so does Spain so I didn't know.
It took me all of 20 minutes to get ready and left. Miguel Angel told us, that at 8 a.m. the bus would leave with or without us. So of course running on Latino Time I barely made it to the bus on time.
This trip took much longer than I thought. However, the weather kept changing every half hour. It went from Sunny (when the sun finally popped out) to Foggy, to a raining back to sunny.
When we finally got into Córdova, she got off and was given the tour of the Alcazar and the Jewish quarter. Then came lunch. The guide, Miguel Angel and Nerea gave us almost 2 hours of roaming time in the city.
The great thing that came out of these 2 hours: I SAW THE QUEEN!!! lol Damn that lady is loaded!
At 5pm everyone left to go back to Granada. 5 others and myself, decided to just take a train to Sevilla.
The city of Córdova is pretty much just a cultural treasure cove of history! There was so much of it everywhere and every society.
La Mezquita de Córdova was amazing and just simply wonderful! There are endless rows of Muslim arches.
...Now to be stupid! They kept on giving us the tour and of course I was being a dumbass, because of the corner of my eye what do I see? GOLD. So I was inching my way over to the spectacle that was sure to be TONS of gold. Sure enough when the tour-guide took us to the little museum of the cathedral there was a STATUE made purely out of gold. The guide told us that it was 300 lbs. of pure gold brought back from the NEW WORLD. Then I said, "Shit, It looks like I'm coming back tonight for my cut." After that room we were taken to the Cathedral part of the Mezquita (the church sits in the middle of the old Mezquita). There the guide told us to sit down on the beautiful handcrafted mahogany benches. She then proceeded to tell us about their origin. Since in Europe mahogany doesn't exist, it came from CUBA. Without any hesitation I said: "WHOA??! I'm taking this shit too..." and the whole group started laughing... Nerea just sighed and began to laughed... I guess I can't seem to control my rants.
I'm going to post some pictures of the Cathedral in a later post, so just watch out.
Peace (It's almost siesta time! lol)
The Battle with the ATM
ATMs don't like to be bothered at 7 O'Clock in the morning either. I had to stop by an ATM, I was low on cash for the trip to Córdova and Sevilla.
The first time I put in my card it rejected the card. "Fine I'll try again", I thought. Nope, REJECTED again. "Third time is the charm." You know what the ATM did: TRANSACTION FINISHED! STEP INSIDE FOR MORE ASSISTANCE! NO Money and a receipt for the transaction. Scared shitless, no money, and with time against me (the Bank was closed) I left to try and catch the bus that would most probably leave me. My trip to Córdova and Sevilla had started.
When talking about Euros, ATMs and wee hours in the morning you never want to piss off an ATM... just wait... cause you just have to remember Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it will go wrong; your best bet is not to tempt faith...
Good times on the road!
The first time I put in my card it rejected the card. "Fine I'll try again", I thought. Nope, REJECTED again. "Third time is the charm." You know what the ATM did: TRANSACTION FINISHED! STEP INSIDE FOR MORE ASSISTANCE! NO Money and a receipt for the transaction. Scared shitless, no money, and with time against me (the Bank was closed) I left to try and catch the bus that would most probably leave me. My trip to Córdova and Sevilla had started.
When talking about Euros, ATMs and wee hours in the morning you never want to piss off an ATM... just wait... cause you just have to remember Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it will go wrong; your best bet is not to tempt faith...
Good times on the road!
Just a Brief Hiatus
I'm back...
Sorry for the long hiatus but I was just making sure there was enough content available to be documented.
Trips:
Sevilla, Spain
Córdova, Spain
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
In the past week (Italy trip) I took about 1,000 pictures. Something tells me I should have truly bought that external hdd before I left. So I'm gonna walk my happy ass to 'El Corte Ingles' later on today and see how much they are...hopefully I dont have to give up my first born child and a shitload of euros for an external. Let's see how that wonderful adventure goes!
Sorry for the long hiatus but I was just making sure there was enough content available to be documented.
Trips:
Sevilla, Spain
Córdova, Spain
Rome, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
In the past week (Italy trip) I took about 1,000 pictures. Something tells me I should have truly bought that external hdd before I left. So I'm gonna walk my happy ass to 'El Corte Ingles' later on today and see how much they are...hopefully I dont have to give up my first born child and a shitload of euros for an external. Let's see how that wonderful adventure goes!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thank God for Shawarmas!
So far three people have asked--"Have you had one yet?" I somehow ate this within hours of arriving in Granada. It's called a shawarma, its only 2.25 Euro, and its a godsend! This could possibly be the best drunken food too! I am currently craving one...
Disclaimer: The only downside to this is that you have to be careful where you buy it. Some places keep the same meet on the slab for 4 days and the less the meat the longer its been sitting out. This means that you colon might be siphoning through some rough waters... Thank the high heavens I haven't gotten a bad shawarma.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Fresh Start
Im really excited for the month of October. It seems like new air has come through the city of Granada. Excited.
Fixating on what ROW-C-O has said: I will try not to be so negative and or be so bitter with Spain. I'm hear at least to escape from other things!!
On a good note Ive lost 5 kilos. About 11 pounds.
Hurah for Spain!
Fixating on what ROW-C-O has said: I will try not to be so negative and or be so bitter with Spain. I'm hear at least to escape from other things!!
On a good note Ive lost 5 kilos. About 11 pounds.
Hurah for Spain!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Last Day of the Month
Its the last day of the month so I guess I'm going to do some self-reflecting.
It's been great to leave home and travel. By coming to Europe (Spain) I've had a lot of fun, but at the same time I feel like I'm ready to go home.
The system here is so different and I have yet to get accustomed to it. I hate the fact that my Spanish is kinda looked down upon because I have a neutral accent. I don't have a lisp and people here fixate on that, if they only knew that back home the same would happen to them. The egotistical Spaniards think that their way of life is so superior to that of Latin America and even the United States. Yet the biggest or funniest contradiction is that they themselves are moving to be more like the United States. By emulating another country's customs deteriorates from your own social and ethnic difference and makes you a hypocrite.
I'm already tired of the Southern Part of Spain.
The great thing about the experience of traveling abroad has been the ability to learn about another place or actually familiarize myself with the area. No fuck it, I really do hate the southern part of Spain. I really am bi-polar right now.
Damn the month of September has come and gone. Kinda happy about it. Next month...more traveling!
It's been great to leave home and travel. By coming to Europe (Spain) I've had a lot of fun, but at the same time I feel like I'm ready to go home.
The system here is so different and I have yet to get accustomed to it. I hate the fact that my Spanish is kinda looked down upon because I have a neutral accent. I don't have a lisp and people here fixate on that, if they only knew that back home the same would happen to them. The egotistical Spaniards think that their way of life is so superior to that of Latin America and even the United States. Yet the biggest or funniest contradiction is that they themselves are moving to be more like the United States. By emulating another country's customs deteriorates from your own social and ethnic difference and makes you a hypocrite.
I'm already tired of the Southern Part of Spain.
The great thing about the experience of traveling abroad has been the ability to learn about another place or actually familiarize myself with the area. No fuck it, I really do hate the southern part of Spain. I really am bi-polar right now.
Damn the month of September has come and gone. Kinda happy about it. Next month...more traveling!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Chronicles of Conchi
Volume III
Conchi went to the botellon this past weekend. I didn't know of this before I left... She said she tried looking for me. She didn't come home until 9 am. She put out everything for my Spaniard breakfast and went to bed.
Conchi went to the botellon this past weekend. I didn't know of this before I left... She said she tried looking for me. She didn't come home until 9 am. She put out everything for my Spaniard breakfast and went to bed.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Morocco--As a Reality
I went to Morocco, so that means I've been on the Continent of Africa.
Morocco is a beautiful country surrounded by poverty. Not sure if the trip was as great as anyone had made it seem but at least I didnt have to travel by myself to this part of the world.
I was scared in Morocco ...not because of Islamic terrorism or safety, I was scared because I look muslim! 5 different vendors came up to me and asked me if I was Arab, or Muslim? I told them politely, no, 'I'm from El Salvador.' Then they would leave me alone. I found Lucy and told her to make sure I was on every boat, bus, and ferry ride until we got back to Granada. I clinched on to my passport EVERYWHERE!
First day we got to Ceuta (A Spain city in Morocco), then headed over to the hotel. It was a long day of traveling but exciting.
Saturday, we got breakfast and headed over to the Medina. If you have ever been to a market in Latin America you can figure out what a Medina is, and you've experienced it. It was a long walk through it, and you got to see everything, from chickens with their heads being cut off, to a donkey, to a shark. It really made me appreciate grocery stores back home!
Sunday, was our trip to Chef-Chaouen. I think this was the best part of the whole trip. It had the best views, less people, and most of all free time.
All in all it was a great time... I'm dead tired from the trip still. Waiting for the next adventure. It looks like it will be Italy! Planning the trip soon.
Chronicles of Conchi
Volumne II
Conchi keeps on giving me little anecdotes of what this one kid that stayed with her did. This is like her "What not to do Guide"
-Andres is a cute boy, he just doesnt have manners, he never said 'Good Morning,' NOR 'Good Night'
-Andres is a cute boy, he NEVER WASHED HIS HANDS. You would think for being so cute that he would.
-Andres is a cute boy, he left for Egypt one weekend and told me he was coming back Monday. He didn't back for a whole week. I was dying from the anguish of not know where he was... he then said, "I told you I was coming back THE FOLLOWING MONDAY."
Conchi: PEOPLE CALL! COñO! I would.
-Andres never turned off the lights, doesn't he know I pay for the electricity?!
This gives me a nonchalant way of knowing how to act in her house. This lady is passive-aggressive but she is hilarious. Sometimes these anecdotes dont make much sense or they don't coincide, I think she pulls them out off her ass.
Something tells me Andres doesn't exist. She just makes them up.
Conchi keeps on giving me little anecdotes of what this one kid that stayed with her did. This is like her "What not to do Guide"
-Andres is a cute boy, he just doesnt have manners, he never said 'Good Morning,' NOR 'Good Night'
-Andres is a cute boy, he NEVER WASHED HIS HANDS. You would think for being so cute that he would.
-Andres is a cute boy, he left for Egypt one weekend and told me he was coming back Monday. He didn't back for a whole week. I was dying from the anguish of not know where he was... he then said, "I told you I was coming back THE FOLLOWING MONDAY."
Conchi: PEOPLE CALL! COñO! I would.
-Andres never turned off the lights, doesn't he know I pay for the electricity?!
This gives me a nonchalant way of knowing how to act in her house. This lady is passive-aggressive but she is hilarious. Sometimes these anecdotes dont make much sense or they don't coincide, I think she pulls them out off her ass.
Something tells me Andres doesn't exist. She just makes them up.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
WHERE THE FUCK IS THE GOLD!
No lie, where the fuck is the gold? I've been on a mission to find the gold. Not much about Granada has impressed me. Of course they have La Alhambra, the Albaicin, the Muslim heritage, etc. But Spain has stolen something and they don't acknowledge it: the gold! I expected to see a motherf-ing building made out of SOLID GOLD!
WHERE IS IT?
My teacher for Culture of Spain keeps on repeating the same phrase over and over. SPAIN IS BROKE?! Is it really? Where is all of the gold you stole from the Latin American Indigenous people!?!? No one can ever tell me Spain is broke, have you seen your children in the other hemisphere?
'Stan locos!
WHERE IS IT?
My teacher for Culture of Spain keeps on repeating the same phrase over and over. SPAIN IS BROKE?! Is it really? Where is all of the gold you stole from the Latin American Indigenous people!?!? No one can ever tell me Spain is broke, have you seen your children in the other hemisphere?
'Stan locos!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Morocco, as planned
This was my email to Rocio and Annette. I have yet to receive a response from them. But this is what will be my weekend. Can't wait for Friday.
-Email-
Im not going to complain! Im going to Morocco this weekend! THANK GOD for 3 day weekends!
Im going to include the Planned Itinerary just for kicks. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Friday
Departure to Algeciras/Gibraltar
Arrival at Algeciras and board ferry
Arrival at Ceuta (City of Spain in Moroccos)
Departure to Morocco (Tetuan)
Arrival at Hotel
Dinner
Free time to rest (Clubbing and Shopping!)
Saturday
8am Breakfast
9am Departure to visit the ancient city of Medina de Tetuan
Shopping in Tetuan followed by a typical lunch in the Medina
Departure for Tanger
Panoramic tour of Tanger and Cabo Espartel
Free time
Arrival at the hotel
Dinner
Free time to rest (Clubbing and Shopping!!)
Sunday
7am Breakfast
8am Departure to Chef-Chaouen
Arrival and guided tour of Chef0Chaouen
Free time
Lunch
Departure for Ceuta
Arrival at Ceuta and Boarding
Arrival at Algeciras/Gibraltar
Return point home!
Missing you guys!
-Email-
Im not going to complain! Im going to Morocco this weekend! THANK GOD for 3 day weekends!
Im going to include the Planned Itinerary just for kicks. LOVE YOU GUYS!
Friday
Departure to Algeciras/Gibraltar
Arrival at Algeciras and board ferry
Arrival at Ceuta (City of Spain in Moroccos)
Departure to Morocco (Tetuan)
Arrival at Hotel
Dinner
Free time to rest (Clubbing and Shopping!)
Saturday
8am Breakfast
9am Departure to visit the ancient city of Medina de Tetuan
Shopping in Tetuan followed by a typical lunch in the Medina
Departure for Tanger
Panoramic tour of Tanger and Cabo Espartel
Free time
Arrival at the hotel
Dinner
Free time to rest (Clubbing and Shopping!!)
Sunday
7am Breakfast
8am Departure to Chef-Chaouen
Arrival and guided tour of Chef0Chaouen
Free time
Lunch
Departure for Ceuta
Arrival at Ceuta and Boarding
Arrival at Algeciras/Gibraltar
Return point home!
Missing you guys!
CHRONICLES OF CONCHI
I lucked out.
The Chronicles of Conchi are just things that happen with my Señora. She sometimes goes on rant or has conversations with me that kinda scare me. lol Just take a look at these: I'll write more of my experiences with her as soon as they come up.
Feeding you some fish
Frank: Under my breath: Man, I miss sushi.
Conchi: Fish? I thought you didn’t like fish.
F: Oh, I don’t, but sushi is a different kind of way to eat fish.
C: Really?
F: Yeah, I don’t like fish; I put that on my application when I applied to Granada.
C: Oh, I know. I read it. But secretly, I’ve been feeding you fish for the past two weeks.
F: ::Silently trying to remember all foods::
C: You put it down, but I didn’t care I feed you what I want.
F: What if I was allergic?
C: Oh, I went around that, the first time I fed you fish I only put in a little bit. If you didn’t react negatively to it, I knew you weren’t allergic.
F: ::looking in amazement::
Champion
My Sra. only eats breakfast and Lunch, no dinners. Breakfast consists of toast and jam (that’s how Spain does breakfast) and coffee. Lunches are huge foods consisting of three courses. She eats then. Like almost out of the gate she starts scoffing down her food. I just try to chew all 32 times. When she is almost finished she looks up at me and my food, snarls and gets fully concentrated again. She finishes.
When she finishes she drops her utensil and starts screaming in her indoor voice: CHAMPION! CHAMPION! Putting her hands up as she has just won an Olympic Gold Medal. She then starts with the stadium noises: Yeah!!! Conchi!!! Champion! She then follows this by picking up her dog, putting him on her lap. She grabs his paws puts them in the air and starts screaming again, CHAMPIONS! CHAMPIONS, AHHHH!!! YEAH!!! (Stadium voice)
Bored?
What is boredom? I have never been bored in life. Scratch your ass you say? Then get a job! I have never had time to be bored! …You? ::No answer::
The Chronicles of Conchi are just things that happen with my Señora. She sometimes goes on rant or has conversations with me that kinda scare me. lol Just take a look at these: I'll write more of my experiences with her as soon as they come up.
Feeding you some fish
Frank: Under my breath: Man, I miss sushi.
Conchi: Fish? I thought you didn’t like fish.
F: Oh, I don’t, but sushi is a different kind of way to eat fish.
C: Really?
F: Yeah, I don’t like fish; I put that on my application when I applied to Granada.
C: Oh, I know. I read it. But secretly, I’ve been feeding you fish for the past two weeks.
F: ::Silently trying to remember all foods::
C: You put it down, but I didn’t care I feed you what I want.
F: What if I was allergic?
C: Oh, I went around that, the first time I fed you fish I only put in a little bit. If you didn’t react negatively to it, I knew you weren’t allergic.
F: ::looking in amazement::
Champion
My Sra. only eats breakfast and Lunch, no dinners. Breakfast consists of toast and jam (that’s how Spain does breakfast) and coffee. Lunches are huge foods consisting of three courses. She eats then. Like almost out of the gate she starts scoffing down her food. I just try to chew all 32 times. When she is almost finished she looks up at me and my food, snarls and gets fully concentrated again. She finishes.
When she finishes she drops her utensil and starts screaming in her indoor voice: CHAMPION! CHAMPION! Putting her hands up as she has just won an Olympic Gold Medal. She then starts with the stadium noises: Yeah!!! Conchi!!! Champion! She then follows this by picking up her dog, putting him on her lap. She grabs his paws puts them in the air and starts screaming again, CHAMPIONS! CHAMPIONS, AHHHH!!! YEAH!!! (Stadium voice)
Bored?
What is boredom? I have never been bored in life. Scratch your ass you say? Then get a job! I have never had time to be bored! …You? ::No answer::
Alpujarras--Nature whooped my ass!
I climbed a mountain!
For all you non-believers, yes I did climb a mountain! So far our tuition has paid for this: An excursion of the city of Granada: Alhambra, Albaicin, Cathedral, candlelit dinner next to the Cathedral, the first Hostal, a flamenco performance, and now a trip to the Sierra Nevada! Man I wish U of I actually did something like this back home.
We went up to the Alpujarras got off the bus and went straight to a lodge were we got prepped on the hike. This is the hike, in total 7 hours! We went to the next town, I swear I have never walked so much and in such an incline, crossing trees, narrow paths, cow dung, and small streams. Once we reached the next town we stopped at the plaza for a small breather. They fed us chocolate to keep our strength up.
Then we started our climb up to the next town. Once again we crossed trees, narrow paths, poison ivy, and other natural shit. I was getting tired, hungry, and cranky from so much climbing. I took in the scenery ever so often when we stopped or was given a history lesson of the mountain.
It's scenic and wonderful. I never want to do it again.
For all you non-believers, yes I did climb a mountain! So far our tuition has paid for this: An excursion of the city of Granada: Alhambra, Albaicin, Cathedral, candlelit dinner next to the Cathedral, the first Hostal, a flamenco performance, and now a trip to the Sierra Nevada! Man I wish U of I actually did something like this back home.
We went up to the Alpujarras got off the bus and went straight to a lodge were we got prepped on the hike. This is the hike, in total 7 hours! We went to the next town, I swear I have never walked so much and in such an incline, crossing trees, narrow paths, cow dung, and small streams. Once we reached the next town we stopped at the plaza for a small breather. They fed us chocolate to keep our strength up.
Then we started our climb up to the next town. Once again we crossed trees, narrow paths, poison ivy, and other natural shit. I was getting tired, hungry, and cranky from so much climbing. I took in the scenery ever so often when we stopped or was given a history lesson of the mountain.
It's scenic and wonderful. I never want to do it again.
Blake, the Pot-smoking, philosopher
What is there to say about Blake, he was just one big pothead. He was an illegal resident of Spain. He left Madison after college cause he wanted a change. He came to Spain for 3 months to travel and decided to stay. “After 3 years, you obtain legal residency.”
He worked in a Hostal in Granada (turns out the same one we stayed at the first week—Hostal Atenas) and then realized he was doing all of the work and for no pay. So he got out and started his own in a friends house. Now he did all the work but was getting paid for it. What did he do with this money? Smoked pot all day of course. Oh the luxuries of life, he had it set.
The best quote from Blake: “ Cardinal directions: (West) Old person there, (East) Old person there, (North: Patio) Cigarettes outside, (South: House) Weed in!”
He worked in a Hostal in Granada (turns out the same one we stayed at the first week—Hostal Atenas) and then realized he was doing all of the work and for no pay. So he got out and started his own in a friends house. Now he did all the work but was getting paid for it. What did he do with this money? Smoked pot all day of course. Oh the luxuries of life, he had it set.
The best quote from Blake: “ Cardinal directions: (West) Old person there, (East) Old person there, (North: Patio) Cigarettes outside, (South: House) Weed in!”
Costa del Sol--Nerja
Nerja started off with a bunch of the group just saying fuck it to the weather (its really hot here) and going to the beach. Since we only have four day work weeks, we left for the beach on a Friday. We got on a bus and headed towards Nerja. It was a short 2 hr ride that actually could have been 45 minutes if it wasn’t for a greyhound-esc trip. Once we arrive at Nerja I was designated the trips spokesperson and called the Hostal. To my surprise the damn Hostal receptionist switched from a Spanish accent (a local accent) over to an English accent. The guy had a California accent! He told me he would come and get us in two minutes so stay by the plaza. When he arrived the guy was a 6’ 4” blonde dude straight out of Madison, Wisconsin!
Blake ended up taking us back to the Hostal, once again we were in for a surprise. It turned out that the Hostal was really this guys friends house, whose place, Blake uses as a Hostal. It was a nice house! Surprise no. 3—Hostal.com overbooked us! There were 9 beds and 18 of us… So Blake proceeded to tell us how it all would work out. 3 Guys would have to sleep outside in the terrace; literally it would be a hammock and a mattress on the floor. All the girls would share a bed, 2 per bed. One would sleep outside in the patio where the laundry was done; somehow there was a makeshift bed on top of the washer. And three lucky guys would have the luck of getting their own beds. After that was done, he gave us the grand tour. It concluded 2 minutes later and with the look at the two wonderful bathrooms, the one inside and the one outside. Rustically placed under the stairs that led to the terrace, it was literally a hose with showerhead, no hot water, what a luxury! The trip, Blake, and the room assignments were just too much excitement for one afternoon.
Time to relax. We headed towards the beach. Man the site of the beach and the smell of the salty air was enough to forget the Hostal. We took in the sun and got in the water for 6 hrs. The best quote that came out of the group was “Can you believe we’re in Spain, in Costa del Sol, and everyone back home is probably walking to class!”
Dinner was exceptional! We went by downtown and we sat in a restaurant owned and operated by British women. It was called the Californian; I don’t think anyone figured out meaning. I ordered a bacon burger, (I hadn’t had meat in a while and I was dreaming of a burger). The scenery because even better, we were looking at the ocean from our seats! We sat on a cliff. After dinner we went back to the Hostal got ourselves some wine (it only cost .85 centimos). We each had our own bottle and we just drank, and drank. Finally around midnight we got up and went to the “secret beach” Blake told us about when we returned. We followed his advice and landed in a secluded beach with huge rocks to our east, west and south! We drank some more and had a great time!
Saturday was repeated almost in the same sequence. It was a just the best weekend.
Blake ended up taking us back to the Hostal, once again we were in for a surprise. It turned out that the Hostal was really this guys friends house, whose place, Blake uses as a Hostal. It was a nice house! Surprise no. 3—Hostal.com overbooked us! There were 9 beds and 18 of us… So Blake proceeded to tell us how it all would work out. 3 Guys would have to sleep outside in the terrace; literally it would be a hammock and a mattress on the floor. All the girls would share a bed, 2 per bed. One would sleep outside in the patio where the laundry was done; somehow there was a makeshift bed on top of the washer. And three lucky guys would have the luck of getting their own beds. After that was done, he gave us the grand tour. It concluded 2 minutes later and with the look at the two wonderful bathrooms, the one inside and the one outside. Rustically placed under the stairs that led to the terrace, it was literally a hose with showerhead, no hot water, what a luxury! The trip, Blake, and the room assignments were just too much excitement for one afternoon.
Time to relax. We headed towards the beach. Man the site of the beach and the smell of the salty air was enough to forget the Hostal. We took in the sun and got in the water for 6 hrs. The best quote that came out of the group was “Can you believe we’re in Spain, in Costa del Sol, and everyone back home is probably walking to class!”
Dinner was exceptional! We went by downtown and we sat in a restaurant owned and operated by British women. It was called the Californian; I don’t think anyone figured out meaning. I ordered a bacon burger, (I hadn’t had meat in a while and I was dreaming of a burger). The scenery because even better, we were looking at the ocean from our seats! We sat on a cliff. After dinner we went back to the Hostal got ourselves some wine (it only cost .85 centimos). We each had our own bottle and we just drank, and drank. Finally around midnight we got up and went to the “secret beach” Blake told us about when we returned. We followed his advice and landed in a secluded beach with huge rocks to our east, west and south! We drank some more and had a great time!
Saturday was repeated almost in the same sequence. It was a just the best weekend.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Flamenco—The Mysticism that is Flamenco.
I had always known that Spain is famous for its bullfights and flamenco. Never seeing a flamenco experience the school took us up to the Sacromonte to see it. When we reached the highest point I bought myself a beer cause of was dying from the exhaustion of once again hiking up to the top of a mountain. The performance started and I was just entranced. I didn’t realized how beautiful the music is and how influenced it is by Muslim folklore. The best thing of the performance is the ambiance. A clear night, at the top of the mountain, away from the city; the moon and stars giving the light for the stage, clearly el Sacromonte is a great place to be for a cultural dance.
Sacromonte
This area of the city is next to the Albaicin. The impressive part is that people inhabit this area as well and they live in caves. They have dug their homes into the caves, during the summer they don’t need air conditioning because its nice and cool. During the winter months, the heat from the earth heats their homes. Not spending on heat or air conditioning is awesome! Very ecological. These homes used to be considered slums but now they are sitting on a goldmine. Supposedly these homes used to be worth less than 3,000 euros, now are worth 1.2 million euros.
There are some old people up there that have realized how much their homes are worth and they go to a bank and ask for a loan. They put their homes as collateral and then dont pay for the loan. They walk away with almost 500,000 euros that they will not have to pay back. When they die, the bank takes the property.
Anyways, the Sacromonte also has two get assets the first is the Flamenco theater that sits at the very top and a series of bars and a Club that are nestled into some caves. This is also the first thing I heard about Granada. CLUB IN A CAVE!!!
There are some old people up there that have realized how much their homes are worth and they go to a bank and ask for a loan. They put their homes as collateral and then dont pay for the loan. They walk away with almost 500,000 euros that they will not have to pay back. When they die, the bank takes the property.
Anyways, the Sacromonte also has two get assets the first is the Flamenco theater that sits at the very top and a series of bars and a Club that are nestled into some caves. This is also the first thing I heard about Granada. CLUB IN A CAVE!!!
Albaicin
The Albaicin is one of Granada’s hidden gems that is really not that hidden. It celebrates one of its most beautiful sceneries. It starts at the foot of La Alhambra and it houses the Mororish/Muslim population of the city. A strong Muslim population since almost the 8th century has inhabited it. It has the areas teterias, which are our hookah bars back home. The greatest thing is that the aroma from the hookahs and natural teas is authentically being in a different part of the world.
I had the pleasure, once again of climbing, the city of Granada to end up by the famous homes of the rich of Granada las Carmen are a type of large homes that have huge gardens in the middle. Almost like jungles these gardens are maintained by large quantities of water, goes to show what money will buy. Heading even higher, almost parallel height to La Alhambra. When we got to the top the sun was setting. The city began to light up and breath-taking views could be seen from at top of the city. One thing that I realized was that many of these houses and the way this part of the city looked like was the same architecture of many cities in Latin America. When I asked if this was a coincidence I was given this answer: “almost 70% of the people that left for the new world came from this region, of course these people would take their architecture with them, architecture based upon Roman, Spanish, and Muslim influences.” Lesson taught and learned. All together beautiful views of the cathedral, and the veins of lights that run down the Albaicin all over the city of Granada.
I had the pleasure, once again of climbing, the city of Granada to end up by the famous homes of the rich of Granada las Carmen are a type of large homes that have huge gardens in the middle. Almost like jungles these gardens are maintained by large quantities of water, goes to show what money will buy. Heading even higher, almost parallel height to La Alhambra. When we got to the top the sun was setting. The city began to light up and breath-taking views could be seen from at top of the city. One thing that I realized was that many of these houses and the way this part of the city looked like was the same architecture of many cities in Latin America. When I asked if this was a coincidence I was given this answer: “almost 70% of the people that left for the new world came from this region, of course these people would take their architecture with them, architecture based upon Roman, Spanish, and Muslim influences.” Lesson taught and learned. All together beautiful views of the cathedral, and the veins of lights that run down the Albaicin all over the city of Granada.
Club Scene—Don’t stop til 7 in the morning!
It takes the cake. This is a typical night going clubbing. You leave your house around 11 pm and you go out with some friends to eat tapas. Tapas are free with every drink you buy. You stay at the restaurant from 12 or 1 am. Then you go to a park for a boteyon. A boteyon is just a drunk fest in a park. You bring your own drink or bring alcohol and drink together. This should last until about 3 or 4 in the morning. After this is when you hit the club. You go all night until sunrise, usually around 7 or 8 in the morning. Depending on if it’s the weekend or a regular night you do one of two things. If it is a weekend you go home have breakfast with your family, smelling like an ashtray, and then go to bed only to wake up around 2:30 for lunch. If it’s a weekday you go home have breakfast with your family, which consists of three pieces of bread with margarine or jam and a cup of coffee. Their cup of coffee is not what you think, in realitiy it’s an espresso shot with a cup of milk. Depending on how bad or good of a night you had you would get double or triple the shot of espresso. After you are finished take a bath and then go to work or school.
Partying in Spain is on a whole different level, and from what I hear this is the light version. Other countries start promptly at 9 pm and don’t stop until 7 in the morning—almost 10 hours of europop.
The clubs are also quite labish, there is no detail that is not looked at, from the frosted glasses to the pillows that are used to decorate the places. You know you are hitting a nice club when the line outside could be seen from any street and lights, veils, and music exaggerate the impressive facades. And not to talk about the girls out in all glory, the only thing is that they don’t dance as promiscuous as the “American girls.” You can always tell when there is a foreigner in a club…
Just to compare—In Champaign we would start pre-gaming at 8 pm or so, hit the bar or club at 10 or 11 and then be done by 2 am. If you were lucky you can go to the apartment or the HOUSE and have an afterset until 5 or 6 am. Oh to the good times, I guess its time to take it international and have a good time in Paris, London, or Granada!
Partying in Spain is on a whole different level, and from what I hear this is the light version. Other countries start promptly at 9 pm and don’t stop until 7 in the morning—almost 10 hours of europop.
The clubs are also quite labish, there is no detail that is not looked at, from the frosted glasses to the pillows that are used to decorate the places. You know you are hitting a nice club when the line outside could be seen from any street and lights, veils, and music exaggerate the impressive facades. And not to talk about the girls out in all glory, the only thing is that they don’t dance as promiscuous as the “American girls.” You can always tell when there is a foreigner in a club…
Just to compare—In Champaign we would start pre-gaming at 8 pm or so, hit the bar or club at 10 or 11 and then be done by 2 am. If you were lucky you can go to the apartment or the HOUSE and have an afterset until 5 or 6 am. Oh to the good times, I guess its time to take it international and have a good time in Paris, London, or Granada!
La Alhambra
I first heard of La Alhambra in High School sitting in certain Spanish teacher that-shall-not-be-named’s class. I had a bitter taste in my mouth, and the bitterness didn’t go away. Miguel Angel made us climb La Alhambra early in the morning. It started off with a good natural incline and then it just exploded into a horrible 60-degree incline. I should have guessed it had to be hard it was a fort to defend against attacks. I think the phrase, “I left my ass back” there doesn’t begin to describe the feeling that I had climbing. By the time I had reached the half waypoint of the climb I had two thoughts. The first was that I was completely soaked in sweat from just 15 minutes of climbing and the second was that I hated Miguel Angel—a freaking bus passed us by and had the sign ALHAMBRA EXPRESS, I swear if I had enough energy I would have shanked someone. Unfortunate for us we still had to climb more. My Sra. also had something to say about this, check out the Chronicles of Conchi under La Alhambra.
When we finally got up the zenith our tour guides greeted us for the day; and we began our excursion through La Alhambra. Just a quick overview of what La Alhambra is, and why it’s so important. Back in 711 A.D. the Muslim world began to expand into Spain. Not yet a unified country, Spain was ruled by principalities and small kingdoms. The Muslims ruled most of the Peninsula, and La Alhambra was constructed as a separate city, fort and palace for the ruler. As the last strong hold, La Alhambra was seen as a source of power because of its splendor Isabella and Ferdinand converted it to their palace. Their grandson Charles V became the Holy Roman Empire and he too converted it to be his palace. Ok, now that I’ve boarded you to death with history back to the story.
The view from La Alhambra down into the city, following towns, and as the sun set it was spectacular.
When we finally got up the zenith our tour guides greeted us for the day; and we began our excursion through La Alhambra. Just a quick overview of what La Alhambra is, and why it’s so important. Back in 711 A.D. the Muslim world began to expand into Spain. Not yet a unified country, Spain was ruled by principalities and small kingdoms. The Muslims ruled most of the Peninsula, and La Alhambra was constructed as a separate city, fort and palace for the ruler. As the last strong hold, La Alhambra was seen as a source of power because of its splendor Isabella and Ferdinand converted it to their palace. Their grandson Charles V became the Holy Roman Empire and he too converted it to be his palace. Ok, now that I’ve boarded you to death with history back to the story.
The view from La Alhambra down into the city, following towns, and as the sun set it was spectacular.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hostal Atenas-- Don't Sleep!
We arrived at Granada almost at 5:30 am Chicago time on Tuesday, August 26th. We landed in the International Airport of Granada. It was really just a runway with planes parked and people get off right on the runway; this is the first time I’ve ever done this, it was pretty awesome.
Baggage claim wasn’t so awesome. We waited 45 minutes for our luggage, and meanwhile a rent-a-cop security guard racially profiled me. For his taste, I was too dark to be there and asked to see my visa. I knew it was coming so I had my passport ready to show him my visa. He couldn’t say anything and walked away.
We finally met up with Miguel Angel the reason why the Granada program was started. He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois. He got his PhD in Linguistics from the University. We got our luggage, boarded the bus, and headed to the Hostal (motel); this would be our home for the next couple of days. I thought we would be staying in a shitty place…far from it. It was a great place in the center of the city. It had beautiful views and it was a great introduction to the city of Granada. The only downside to being at the Hostal was being told we couldn’t/shouldn’t sleep so that we could get accustomed to the time zone. So, what’s the next best thing when you are in new city? EXPLORE! We left the Hostal at 5 p.m. ate dinner right in front of the Cathedral, and then went out around the city. We went back to the Hostal got ready and went to the club, Discoteca Granada 10! This doesn’t get poppin’ ‘til 4 a.m.
Baggage claim wasn’t so awesome. We waited 45 minutes for our luggage, and meanwhile a rent-a-cop security guard racially profiled me. For his taste, I was too dark to be there and asked to see my visa. I knew it was coming so I had my passport ready to show him my visa. He couldn’t say anything and walked away.
We finally met up with Miguel Angel the reason why the Granada program was started. He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois. He got his PhD in Linguistics from the University. We got our luggage, boarded the bus, and headed to the Hostal (motel); this would be our home for the next couple of days. I thought we would be staying in a shitty place…far from it. It was a great place in the center of the city. It had beautiful views and it was a great introduction to the city of Granada. The only downside to being at the Hostal was being told we couldn’t/shouldn’t sleep so that we could get accustomed to the time zone. So, what’s the next best thing when you are in new city? EXPLORE! We left the Hostal at 5 p.m. ate dinner right in front of the Cathedral, and then went out around the city. We went back to the Hostal got ready and went to the club, Discoteca Granada 10! This doesn’t get poppin’ ‘til 4 a.m.
Trip to Madrid- The shit job that was I
Sitting at the airport waiting for boarding seemed surreal. All summer I had been waiting for the day when I would be doing my travel to Spain.
I didn’t even start thinking of packing until the day before I left. I knew that I had to do something because how else would I get things to Spain. So I decided to go shopping. I went shopping for new shirts, boxers, and for the first time I set a budget. Who can guess how that went? Yeah, I went over. But just by a little bit! I had to buy a new camera to capture my trip abroad. So sue me.
Of course, like any good Latino male, I waited to ‘til that morning to pack. I sat looking at the clothes and I just wanted to sleep. I didn’t the night before. So instead of doing either, I went shopping—again. I had to buy a gift for my “host mom.” I went to buy books from Borders; I decided to buy her a book of Chicago’s architecture, cheap and easy. And like a good bullshitter, I gave her this meaning “I’m here to see your majestic city, and I would like you to see mine.” –I don’t think she bought it; but everyone I said it to loved it.
My sister dropped me off at the airport; she gave me a lecture, cried and dropped my ass off. She was gone before I was able to get all of my shit out of her car. Then this is when I realized that I would have a difficult time traveling. I had lug a huge book bag, my book bag, a roller and my laptop bag. I always pack lightly. This would also be a curse in the near future.
At the airport I met up with the group. I saw Evelyn (Poppet) and Analy. We went through security and on our way to getting lost in the terminal. When we finally got to gate 19G we met a German girl that was traveling from San Francisco to Munich, Germany. She had been traveling the U.S. for 2 months and had run out of money and time. She had an awesome story of traveling through the U.S. and sleeping in the Grand Canyon.
They began to board the plane. They started of with the last rows; guess who was the first to board? That’s right, U of I students and Madison. I did my last text messages under my 773-319-7606 number (I canceled my plan). Then we started to taxi the runway. This is when I revert to my early childhood stage of shitting my pants. The words of my mother start ringing in my head. NEVER travel by yourself; and never travel on a Tuesday (superstition says you’ll die). I was doing both. The greatest thing I could think of while taking off was that “great: I’m flying on a Tuesday and here starts our 8 hour flight to another continent, FME (Fuck My Existence).”
To recap, I was flying Iberia Flight 6538 non-stop to Madrid. Flying from O’Hare International 4:30 pm to Barajas International at 7:30 am. It’s a 7 hrs time difference. That equates to almost 24hrs of no sleeping for me. The best thing is that once in Madrid we had a 4-hour layover. But I have to say; the Airport at Madrid is really architecturally beautiful! The first European experiences were great. From flying across the Atlantic seeing the Big Dipper up-close to realizing we were flying over the Spanish countryside right when the sun was coming up was a great way to say WELCOME U of I to Europe!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Edit
Posting soon:
Hostal Atenas Done
La Alhambra Done
Club Scene Done
Albaicin Done
Host Family In progress
Sacromento Done
Flamenco Done
Nerja In progress
Hostal Host at Nerja In progress
Classes Delete
and the most anticipated CHRONICLES OF CONCHI In progress
Hostal Atenas Done
La Alhambra Done
Club Scene Done
Albaicin Done
Host Family In progress
Sacromento Done
Flamenco Done
Nerja In progress
Hostal Host at Nerja In progress
Classes Delete
and the most anticipated CHRONICLES OF CONCHI In progress
PLVS VLTRA
PLVS VLTRA
Plus Ultra
Plus Ultra (del latín que significa "Más allá") es un lema latino y el lema nacional de España. Fue Carlos I de España (también conocido como Carlos V del Sacro Imperio Romano), quien lo utilizó como su lema personal como expresión del dinamismo del nuevo imperio cosmopolita.
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