tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19328226213514116622024-03-12T19:15:08.655-07:00Britta's life in Spain 2008Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-91223277269070427062008-05-11T08:20:00.000-07:002008-05-11T09:25:35.633-07:00Dear Mom,May 11, 2008-<br /><br />Happy Mothers Day!<br /><br /> I love you Mom, I am thinking about you from half a world away. Words can not describe everything you have done for me. I miss you and I am so thankful for your guidance and wisdom. I don't know how I would have made it this far without you. Thank you for loving me, teaching, and keeping me safe. You have given me the best gift God created, your love. This semester has had plenty of stressful times and I am so happy that you were only a phone call away telling me that everything would be alright. I love you Mommy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcYqBAPocI/AAAAAAAAAWo/T46UDxsRbP8/s1600-h/mom5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcYqBAPocI/AAAAAAAAAWo/T46UDxsRbP8/s400/mom5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199151404925559234" border="0" /></a><br />I might not have been #2 in my class (like you) but hey I graduated! You and Daddy were there cheering me on.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcYTRAPobI/AAAAAAAAAWg/cUuwxOYDcMc/s1600-h/mom4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcYTRAPobI/AAAAAAAAAWg/cUuwxOYDcMc/s400/mom4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199151014083535282" border="0" /></a><br />Soccer, Ballet, Basketball, Director, school volunteer, PTA, church camp, you are the everything mom!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcW0hAPoaI/AAAAAAAAAWY/PA2Nf-Hpsso/s1600-h/mom3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcW0hAPoaI/AAAAAAAAAWY/PA2Nf-Hpsso/s400/mom3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199149386290930082" border="0" /></a><br />A night volunteering for Valley Preforming Arts.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcVqxAPoZI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/l7IiAikRRXA/s1600-h/mom2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcVqxAPoZI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/l7IiAikRRXA/s400/mom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199148119275577746" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you for letting Katherine and I play with your hair!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcUWRAPoYI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ROPLai0bUPM/s1600-h/mom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCcUWRAPoYI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ROPLai0bUPM/s400/mom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199146667576631682" border="0" /></a><br />Even though you were the last one to show up and pick us up from dance class or school, and you are the slowest person to walk through a museum because you have to read <span style="font-weight: bold;">everything</span>, and every flower you pass you have to identify it makes me love you even more!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: lucida grande;">"<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My, child listen to your mothers advice.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Her teachings will be like flowers in your hair<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">or a necklace around your neck." proverbs 1:8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Happy Mother's Day Mommy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Love, Brittapie</span><br /></span></span></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-82808729461185068562008-04-30T12:31:00.000-07:002008-05-08T07:51:35.529-07:00Portugal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMREKC11mI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_B6zOvJEMcQ/s1600-h/CIMG2488.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMREKC11mI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_B6zOvJEMcQ/s400/CIMG2488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198017158029104738" border="0" /></a>Portugal probably has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen! Mexico, Oregon, California, Alaska, even Greece Might not compare! It was absolutely amazing. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQzaC11lI/AAAAAAAAAV4/g4nKIeE7VQo/s1600-h/beachfront.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQzaC11lI/AAAAAAAAAV4/g4nKIeE7VQo/s400/beachfront.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198016870266295890" border="0" /></a>This beach was right outside our hotel, the weather was fantastic, and our hotel rooms all had balconies looking out on the ocean, (and a pool on top of the hotel)!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQrKC11kI/AAAAAAAAAVw/HDrbaBBt3pg/s1600-h/ocean.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQrKC11kI/AAAAAAAAAVw/HDrbaBBt3pg/s400/ocean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198016728532375106" border="0" /></a>I went on a walk along the cliff tops with my friend Kiah...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQkaC11jI/AAAAAAAAAVo/rNo0AKeZ2G4/s1600-h/flowerbeach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQkaC11jI/AAAAAAAAAVo/rNo0AKeZ2G4/s400/flowerbeach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198016612568258098" border="0" /></a>wild flowers grew all along the tops of the cliffs, we saw locals cliff jumping even..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQaaC11iI/AAAAAAAAAVg/UMLDatpdZn0/s1600-h/beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQaaC11iI/AAAAAAAAAVg/UMLDatpdZn0/s400/beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198016440769566242" border="0" /></a>Kiah and I found this private beach on our walk, we spent a good 5 hours swimming in the water and tanning :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQRaC11hI/AAAAAAAAAVY/VosLCBGLv5g/s1600-h/cave1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SCMQRaC11hI/AAAAAAAAAVY/VosLCBGLv5g/s400/cave1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198016286150743570" border="0" /></a>We took a boat tour through the caves that are along the cliffs, it was fantastic.<br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJzVDKpJI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5CWp72Bhl8A/s1600-h/edge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195124053832803474" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJzVDKpJI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5CWp72Bhl8A/s400/edge.jpg" border="0" /></a>Raquel, Kiah and I standing on the edge of the world.. Before Columbus set sail around these cliffs, this was thought to be the end of the world (with good reason the cliffs were about 300 feet above sea level!)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJolDKpII/AAAAAAAAAVI/oAOUZ59kK4A/s1600-h/cliffs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195123869149209730" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJolDKpII/AAAAAAAAAVI/oAOUZ59kK4A/s400/cliffs.jpg" border="0" /></a>These particular cliffs were gigantic!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJZlDKpHI/AAAAAAAAAVA/nSX5hreTW6w/s1600-h/sunsetppl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195123611451171954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJZlDKpHI/AAAAAAAAAVA/nSX5hreTW6w/s400/sunsetppl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />we watched the sunset over the water..<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJQ1DKpGI/AAAAAAAAAU4/doLot9WmrA8/s1600-h/sunset2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195123461127316578" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SBjJQ1DKpGI/AAAAAAAAAU4/doLot9WmrA8/s400/sunset2.jpg" border="0" /></a> The end of the world.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-283729713491027352008-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:002008-04-14T07:48:12.868-07:00My First Feria<div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJz5K4kmJI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3-JezDNvH0c/s1600-h/CIMG2442-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188837146695604370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJz5K4kmJI/AAAAAAAAAUk/3-JezDNvH0c/s400/CIMG2442-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Only in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sevilla</span> can you take part in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Feria</span>. </div><div align="center">It is a festival that is celebrated at the beginning of Spring. It originated as a cattle fair where country farmers would come to the outskirts of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sevilla</span> and sell horses and cattle. Today it is an excuse to dress up, dance, sing, and eat.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJzm64kmII/AAAAAAAAAUc/g3jEvVp3A0A/s1600-h/CIMG2443-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188836833162991746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJzm64kmII/AAAAAAAAAUc/g3jEvVp3A0A/s400/CIMG2443-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Schools are closed, buses are rerouted toward the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Feria</span> grounds, everything (including supermarkets and restaurants) closes at 3pm. Hotel and food prices rocket and you can't even find a bed in a hostel! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sevilla</span> is packed with people from all over the world. This picture is of me standing in front of the Golden Arches, the entrance to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Feria</span>.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJzFK4kmHI/AAAAAAAAAUU/C9OtkyTM3c0/s1600-h/CIMG2449-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188836253342406770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJzFK4kmHI/AAAAAAAAAUU/C9OtkyTM3c0/s400/CIMG2449-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Feria</span> looks much like a state fair. There are tents that line the perfectly Roman grid layout, the names of the streets are names of famous Matadors. However, The tents are personal tents owned by wealthy families who provide food (slices of ham most of the time) and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Manzanilla</span> (traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Feria</span> drink.. white wine with sprite). The families hire security <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">guards</span> (the man in the black suit) at the entrance so that only invited guests of the family may enter. (The little girl in the red dress is tired and laying her head on the table.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJyra4kmGI/AAAAAAAAAUM/bGgWZ63SYYg/s1600-h/CIMG2448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188835810960775266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJyra4kmGI/AAAAAAAAAUM/bGgWZ63SYYg/s400/CIMG2448.JPG" border="0" /></a> The streets are packed with people wearing their traditional clothes. Women in flamenco dresses and men in suits (It is very formal). Walking down the street you can see the line of tent upon tent and hear the music of men and women singing while watching their children dance the flamenco. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJxYa4kmFI/AAAAAAAAAUE/sguwz91-nGc/s1600-h/CIMG2445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188834385031632978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJxYa4kmFI/AAAAAAAAAUE/sguwz91-nGc/s400/CIMG2445.JPG" border="0" /></a> The larger tents are public tents for the political parties. The communist party even had a beautiful tent!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJwP64kmEI/AAAAAAAAAT8/upn9TFZr_BA/s1600-h/CIMG2461-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188833139491117122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJwP64kmEI/AAAAAAAAAT8/upn9TFZr_BA/s400/CIMG2461-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Even the little ones were dressed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">traditionally</span>. Most of the little girls wear matching dresses with their mothers (for every day of the week a different dress!)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJq264kmDI/AAAAAAAAAT0/27Xsv8hfPYA/s1600-h/CIMG2463-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188827212436248626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJq264kmDI/AAAAAAAAAT0/27Xsv8hfPYA/s400/CIMG2463-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Every fair has rides! The flamenco dresses don't get in the way of having fun, these girls are standing in line for The Viking ship. :D<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJqRK4kmCI/AAAAAAAAATs/1sFpletFs70/s1600-h/CIMG2462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188826563896186914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJqRK4kmCI/AAAAAAAAATs/1sFpletFs70/s400/CIMG2462.JPG" border="0" /></a> Only in Spain would you see a Bull on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">carousel</span>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJo064kmBI/AAAAAAAAATk/L8juKa2EN_U/s1600-h/CIMG2455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188824979053254674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJo064kmBI/AAAAAAAAATk/L8juKa2EN_U/s400/CIMG2455.JPG" border="0" /></a> I am about to get on the ride, The Booster. I don't know what is more scary, how high above the ground you are while <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">flipping</span> (tallest ride) or that this ride is built in Spain and it looks like it might fall apart! It was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">totally</span> worth it though!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJnkK4kmAI/AAAAAAAAATc/pAlrvobmYI0/s1600-h/CIMG2460-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188823591778818050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJnkK4kmAI/AAAAAAAAATc/pAlrvobmYI0/s400/CIMG2460-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They left out the O... It's supposed to say Booster ha. This ride <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">basically</span> goes around in circles like a windmill and on the ends you and three other people are spinning!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJmua4kl_I/AAAAAAAAATU/kuReoFNMWTQ/s1600-h/CIMG2456-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188822668360849394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/SAJmua4kl_I/AAAAAAAAATU/kuReoFNMWTQ/s400/CIMG2456-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Overall my first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Feria</span> experience was amazing!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-43311937252811087992008-04-10T04:47:00.000-07:002008-04-13T12:44:11.199-07:0010 mile Hike<div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4FjoBw4XI/AAAAAAAAATM/ch-5Un2r8_0/s1600-h/CIMG2349-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187589930375766386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4FjoBw4XI/AAAAAAAAATM/ch-5Un2r8_0/s400/CIMG2349-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> "We have to climb that!" alas it was wonderful to be off the bus and be in the beautiful mountains of Extremadura. Our goal was to reach the small town of Guadalupe, nestled in the mountains. Guadalupe is known for its Monastery (which in part, has been renovated into a hotel- where we had reservations)<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4E0YBw4WI/AAAAAAAAATE/7q3LiTZVdwE/s1600-h/CIMG2364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187589118626947426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4E0YBw4WI/AAAAAAAAATE/7q3LiTZVdwE/s400/CIMG2364.JPG" border="0" /></a> We departed from a small town outside of Caceres where we bought water and lunch to carry with us on our trek.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4EFYBw4VI/AAAAAAAAAS8/mMtDu2O84_c/s1600-h/CIMG2368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187588311173095762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4EFYBw4VI/AAAAAAAAAS8/mMtDu2O84_c/s400/CIMG2368.JPG" border="0" /></a> A small group of my hiking companions, (about 1 mile in)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4DtoBw4UI/AAAAAAAAAS0/BqrewdUTkAc/s1600-h/CIMG2369-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187587903151202626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4DtoBw4UI/AAAAAAAAAS0/BqrewdUTkAc/s400/CIMG2369-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We walked along this lake for a few miles (not too difficult it was a road)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4DNIBw4TI/AAAAAAAAASs/C2VcAWucSY4/s1600-h/CIMG2370-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187587344805454130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4DNIBw4TI/AAAAAAAAASs/C2VcAWucSY4/s400/CIMG2370-2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looks a little like Alaska... (How I miss home)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4CsIBw4SI/AAAAAAAAASk/By-MrNYCbwo/s1600-h/CIMG2371-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187586777869771042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4CsIBw4SI/AAAAAAAAASk/By-MrNYCbwo/s400/CIMG2371-2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kaylan and I stop for a quick shot of the landscape.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4CHIBw4RI/AAAAAAAAASc/LpGo2j9Tq5k/s1600-h/CIMG2379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187586142214611218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4CHIBw4RI/AAAAAAAAASc/LpGo2j9Tq5k/s400/CIMG2379.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Single file walking up this "mountain" when all of a sudden we heard running...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4BZ4Bw4QI/AAAAAAAAASU/9RxRMh9o_vU/s1600-h/CIMG2380-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187585364825530626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4BZ4Bw4QI/AAAAAAAAASU/9RxRMh9o_vU/s400/CIMG2380-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />About 100 goats crossed our path and stopped and watched us. I was ready to run if they started to charge, they weren't big but too many to be comfortable. We found out later that they roam the mountainside (they're owned by a farmer in the area).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4AyoBw4PI/AAAAAAAAASM/i3svnNSsf0Q/s1600-h/CIMG2394.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187584690515665138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_4AyoBw4PI/AAAAAAAAASM/i3svnNSsf0Q/s400/CIMG2394.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped on this ridge to eat our lunch.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3_loBw4NI/AAAAAAAAAR8/BRhYoRVlmoA/s1600-h/CIMG2396-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187583367665737938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3_loBw4NI/AAAAAAAAAR8/BRhYoRVlmoA/s400/CIMG2396-2.JPG" border="0" /></a> The downward trail...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3-6IBw4MI/AAAAAAAAAR0/qok2og58Qwk/s1600-h/CIMG2406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187582620341428418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3-6IBw4MI/AAAAAAAAAR0/qok2og58Qwk/s400/CIMG2406.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I made it! Sitting on the steps of the Monastery.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-66072733758309284232008-04-10T03:45:00.000-07:002008-04-10T04:39:28.457-07:00Trujillo<div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_317oBw4LI/AAAAAAAAARs/PLgz2aeeo8k/s1600-h/CIMG2282-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187572750506582194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_317oBw4LI/AAAAAAAAARs/PLgz2aeeo8k/s400/CIMG2282-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> April 4, 2008- After the city of Merida we traveled to Trujillo a small town built around a fortress on top of a hill.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_31X4Bw4KI/AAAAAAAAARk/NFcAkzzQHcQ/s1600-h/CIMG2285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187572136326258850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_31X4Bw4KI/AAAAAAAAARk/NFcAkzzQHcQ/s400/CIMG2285.JPG" border="0" /></a> If I visit Spain again I would love to come back to this town. The Hotel we stayed in was amazing it was built as the palace of Trujillo but renovated into a four star hotel. Very luxurious and modern. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_31BYBw4JI/AAAAAAAAARc/A71QmsXKuUk/s1600-h/CIMG2304-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187571749779202194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_31BYBw4JI/AAAAAAAAARc/A71QmsXKuUk/s400/CIMG2304-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The fortress was great, you could see for miles on top of the walls.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3zkYBw4II/AAAAAAAAARU/rHH9NxtZ2TU/s1600-h/CIMG2295-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187570152051368066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3zkYBw4II/AAAAAAAAARU/rHH9NxtZ2TU/s400/CIMG2295-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kaylan, Raquel, Sam and I all standing under a "horseshoe arch." We could almost hear our History of Spanish Art professor quoting the Muslim influence recognized by the horseshoeness. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3zHIBw4HI/AAAAAAAAARM/j3HOs5eaGbA/s1600-h/CIMG2302.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187569649540194418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3zHIBw4HI/AAAAAAAAARM/j3HOs5eaGbA/s400/CIMG2302.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A view from the walls of the fortress..<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3yYIBw4GI/AAAAAAAAARE/vn80km1hiIE/s1600-h/CIMG2317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187568842086342754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3yYIBw4GI/AAAAAAAAARE/vn80km1hiIE/s400/CIMG2317.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Back at the hotel.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3x4YBw4FI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/NioMOTN6M_4/s1600-h/CIMG2341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187568296625496146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3x4YBw4FI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/NioMOTN6M_4/s400/CIMG2341.JPG" border="0" /></a> For dinner we were on our own, we decided to have a picnic out in the courtyard of our hotel. Save a little money with our 5euro grocery store goods.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3xdIBw4EI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/TFHvOjjneKk/s1600-h/CIMG2342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187567828474060866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3xdIBw4EI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/TFHvOjjneKk/s400/CIMG2342.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our dinner, fit for Kings in our lovely Palace! Lets see: H2O, bread, ham, turkey (first time I have had turkey since Alaska! Everything is with Ham), olives, lettuce, and even Mustard! (Spaniards don't use condiments on their sandwiches)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3w1IBw4DI/AAAAAAAAAQs/I9HqU7DWuok/s1600-h/CIMG2345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187567141279293490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3w1IBw4DI/AAAAAAAAAQs/I9HqU7DWuok/s400/CIMG2345.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After our amazing Bocadillos (Sandwiches) we sat out in the courtyard discussing politics, underwater facts, and Alaska (interesting subjects). "The state really gives you FREE money"-Thanks to the Simpson Movie that is one of the most common.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3wYYBw4CI/AAAAAAAAAQk/ipexWp2Fs0E/s1600-h/CIMG2317.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-64517827933130539572008-04-07T07:38:00.000-07:002008-04-10T03:45:39.196-07:00Merida<div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3sg4Bw4BI/AAAAAAAAAQc/0uK029_Td5s/s1600-h/CIMG2222-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187562395340431378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3sg4Bw4BI/AAAAAAAAAQc/0uK029_Td5s/s400/CIMG2222-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> April 4, 2008 API took us on our last excursion to the providence Extremadura, Northwest of Andalusia.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3sF4Bw4AI/AAAAAAAAAQU/1zlsnBcr0K8/s1600-h/CIMG2263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187561931483963394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3sF4Bw4AI/AAAAAAAAAQU/1zlsnBcr0K8/s400/CIMG2263.JPG" border="0" /></a> Merida was the first city we toured. This city was originally settled by the Romans when they conquered Spain (it took the Romans 200 years). Above are the Ruins of the Teatro (theatre) in Merida.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3rjIBw3_I/AAAAAAAAAQM/2rSYQDwXgps/s1600-h/CIMG2266.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187561334483509234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_3rjIBw3_I/AAAAAAAAAQM/2rSYQDwXgps/s400/CIMG2266.JPG" border="0" /></a> This Teatro is still being used today, twice a year they preform plays here the acoustics are still amazing.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o2GYKKFPI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yu8CSxq0QjQ/s1600-h/CIMG2245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186517404062717170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o2GYKKFPI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yu8CSxq0QjQ/s400/CIMG2245.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o1JYKKFOI/AAAAAAAAAP0/RJt8qvvtRbc/s1600-h/CIMG2270.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186516356090696930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o1JYKKFOI/AAAAAAAAAP0/RJt8qvvtRbc/s400/CIMG2270.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the amphitheatre, where the city of Merida held their games (Gladiators).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o0h4KKFNI/AAAAAAAAAPs/AwOxC9h9cAU/s1600-h/CIMG2268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186515677485864146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_o0h4KKFNI/AAAAAAAAAPs/AwOxC9h9cAU/s400/CIMG2268.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It is under construction the weather has taken it's toll.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-34340682422769326852008-04-07T06:35:00.000-07:002008-04-07T07:37:48.379-07:00My 1st & Last Bullfight<div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_on8IKKFMI/AAAAAAAAAPk/UevNifbZqWQ/s1600-h/CIMG2165-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186501834806269122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_on8IKKFMI/AAAAAAAAAPk/UevNifbZqWQ/s400/CIMG2165-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>Do not</strong> read this blog if you are against Bullfights (ALL the bulls die)... </div><div align="center">I personally do not like bullfights but I told myself that I needed to see the cultural aspect at least once.<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_ons4KKFLI/AAAAAAAAAPc/eXby0Sgff-s/s1600-h/CIMG2148-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186501572813264050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_ons4KKFLI/AAAAAAAAAPc/eXby0Sgff-s/s400/CIMG2148-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> April 1, 2008- It was the kick-off for the bullfighting season. The first day of the season locals normally dress up (today was very HOT, black pants were the wrong thing to wear).<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_onbYKKFKI/AAAAAAAAAPU/x9QymI8hM1U/s1600-h/CIMG2151-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186501272165553314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_onbYKKFKI/AAAAAAAAAPU/x9QymI8hM1U/s400/CIMG2151-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The program that I came to Spain with called API bought the tickets for our group. The ticketing price is different depending on where you are seated. The best and most expensive seats are in the shade. The sun seats are about 37euros (That is where the students sat!). This picture was taken before the stadium was filled.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_omtYKKFJI/AAAAAAAAAPM/T56EUCUqp_A/s1600-h/CIMG2161.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186500481891570834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_omtYKKFJI/AAAAAAAAAPM/T56EUCUqp_A/s400/CIMG2161.JPG" border="0" /></a> Before the bullfight begins they parade around the ring. There are six bulls each Matador "has the honor" in killing two.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_omEIKKFII/AAAAAAAAAPE/WOYnLoQ3LIk/s1600-h/CIMG2157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186499773221966978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_omEIKKFII/AAAAAAAAAPE/WOYnLoQ3LIk/s400/CIMG2157.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was happy because it was before the bulls came out...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okm4KKFHI/AAAAAAAAAO8/1terqZBElSA/s1600-h/CIMG2170-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186498171199165554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okm4KKFHI/AAAAAAAAAO8/1terqZBElSA/s400/CIMG2170-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These pictures really do the Matador justice, it can be a beautiful form of art.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okYIKKFGI/AAAAAAAAAO0/2msS-SvckUE/s1600-h/CIMG2169-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186497917796095074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okYIKKFGI/AAAAAAAAAO0/2msS-SvckUE/s400/CIMG2169-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The stadium is silent when the Matador uses his series of movements to bring the bull close to his body. The Matadors even turn their back on the bull showing how confident they are.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okGYKKFFI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1LwpV0pZkN4/s1600-h/CIMG2177-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186497612853417042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_okGYKKFFI/AAAAAAAAAOs/1LwpV0pZkN4/s400/CIMG2177-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Throughout the fight, there is more than one Matador stabbing the bull. They work together tiring the bull. Two Matadors run at the bull and stab the bull with two spikes between the shoulder blades (A Spaniard told me that on the spikes is poison that helps slow down the bull's reflexes and depth perception). Before they even let the bull out into the ring they stone it's neck, that way it is hard for the bull to lift it's head! I think that is horrible.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_oj2oKKFEI/AAAAAAAAAOk/rRZ5lUj3CZ8/s1600-h/CIMG2201-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186497342270477378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_oj2oKKFEI/AAAAAAAAAOk/rRZ5lUj3CZ8/s400/CIMG2201-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Killing blow. I couldn't watch this part of the fight. I wanted to put the bull out of it's misery. Good Matadors can kill the bull with one stab of the sword.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_oji4KKFDI/AAAAAAAAAOc/bxfj16uQmI8/s1600-h/CIMG2204-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186497002968060978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R_oji4KKFDI/AAAAAAAAAOc/bxfj16uQmI8/s400/CIMG2204-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(My first and last bullfight.)<br /></div><div> </div><div>I left out the blood pictures.. and half way through the fight two guys came out on horseback and stab the bull with huge medal poles (Not very honorable). They just hurt the bull and do not have much class in doing it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING" height="266" width="320" contentid="UPLOADING"></object></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-12103328241319456322008-03-03T08:07:00.000-08:002008-03-04T13:38:21.545-08:00London in 2 Days..<div align="center"><strong></strong><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x2E7ePrrI/AAAAAAAAAOU/KJGzCeKQ7Ac/s1600-h/CIMG1774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173639898997960370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x2E7ePrrI/AAAAAAAAAOU/KJGzCeKQ7Ac/s400/CIMG1774.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span >London</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><span >February 27-March 1, 2008<br /></span><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1vbePrqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/2apXEa3smdo/s1600-h/CIMG1687-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173639529630772898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1vbePrqI/AAAAAAAAAOM/2apXEa3smdo/s400/CIMG1687-2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This City is amazing, I had such a wonderful time. In this picture I was standing in front of the London Eye, The worlds tallest obervation wheel (fantastic views of the capital)<br /><br />The side walks were fun with all the busy people and street performers it was great to be in an English speaking country!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1WrePrpI/AAAAAAAAAOE/tmYk1-CEh88/s1600-h/K%261bigben.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173639104429010578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1WrePrpI/AAAAAAAAAOE/tmYk1-CEh88/s400/K%261bigben.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kiah and I started our trip off a little risky. I had booked our 72 euro roundtrip tickets from Madrid to London a few weeks back and I wound up a little confused in the process. Some how I wrote Kiah's name instead of mine on the easyjet website and so two tickets were booked under her name! So I left things a little last min and got on a six hour bus to Madrid to see if I could get the name changed (because the website wanted me to pay more than the cost of the tickets just to have my name changed) back to Britta the day of our flight. With only half an hour to wait for our plane everything worked out great and we arrived in London at the Gatwick airport around 10pm and caught the Metro (tube) to central London where St. Christophers hostel awaited our arrival.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1A7eProI/AAAAAAAAAN8/lw8e118jBlU/s1600-h/CIMG1628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173638730766855810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x1A7eProI/AAAAAAAAAN8/lw8e118jBlU/s400/CIMG1628.JPG" border="0" /></a>London Bridge station was the closest metro and train station to our hostel! To think that in Alaska when I was 5years old I was singing "London Bridge is falling down!" and 13 years later I am really here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x0o7ePrnI/AAAAAAAAAN0/1jOEYIgtVB0/s1600-h/CIMG1641-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173638318449995378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x0o7ePrnI/AAAAAAAAAN0/1jOEYIgtVB0/s400/CIMG1641-2.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the world famous London Bridge! It wasn't as spectacular as I thought :D<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x0BrePrmI/AAAAAAAAANs/U1s8vmYb2TY/s1600-h/CIMG1661-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173637644140129890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8x0BrePrmI/AAAAAAAAANs/U1s8vmYb2TY/s400/CIMG1661-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kiah and I woke up early and started our first day off right with a good breakfast (that came with our hostel) and started walking all over central London. Tate Modern Museum was one of the first places we toured. This Museum had some very interesting artwork, I would recommend taking a little time to see this building (Plus it is FREE).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xzgrePrlI/AAAAAAAAANk/KRgzrOtZY2g/s1600-h/CIMG1714-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173637077204446802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xzgrePrlI/AAAAAAAAANk/KRgzrOtZY2g/s400/CIMG1714-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Oh yes, I met James Bond at the Tate Museum he is quite a character really great to talk to!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xzOLePrkI/AAAAAAAAANc/-ZxLtUi04VQ/s1600-h/CIMG1663.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173636759376866882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xzOLePrkI/AAAAAAAAANc/-ZxLtUi04VQ/s400/CIMG1663.JPG" border="0" /></a> This picture is taken from one of the windows of the Tate Museum, I believe we are looking at St. Pauls Cathedral, This is a fun looking bridge! The Millenium footbridge. I thought that London Bridge would be a little more creative for example like this one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xyiLePrjI/AAAAAAAAANU/yTkmfIqXRaM/s1600-h/CIMG1686-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173636003462622770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xyiLePrjI/AAAAAAAAANU/yTkmfIqXRaM/s400/CIMG1686-2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the famous British Airways London Eye!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xyGrePriI/AAAAAAAAANM/TaxEp02QY0A/s1600-h/CIMG1688.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173635531016220194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xyGrePriI/AAAAAAAAANM/TaxEp02QY0A/s400/CIMG1688.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kiah and I walked down the Thames River and enjoyed all the city life in Central London. Tourists and Locals alike listen to musicians under a bridge, In the distance you can see Big Ben and the houses of Parliament. I miss London already!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xxbrePrhI/AAAAAAAAANE/QtR1YKEP1aI/s1600-h/CIMG1708-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173634792281845266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xxbrePrhI/AAAAAAAAANE/QtR1YKEP1aI/s400/CIMG1708-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> A close up with Big Ben..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xw8rePrgI/AAAAAAAAAM8/myJ79cVn0jA/s1600-h/CIMG1694.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173634259705900546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xw8rePrgI/AAAAAAAAAM8/myJ79cVn0jA/s400/CIMG1694.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I am a huge Harry Potter fan! This picture reminds me of the movies, well the 5th movie where Harry is flying down this river with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in the night! That is one thing I miss too about home my Harry Potter DVD collection haha. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xt_rePrfI/AAAAAAAAAM0/KLbCWKWiO5g/s1600-h/CIMG1734-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173631012710624754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xt_rePrfI/AAAAAAAAAM0/KLbCWKWiO5g/s400/CIMG1734-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is my postcard perfect picture of Big Ben, beautiful isn't it! I love London. When my parents came back from London a while back, they brought with them a Big Ben piggy bank to put my money in, I still use it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173622268157210082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xmCrePreI/AAAAAAAAAMs/HyFn9xPykfQ/s400/CIMG1738.JPG" border="0" /> Big Ben again with the London Eye in the background.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xleLePrdI/AAAAAAAAAMk/uPxvCf61Jh4/s1600-h/CIMG1744-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173621641091984850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xleLePrdI/AAAAAAAAAMk/uPxvCf61Jh4/s400/CIMG1744-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The beautiful Westminster Abbey.<br />This church is still in use with daily prayer and worship. The Abbey is designed in the shape of a cross and was founded in the 10th century. This building has witnessed a thousand years of history and the coronation of nearly every king and queen of England. The tombs of many historic people for example: Henry VII, Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary Queen of Scots, Geoffrey Chaucer and many more are located in the Abbey.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xjZrePrcI/AAAAAAAAAMc/rlVjFS0AkXE/s1600-h/CIMG1757.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173619364759317954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xjZrePrcI/AAAAAAAAAMc/rlVjFS0AkXE/s400/CIMG1757.JPG" border="0" /></a> Behind the Abbey.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xi2rePrbI/AAAAAAAAAMU/_lssVavCVng/s1600-h/CIMG1758-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173618763463896498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xi2rePrbI/AAAAAAAAAMU/_lssVavCVng/s400/CIMG1758-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now you can't go to London without taking the traditional phonebooth picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xhC7ePraI/AAAAAAAAAMM/-BTxHT3J9jE/s1600-h/CIMG1771.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173616774894038434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xhC7ePraI/AAAAAAAAAMM/-BTxHT3J9jE/s400/CIMG1771.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kiah and I really had a wonderful trip. We walked just about everywhere so that we could see everything. This is one of the places that we just happend to run across on our way to Buckingham Palace, this is St. James Palace (I believe).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xfQLePrYI/AAAAAAAAAL8/EKYrdJ8QzMA/s1600-h/CIMG1801-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173614803504049538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xfQLePrYI/AAAAAAAAAL8/EKYrdJ8QzMA/s400/CIMG1801-2.JPG" border="0" /></a> Piccadilly Circus of London better than Times Square of New York! Packed with people and double-decker buses. If I wasn't a student traveler I would have attempted to walk into some of the outrageously expensive designer stores. Of course, I did not even want to tempt myself so I just looked at the pretty colors the signs made.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xfDbePrXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/YKTer7fpuFo/s1600-h/CIMG1800.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173614584460717426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xfDbePrXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/YKTer7fpuFo/s400/CIMG1800.JPG" border="0" /></a> In Piccadily I had Burger King! We don't have Burger King in Sevilla. Well I really only got an ice cream cone which only cost 1 pound, but I still bought it in Burger King.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xeebePrWI/AAAAAAAAALs/zm-kboWeDZ4/s1600-h/CIMG1783.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173613948805557602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xeebePrWI/AAAAAAAAALs/zm-kboWeDZ4/s400/CIMG1783.JPG" border="0" /></a> Another picture you can't leave London without, One of the Buckingham guards.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xeALePrVI/AAAAAAAAALk/c2YrMh5D4ys/s1600-h/CIMG1785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173613429114514770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xeALePrVI/AAAAAAAAALk/c2YrMh5D4ys/s400/CIMG1785.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here I am in front of the gates to the Queen's Palace. I was in London when the news of Prince Henry coming back from Iraq covered the headlines of every paper in London. That was exciting!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xdcbePrUI/AAAAAAAAALc/gtKdsmCvPAw/s1600-h/CIMG1789.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173612814934191426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xdcbePrUI/AAAAAAAAALc/gtKdsmCvPAw/s400/CIMG1789.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The full view of the Palace.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xQ2bePrTI/AAAAAAAAALU/QHi5yAIeezI/s1600-h/CIMG1836.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173598967959629106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8xQ2bePrTI/AAAAAAAAALU/QHi5yAIeezI/s320/CIMG1836.JPG" border="0" /></a> The second full day in London was very cold. It felt really good to be in England coming from Spain even though the weather was a little blustery. </div><div align="left">My brain was very confused first getting off the plane from Spain. I attempted to speak Spanish to the passport guy until Kiah reminded me that we weren't in Spain. I kept reading the menu in resturants thinking I was reading Spanish. Most baffling was driving! I walked infront of a car at a stoplight and didn't see anyone on the front left (normal 'drivers side') side of the car and thought "no one is driving this how is it parked here" until it started moving on the green light and I saw the guy sitting on the right side! Ha<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wsyLePrSI/AAAAAAAAALM/O6RVastw45A/s1600-h/CIMG1850.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173559312526585122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wsyLePrSI/AAAAAAAAALM/O6RVastw45A/s320/CIMG1850.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These are two twins that Kiah's brother knew were living in London. The second day we met up with these wonderful girls and they walked around with us and later that night took us to their "flat" and cooked us dinner! Our first real dinner in England. We were so thankful for meeting them, they told us we are welcome anytime (I might take them up on that offer again).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wpfLePrRI/AAAAAAAAALE/yZGiUqgUyaA/s1600-h/CIMG1881-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173555687574187282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wpfLePrRI/AAAAAAAAALE/yZGiUqgUyaA/s320/CIMG1881-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> The impressive British Museum. </div><div>The English: amazing archeologists, historians, and thiefs (in a good way)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8woN7ePrQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Mh3eE0oinMw/s1600-h/CIMG1880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173554291709816066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8woN7ePrQI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Mh3eE0oinMw/s320/CIMG1880.JPG" border="0" /></a> This library was probably the size of 3 basketball courts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wnS7ePrPI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Q2PfFQEFKD8/s1600-h/CIMG1854-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173553278097534194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wnS7ePrPI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Q2PfFQEFKD8/s320/CIMG1854-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Rosetta Stone- Key to Egyptian hieroglyphs </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wmArePrOI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_Ikk_h7QgG8/s1600-h/CIMG1871-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173551865053293794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wmArePrOI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_Ikk_h7QgG8/s320/CIMG1871-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Egyptian mummys<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wk-LePrNI/AAAAAAAAAKk/S5XsgNA2GjI/s1600-h/CIMG1878.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173550722591993042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wk-LePrNI/AAAAAAAAAKk/S5XsgNA2GjI/s320/CIMG1878.JPG" border="0" /></a> Terracotta artwork<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wkD7ePrMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dVtmT572KSg/s1600-h/CIMG1874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173549721864613058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wkD7ePrMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dVtmT572KSg/s320/CIMG1874.JPG" border="0" /></a> Roman/Greek temples (how they brought these over I have no idea)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wjA7ePrLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/S4W1N18iD4Y/s1600-h/CIMG1877.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173548570813377714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8wjA7ePrLI/AAAAAAAAAKU/S4W1N18iD4Y/s320/CIMG1877.JPG" border="0" /></a> Oh and why not take some of the statues that were located in the Parthenon as well. They even have an exibit displaying some of the Southwestern (Alaska/Canada) Native Totem poles! I told Kiah, hey this looks familar and sure enough it was taken from British Columbia.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-25012468191716838902008-02-24T07:23:00.000-08:002008-03-02T08:19:00.421-08:00Alhambra<div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8QnXKikdPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/LrwEUHCamKQ/s1600-h/CIMG1349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171301551047996658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8QnXKikdPI/AAAAAAAAAKM/LrwEUHCamKQ/s320/CIMG1349.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Alhambra</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8Qgz6ikdOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/8tLy2iVxG6E/s1600-h/CIMG1448-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171294348387841250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8Qgz6ikdOI/AAAAAAAAAKE/8tLy2iVxG6E/s320/CIMG1448-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the most well known sights in Spain. Many people like to call the Alhambra the 8th wonder of the world. This Muslim fortress sits on top of the mountains above Granada. It was built during the 13th century. Art historians say the Alhambra is the Greatest structure of Nasrid Art the Iberian peninsula has ever created.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8QgKaikdNI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/MOs3QcGU7-I/s1600-h/CIMG1381-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171293635423270098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8QgKaikdNI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/MOs3QcGU7-I/s320/CIMG1381-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8Gf6aikdMI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/AkBJIB7e1NY/s1600-h/CIMG1380.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170589673103586498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8Gf6aikdMI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/AkBJIB7e1NY/s320/CIMG1380.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>The Alhambra is "Red Castle". It was built mostly as a Palace but was continuously added onto. When finally finished in 1391, the Alhambra had six palaces, housed the royal family, high class citizens and even had quarters for the entire garrison of the Muslim ruler!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GevaikdLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/1Rmw0vcH_E4/s1600-h/CIMG1391-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170588384613397682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GevaikdLI/AAAAAAAAAJs/1Rmw0vcH_E4/s320/CIMG1391-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div>The Alhambra was built using the same Muslim style as most buildings. Created with white plaster, the walls were easy to carve and create designs. Throughout the palace every room is covered in beautiful carvings and colorful glazed tiles. The Christians later removed some of the flooring and placed expensive marble throughout the building.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><br /> </div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The picture is taken from one of the comanders rooms, It overlooks the city of Granada. If you look hard enough you can see the Arabic writing, it's amazing!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GdvqikdKI/AAAAAAAAAJk/wIerHT2YwAs/s1600-h/CIMG1394-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170587289396737186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GdvqikdKI/AAAAAAAAAJk/wIerHT2YwAs/s320/CIMG1394-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A court yard, filled with pools and shrubs... (There are even gold fish in the pool!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GdOaikdJI/AAAAAAAAAJc/gx0UJozha_E/s1600-h/CIMG1414-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170586718166086802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GdOaikdJI/AAAAAAAAAJc/gx0UJozha_E/s320/CIMG1414-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170585524165178498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GcI6ikdII/AAAAAAAAAJU/aXgz2hSyhYA/s320/CIMG1415-1.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">The Nasrid Family started the construction of the Alhambra. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><div>In the past they had difficulty with finding a way to bring water up the mountain. So the Nasrid family discovered a way of using natural water pressure. Fountains were constructed in the courtyards. Even the waterrooms of the private family had "running" water. We are talking the 13th century!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GaYqikdHI/AAAAAAAAAJM/qHQrRPBB3do/s1600-h/CIMG1431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170583595724862578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GaYqikdHI/AAAAAAAAAJM/qHQrRPBB3do/s320/CIMG1431.JPG" border="0" /></a> This room called "The Room of the Ambassadors", Is where ambassadors coming to meet the King would first be greeted. The ceiling (which is what you are looking at) is made out of wood. This room is one of the most impressive looking rooms in the Palace.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GZfKikdGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/dZ42BRWc1tg/s1600-h/CIMG1417.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170582607882384482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GZfKikdGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/dZ42BRWc1tg/s320/CIMG1417.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />...oh here is just another little carving on a wall!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GYI6ikdFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Sh0J-RTBjck/s1600-h/CIMG1418-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170581126118667346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GYI6ikdFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Sh0J-RTBjck/s320/CIMG1418-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The Court yard of the Lions. The Royal family lived around this courtyard. In the center of this courtyard, normaly (it was taken away for construction) are 12 sculptures of lions around a large fountain. It was a gift from the Jewish people to the Arab King. 12 lions for the 12 Jewish tribes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br />This picture was taken in one of the many gardens surroundng the Alhambra.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GXaqikdEI/AAAAAAAAAI0/XI5lp0cCt9o/s1600-h/CIMG1442-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170580331549717570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GXaqikdEI/AAAAAAAAAI0/XI5lp0cCt9o/s320/CIMG1442-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GWl6ikdDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/KKyuAfXAuNw/s1600-h/CIMG1445-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170579425311618098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GWl6ikdDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/KKyuAfXAuNw/s320/CIMG1445-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our tour of the Alhambra lasted three hours. This Palace is huge. There are gardens with fountains like this throughout the entire Palace. It was still a little early in the season so not all the flowers were in bloom.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GQmqikdCI/AAAAAAAAAIk/DVdhq4ydEIU/s1600-h/CIMG1452-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170572841126753314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GQmqikdCI/AAAAAAAAAIk/DVdhq4ydEIU/s320/CIMG1452-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Overlooking the side of the Alhambra.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GPwKikdBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/lEKjxwM_21Y/s1600-h/CIMG1457-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170571904823882770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GPwKikdBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/lEKjxwM_21Y/s320/CIMG1457-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In this picture you can see the city of Granada below the mountain. The Alhambra is the large structure on top of the mountain in the distance. Even the archway and garden are considered part of the Palace (the hall in front). It stretches across the top of the mountain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br />A local sits under a tree enjoying the sun...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GNA6ikdAI/AAAAAAAAAIU/fNqErDD-CPY/s1600-h/CIMG1443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170568894051808258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R8GNA6ikdAI/AAAAAAAAAIU/fNqErDD-CPY/s320/CIMG1443.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-71100870341744914792008-02-21T08:34:00.000-08:002008-02-22T11:13:35.520-08:00Granada<div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R725Daikc_I/AAAAAAAAAIM/SRHlTNTjmnk/s1600-h/CIMG1462-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169491415606260722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R725Daikc_I/AAAAAAAAAIM/SRHlTNTjmnk/s320/CIMG1462-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Granada.. and the real Sierra Nevadas<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R724Zqikc-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/D5DNooY1_XU/s1600-h/CIMG1331-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169490698346722274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R724Zqikc-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/D5DNooY1_XU/s320/CIMG1331-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Granada has been my favorite city in Spain so far. With its amazing palaza's filled with fountains, beautiful plants, quiet little shopping streets, cafes, heladarias, and Churrerias how could anyone not fall inlove with this city. Granada was the last occupied Muslim city in Spain, Arabic architecture is very evident in the buildings and city structure. When the Christians reconquered the peninsula they left the city of Granada alone. Settled far from most cities and built into the side of Mountains, Granada was its own kingdom. (more background on blog "Alhambra")<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R723mKikc9I/AAAAAAAAAH8/gWVqOctHm1Q/s1600-h/CIMG1354.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169489813583459282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R723mKikc9I/AAAAAAAAAH8/gWVqOctHm1Q/s320/CIMG1354.JPG" border="0" /></a> The first night API took our group to a Flamenco show! Granada is known for their flamenco, girls and boys at young ages learn to sing and dance the traditional flamenco.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R723GKikc8I/AAAAAAAAAH0/3UqkpNezVp4/s1600-h/CIMG1355-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169489263827645378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R723GKikc8I/AAAAAAAAAH0/3UqkpNezVp4/s320/CIMG1355-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kaylan and I are sitting in a little cave looking building watching our first flamenco.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R722rKikc7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/435IY4Bn4Ik/s1600-h/CIMG1365-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169488799971177394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R722rKikc7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/435IY4Bn4Ik/s320/CIMG1365-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In a small room the women dance creating an atmosphere of how original flamenco began.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R722P6ikc6I/AAAAAAAAAHk/oxcQP1y90Ng/s1600-h/CIMG1364-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169488331819742114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R722P6ikc6I/AAAAAAAAAHk/oxcQP1y90Ng/s320/CIMG1364-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72ysKikc5I/AAAAAAAAAHc/5j22YBe8TvY/s1600-h/CIMG1329-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169484419104535442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72ysKikc5I/AAAAAAAAAHc/5j22YBe8TvY/s320/CIMG1329-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Monument of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72xBKikc4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/zQPqH4utVBg/s1600-h/CIMG1317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169482580858532738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72xBKikc4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/zQPqH4utVBg/s320/CIMG1317.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The buildings all over Spain are beautiful, Granada especially has many red colored buildings lining the plazas and parks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72wGqikc3I/AAAAAAAAAHM/0PZZwPODEcY/s1600-h/castle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169481575836185458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72wGqikc3I/AAAAAAAAAHM/0PZZwPODEcY/s320/castle.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kaylan and I under the Alhambra.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72udKikc2I/AAAAAAAAAHE/Mpzs6BwD4Lo/s1600-h/CIMG1321.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169479763359986530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72udKikc2I/AAAAAAAAAHE/Mpzs6BwD4Lo/s320/CIMG1321.JPG" border="0" /></a> My favorite dessert place in all the world! Churreria, this little cafe was packed with locals. Churros are very well known in Spain. It is a donnut that you dip in freshly melted chocolate! If you ever have a chance to visit Spain do not leave without trying churros.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72teqikc1I/AAAAAAAAAG8/zKJb0fDJnKs/s1600-h/CIMG1322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169478689618162514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72teqikc1I/AAAAAAAAAG8/zKJb0fDJnKs/s320/CIMG1322.JPG" border="0" /></a> That is not tea that we are holding, it's the melted chocolate that you drink after you eat the churros. (I am sure it's not too good for you, but hey I am in Spain.. no worries, yet)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72tAqikc0I/AAAAAAAAAG0/QMCTquLKDow/s1600-h/CIMG1325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169478174222086978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72tAqikc0I/AAAAAAAAAG0/QMCTquLKDow/s320/CIMG1325.JPG" border="0" /></a> Churros and Chocolate<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72qoaikczI/AAAAAAAAAGs/nZ3E6zp2X8Y/s1600-h/CIMG1497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169475558587003698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72qoaikczI/AAAAAAAAAGs/nZ3E6zp2X8Y/s320/CIMG1497.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dos de mi amigas! Sarah, Kaylan, and I are inseperable.. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72paKikcyI/AAAAAAAAAGk/uhwnfl3BcZE/s1600-h/table.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169474214262240034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72paKikcyI/AAAAAAAAAGk/uhwnfl3BcZE/s320/table.jpg" border="0" /></a> We had brunch out on a patio overlooking Granada at one of my friend's house.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-71764625151061660682008-02-21T07:42:00.000-08:002008-02-21T08:34:28.921-08:00Mountains near Malaga<div align="center">The closest feeling of home..<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72hUaikcxI/AAAAAAAAAGc/4Epe8X5gBVs/s1600-h/ontop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169465319384970002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72hUaikcxI/AAAAAAAAAGc/4Epe8X5gBVs/s320/ontop.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our group stopped in the mountains on our way to Granada. I was so car sick on the bus after the small curving roads, I got off and was running around because I was so happy to see mountains!<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72hFaikcwI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yDhXzluMZ90/s1600-h/ontop2-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169465061686932226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72hFaikcwI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yDhXzluMZ90/s320/ontop2-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> My friends Jenna, Kaylan and I ontop of one of the huge rocks. Most of the girls on the trip weren't wearing the right shoes so they just walked on the base of the canyons.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72gFKikcvI/AAAAAAAAAGM/4_VgBGoq20k/s1600-h/CIMG1291-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169463957880337138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72gFKikcvI/AAAAAAAAAGM/4_VgBGoq20k/s320/CIMG1291-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> It was so good to be off the bus!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72fkKikcuI/AAAAAAAAAGE/QTFfVQ6VUw8/s1600-h/CIMG1284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169463390944654050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72fkKikcuI/AAAAAAAAAGE/QTFfVQ6VUw8/s320/CIMG1284.JPG" border="0" /></a>I really do not know too much history about these mountains but we did walk by an observatory building near the parking lot. I imagine that at night it is a great place to star-gaze.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72e_KikctI/AAAAAAAAAF8/SyU1LRmOLNA/s1600-h/CIMG1276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169462755289494226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72e_KikctI/AAAAAAAAAF8/SyU1LRmOLNA/s320/CIMG1276.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72eaaikcsI/AAAAAAAAAF0/id9_uFCbVps/s1600-h/CIMG1267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169462123929301698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72eaaikcsI/AAAAAAAAAF0/id9_uFCbVps/s320/CIMG1267.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Fields of green and purple mountains! America isn't the only land beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72dsKikcrI/AAAAAAAAAFs/sSHPnlizhic/s1600-h/CIMG1264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169461329360351922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R72dsKikcrI/AAAAAAAAAFs/sSHPnlizhic/s320/CIMG1264.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is where I got car sick.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-39421731404497945402008-02-20T12:01:00.000-08:002008-02-20T12:29:50.221-08:00My "House"<div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yLAqikcqI/AAAAAAAAAFk/sZ0kfh6nW4k/s1600-h/CIMG1203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169159315850031778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yLAqikcqI/AAAAAAAAAFk/sZ0kfh6nW4k/s320/CIMG1203.JPG" border="0" /></a> I still can't believe I am in Spain... Maybe a look at my house will give you a better idea of my living situation! I have to say I am pretty impressed with how well I have adapted. <a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yKSKikcpI/AAAAAAAAAFc/kWZgF4I3N7k/s1600-h/CIMG1566.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169158516986114706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yKSKikcpI/AAAAAAAAAFc/kWZgF4I3N7k/s320/CIMG1566.JPG" border="0" /></a> My little but cute room, I have one roommate Rachel she goes to Madison University... We have a little balcony that overlooks the street below.<br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yJ56ikcoI/AAAAAAAAAFU/BoVNFRwZO_U/s1600-h/CIMG1567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169158100374286978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yJ56ikcoI/AAAAAAAAAFU/BoVNFRwZO_U/s320/CIMG1567.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is mama Rosa, she is amazing I do not know how this lady does it. She cooks for 14 Americans in this kitchen! Loco (just crazy) That is the stove she is cooking on top of. Only two people can fit in there at a time and its hard enough to open the frig without knocking something down!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yIl6ikcmI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DNZI9uxhy6w/s1600-h/CIMG1568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169156657265275490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yIl6ikcmI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DNZI9uxhy6w/s320/CIMG1568.JPG" border="0" /></a> My beautiful bathroom :D I am going to have to say this is what I miss the most about Alaska a real shower!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yHgKikclI/AAAAAAAAAFA/3Va6Xx9wYT4/s1600-h/CIMG1569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169155458969399890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yHgKikclI/AAAAAAAAAFA/3Va6Xx9wYT4/s320/CIMG1569.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here my shower is! I have to hold the water handle while showering and have to make sure that the curtain doesn't move (or water will get all over the floor). I share this shower with 10 people.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-62021387893114426102008-02-20T08:58:00.000-08:002008-02-20T12:01:24.748-08:00Sevilla!<div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBz6ikckI/AAAAAAAAAE4/8F4W-zd5tNQ/s1600-h/CIMG1596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169149201202049602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBz6ikckI/AAAAAAAAAE4/8F4W-zd5tNQ/s320/CIMG1596.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here we are in Sevilla.. The trees are just starting to bloom, and the grass is getting greener everyday.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBgKikcjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/cEykXATrXas/s1600-h/bikin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169148861899633202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBgKikcjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/cEykXATrXas/s320/bikin.jpg" border="0" /></a> I always have my camera! It is the one thing besides my bus pass that I will not leave my house without, I never know what I might see!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBVKikciI/AAAAAAAAAEo/_GhvkpgVDfk/s1600-h/CIMG1574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169148672921072162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBVKikciI/AAAAAAAAAEo/_GhvkpgVDfk/s320/CIMG1574.JPG" border="0" /></a> This tower was build by the Muslims when they took over the Iberian Peninsula. It was built on the river attatched to the city wall. The christians later, after their reconquest saved many of the buildings and even created many of their own buildings in the same style.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBAKikchI/AAAAAAAAAEg/oRf9okP3ZKE/s1600-h/CIMG1576.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169148312143819282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yBAKikchI/AAAAAAAAAEg/oRf9okP3ZKE/s320/CIMG1576.JPG" border="0" /></a> Another angle of the same gaurd tower.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yAD6ikcgI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2cDzpPIZ5ho/s1600-h/CIMG1577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169147277056700930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7yAD6ikcgI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2cDzpPIZ5ho/s320/CIMG1577.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the many bridges built across the main river that runs through Sevilla. This is the neighborhood of Trianna (I live just beyond this bridge). Many historians believe this is the area in which the "City of Gold" is located. The City of Tartessos. The only records of there ever being such a city are in Greek documents. Tartessos was a large trading city, and the Greeks wrote of how the women and men where dressed in clothes of gold. 1949 a farmer found a gold object that was traced back to the Trianna area.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x_saikcfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Z30bAcIw49w/s1600-h/CIMG1575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169146873329775090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x_saikcfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Z30bAcIw49w/s320/CIMG1575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our first stormy night..<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x_I6ikceI/AAAAAAAAAEI/WPWMCrjzVqY/s1600-h/CIMG1012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169146263444419042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x_I6ikceI/AAAAAAAAAEI/WPWMCrjzVqY/s320/CIMG1012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Plaza de Espana, This is what you will find on all the Sevilla post cards. Star Wars II was filmed here in part.. little fun fact.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x2QqikcdI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1tq06GomEvQ/s1600-h/CIMG1002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169136500983755218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7x2QqikcdI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1tq06GomEvQ/s320/CIMG1002.JPG" border="0" /></a> My backyard..<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7xdmKikcbI/AAAAAAAAADw/Zoh4_x50y30/s1600-h/CIMG1001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169109382560248242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7xdmKikcbI/AAAAAAAAADw/Zoh4_x50y30/s320/CIMG1001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Across the river from my house, we took a bike tour around Sevilla.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7xdIqikcaI/AAAAAAAAADo/dIv883i65E4/s1600-h/CIMG0970.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169108875754107298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7xdIqikcaI/AAAAAAAAADo/dIv883i65E4/s320/CIMG0970.JPG" border="0" /></a> Alcuzar, another very famous place to visit in Sevilla. The royal family's palace, one of the few still in use today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-63392695729556004212008-02-18T10:16:00.000-08:002008-02-18T10:54:00.736-08:00ToledoJanuary 17, 2008<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nQf6ikcZI/AAAAAAAAADg/ESn2qMs0KZI/s1600-h/CIMG0951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168391294093128082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nQf6ikcZI/AAAAAAAAADg/ESn2qMs0KZI/s320/CIMG0951.JPG" border="0" /></a> This Cathedral was amazing, it took my breath away! Walking into such a beautiful place was fantastic! I can't even imagine what it took to build such a place. I got cold walking inside, how huge this building is and it towers over everything.<br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nPWKikcYI/AAAAAAAAADY/7TtHjFeQ8ig/s1600-h/CIMG0958.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168390027077775746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nPWKikcYI/AAAAAAAAADY/7TtHjFeQ8ig/s320/CIMG0958.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nO-qikcXI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_BMJcu6-Pd0/s1600-h/tower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168389623350849906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nO-qikcXI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_BMJcu6-Pd0/s320/tower.jpg" border="0" /></a> Walking down a narrow street and you can still see the Cathedral, it truely shines in the day light! So Beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nOqqikcWI/AAAAAAAAADI/MsmTrdYFxjw/s1600-h/bridge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168389279753466210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nOqqikcWI/AAAAAAAAADI/MsmTrdYFxjw/s320/bridge.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is the river that divides the city of Toledo. One side is the Jews residence while the other side of Toledo is occupied by Christians. The Islamic religion can not be left out as well, they also occupied the city of Toledo during the Muslim conquest of the Iberian peninsula.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nOVKikcVI/AAAAAAAAADA/0OFzH-GLGJ8/s1600-h/toledo1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168388910386278738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nOVKikcVI/AAAAAAAAADA/0OFzH-GLGJ8/s320/toledo1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nNQKikcUI/AAAAAAAAAC4/XTy6q7JTG5s/s1600-h/toledo2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168387724975305026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7nNQKikcUI/AAAAAAAAAC4/XTy6q7JTG5s/s320/toledo2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-31460473931741680402008-02-18T08:10:00.000-08:002008-02-18T09:30:22.834-08:00MadridMadrid.. January 13- January 17 2008<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m496ikcTI/AAAAAAAAACw/MvLo5W3iY28/s1600-h/CIMG0907.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168365421210136882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m496ikcTI/AAAAAAAAACw/MvLo5W3iY28/s320/CIMG0907.JPG" border="0" /></a> The second day in Madrid we visited the Prado, one of Spain's largest Museums. Artists like Greco, Velazquez, Goya, and Van Dyck paintings are displayed here.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m25qikcSI/AAAAAAAAACo/VlPNWxkxgzI/s1600-h/CIMG0828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168363149172437282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m25qikcSI/AAAAAAAAACo/VlPNWxkxgzI/s320/CIMG0828.JPG" border="0" /></a> (We were not allowed to take pictures but I "forgot" on some)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m2I6ikcRI/AAAAAAAAACg/s6DmyQBG3W4/s1600-h/lady.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168362311653814546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7m2I6ikcRI/AAAAAAAAACg/s6DmyQBG3W4/s320/lady.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>In Madrid they have a great bus system, However our API group only walked everywhere. Our hotel was located in the heart of Madrid so everything was within walking distance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mzIaikcPI/AAAAAAAAACQ/TQmnow_GCxM/s1600-h/CIMG0824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168359004528996594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mzIaikcPI/AAAAAAAAACQ/TQmnow_GCxM/s320/CIMG0824.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mww6ikcOI/AAAAAAAAACI/FyU_sWHATJc/s1600-h/CIMG0797.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168356401778815202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mww6ikcOI/AAAAAAAAACI/FyU_sWHATJc/s320/CIMG0797.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the current Royal palace. I went walking early one morning and did not even mean to find it! It was beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mvP6ikcNI/AAAAAAAAACA/DiGg0-xHitE/s1600-h/madrid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168354735331504338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mvP6ikcNI/AAAAAAAAACA/DiGg0-xHitE/s320/madrid.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am standing in the middle of Spain. This is the Palaza that is concidered the very center point of Spain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mu7KikcMI/AAAAAAAAAB4/XxzNVVGWw4s/s1600-h/CIMG0716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168354378849218754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mu7KikcMI/AAAAAAAAAB4/XxzNVVGWw4s/s320/CIMG0716.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-73490882603709282222008-02-18T07:02:00.001-08:002008-04-19T10:13:48.195-07:00El Escorial<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mrl6ikcLI/AAAAAAAAABw/CTEnFfoQvG4/s1600-h/clock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168350715242115250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mrl6ikcLI/AAAAAAAAABw/CTEnFfoQvG4/s320/clock.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168346708037628066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 342px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" height="271" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mn8qikcKI/AAAAAAAAABo/lQBDno869YQ/s320/CIMG0880.JPG" width="332" border="0" />January 16, 2008</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The API group took us bright and early to a Monestary right outside of the main city of Madrid. Located in the mountains this Monestary looks out over the countryside. Even in the middle of the winter this place looks beautiful. It is praised to have the largest library in the World. Also built as a Palace for the Royal family, Most of the First Kings and their wives are buired under the Cathedral here.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7ml6aikcII/AAAAAAAAABY/NoNTwpiXUdU/s1600-h/CIMG0876.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168344470359666818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7ml6aikcII/AAAAAAAAABY/NoNTwpiXUdU/s320/CIMG0876.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mkKKikcHI/AAAAAAAAABQ/S1G4dcjH6Mg/s1600-h/brittaspics+1544.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mjC6ikcGI/AAAAAAAAABI/iJx4oF9aQZA/s1600-h/brittaspics+971.JPG"></a><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mifKikcFI/AAAAAAAAABA/t-vwRpKANzA/s1600-h/water.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932822621351411662.post-61676923363392418942008-02-17T13:39:00.000-08:002008-02-20T13:27:57.028-08:00Culture and differences<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mc56ikcCI/AAAAAAAAAAo/x9w13db4sKw/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mcBqikcBI/AAAAAAAAAAg/U8DqWaLJtpQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7maeKikcAI/AAAAAAAAAAY/2S_lDgZMPTQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7iuCaikb_I/AAAAAAAAAAM/ZMTEXARxA1A/s1600-h/chocolate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168071928914931698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7iuCaikb_I/AAAAAAAAAAM/ZMTEXARxA1A/s320/chocolate.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Well here I am in Spain after the long Journey half way across the world! It was pretty stressful to start off my trip. Between the five connecting flights to Madrid my luggage was lost and sent from London back to New York and then finally to Madrid to the Seville airport. However, I did get a few new outfits from the delayed arrival of my clothes. Things have all seemed to work out in the end and I am so thankful for that. Before I left Alaska, in the last week of preperation I went to a Chinnese resturant where I got a great fortune cookie.."Find release from your cares, have a good time" how fitting! I am known to stress but since being gone I have learned to be a little more relaxed (I only get to class 15min early now ha.) </p><br /><br /><br /><p>Like many countries or even states, Spanish culture is unique in its own way. The traditional greeting between people is a kiss on the left cheek then a kiss on the right. Everyone says hello and goodbye in this way. I found that even young people use this as much as saying goodbye, beso beso (kiss kiss). Even in a large room with six friends you go around saying hola mi nombre es Britta hola! For every person! Many times it's very tiring but it is just how things are. </p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7maeKikcAI/AAAAAAAAAAY/2S_lDgZMPTQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7maeKikcAI/AAAAAAAAAAY/2S_lDgZMPTQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><p>*When eating at the dinner table the polite way to eat is with both hands placed on the table. Your hands in your lap is considered rude, always have your hangs resting on the table during a meal. </p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mcBqikcBI/AAAAAAAAAAg/U8DqWaLJtpQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_-DtxSj-5Sdw/R7mcBqikcBI/AAAAAAAAAAg/U8DqWaLJtpQ/s1600-h/table.jpg"></a><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p>* The Service is much different. In the United States everywhere you go people are always rushed. Here in a resturant (from working at the Beartooth) the servers are not waiting for their next turnover and how fast the busser can clean up but instead they too wait until you are comfortable and ready to order. In most cafes you have to signal to the server that you are ready. It's not that they are ignoring you because you are American it is just another custom. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>* Spanish time is also very different from US time. In Alaska I would call it "my moms kind of time". When a spainard says they will meet you at a cafe in 30min, what they really mean to say is that in 30min they will think about leaving but wont arrive for another hour. Momma you would fit in so well here, I love you!</p><br /><br /><br /><p>*Bathrooms and Kitchens! Bathrooms are very very small. I think that is the one thing that I miss most (besides for Family and Friends) a good shower. Alaskans are very spoiled with all our water and in Spain water is very important. The water pressure in the flush of my toilet is stronger than in my shower. Showers are always quick and sometimes cold. Katherine you don't know what a quick shower is until you visit me. Sunday mornings in our house (In Alaska) would be preferable any day compared to how quickly the hot water runs out. I do not know how these women in spain cook, but Dad I am telling you that you can not burn anything or our apartment complex would have the fire truck here all the time! The kitchen in my home can maybe fit two or three people. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>*Forget Trucks! No one here owns a car larger than a four door car. It would be a waste of space cars are parked everwhere. Autobus is the only form of transportation worth taking. Taxi is worth the money if you are traveling in fours but I always walk or take the bus in Sevilla. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>* "Public restrooms".... Do not exist. If you happen to fall across a restroom somewhere, do not expect it to have toilet paper! I still forget that! So I always bring my own just in case. Not at all like Alaska where you can just pull over, the only trees here are parks full of kids and fountains, honest. </p><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>Britta Spainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09656666262856795288noreply@blogger.com1