Monday, February 27, 2012
This past weekend we decided that it was time to start exploring more of Spain and the culture. So we started on Friday by attending a Flamenco Show. I have been to flamenco shows before but this was my first one in Madrid. We went to a venue that is close to Madrid's bullring that claimed to be authentic flamenco. At one point they even said that their group has stayed true to flamenco's original form and that their shows aren't meant for guiris, which is what the Spanish call foreigners (similar to gringos in Mexico). It made us chuckle because we would be considered guiris but we still enjoyed the show!!
It is mesmerizing to see the passion of the dancers and singers. Often times I felt like I was spying on the group because of the strong bond you could see between the performers. It was as if there was no audience. And when the men got dancing fast you could feel the walls shaking!! If only I could move with such grace and intensity haha.
On Saturday we took a day trip to Ávila, which is a town about 2 hours east of Madrid in the region Castilla y León. It is known for its medieval walls which surround the town. The walls were started in 1090-amazing to see something so old and kept so intact! It is the most conserved wall in the world and it is also the largest fully illuminated monument in the world! We spent the day walking around the medieval town and soaking up the sun. It was a wonderful trip and I highly recommend this town to others!
It is mesmerizing to see the passion of the dancers and singers. Often times I felt like I was spying on the group because of the strong bond you could see between the performers. It was as if there was no audience. And when the men got dancing fast you could feel the walls shaking!! If only I could move with such grace and intensity haha.
On Saturday we took a day trip to Ávila, which is a town about 2 hours east of Madrid in the region Castilla y León. It is known for its medieval walls which surround the town. The walls were started in 1090-amazing to see something so old and kept so intact! It is the most conserved wall in the world and it is also the largest fully illuminated monument in the world! We spent the day walking around the medieval town and soaking up the sun. It was a wonderful trip and I highly recommend this town to others!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Carnaval & Zaragoza
This past weekend was full of festivities!
Last Friday my school celebrated Carnaval, which is their celebration before lent starts. This particular holiday turns into a big party and is most like our Halloween, with everyone dressing up in elaborate costumes. At the school, the kids were split into the different time eras: Medieval, Prehistoric, Roman Times and 60's, 70's and 80's. That afternoon there was a parade at the school where everyone showed off their costumes and then each class had to perform a chirigota, which is a song. After everyone performed it was time for El Entierro de la Sardina. Earlier in the day each student had decorated a fish scale and on the back of it wrote something that they wish to forget. Most kids wrote about the crisis or Barcelona winning, but then there was the one 'being afraid of Michael Jackson's Thriller video' haha. Once everyone's fish scales were glued on it was ready for the ceremony! All the kids gathered on the playground as the 6th grade boys carried out the sardine and the girls followed behind pretending to weep. Once the sardine was brought out, it was burned along with what everyone wished to forget. (I wished that I would forget English..we will see what happens! :) )
I did some research on where this tradition dates back to and this is what I was able to find:
It dates back to the XVII century, when Charles III, King of Spain, who wanted to celebrate the end of the festival with the commoners, ordered sardines and wine to be served at the countryside picnic. The weather that day was hot, very typical at the time of year, and the sardines began to smell foul due to the heat. The people wanted to get rid of the bad smell and realized the only way to achieve that was to bury them. The king consented to this. The people wept at the thought of no longer getting free food and having to begin the observant period of abstinence.
The burning of the sardine was made popular by Spanish painter Goya in an oil painting of the same name, “El Entierro de la Sardina.”
The next day Maggie, Allison, Justin and I went to Zaragoza to visit our friend Sara! We had a great time seeing Sara, cooking Spanish food and touring the city. Ofcourse, our time together was filled with lots of laughter! It is always wonderful to be able to visit American friends. We just wish we could have brought Sara back to Madrid with us!!!
Last Friday my school celebrated Carnaval, which is their celebration before lent starts. This particular holiday turns into a big party and is most like our Halloween, with everyone dressing up in elaborate costumes. At the school, the kids were split into the different time eras: Medieval, Prehistoric, Roman Times and 60's, 70's and 80's. That afternoon there was a parade at the school where everyone showed off their costumes and then each class had to perform a chirigota, which is a song. After everyone performed it was time for El Entierro de la Sardina. Earlier in the day each student had decorated a fish scale and on the back of it wrote something that they wish to forget. Most kids wrote about the crisis or Barcelona winning, but then there was the one 'being afraid of Michael Jackson's Thriller video' haha. Once everyone's fish scales were glued on it was ready for the ceremony! All the kids gathered on the playground as the 6th grade boys carried out the sardine and the girls followed behind pretending to weep. Once the sardine was brought out, it was burned along with what everyone wished to forget. (I wished that I would forget English..we will see what happens! :) )
I did some research on where this tradition dates back to and this is what I was able to find:
It dates back to the XVII century, when Charles III, King of Spain, who wanted to celebrate the end of the festival with the commoners, ordered sardines and wine to be served at the countryside picnic. The weather that day was hot, very typical at the time of year, and the sardines began to smell foul due to the heat. The people wanted to get rid of the bad smell and realized the only way to achieve that was to bury them. The king consented to this. The people wept at the thought of no longer getting free food and having to begin the observant period of abstinence.
The burning of the sardine was made popular by Spanish painter Goya in an oil painting of the same name, “El Entierro de la Sardina.”
The next day Maggie, Allison, Justin and I went to Zaragoza to visit our friend Sara! We had a great time seeing Sara, cooking Spanish food and touring the city. Ofcourse, our time together was filled with lots of laughter! It is always wonderful to be able to visit American friends. We just wish we could have brought Sara back to Madrid with us!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
These past few weeks have been super busy with work and sicknesses jumping back and forth among our apartment. But we are all back to normal and still happy to be in Spain!
The latest excitement is that one of our best friends, Allison, that we met in Granada came to live with us for 2 months! She just got here on February 1 but the time is already going by way too fast!!! Allison is taking a Spanish class here in Madrid and then each night brings back new phrases and vocabulary for all of us! :) And starting this weekend we will start travelling, which we are all very excited about! This weekend we will be travelling to Zaragoza, which is a city north east of Madrid, to visit our friend Sara! We can't wait to see her and to explore her city!
In the meantime we have been showing Allison all the great things Madrid has to offer and also been having fun meeting her classmates from all over the world. She has classmates from Switzerland, Austria, England and Korea. It is really fun to meet people from different countries and backgrounds!
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” -Maya Angelou
The latest excitement is that one of our best friends, Allison, that we met in Granada came to live with us for 2 months! She just got here on February 1 but the time is already going by way too fast!!! Allison is taking a Spanish class here in Madrid and then each night brings back new phrases and vocabulary for all of us! :) And starting this weekend we will start travelling, which we are all very excited about! This weekend we will be travelling to Zaragoza, which is a city north east of Madrid, to visit our friend Sara! We can't wait to see her and to explore her city!
In the meantime we have been showing Allison all the great things Madrid has to offer and also been having fun meeting her classmates from all over the world. She has classmates from Switzerland, Austria, England and Korea. It is really fun to meet people from different countries and backgrounds!
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” -Maya Angelou
Friday, January 20, 2012
Johnny in Spain!
Johnny's visit in Madrid was wonderful! I was so happy to bring my new life in Spain and my American roots together! I kept him busy by bringing him to work with me, showing him around Madrid and giving him a taste of what bars and discotecas are like! (given that he is only 19)
My students were in such awe that Johnny was my YOUNGER brother. They thought that with how tall he is that he must be 95 years old. Johnny quickly became the prime focus of my classes. Some teachers had the students interview him and then write a paper on him. Meanwhile, in other classes Johnny encouraged the little boys to not pay attention to me and to instead throw balls of paper at the other classmates.
The kids have been asking me everyday where Johnny is and I continue to get the same confused look when I tell them that he went back to America.
It was great having Johnny here and showing him how wonderful Madrid is! I was very sad having to say good bye but I am greatful that he was able to come at all! :)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Living the Good Life
Here in Spain the holidays are just coming to an end. I can't complain with this extra time we are getting off! The reason their holidays last much longer than ours in the States (school is just starting up today!) is because on January 6 they celebrate Los Reyes. Although Santa Clause is becoming more and more popular, the kids really go wild for Los Reyes Magos, or as we know them, Three Wiseman.
And since the majority of Spaniards live in apartments, their beliefs of how Santa Clause (or Los Reyes) enter is much different. Instead of coming down the chimney, they must climb up the balcony. Which is why these holiday decorations can be seen throughout the city. I can't help but laugh a little everytime I see it. :)
The night of January 5 was Cabalgata de Reyes, which translates to the Procession of the Kings. There was a huge parade throughout the city filled with floats, fireworks, and the presenting of the 3 kings. The plazas and streets were packed with people. It was quite a spectacular parade that seemed to have every child in the city in attendance. Children were sitting on their parents shoulder's to get a good view and some parents even brought ladders so their kids could get a good view! haha
This past weekend Maggie's friend was visiting from Kansas, so we decided to take a little day trip out of the city. We decided to show him Toledo, which is a town in Castilla La Mancha. It is only a 45 minute bus ride south of Madrid, making it the perfect outing! It was nice to get out of the city for a while. We enjoyed a delicious Spanish lunch consisting of paella, lentejas and flan. Which was then followed by roaming the quiant, cobblestone streets. This was my second time visiting Toledo and I enjoyed it just as much as the first.
And I couldn't ask for a better way to end the break- Johnny will be landing in Madrid in only 2.5 hours!! I can't wait to show him my life here in Spain and introduce him to such a wonderful country!
And since the majority of Spaniards live in apartments, their beliefs of how Santa Clause (or Los Reyes) enter is much different. Instead of coming down the chimney, they must climb up the balcony. Which is why these holiday decorations can be seen throughout the city. I can't help but laugh a little everytime I see it. :)
The night of January 5 was Cabalgata de Reyes, which translates to the Procession of the Kings. There was a huge parade throughout the city filled with floats, fireworks, and the presenting of the 3 kings. The plazas and streets were packed with people. It was quite a spectacular parade that seemed to have every child in the city in attendance. Children were sitting on their parents shoulder's to get a good view and some parents even brought ladders so their kids could get a good view! haha
This past weekend Maggie's friend was visiting from Kansas, so we decided to take a little day trip out of the city. We decided to show him Toledo, which is a town in Castilla La Mancha. It is only a 45 minute bus ride south of Madrid, making it the perfect outing! It was nice to get out of the city for a while. We enjoyed a delicious Spanish lunch consisting of paella, lentejas and flan. Which was then followed by roaming the quiant, cobblestone streets. This was my second time visiting Toledo and I enjoyed it just as much as the first.
And I couldn't ask for a better way to end the break- Johnny will be landing in Madrid in only 2.5 hours!! I can't wait to show him my life here in Spain and introduce him to such a wonderful country!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Holidays in Madrid
Although it was a bummer I wasn't able to be home with my family for the holidays, I feel so fortunate to have wonderful friends in Madrid who have become my family here.
The last day of school was on the 22nd, but it was more of a Christmas celebration before the break. In the morning all the parents came to the school and watched each class perform Christmas carols-one in English and one in Spanish. It was cute hearing all our Christmas carols with a Spanish twist and also learning new Spanish carols, which are called villancicos.
Once the kids went home all the teachers rallied to start our own celebrations. We went to a local restaurant for lunch, which then turned into us bar hopping. Our Christmas lunch quickly turned into an 8 hour outing. It is always fun hanging out with my co-workers. They are all so welcoming- my principal emphasized to me and the other American assistants that if we ever feel lonely to call her because she wanted us to know that despite being far from our families and home we are not alone here.
Here are some pictures of the beautiful Christmas decorations in Madrid:
On Christmas Eve, we had dinner with Justin Robles mom, who is visiting from California! We had a great time and shared lots of laughs. After dinner we went to midnight mass, which is something I have never been to. It was interesting seeing all the rituals that went on.
On Christmas Day, Maggie's parents came into town. After being friends with Maggie for two years, Justin and I were looking forward to meeting some of her family! That morning we sipped on hot chocolate, coffee and tea while opening presents. Maggie's parents were so sweet to even bring gifts for Justin and I. Later on in the day Justin Robles and his mom came over. It was nice having parents around on the holidays-Justin and I were worried we would feel like orphans this Christmas but luckily it was quite the opposite! I was able to skype with my parents, Johnny and my grandpa which was wonderful. Except for the fact that every other sentence that came out of my mom's mouth was that I need to move home. :)
Here in Madrid we were lucky to celebrate New Years Eve twice! Each year thousands of people head to the center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, to watch the clock strike twelve (Madrid's equivalence to Times Square). Since it is such a big deal here, they do a trial run on the 30th of December. So us and our friends rallied and headed out to Sol on the 30th to prep for New Years Eve. Instead of kissing at midnight, the Spanish have a tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. You are supposed to eat a grape each time the clock chimes, but here in Spain the grapes have seeds so you can imagine how hard this is. If you eat all 12 then you will have 12 months of good luck but I decided to settle for 4 months of good luck. On the 30th you aren't supposed to eat the grapes, instead you bring something else to practice with such as peanuts or candies. We decided to bring M&M's and we clearly didn't think it through because we got peanut M&M's. So, we couldn't keep up with everyone. The grape tradition started in Spain because one year there was a huge grape harvest, so the King gave everyone grapes to eat on New Years Eve.
pre-New Years eve:
For the actual New Years Eve, we went to dinner with one of my American co-workers and a group of 15 English people. They were all very fun and friendly! We then ventured out to Sol for round two with what felt like millions of other people. Once midnight struck we ventured to my friends place that was nearby and unfortunately due to the late night we had the previous night, I was asleep by 1:30. I woke up at 8 the next morning unaware to the fact that I had slept through a whole party- I hope this isn't a reflection of what 2012 will be for me!
I am looking forward to what 2012 has to offer! I think it is going to be a GREAT year! And I am excited that I get to start off the year with a visit from my baby brother, who will be here in a week!! :)
¡Feliz año!
The last day of school was on the 22nd, but it was more of a Christmas celebration before the break. In the morning all the parents came to the school and watched each class perform Christmas carols-one in English and one in Spanish. It was cute hearing all our Christmas carols with a Spanish twist and also learning new Spanish carols, which are called villancicos.
Once the kids went home all the teachers rallied to start our own celebrations. We went to a local restaurant for lunch, which then turned into us bar hopping. Our Christmas lunch quickly turned into an 8 hour outing. It is always fun hanging out with my co-workers. They are all so welcoming- my principal emphasized to me and the other American assistants that if we ever feel lonely to call her because she wanted us to know that despite being far from our families and home we are not alone here.
Here are some pictures of the beautiful Christmas decorations in Madrid:
On Christmas Eve, we had dinner with Justin Robles mom, who is visiting from California! We had a great time and shared lots of laughs. After dinner we went to midnight mass, which is something I have never been to. It was interesting seeing all the rituals that went on.
On Christmas Day, Maggie's parents came into town. After being friends with Maggie for two years, Justin and I were looking forward to meeting some of her family! That morning we sipped on hot chocolate, coffee and tea while opening presents. Maggie's parents were so sweet to even bring gifts for Justin and I. Later on in the day Justin Robles and his mom came over. It was nice having parents around on the holidays-Justin and I were worried we would feel like orphans this Christmas but luckily it was quite the opposite! I was able to skype with my parents, Johnny and my grandpa which was wonderful. Except for the fact that every other sentence that came out of my mom's mouth was that I need to move home. :)
Here in Madrid we were lucky to celebrate New Years Eve twice! Each year thousands of people head to the center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, to watch the clock strike twelve (Madrid's equivalence to Times Square). Since it is such a big deal here, they do a trial run on the 30th of December. So us and our friends rallied and headed out to Sol on the 30th to prep for New Years Eve. Instead of kissing at midnight, the Spanish have a tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. You are supposed to eat a grape each time the clock chimes, but here in Spain the grapes have seeds so you can imagine how hard this is. If you eat all 12 then you will have 12 months of good luck but I decided to settle for 4 months of good luck. On the 30th you aren't supposed to eat the grapes, instead you bring something else to practice with such as peanuts or candies. We decided to bring M&M's and we clearly didn't think it through because we got peanut M&M's. So, we couldn't keep up with everyone. The grape tradition started in Spain because one year there was a huge grape harvest, so the King gave everyone grapes to eat on New Years Eve.
pre-New Years eve:
For the actual New Years Eve, we went to dinner with one of my American co-workers and a group of 15 English people. They were all very fun and friendly! We then ventured out to Sol for round two with what felt like millions of other people. Once midnight struck we ventured to my friends place that was nearby and unfortunately due to the late night we had the previous night, I was asleep by 1:30. I woke up at 8 the next morning unaware to the fact that I had slept through a whole party- I hope this isn't a reflection of what 2012 will be for me!
I am looking forward to what 2012 has to offer! I think it is going to be a GREAT year! And I am excited that I get to start off the year with a visit from my baby brother, who will be here in a week!! :)
¡Feliz año!
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