Cordoba

This past weekend I went to Cordoba for a day trip with my program. What a gorgeous city, and we had great weather to make it even better! Cordoba is home to the world-famous mosque with the red and white stripes. It is also the site from with the Reyes Catolicos said goodbye to Columbus. I would say another great Spanish city, but I think all those who read this have come to understand I think all of Spain is great :)
The first picture is the outside of the mosque plaza, then the stripes are inside. Then is the monument commemorating Columbus. And finally the castle/fort at the end of the Roman bridge from the Roman presence before the 700'sAD

Segovia

Here are some pictures from the beautiful Segovia. The city is home to one of the oldest aqueducts left from the Roman empire as well that the Alcazár, the castle that was the base for Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Just another Spanish city I am in love with :)
The first picture is my friends and I up in the castle top, and the next is the castle from the ground :) Then a picture of the Cathedral which is absolutely gorgeous, and finally the aqueduct!

Corrida de Toros

When I was in Madrid, about two weeks ago now, we went to see a Corrida de Toros, what we know in English as a bull fight. But, here in Spain it is not a sport to kill the bull but rather it is an art form, much like a dance between the bull fighter and the bull. Here are some pictures of the type of attire worn by the bull fighter and the ring.
I thought this was all really gross, so the pictures do not include any of the actual killing :)

Nerja

Continuing our weekend adventures this weekend - we spent two days in Nerja, one of the beautiful beaches of the Málaga province. The sea is gorgeous light blue, and the beach is nice and sandy. We also took an excursion to the Nerja caves today. The caves hold the Guiness World Record for the largest stalagmite :)

Sevilla

Yesterday - Jeff, Amanda, Brittany, and I went to Sevilla for the night. It is about a 3 hour bus ride from Granada to Sevilla. While in my last post I said that Toledo was one of my favorite places I have ever been....Sevilla is also. Here are some pictures: The Cathedral, one of the largest in Spain. Another is the sunset over the river - my host mother says this is very Andalucian looking. The next is the Plaza de España, one of the places we stumbled upon while wandering. And finally the Maria Luisa Park - so pretty and fun!

Holy, Toledo!

I went to Toledo on September 29th. The city is built on a hill, literally. But this is most definitely one of my favorite places I have ever visited! I could have spent so much time here! There are over 80 churches, the El Greco museum and Toledo is full of Cervantes quotes, the namesake of my beta fish!

Madrid

Here is the beginning of my posts from my travels. From 26 Sept - 28 Sept I was in Madrid with the group I am studying with here. Madrid was still a candidate city at that point for the 2016 Summer Olympics (losing out to Rio de Janiero later that week), so here is a picture of me with the campaign poster. We went to El Prado, one of the most famous art museums in Europe (and the world). Also, since Spain is very old, Madrid was build close to the center of the Iberian Peninsula, so all the highways start in Madrid and go out from there, pretty cool. And last is the Royal Palace, which is gorgeous but not really used today except for formal occasions!

La Playa - Almuñecar

On Sunday we went to the beach to catch some rays and relax. Turns out we went to the wrong beach, and the beach was rocky! But, live and learn and it was really nice to just relax and have fun!

Alhambra

On Saturday morning we went to the Alhambra, it is an old Arab palace (and one of the places nominated to become one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, but lost). It is gorgeous! Here are some pictures. From the Alhambra, you can also see the entire city of Granada! The white buildings are from Albaycín, the place I visited a few days ago. And the flags I thought were really fun - they are (from right to left): European Union, Andalucia (the province I am in), Spain, and then Granada! Hasta Luego, J!

Sacromonte

On Friday morning, we walked/hiked up Sacromonte, one of the high hills surrounding Granada. A little geography: Granada is in a valley - that means hot days and cool nights! Here are pictures of me with some new friends - with the mountains/hills in the background. The courtyard in Sacromonte. Sacromonte used to serve as a religious palace, and is very carefully preserved because of this. The other is a picture of the sunrise of the Alhambra (actual Alhambra pictures to come soon). The last is a 'wild' aloe plant - grows locally here! Imagine is those in our houses in the States got this size! J

Flamenco

Last night we went to a Flamenco festival here in Granada. Here are some pictures. And a video. I think the video is sideways, so I apologize because I don't know how to turn it (any suggestions). But it should give you a good idea of how Flamenco is :)

Albaycín

Albaycín is the old Arab portion of Granada. It was founding around the 11th century and has been here since. It is located on a mountain, and the rain was collected that way. Here are some pictures. The top one is me on the way up, with the Alhambra behind me. The second is Granada, from the top, the next is the sun setting on the Alhambra, and the last is the Alhambra lit by night with my new friends Anita and Brittany. More posts to follow soon as we sent to Sacromonte today and tonight to a flamenco fiesta! Hasta Luego, J

Día de la Virgin

Yesterday (15 Sept) was the Day of the Virgin here in Spain. Every area has it´s own virgin that it honors. Everyone lines up outside the church to honor that virgin and gives flowers to decorate the church. Here are two pictures. One of all the people in the plaza and a fountain at the end. The other is the flowers that had arrived to the church so far, and the people were lined up for hours. They give flowers until 11PM!

Granada, España!

Here are some pictures from Granada just to get an idea. I will work on taking more. The first picture is a nice shopping plaza. The second picture is the Cathedral of Granada - it is absolutely enormous and also the burial spot of Isabela y Ferdinand. The third picture is the court yard at the CLM (Centro de Lenguas Modernas) and the last picture is a fountain in the courtyard of Isabel and Columbus. This city is filled with fountains - it´s great! I will work on taking and posting more pictures! Today is my first day of classes! Hasta Luego, J!