Last week CEA study abroad students from Alicante went to the coastal town of El Campello. This place has a very strong fishing tradition, but this day, we went for the Moros y Cristianos festivity which commemerates the battles between Moors and Christians back in Medieval times, when the region was conquered by the Arabs.
The promenades were amazing. Different rows of people with very cool dressings where marching in the middle of the streets, performing some medieval shows and dances. How interesting! You won't see anything like this back in the states!
0 Comments
One of the study abroad day trips for Alicante Summer program students was visiting the coastal town of Calpe. For this trip we took the TRAM, a train that runs along the Costa Blanca, so during our ride we had the opportunity to sight see some great places like San Juan Beach, La Vila, Benidorm and Altea.
We all knew that part of this trip would also be a hike up Ifach Rock. It is the emblem of the Costa Blanca, called the "North Rock" by the ancient Phoencians (Gibraltar is the South one), but we couldn’t imagine how beautiful it was until we started the ascension. I’m not the best in the world at hiking, but it was lot of fun and, what’s more, it was not tiring. I was really concerned at the beginning, as I didn’t want to be behind the group. But it only took us around 35 minutes to get to a natural tunnel carved out of the rock that takes you to the top and we were really impressed with the nature, the views and also the birds.
After our hike, very tasty paella was waiting for us at the port in Calpe. We had a reservation in one of the typical restaurants where you see and pick the seafood you want to have! Although our students had the option of picking out their own live seafood, if that was too challenging we (Alicante Resident Staff) also reserved some really good paella and appetizers such as salads, mussels and different calamari to give everyone a true taste of the Costa Blanca.
Everything turned out perfectly. A good workout, great food and, of course, sunshine for those of us that wanted to rest on the beach after lunch.
- Lidiana Valles Alcaraz
CEA Student Services Coordinator
We all knew that part of this trip would also be a hike up Ifach Rock. It is the emblem of the Costa Blanca, called the "North Rock" by the ancient Phoencians (Gibraltar is the South one), but we couldn’t imagine how beautiful it was until we started the ascension. I’m not the best in the world at hiking, but it was lot of fun and, what’s more, it was not tiring. I was really concerned at the beginning, as I didn’t want to be behind the group. But it only took us around 35 minutes to get to a natural tunnel carved out of the rock that takes you to the top and we were really impressed with the nature, the views and also the birds.
After our hike, very tasty paella was waiting for us at the port in Calpe. We had a reservation in one of the typical restaurants where you see and pick the seafood you want to have! Although our students had the option of picking out their own live seafood, if that was too challenging we (Alicante Resident Staff) also reserved some really good paella and appetizers such as salads, mussels and different calamari to give everyone a true taste of the Costa Blanca.
Everything turned out perfectly. A good workout, great food and, of course, sunshine for those of us that wanted to rest on the beach after lunch.
- Lidiana Valles Alcaraz
CEA Student Services Coordinator
My volunteer work experience with Fundació Pere Tarres
My name is Kenny Frankel and I participated in CEA Study Abroad to Barcelona in the Spring 2009 semester. In this time I had a rewarding experience doing volunteer work for the Fundació Pere Tarres (Pere Tarres Foundation). This is a non-profit organization that provides education and social opportunities for children from the ages of around 5-12. During my three-month-long participation with this foundation I went a center on the outskirts of the city of Barcelona two days a week for 2-3 hours each time. It only took me about 30 minutes to travel there.
I had to be interviewed at first to prove that my Spanish was at least at an intermediate level, but once I did I was hired to take care of “los medianos”, or the middle-aged (8-10 years old) kids. My initial and primary goal was to greatly improve the fluency of my Spanish skills over the course of my stay, although I got a lot more from the experience than just that. Each day I helped the staff (people around my age) pick the kids up from school and play with them in the playground, bring them to computer lessons, and lead them through art sessions. Although it was true challenge at first to form sentences quickly and communicate with the staff and kids, I quickly developed my ability to speak efficiently and effectively. In the process I got to participate in celebrations including “El Carnaval” (a costume party similar to Mardi Gras), “El Día de Sant Jordi” (similar to Valentine’s Day), talk with Spanish peers (the staff) about anything and everything, and play with kids which is something I enjoy doing. These opportunities really gave me more insight into Cataluña’s culture.
After returning to the US I realized that this immersion activity made my experience in Spain. Through volunteering in the local community I got to participate in cultural events and greatly improve my Spanish-communicating abilities. I highly recommend working at Fundació Pere Tarres or doing any another immersion activity because it is an authentic and valuable use of time when abroad. Thanks CEA for coordinating this volunteering opportunity. I would encourage all students to take part in this type of opportunity whilst studing in Barcelona.
Kenny Frankel, Barcelona, April 24th 2009
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
My name is Kenny Frankel and I participated in CEA Study Abroad to Barcelona in the Spring 2009 semester. In this time I had a rewarding experience doing volunteer work for the Fundació Pere Tarres (Pere Tarres Foundation). This is a non-profit organization that provides education and social opportunities for children from the ages of around 5-12. During my three-month-long participation with this foundation I went a center on the outskirts of the city of Barcelona two days a week for 2-3 hours each time. It only took me about 30 minutes to travel there.
I had to be interviewed at first to prove that my Spanish was at least at an intermediate level, but once I did I was hired to take care of “los medianos”, or the middle-aged (8-10 years old) kids. My initial and primary goal was to greatly improve the fluency of my Spanish skills over the course of my stay, although I got a lot more from the experience than just that. Each day I helped the staff (people around my age) pick the kids up from school and play with them in the playground, bring them to computer lessons, and lead them through art sessions. Although it was true challenge at first to form sentences quickly and communicate with the staff and kids, I quickly developed my ability to speak efficiently and effectively. In the process I got to participate in celebrations including “El Carnaval” (a costume party similar to Mardi Gras), “El Día de Sant Jordi” (similar to Valentine’s Day), talk with Spanish peers (the staff) about anything and everything, and play with kids which is something I enjoy doing. These opportunities really gave me more insight into Cataluña’s culture.
After returning to the US I realized that this immersion activity made my experience in Spain. Through volunteering in the local community I got to participate in cultural events and greatly improve my Spanish-communicating abilities. I highly recommend working at Fundació Pere Tarres or doing any another immersion activity because it is an authentic and valuable use of time when abroad. Thanks CEA for coordinating this volunteering opportunity. I would encourage all students to take part in this type of opportunity whilst studing in Barcelona.
Kenny Frankel, Barcelona, April 24th 2009
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
In March, CEA Barcelona had its two overnight trips to the captivating city, San Sebastian. San Sebastian is located in the Basque Country, which has borders with France and the Bay of Biscay. After taking a charter bus from Barcelona we headed off to the green and fertile Basque Country. It was a long ride, but once we stepped out of the bus in San Sebastian, it was well worth it. We were graced with a beautiful sunny day. After dropping our stuff off in our rooms, most of us headed out to Ondarreta Beach, which was only a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Ondarreta Beach had quite a few people playing in the sand or taking in the sun.
The next day CEA provided an insightful and intriguing tour of San Sebastian. We were able to choose whether we wanted the tour in Spanish or English. Half of the group went to have it in Spanish and the other half had it in English.
We went in a funicular that brought us up to Mont Igueldo, which had a beautiful view of San Sebastian. After that we went down to see the famous work of art, “Peine del Viento”, which in English is “Wind Comb”. It was an interesting piece of artwork which was right next to an archeological phenomenon. The tour left us off in the old part of the city and our guides gave us great suggestions of where to eat “pintxos”. Pintxos are very similar to tapas and are a Basque delight. The traditional way of eating pintxos is in a bar, with friends while standing up. All in all, San Sebastian is a very magical city and we all wished we were able to stay longer, but alas one must go back to class.
The next day CEA provided an insightful and intriguing tour of San Sebastian. We were able to choose whether we wanted the tour in Spanish or English. Half of the group went to have it in Spanish and the other half had it in English.
We went in a funicular that brought us up to Mont Igueldo, which had a beautiful view of San Sebastian. After that we went down to see the famous work of art, “Peine del Viento”, which in English is “Wind Comb”. It was an interesting piece of artwork which was right next to an archeological phenomenon. The tour left us off in the old part of the city and our guides gave us great suggestions of where to eat “pintxos”. Pintxos are very similar to tapas and are a Basque delight. The traditional way of eating pintxos is in a bar, with friends while standing up. All in all, San Sebastian is a very magical city and we all wished we were able to stay longer, but alas one must go back to class.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
In February, we had another CEA day trip and this time it was to the surrealist artist, Salvador Dalí’s town of Figueres. Figueres is north of Barcelona and has a large collection of Dalí’s work. We headed off bright and early at 9:00am to have an early start. We got to Figueres at about 11am. The guides gave us an overview of the museum and the town right before getting off the bus. We entered the museum and had a detailed tour of Dalí’s art and also had some paintings explained to us! After our tour, we were given free time to check out the rest of the museum on our own, walk around the town and to have lunch. After lunch, we were off to Girona. We had our tour split in two, so we can have a personalized tour of the city and ask the guides any questions that might come up. We saw on a bridge the same tiles that are in the Ramblas in Barcelona, how neat! After crossing the bridge, we strolled along to the gardens of the Cathedral and saw an marvelous view of the city. Girona is an enchanting medieval city.
This past January CEA Barcelona took the students for the first Day Trip. We had an excursion to a vineyard and to a beach town south of Barcelona, called Sitges. We headed off to the Torres Vineyard at 10am. We arrived there at about 11:30am and had an interesting tour of the vineyard. The Torres family has many generations of wine-making behind them. They also have vineyards in Chile and in Napa Valley (California). We went on a trolley around the vineyard and saw their wine and the vines. To end this delightful tour we had a taste of their white wine, it was exquisite!
After the tour, we made our way to a country house to have a traditional Catalan treat “Calçotada”. Calçot is the name given to a local variety of spring onion, which is cultivated in a very particular way. We each had 10 “calçots”, 1 butifarra (sausage), lima beans, French fries, escalivada (roasted veggies) with ali-oli (mayonnaise with garlic) and a roasted artichoke. We were stuffed!! Eating calçots is a bit tricky, but after the guides gave us a demonstration, we picked it up quickly.
After finishing our ice-cream for dessert, we headed out directly for Sitges. We had a nice “siesta” on the bus ride there. Walking along the beach promenade was a sight to die for! Even though it was the middle of January, there were sunny skies and breath-taking views. This small town has a special charm to it.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
After the tour, we made our way to a country house to have a traditional Catalan treat “Calçotada”. Calçot is the name given to a local variety of spring onion, which is cultivated in a very particular way. We each had 10 “calçots”, 1 butifarra (sausage), lima beans, French fries, escalivada (roasted veggies) with ali-oli (mayonnaise with garlic) and a roasted artichoke. We were stuffed!! Eating calçots is a bit tricky, but after the guides gave us a demonstration, we picked it up quickly.
After finishing our ice-cream for dessert, we headed out directly for Sitges. We had a nice “siesta” on the bus ride there. Walking along the beach promenade was a sight to die for! Even though it was the middle of January, there were sunny skies and breath-taking views. This small town has a special charm to it.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
Last month the Barcelona CEA students went on an overnight trip to Sevilla as part of the CEA excursions during Fall 08. We departed on Thursday 13th Nov from Barcelona Sants station on an overnight train. The students slept in cabins of 4 beds, (2 bunkbeds). The train ride was smoothly and some slept better than others. We arrived nice an early to Sevilla at 9.30am, checked in at the Hotel Giralda and then had some free time for breakfast and freshen up.
We met back at the lobby of the hotel at 2pm with 2 tour guides to have the walking tour of Sevilla. From the hotel we went to visit los Reales Alcázares, a Moorish Royal Palace, mainly in Mudéjar style, but also in Renaissance. Its gardens are a blend of Moorish, Andalusian and Christian traditions. One of the main attraction of the Reales Alcázares is the Patio de las Doncellas, which means "The Courtyard of the Maidens." The name refers to the legend that the Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Christian kingdoms in Iberia. The story of the tribute may have been used as a myth to bolster the Reconquista, but it may have had some truth to it in the abuse of Christian women by powerful Moors.
Another important section of the Reales Alcazares are Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla "The Baths of Lady María de Padilla" are rainwater tanks beneath the Patio del Crucero. The tanks are named after María de Padilla, the mistress of Pedro the Cruel. Supposedly, Pedro fell for María and had her husband killed. María resisted his advances and poured boiling oil over her face to disfigure herself to stop Pedro's pursuit. She became a nun and moved to a convent afterwards. She is regarded as a symbol of purity in the culture of Seville. After the visit of the Reales Alcazares we had a stroll in el Barrio de Santa Cruz, Sevilla’s medieval Jewish quarter, east of the Cathedral and the Alcázares, is today a tangle of winding streets and lovely plazas, with numerous souvenir shops and popular places to stay, eat and drink. Once the walking tour had finished, the students had free time to explore around Sevilla. We met back at the hotel in the evening to have dinner all together. The following day the students had free time all day. Some of the students visited the Cathedral, rented some bikes.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
We met back at the lobby of the hotel at 2pm with 2 tour guides to have the walking tour of Sevilla. From the hotel we went to visit los Reales Alcázares, a Moorish Royal Palace, mainly in Mudéjar style, but also in Renaissance. Its gardens are a blend of Moorish, Andalusian and Christian traditions. One of the main attraction of the Reales Alcázares is the Patio de las Doncellas, which means "The Courtyard of the Maidens." The name refers to the legend that the Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Christian kingdoms in Iberia. The story of the tribute may have been used as a myth to bolster the Reconquista, but it may have had some truth to it in the abuse of Christian women by powerful Moors.
Another important section of the Reales Alcazares are Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla "The Baths of Lady María de Padilla" are rainwater tanks beneath the Patio del Crucero. The tanks are named after María de Padilla, the mistress of Pedro the Cruel. Supposedly, Pedro fell for María and had her husband killed. María resisted his advances and poured boiling oil over her face to disfigure herself to stop Pedro's pursuit. She became a nun and moved to a convent afterwards. She is regarded as a symbol of purity in the culture of Seville. After the visit of the Reales Alcazares we had a stroll in el Barrio de Santa Cruz, Sevilla’s medieval Jewish quarter, east of the Cathedral and the Alcázares, is today a tangle of winding streets and lovely plazas, with numerous souvenir shops and popular places to stay, eat and drink. Once the walking tour had finished, the students had free time to explore around Sevilla. We met back at the hotel in the evening to have dinner all together. The following day the students had free time all day. Some of the students visited the Cathedral, rented some bikes.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
Stumble It!
Seed Newsvine
