Barcelona - part 1

I'm putting up the pictures from this past weekend in Barcelona in stages because I took so many and can't just pick a few to post. Here are the pics from the Harbor and my first time seeing the Mediterranean Sea. More details about the weekend to come...

p.s. Did I mention I really want a sailboat someday? I am in lust.

El Acueducto

Despite the freezing cold wind, it is a beautiful day out with the sun shining here in Segovia. And by beautiful, I mean beautiful to look at but not to stand in. I took advantage of the sunlight which seems to be rare in these parts to take some photos of the Acueducto I walk by several times a day. To sum things up, it was built between the 1st and 2nd centuries by the Romans during their reign in Spain and is still standing (obviously) today. Wikipedia has a fairly decent history of it here or here for the overly ambitious wishing to read in Spanish.

This is my last post until probably Monday as the group is leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for Barcelona until late Sunday. Hasta luego!

Valladolid

This past weekend some of us went to Valladolid, a city two hours north of Segovia by bus. Highlights of the trip include feeding peacocks at a bird park, seeing the Cathedral and playing by a gigantic fountain. The weather was kind of crummy, but we made the most of it and had fun. I forgot my camera, but Andrew let me snag his for a couple of quick photos.

El Mercado

Every Thursday morning, there is a farmer's market sort of thing in the Plaza Mayor. Here you can find a wide array of things for purchase including produce, flowers, clothes, shoes, used socks, (hopefully unused) underwear, live birds, dead fish, and a lot of nuts. I went this morning and came away empty handed. There's always next week.... maybe a bird?

Madrid

Our study abroad group spend the weekend in Madrid. Highlights include seeing works by Goya, Velazquez, El Greco y Picasso in the Reina Sofia and El Prado museums, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real and a seven story discoteca (nightclub.) Overall, the group had a great time but returned to Segovia last night very tired (and some very hungover...)

Alcázar

Today we went to the Alcazar in Segovia. This castle, palace, fortress etc. was first build in the 12th century and was conquered and exchanged between the Christian Reyes (kings) and the Moros (Muslims.) The Reyes Catolicos, the Catholic Kings, Isabel and Fernando were married and lived there as well. Isabel and Fernando are most famous for starting the Spanish Inquistion and expelling the moros y judios from Spain.

Also, fun fact, Walt Disney lived in Segovia for a couple years and designed Cinderella's castle at Disneyworld after el Alcazar.

My family and I eat salad everyday with our lunch. Generally, it is lettuce with gobs of straight oil and vinegar which I am not especially fond of. So yesterday, there was a little bowl of what looked to be french type dressing. My though process went something like this- oh, they've noticed I don't like the oil and gave me french (since Spain and France are neighbors, it seemed logical.) Turns out it was a weird form of ketchup for the rice we were eating.... needless to say, I am the constant source of entertainment I realized, as they spent the rest of the meal laughing.


a little Spanish vocab lesson:
un chiste: a joke
una broma: a prank

Mi Casa es Su Casa

The mountains outside my window
The window (view from inside the closet)


Closet

Bed and book shelf, view from doorway

Doorway from bed.

Well, I am finally here in Segovia! My room in the apartment of my host family is quite quaint. I think if I laid on the floor, I could rest my head on one wall and touch the other wall with my feet... legs bent. I have a bed, a small bookshelf with a couple of drawers and a closet. Lets just say it´s a good thing I packed on the lighter side.... pictures to come soon.

Mi familia aqui is great. I have a dad (Paco) una madre (Amelia) a sister who is 14 (Rocio) and a little dog (Linda.) So far, all is wonderful with them. They were very understanding when I was tired yesterday and did not force me to eat as some of the other mothers do here. The food, by the way, has been far better than expected, and much healthier than the states!

We had orientation for a couple of hours today, and begin school tomorrow.

Hope all is well en los Estados Unidos! Te echo (I miss you) mucho!

And So It Begins...

Well, I have officially started packing for my 4 month journey to Segovia, Spain. I started a detailed packing list a few weeks ago, but did not start actually packing until today. It is all becoming so real! Exactly one week from this moment, I will most likely be unpacking and getting acquainted with my new Spainish family. YIKES!