Granada 2012
Granada -Abril 2012-001
We started at San Nicholas for a spectacular view of the Alhambra.
Granada -Abril 2012-002
As it got dark, the Alhambra became more and more magical.
Granada -Abril 2012-003
Enjoying an Arabic dinner to set the tone of the trip.
Granada -Abril 2012-004
Visit to the Muslim hamman dating XIc.
Granada -Abril 2012-005
Remembering that Isabel the Catholic financed Columbus' voyage.
Granada -Abril 2012-006
Entrance to the Corral de Carboneria
Granada -Abril 2012-007
Hotel for merchants
Granada -Abril 2012-008
Entering the Royal Chapel where the Catholic kings are buried.
Granada -Abril 2012-009
Granada's cathedral
Granada -Abril 2012-010
Our first glance of the Alhambra from the Generalife gardens
Granada -Abril 2012-011
These mazes of gardens were gorgeous.
Granada -Abril 2012-012
The sound of water always accompanied us.
Granada -Abril 2012-013
Generalife palace (summer home to sultans)
Granada -Abril 2012-014
Juday or love tree. MJ, are you winking?
Granada -Abril 2012-015
Charles V's palace. Is Margo listening to the guide or making a phone call?
Granada -Abril 2012-016
Confirming the acustics with claps and song!
Granada -Abril 2012-017
The Nazarite palaces: Zach, the column
Granada -Abril 2012-018
Group picture in the Golden room courtyard
Granada -Abril 2012-019
Amazed at the walls and ceiling of the throne room.
Granada -Abril 2012-020
Paloma recalls Ana Maria at the Comares courtyard.
Granada -Abril 2012-021
Un veiling the beauty of the Lions courtyard
Granada -Abril 2012-022
Views of the Albaicin neighborhood from the Alhambra.
Granada -Abril 2012-023
Partal palace found in the gardens
Granada -Abril 2012-024
The Wine door
Granada -Abril 2012-025
Alcazaba- the military fortress
Granada -Abril 2012-026
Views from the tower
Granada -Abril 2012-027
Snow capped Sierra Nevada and Granada below
Granada -Abril 2012-028
Leaving by the Door of Justice, Margo jumps to grab the key!
Granada -Abril 2012-029
Quick dinners and tapas: A traditional tavern in Granada
Granada -Abril 2012-030
Tasting Sacromonte omlet (with sheep brain). Only for the brave!
Granada -Abril 2012-031
Celebrating Madrid's victory over Barcelona soccer match
Granada -Abril 2012-032
Time to relax in a 21st c. hamman.
Granada -Abril 2012-033
Is it dark in there?
Granada -Abril 2012-034
Margo braves the cold water while...
Granada -Abril 2012-035
... the rest vote for the warm pool!
Granada -Abril 2012-036
Cartuja monastery: where the common rooms around the courtyard ...
Granada -Abril 2012-037
... contrast with the very, very baroque church
Granada -Abril 2012-038
The embelishment went over the top
Granada -Abril 2012-039
The Alhambra as we walk through the Albaicin to the Sacromonte caves
Granada -Abril 2012-040
Aditi and Ayesha frame the view of the Alhambra
Granada -Abril 2012-041
Paul and Jorge hang out in a cave house
Granada -Abril 2012-042
Marissa hugs a tree goodbye. It's so hard to leave Granada!
Food and wine
Food and wine 001
Going to the Wine school: Circulo de Vino Matritense
Food and wine 002
An enologist explains the process for making wine.
Food and wine 003
Students visit the wine cellar where wine is made.
Food and wine 004
Looking at soil and bottle samples
Food and wine 005
Observing the color and aroma...and this is only the beginning!
Food and wine 006
At least we hold our wine glasses correctly!
Food and wine 007
Sampling different wines and noting the characteristics of each.
Food and wine 008
Wine needs food, so let's learn how to cook eggs, cocido and sweets!
Food and wine 009
Gretta getting her hands dirty
Food and wine 010
I'm a mean egg beater!
Food and wine 011
Aditi sauteing
Food and wine 012
Use more muscle, Emily!
Food and wine 013
Rosquillas?
Food and wine 014
The nuances of cooking
Food and wine 015
Don't we look dashing?
Food and wine 016
Hmmm...are we missing something?
Food and wine 017
Rennie diligently working
Food and wine 018
Hey, we're cool! What's next?
Food and wine 019
Did I do this right???
Food and wine 020
Adam is a natural
Food and wine 021
The fine art of cracking an egg.
Food and wine 022
Ready to fry eggs!
Food and wine 023
Bending the teja cookies
Food and wine 024
Helas, the cocido is ready!
Segovia Spring 2012
Segovia Spr2012-001
Early morning at the Fuencisla to see the "Navio de piedra" (Alcazar)
Segovia Spr2012-002
San Justo: Why were the Romanesque paintings unfinished?
Segovia Spr2012-003
The Roman aqueduct: Which origen was true?
Segovia Spr2012-004
The Dead Woman mountain in the distance
Segovia Spr2012-005
A series of XV c. buildings, including the Casa de Picos.
Segovia Spr2012-006
Sirenes galore!
Segovia Spr2012-007
Meeting up for lunch at the gazebo (Plaza Mayor)
Segovia Spr2012-008
Hope and MJ framing the "Tuna" band and cathedral
Segovia Spr2012-009
Suckling pig, anyone?
Segovia Spr2012-010
We'll take some legs if you don't mind!
Segovia Spr2012-011
Molly, ready to enter the fairytale-like castle
Segovia Spr2012-012
I'll take this lad!
Segovia Spr2012-013
What could be more important than the throne?
Segovia Spr2012-014
Never mind...
Segovia Spr2012-015
Pow wow at the top of the tower
Segovia Spr2012-016
Overlooking Segovia from the castle tower.
Segovia Spr2012-017
Hola! Adios!
Segovia Spr2012-018
Walking through the Jewish quarters
Segovia Spr2012-019
Over the river and through the woods...
Segovia Spr2012-020
Jewish burial grounds in the pine forest.
Segovia Spr2012-021
Last views of Segovia...
Segovia Spr2012-022
PS: David, can you see the Dead Woman now?
Toledo2012
Toledo 2012-001
The panoramic view sets the tone of the day.
Toledo 2012-002
Aditi floats!
Toledo 2012-003
Group picture with lamp post shadow!
Toledo 2012-004
Zack tries to convince David to pose at Alfonso VI door
Toledo 2012-005
Emily and MJ at the Puerta del Sol
Toledo 2012-006
The mosque dating the year 1000.
Toledo 2012-007
Paloma is sooooo moved!
Toledo 2012-008
Paul says...I'm not getting near that! (Virgen de los Alfileritos: promises marriage)
Toledo 2012-009
Zocodover plaza.
Toledo 2012-010
It's time for marzapan!
Toledo 2012-011
The Toledo Cathedral
Toledo 2012-012
In the Cathedral (now what's so funny about that?)
Toledo 2012-013
Leaving the chapter room
Toledo 2012-014
At the steps of City Hall plaza, we wait for the group.
Toledo 2012-015
Meeting up for the afternoon tour to begin.
Toledo 2012-016
I want that! (Gretta watching the artisan create a damasquinado)
Toledo 2012-017
And now, to fight over the knight!
Toledo 2012-018
In the Synagoge "El Transito"
Toledo 2012-019
Taking a break in the sun
Toledo 2012-020
Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue
Toledo 2012-021
Walking through the San Juan de los Reyes cloister.
Toledo 2012-022
I got that picture!
Toledo 2012-023
Crossing the San Martin bridge.
Toledo 2012-024
A group goodbye
Toledo 2012-025
A promise to return soon to Toledo.
Traditional shops (Spring 2012)
Traditional shops-March2012-001
Following the group to see different shops
Traditional shops-March2012-002
So the Che bought his berret here?
Traditional shops-March2012-003
Traditional toys for Kat (Gee I guess she prefers a PSP!)
Traditional shops-March2012-004
Two bits and a haircut?
Traditional shops-March2012-005
About to enter the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin!
Traditional shops-March2012-006
Specialists in suckling pig baked in their oven dating back to 1725.
Traditional shops-March2012-007
Molly and Emily near the kitchen (not exactly a place for a vegetarian)
Traditional shops-March2012-008
Ayesha going down to the cellar
Traditional shops-March2012-009
The most popular dining room is in the XVIc cellar.
Traditional shops-March2012-010
Espadrils anyone?
Traditional shops-March2012-011
Since when are calamari sandwiches so funny?
Traditional shops-March2012-012
Rose pedal rosaries and lucky saints
Traditional shops-March2012-013
Madeleine is ready for a fancy night out in her shawl.
Traditional shops-March2012-014
Gretta is preparing for the bullfight in her mantilla.
Traditional shops-March2012-015
An incredible manton embroidered in China dating XVII-XVIII c.
Traditional shops-March2012-016
Trying the puff pastry at the oldest pastry shop in Madrid (El pozo)
Traditional shops-March2012-017
Paul and Margo: How dashing they look in their capes!
Traditional shops-March2012-018
Ending the tour with Granpa's wine and shrimp!
Informational panel
MHN: Informational Panel001
Kathleen and Carlos waiting for speakers to begin.
MHN: Informational Panel002
Ani presented the Madrid Hoya Network project sponsored by Chris Landon (a former program student)
MHN: Informational Panel003
Haizam Amirah, Kim DeBlauw and Ramon Esteruelas shared their career experiences.
MHN: Informational Panel004
Rennie aks about language learning
MHN: Informational Panel005
Margo asks about Kim's experience in Latin America
MHN: Informational Panel006
Antonio thanks speakers with a gift
MHN: Informational Panel007
During the cocktail, Haizam and Kat chat in arabic.
MHN: Informational Panel008
Networking (Hope, Molly and Eero)
MHN: Informational Panel009
Kim and Margo talk about the foreign service
MHN: Informational Panel010
MJ with Carmen and our infiltrated Columbia alumn!
MHN: Informational Panel011
Conversation was more important than food! A great and informative evening.
Extremadura 2012
Extremadura 2012 - 001
Merida: A Roman city, with it's bridge...
Extremadura 2012 - 002
...aqueducts, and more.
Extremadura 2012 - 003
Visiting the Roman ruins.
Extremadura 2012 - 004
The impressive amphitheater.
Extremadura 2012 - 006
Discussing animal (and children?) pits.
Extremadura 2012 - 007
Maddie before her big debut in the theater.
Extremadura 2012 - 008
Today's nose bleed section (which was not open to slaves, commoners and women-their section is missing.)
Extremadura 2012 - 009
Hope walks right on in.
Extremadura 2012 - 010
Dramatic stage gestures.
Extremadura 2012 - 011
MJ, the drama queen herself!
Extremadura 2012 - 012
Ben, go down and to the right.
Extremadura 2012 - 013
Carnaval "chirigota" group singing near the Roman Art Museum in Roman dress.
Extremadura 2012 - 014
A Roman sacrofagus....Marco prooves there was a skeleton.
Extremadura 2012 - 015
Emperor Zacharius (with and without arm)
Extremadura 2012 - 016
Chariot race mosaics
Extremadura 2012 - 017
The Roman Art Museum by arquitect Moneo.
Extremadura 2012 - 018
Caceres- An enchanted night visit through the XVI-XVIII walled city.
Extremadura 2012 - 019
Ani wills Paul to find love via Saint Peter's toes.
Extremadura 2012 - 020
Mutilated towers and defense systems.
Extremadura 2012 - 021
The Jesuit church that barely was.
Extremadura 2012 - 022
Before dinner, a night view of the walled city.
Extremadura 2012 - 023
The feast begins with typical coldcuts and cheese.
Extremadura 2012 - 024
Next morning: the Muslim water deposit
Extremadura 2012 - 025
Possibily a mosque at some point.
Extremadura 2012 - 026
Storks clatter on the towers during our daytime visit.
Extremadura 2012 - 027
Margo attempts the stork flight/dance in the Plaza Mayor.
Extremadura 2012 - 028
Trujillo, birthplace of many conquistadors, up ahead
Extremadura 2012 - 029
Group picture at the plaza under Pizarro
Extremadura 2012 - 030
A typical corner door and window
Extremadura 2012 - 031
The bell tower hides a soccer team logo
Extremadura 2012 - 032
Trujillo's fortress
Extremadura 2012 - 033
Marco, our guide, puts Ben to the test.
Extremadura 2012 - 034
On the walls of the fortress
Extremadura 2012 - 035
Charles, the thinker (let's hope no ideas start to ring)
Extremadura 2012 - 036
The group in one of the towers
Extremadura 2012 - 037
Zach looking wonder
Extremadura 2012 - 038
Students walking the walk
Extremadura 2012 - 039
Charles leaps to safety
Extremadura 2012 - 040
Leaving the keyhole to History for lunch
Extremadura 2012 - 041
Enjoying a final siesta under Trujillo's sun.
Spring orientation-Part2-
SprOrientation2012-Part II-001
After visiting two museums, we ended the week seeing a flamenco show
SprOrientation2012-Part II-002
and chilling out a bit.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-003
On Sunday, we battled the elements (snow) at el Escorial.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-004
Quick stiop for coffee before seeing the Monastery.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-005
Escorial monastery (XVIc) and it's FREEZING!
SprOrientation2012-Part II-006
Sorry, no pictures of the actual rooms, but we did slip the camera in the secrets room.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-007
The Kings courtyard.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-008
Perfect pose for the rainbow picture!
SprOrientation2012-Part II-009
Returning to Madrid we toured the city on the bus.
SprOrientation2012-Part II-010
From leaning towers, to stadiums and fountains and...
SprOrientation2012-Part II-011
...to the river and parks. We had an overview of the city before going home.
Orientation Spring 2012
Orientation Spring 2012-001
Welcome dinner for students and Spanish mentors. We enjoyed a variety of tapas...
Orientation Spring 2012-002
and waiting for dessert and the soccer game.
Orientation Spring 2012-003
Orientation means lots of meetings in both Comillas and UCM.
Orientation Spring 2012-004
Butit also tours and visits. We meet at the Puerta del Sol.
Orientation Spring 2012-005
Fernando explains the importance of the Plaza Mayor as it progressively gets colder.
Orientation Spring 2012-006
The Madrid cathedral is quite new.
Orientation Spring 2012-007
We're freezing at the Plaza de la Villa at the end of tour.
Orientation Spring 2012-008
The next day: more sunshine at the Plaza del Oriente.
Orientation Spring 2012-009
We visited 22 rooms of the Royal Palace. (Ben felt quite at home here)
Orientation Spring 2012-010
What is so interesting you ask?
Orientation Spring 2012-011
The views from the Palace overlooking the west side of Madrid: the Casa del Campo park.
Thanksgiving 2011
Thanksgiving 2011 -001
Ben gave the pre-blessing speech.
Thanksgiving 2011 -003
Students, mentors, alumni...
Thanksgiving 2011 -005
... Spanish families, staff,
Thanksgiving 2011 -004
...and an American mom awaited the turkey.
Thanksgiving 2011 -002
Yes! The turkey finally arrives!
Thanksgiving 2011 -006
And now...we wait for dessert! Happy Thanksgiving!
Madrid Hoya Network launch
MHN- Social event -001
Kathleen Hennessey (Consul General), Marithresa Frain (Vice-consul, CIEE), Ismael Gonzalez (GU Club President) and Ana Flys (Madrid program director)
MHN- Social event -002
A toastto the success of the initiative and to Chris Landon for his sponsorship.
MHN- Social event -003
GU Madrid program participants
MHN- Social event -004
GU Madrid program participants
MHN- Social event -005
Ismael Gonzalez and the Rennies (son and father)
MHN- Social event -006
Conversing with the Consul General
MHN- Social event -007
Former program participant (Don Burke) with program students
MHN- Social event -008
A mix of young alumni
MHN- Social event -009
Thank you all for attending!
Cordoba Fall 2011
cordobaF2011 (1).jpg
Yes! Our humble hostel has WIFI!!!
cordobaF2011 (2).jpg
Roman-American emperors
cordobaF2011 (5).jpg
Dancing while we wait for lunch (careful...waiter is coming!)
cordobaF2011 (7).jpg
Ben is still in dancing mode, even in the Great Mosque!
cordobaF2011 (8).jpg
Approaching the Macsura of the Xc mosque.
cordobaF2011 (12).jpg
Surprising Christian cathedral inside
cordobaF2011 (16).jpg
Christian kings castle
cordobaF2011 (18).jpg
Walking through the gardens
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Juan Habibi and his court
cordobaF2011 (22).jpg
Rennie found a friend
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Cordoba's Jewish quarters, birthplace of Maimonides.
cordobaF2011 (34).jpg
The Mozarabic chapel
cordobaF2011 (35).jpg
Check out the stonework on the roots!
cordobaF2011 (41).jpg
Cristo de los faroles found in a obscure plaza.
cordobaF2011 (48).jpg
Making water grow! (or playing in the fountains).
cordobaF2011 (56).jpg
Medinat Azahra: a palacial complex outside Cordoba.
cordobaF2011 (65).jpg
Xc. ruins of the palace.
cordobaF2011 (68).jpg
Embassadors would have entered through this gate.
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A typical Cordoba courtyard.
cordobaF2011 (78).jpg
Last views of this enchanting city.
Traditional shops F2011
Antiguos comercios F2011-001
Lhardy restaurant (1839) in the Oriental room
Antiguos comercios F2011-002
Helping oneself to a cup of broth in the deli
Antiguos comercios F2011-003
Everyone is "pigging out" at the Lhardy deli.
Antiguos comercios F2011-004
Do I look Spanish?
Antiguos comercios F2011-005
Casa Alberto (1827) the oldest tavern.
Campo Charro and Salamanca-October 2011
Salamanca 2011 -001
Our weekend visit starts at the famous Plaza Mayor.
Salamanca 2011 -002
Nightwalk to enjoy the beautifully lit monuments.
Salamanca 2011 -003
Campo Charro...that is, the farmlands around Salamanca.
Salamanca 2011 -004
Two landrovers take us through bumpy pastures...
Salamanca 2011 -005
...to see newborn fighting bulls (with skewed-horned mothers),
Salamanca 2011 -006
..horses,
Salamanca 2011 -007
and studs.
Salamanca 2011 -008
We saw new-born cow twins
Salamanca 2011 -009
and pastures full of young bulls, ready for the bullring.
Salamanca 2011 -010
Iberian pigs, famous for jamon (no, John is not one of them).
Salamanca 2011 -011
Afterwards we enjoyed selected cold cuts and tortilla.
Salamanca 2011 -013
At the walled city of Ciudad Rodrigo, we learned about fortresses and weapondry.
Salamanca 2011 -012
Yikes! Patrick, is studying this too seriously!
Salamanca 2011 -014
Then it was playtime!
Salamanca 2011 -015
Different centuries ended in battle...
Salamanca 2011 -016
...and Ani finally got to "kill a student"!
Salamanca 2011 -017
John works on his aim (with a not too hard of a target!!!)
Salamanca 2011 -018
Sitting on the city walls...
Salamanca 2011 -019
...we see the star-shapped defensive bastions.
Salamanca 2011 -020
Lunch time near the plaza mayor of Ciudad Rodrigo.
Salamanca 2011 -021
Final stop of the day: La Alberca
Salamanca 2011 -022
A small mountain town with a distinctive arquitecture.
Salamanca 2011 -023
Picture of a townsman (oh, and students too!)
Salamanca 2011 -024
Visiting a traditional home (now museum). Honey, can you hand me a pot?
Salamanca 2011 -025
La Alberca's rooftops
Salamanca 2011 -026
One of the many pantries
Salamanca 2011 -027
Our guide explained how he lived here as a child.
Salamanca 2011 -028
At the bottom floor, the stable, we enjoyed typical cookies.
Salamanca 2011 -029
The visit of Salamanca starts at the Roman bridge and stone "verraco"
Salamanca 2011 -030
Our guide, Fernando, explains the importance of St. Stephen monastery.
Salamanca 2011 -031
Visiting the cathedrals, Andrew finds an...Astronaut!
Salamanca 2011 -032
The old cathedral's alterpiece
Salamanca 2011 -033
Patrick prepares for his graduation exam!
Salamanca 2011 -034
The new cathedral
Salamanca 2011 -037
Going up to the top of the cathedrals!
Salamanca 2011 -038
Seeing the new cathedral from the clerestory
Salamanca 2011 -040
What goes up, must come down!
Salamanca 2011 -035
Salamanca's university and the story of the frog
Salamanca 2011 -036
Minor schools courtyard
Salamanca 2011 -041
The house of the shells
Salamanca 2011 -042
A final ice cream at Unamuno's "hangout", Novelty cafe.
Galicia Fall 2011
Galicia 2011
Land of octopus, "horreos" and bagpipes!
Galicia 2011-002
First time in a train sleepercar?
Galicia 2011-003
Madrid and Salamanca group in Santiago de Compostela.
Galicia 2011-004
A pilgrim shares with us his "Way of Saint James passport," a certificate verifying he walked it.
Galicia 2011-005
In the pilgrimmage museum we learned about the origin of the trail and the cathedral.
Galicia 2011-006
Afterwards we saw the 12th. c church inside.
Galicia 2011-007
Pedro managed to keep our attention on the cathedral and not the medieval market behind us!
Galicia 2011-008
Visiting the food market place, we see BARNACLES!
Galicia 2011-009
...and of course, local veggies, cheeses, meats and seafood.
Galicia 2011-010
Galician museum's triple winding staircase.
Galicia 2011-011
Sheena, do you trust Eric?
Galicia 2011-012
Alameda park with views of Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral.
Galicia 2011-013
Eric ran into some local friends!
Galicia 2011-014
An array of typical foods were served, including octopus!
Galicia 2011-015
A day trip to A Coruna and its coast.
Galicia 2011-016
Hercules tower: the only Roman lighthouse still in use!
Galicia 2011-017
Roman and medieval foundations of the tower. Watch your head!
Galicia 2011-018
Wasn't it supposed to be cold and windy up here?
Galicia 2011-019
Views from 50 meters up!
Galicia 2011-020
Coastline and beaches of A Coruña.
Galicia 2011-021
A goofy King Charles III with the Madrid gang
Galicia 2011-022
The fishing port (careful not to fall in or we WILL be fishing!)
Galicia 2011-023
Calendar gardens reminding us today is October 1, 2011.
Galicia 2011-024
On the comercial streets we encounter floating goatmen.
Galicia 2011-025
Juan finds an old buddy (Comic plaza)
Galicia 2011-026
Yahoo! Finally the beach!
Galicia 2011-027
And such a perfect day too!
Galicia 2011-028
In the evening, a bagpiper played local tunes
Galicia 2011-029
And a witch shared with us her brew.
Galicia 2011-030
Students participate making the "queimada"
Galicia 2011-031
..adding a touch of this and of that (bat wings anyone?)
Galicia 2011-032
Our MEIGA (a good witch) casts the CONXURO (spell) to ward off evil spirits.
Galicia 2011-033
A Galician version of the hokey-pokey to complete the pagan rite.
Galicia 2011-034
The community ritual is completed by blowing out the fire.
Galicia 2011-035
Our souls are warmed and the evil spirits have vanished.
Galicia 2011-036
Sunday, we visited the Rias Baixas and Rosalia de Castro's home.
Galicia 2011-037
Marina teaches us about Rosalia's poetry. Eric, about fashionable rural raingear.
Galicia 2011-038
Well..... who's gonna cook my dinner?
Galicia 2011-039
Andrew? Ha!
Galicia 2011-040
It's ok, we found plenty of food in the Sunday street market (in existence since medieval times!).
Galicia 2011-041
Octupus eateries feed merchants and visitors alike.
Galicia 2011-042
Marina and Ani (and Patrick) just couldn't pass it up!
Galicia 2011-043
Combarro at low tide.
Galicia 2011-049
A XVII-XVIII c village boasting over 30 "horreos" (grain siloes) along the waterfront.
Galicia 2011-044
Quaint streets with stone fishermen houses.
Galicia 2011-045
Crossroad cruceiros combine pagan-Christian beliefs.
Galicia 2011-046
And again food! Seafood paella and drinks out of white ceramic bowls.
Galicia 2011-047
As the Ria de Arousa tide comes in, it is time to leave...
Galicia 2011-048
Back at Santiago, we visit the cathedral again.
Galicia 2011-050
This time from the triforium and even higher!
Galicia 2011-051
Sunset glow on the granite rooftop.
Galicia 2011-052
Sitting and enjoying the views of Santiago.
Galicia 2011-053
As the evening dies, we bid good-bye to Galicia.
Local activities in Madrid
Second week -001
Local activities included a flamenco show (and the guys are ready to dance!)
Second week -002
Welcome UCM students....
Second week -003
...and the Spanish mentors!
Second week -004
Cibeles fountain, on the way to visit the Prado Museum.
Second week -005
Reina Sofía art museum offered us...
Second week -006
Picasso, Dali and Miró paintings to admire.
Second week -007
Bull fight
Second week -008
The "fiesta nacional" begins.
Second week -009
Two blond bulls actually threw bullfighters.
Second week -010
But yes, there were black bulls too.
Madrid-First week in Fall
Madrid-First week-001
At the Plaza de Oriente next to Felipe IV's statue.
Madrid-First week-002
After walking around old Madrid, we stop for some pinchos. Cheers to the semester!
Madrid-First week-003
We ended the first walking tour at the Plaza Mayor and Sol.
Madrid-First week-004
Second walking tour: The Royal Place (will it be as nice as our homestays?)
Madrid-First week-005
Plaza de España and the afamed Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.
Madrid-First week-006
An Egyptian temple in Madrid? (Debod Temple dating IIcBC)
Madrid-First week-007
Getting ready for a skyride
Madrid-First week-008
Corny elevator music and descriptions sounded in the cabins...
Madrid-First week-009
...as we enjoyed the views from above.
Madrid-First week-010
Confirmed: Madrid does have a river!
Madrid-First week-011
Getting off, we change the city for....
Madrid-First week-012
... a picnic at the Casa del Campo.
Madrid-First week-013
Some hiked their way back to the city...
Madrid-First week-014
...while others preferred to slide their way in!
Madrid-First week-016
After a short walk, we reached the lake.
Madrid-First week-015
Ready to head back home. What a day full of contrasts!
Segovia-Fall2011
Segovia-Fall 2011-001
The Alcazar of Segovia, and inspiration to Disney and to us!
Segovia-Fall 2011-002
The 2000 year old Roman aqueduct ...
Segovia-Fall 2011-003
....Or did the devil build it?
Segovia-Fall 2011-004
San Justo: a humble 12th c. Romanesque church with surprising mural paintings
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Juan Bravo...not just any "commoner" defying the king.
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Juan and the siren
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Corpus Cristi church was a sinagogue in the 14th c.
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The guys pose with the "dame" of Spanish cathedrals
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Walking through the cloisters of the cathedral.
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Do we dare try the suckling pig?
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Patrick and John did. And they were delicious!
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Finally, we reached the Alcazar.
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Impressive views of 13th c Romanesque church of Veracruz
The chaotic king and queen
King Enrique el Rubio and Queen Sheena
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Hanging out on the terrace
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Archmen, to your postions!
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152 steps? You've got to be kidding!
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Last views of Segovia from the Pine grove.