Buenos dias de los EEUU! (Hello from the USA!)
I am back safely after a VERY long day: we woke up at 7 am Spain time, and landed in Washington at 12:15 pm Spain time. Then I stayed up eating Chipotle and visiting with my family until almost 5 am Spain time. I actually don't feel that jet lagged or confused today, not sure why. Maybe it's because, as a college kid, I don't have too normal of a sleep schedule anyways...
I've really really missed my family, friends, dog, goddaughter, Chipotle, Starbucks, tv in English, fast internet, customer service, productivity, flip flops, free refills, Taco Bell, unlimited texting, houses with yards, and tons more, so I'm glad to be home...But now I miss my Spain friends, my madre, Solis (a sauce Cami and I put on EVERYTHING), drinking sangria at the pool, the Plaza Mayor, el Javi, siesta-ing, chocolate...It's very bittersweet!
Anyways, this is it for my blog...Stay tuned as Caitrin Does the Rest of the World, slowly but surely. Once I marry rich after getting engaged in Sevilla.
Besitos,
Caitrin
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Post final en Espana!
Fiesta de despedida
I love my companera de cuarto (roommate), Cami!
Drinking amazing sangria at the pool...this is the life!Buenos dias!
I just wanted to write one last post while I'm still here in beautiful Espana. Here are a few last minute fotos, too. And something I forgot to mention last post- I got paid WAY more than I expected for my time helping out with the kids at the high school. They told us 15 euros I think...and we got 100! It was in a gift card to El Corte Ingles, which is maybe like a really big Target back home, it literally has everything and it's 6 floors high! Finished up my shopping for gifts for people, and got myself a few things too.
Yesterday we had our little fiesta de despedida (goodbye party) and said adios to our friend Chelsea, which was really sad! Today we're going to walk around to take a few last minute pictures, and then hang out at la piscina (the pool) for a while. Tomorrow we are getting picked up by the bus to head to the Barajas airport in Madrid at 5:20...yikes! The few of us who are flying out Monday will probably stay with everyone else for a few hours while they wait on flights, then check into our hotel to sleep since we probably won't get any esta noche (tonight)!
I'm going to hate saying all these goodbyes...but can't wait to say some hellos! Nos vemos en los EEUU muy pronto (we'll see each other in the United States so soon)!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Debs :(
Que pasa, tios? (loose translation: what's happening, dudes? jaja, I learned some slang)
I haven't written much recently, because I've been so busy this week! My friends and I have been trying to squeeze in everything good we've done before and new stuff, too... plus we've been studying like crazy! Today I took my last exam and now I'm FREE! We've spent so many hours this week at the pool, we went to Valor for chocolate, we tried a new bakery, we discovered a new park to play cards in, and so much more! Tonight we're going to hang out by the river before we go out, which should be nice. Everything is ending so soon....hence the title: We call each other "Debs," as in Debby Downer, whenever someone mentions things ending, us heading home, or the "p word"...packing!
Not too much more to say right now, everything is just a blur but I'm having a great last week!
Besitos,
Caitrin
I haven't written much recently, because I've been so busy this week! My friends and I have been trying to squeeze in everything good we've done before and new stuff, too... plus we've been studying like crazy! Today I took my last exam and now I'm FREE! We've spent so many hours this week at the pool, we went to Valor for chocolate, we tried a new bakery, we discovered a new park to play cards in, and so much more! Tonight we're going to hang out by the river before we go out, which should be nice. Everything is ending so soon....hence the title: We call each other "Debs," as in Debby Downer, whenever someone mentions things ending, us heading home, or the "p word"...packing!
Not too much more to say right now, everything is just a blur but I'm having a great last week!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Anything but Miserables
Buenas noches!
Que extrano (how strange)- I will be on my way home a week from tomorrow! We're trying to plan out our whole week because there is SO much we still haven't done or we want to do again: a few new bars, going out dancing when the natives actually go (aka 3 or 4 am!), the other monastery, and of course Valor for chocolate y churros! Cami and I, who will be staying an extra day in Madrid next week, are looking into catching a bullfight on Sunday, too! I'll probably have to close my eyes when they kill the bull...but I'm glad I'll get a chance to go see it because it's a really big cultural experience here. Anyways on that note I should probably talk about what I actually did THIS weekend in Madrid!
The bus ride there was pretty short, and we went straight to El Museo del Prado. There are so many incredible famous paintings there- tons of stuff by El Greco, Goya, Picasso, and Velazquez. The most incredible to me was Las Meninas, by Velazquez- it is often noted as one of the best pieces of artwork ever made! Today, I got to see another- Guernica, by Picasso, at La Galeria de Arte de la Reina Sofia. Back to yesterday, though, we had some free time after the hotel so we went to get drinks at the Hard Rock, which was fun. We checked into the hotel and played some cards and ate lunch... I've gotten a few of my friends addicted to one of the Rhoads family's favorite card games, Oh Hell. Before dinner, we went to the Palacio Real, where all the Spanish kings until very recently lived, and where royal dinners, speeches, etc are still held. There were some incredible frescos on the ceilings there, and beautiful furniture and decorations, too. We went back to the hotel for dinner and then...we went to see Les Miserables!
The show was unbelievable. There is really no other word I can use here, I was in heaven! It was definitely one of my favorite things we've done this entire trip, but let's be serious, that's really no surprise, it's me we're talking about. Seeing it in Spanish didn't actually take from it at all. On the contrary, I thought it was so cool how the lyrics were able to still rhyme and still give off the same message in a different language. Of course the music was great- Fontaine (Cosette's mother) and Gavroche (the young boy who dies in the battle trying to get more ammunition) were especially well cast. Well clearly I could go on por siempre (forever) but I think you get the point- it was great! That night, a few of us hung out on the roof the hotel, it was a blast. :)
Today, we went to the Reina Sofia, like I said, and seeing Guernica and a few Dali paintings was pretty cool. Then we drove to El Escorial, a huge monastery about an hour north of Madrid dedicated to San Lorenzo (Saint Laurence). Saint Laurence was martyred on a grill, so the entire monastery complex is shaped like a grill, and the symbol kept popping up everywhere. I have to admit that I was a tiny bit bored there, but there were some cool things- tapestries, another El Greco and Velazquez painting each, a pretty chapel, and a bunch of royal tombs. We also had lunch and played more Oh Hell there...and now we're already back in Salamanca. So ends our last excursion!
Although I'm getting pretty sad about leaving...I can't wait to see you all. Right now especially I wish I could see my daddy. Happy father's day, daddy, te quiero! Actually...I don't want to write this paper right now, I think I'll go call him instead!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Que extrano (how strange)- I will be on my way home a week from tomorrow! We're trying to plan out our whole week because there is SO much we still haven't done or we want to do again: a few new bars, going out dancing when the natives actually go (aka 3 or 4 am!), the other monastery, and of course Valor for chocolate y churros! Cami and I, who will be staying an extra day in Madrid next week, are looking into catching a bullfight on Sunday, too! I'll probably have to close my eyes when they kill the bull...but I'm glad I'll get a chance to go see it because it's a really big cultural experience here. Anyways on that note I should probably talk about what I actually did THIS weekend in Madrid!
The bus ride there was pretty short, and we went straight to El Museo del Prado. There are so many incredible famous paintings there- tons of stuff by El Greco, Goya, Picasso, and Velazquez. The most incredible to me was Las Meninas, by Velazquez- it is often noted as one of the best pieces of artwork ever made! Today, I got to see another- Guernica, by Picasso, at La Galeria de Arte de la Reina Sofia. Back to yesterday, though, we had some free time after the hotel so we went to get drinks at the Hard Rock, which was fun. We checked into the hotel and played some cards and ate lunch... I've gotten a few of my friends addicted to one of the Rhoads family's favorite card games, Oh Hell. Before dinner, we went to the Palacio Real, where all the Spanish kings until very recently lived, and where royal dinners, speeches, etc are still held. There were some incredible frescos on the ceilings there, and beautiful furniture and decorations, too. We went back to the hotel for dinner and then...we went to see Les Miserables!
The show was unbelievable. There is really no other word I can use here, I was in heaven! It was definitely one of my favorite things we've done this entire trip, but let's be serious, that's really no surprise, it's me we're talking about. Seeing it in Spanish didn't actually take from it at all. On the contrary, I thought it was so cool how the lyrics were able to still rhyme and still give off the same message in a different language. Of course the music was great- Fontaine (Cosette's mother) and Gavroche (the young boy who dies in the battle trying to get more ammunition) were especially well cast. Well clearly I could go on por siempre (forever) but I think you get the point- it was great! That night, a few of us hung out on the roof the hotel, it was a blast. :)
Today, we went to the Reina Sofia, like I said, and seeing Guernica and a few Dali paintings was pretty cool. Then we drove to El Escorial, a huge monastery about an hour north of Madrid dedicated to San Lorenzo (Saint Laurence). Saint Laurence was martyred on a grill, so the entire monastery complex is shaped like a grill, and the symbol kept popping up everywhere. I have to admit that I was a tiny bit bored there, but there were some cool things- tapestries, another El Greco and Velazquez painting each, a pretty chapel, and a bunch of royal tombs. We also had lunch and played more Oh Hell there...and now we're already back in Salamanca. So ends our last excursion!
Although I'm getting pretty sad about leaving...I can't wait to see you all. Right now especially I wish I could see my daddy. Happy father's day, daddy, te quiero! Actually...I don't want to write this paper right now, I think I'll go call him instead!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Friday, June 17, 2011
Estudiando...?
With Chelsea and Jenn at the Teatro Romano del ano 8 BC
Where I'm getting engaged in Sevilla
La Mezquita/ Catedral de Cordoba
La Alhambra en Granada
Flamenco en GranadaQue tal, queridos?
Here are a few fotos de Andalucia since I haven't put them up yet...
It's been a relatively uneventful week, compared to the rest of them, thus the lack of posts! I worked harcore on my independent study paper and basically finished it, then spent yesterday and today studying for art. I went to a bar where a rock band was performing American songs and that was funny- the singer had a hilarious accent! He tried to sing 'Bad to the Bone' and the b-b-b-b-b-bad part had us in stitches. Spanish people are bad at distinguishing b's and v's anyways...in fact, the bar that hosted the band was called "Savor" when I'm sure what they meant was "Sabor," which means flavor. I see signs all the time saying vienbenidos, when the word is really spelled bienvenidos (welcome). So funny!
Anyways today we FINALLY got our test out of the way and then went bar hopping, which was a blast. We're going to try to actually play cards at El Javi tonight, assuming there are no more Italian boys to interfere..haha. We can't stay out too late though because we're leaving at 7:30 am for Madrid tomorrow! :)
Seria con vosotros en los EEUU muy pronto! (I'll be in the States with y'all so soon!)
Besitos,
Caitrin
Monday, June 13, 2011
Estoy enamorada (I'm in LOVE!)
Hola a todos!
Well, his name is Granada and the wedding is in the fall. No but really, I freaking love all of Andalucia and especially Granada (fun fact: Granada means pomegranate). It was absolutely gorgeous, and very different from Salamanca and Barcelona! There's a lot of Arabic influence, like I said, a different (warmer!) climate, and a different culture in general. Allow me to explain the whole weekend...this may (read: will) take a while.
So we left bright and early on Friday and got to Granada in the midafternoon. We checked into the hotel, which was the coolest one we've stayed in yet! It had a beautiful pool and gardens out back, so we all hung out there for a while and ate lunch. Then, we went to go see La Capilla Real (The Royal Chapel) where the famed Fernando e Isabella, who funded Columbus' journey to the Americas and started the Inquisition, are buried. There is also their oldest daughter, Juana la Loca (the crazy one) and her husband, Felipe II. Felipe II ruled for his wife since she was crazy, and was already the German king, so he was one of the most powerful men who ever lived, ruling Spain, Portugal, Germany, basically all of the Americas, and many holdings in Asia/ Oceania as well. The Phillipines are named after him, for example! Anyways seeing their tombs was pretty darn cool! Next, we went across the street to Granada's Catedral. Gorgeous as always, but not too much unique about it as far as cathedrals go.
That night, we went to a delicious tapas bar and watched live flamenco and Spanish guitar and singing. They were phenomenal! I don't understand how they clap so hard or make their feet stamp so quickly...it was giving ME a work out just watching them, jaja. After this, we walked around the city by night and got a great view of the Alhambra all lit up. Como he dicho (like I said) I was completely enamorada!
We got to actually go see the Alhambra the next morning. It's a huge palace and garden complex where the royal family used to live. Even before that, it was a Muslim palace when the Moors were in Spain. Granada was the last city to fall (in 1492), so it has the most influence. The gardens were absolutely gorgeous, as were the fountains throughout. None of them use a motor- they rely completely on gravity, and continue to work hundreds of years later! Water is a very important Muslim symbol for space. Also, El Generalife (a cooler summer home) and El Palacio de Carlos V were pretty cool.
We hopped on the bus and left my beloved Granada for Cordoba. First, we went to see the famous Mezquita (mosque) de Cordoba, which is now a Catedral. It is enormous! The random change in architecture for the Catedral is really interesting, too. Afterwards, we checked in to the hotel and just relaxed until dinner at an Italian restuaurant that I didn´t really like and then a short walk around the city. A few of us bought some vino (wine) and had a fun night playing games and such.
In the morning, we were off again for Sevilla! Los Reales Alcazares de Sevilla, a palaca complex with beautiful gardens where the Spanish royal family still stays occasionally, was very cool. We got perdidas (lost) in a hedge maze! After tapas and sangria for lunch, we went to La Catedral de Sevilla, where I had to present to the group for my art class so I can tell you all about it! It is the biggest Gothic catedral in the world, and the 3rd biggest catedral in general in the world. There are two important tombs there: El Rey Fernando III, who is also San Fernando, and (get ready to freak out, all my KoC friends) Christopher Columbus! Pretty neat. We also got to see the most adorable square I´ve ever seen in my life, complete with a little lazy river running around it with little rowboats, horse drawn carriage rides, and a romantic fountain. Just so everyone knows....I´m going to get engaged there. Jaja. Dinner that night was in our hotel, and then we went to find wine again and had a ¨hot tub party¨ in our bathtub. It was a blast!
Finally, yesterday we went to Merida, a city with strong Roman presence. We got to see the teatro y anfiteatro (theatre and amphitheatre) from the year 8 BC! It was actually in pretty good condition in some places, amazingly. We had lunch and did some shopping, then got back on the bus and got back to Salamanca just in time for dinner with Escoli. We went to El Javi for a while, and then walked around in a more authentic if slightly more sketchy Spanish bar area for a while.
Today, I haven´t gotten much accomplished...Those papers really need to happen pronto(soon)! Off to find a smoothie bar that this guy I met from UConn told me about before class! Oh and on a random note I heard a rumor that in Madrid this weekend we´re going to see Les Miserables! Sooooo excited!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Well, his name is Granada and the wedding is in the fall. No but really, I freaking love all of Andalucia and especially Granada (fun fact: Granada means pomegranate). It was absolutely gorgeous, and very different from Salamanca and Barcelona! There's a lot of Arabic influence, like I said, a different (warmer!) climate, and a different culture in general. Allow me to explain the whole weekend...this may (read: will) take a while.
So we left bright and early on Friday and got to Granada in the midafternoon. We checked into the hotel, which was the coolest one we've stayed in yet! It had a beautiful pool and gardens out back, so we all hung out there for a while and ate lunch. Then, we went to go see La Capilla Real (The Royal Chapel) where the famed Fernando e Isabella, who funded Columbus' journey to the Americas and started the Inquisition, are buried. There is also their oldest daughter, Juana la Loca (the crazy one) and her husband, Felipe II. Felipe II ruled for his wife since she was crazy, and was already the German king, so he was one of the most powerful men who ever lived, ruling Spain, Portugal, Germany, basically all of the Americas, and many holdings in Asia/ Oceania as well. The Phillipines are named after him, for example! Anyways seeing their tombs was pretty darn cool! Next, we went across the street to Granada's Catedral. Gorgeous as always, but not too much unique about it as far as cathedrals go.
That night, we went to a delicious tapas bar and watched live flamenco and Spanish guitar and singing. They were phenomenal! I don't understand how they clap so hard or make their feet stamp so quickly...it was giving ME a work out just watching them, jaja. After this, we walked around the city by night and got a great view of the Alhambra all lit up. Como he dicho (like I said) I was completely enamorada!
We got to actually go see the Alhambra the next morning. It's a huge palace and garden complex where the royal family used to live. Even before that, it was a Muslim palace when the Moors were in Spain. Granada was the last city to fall (in 1492), so it has the most influence. The gardens were absolutely gorgeous, as were the fountains throughout. None of them use a motor- they rely completely on gravity, and continue to work hundreds of years later! Water is a very important Muslim symbol for space. Also, El Generalife (a cooler summer home) and El Palacio de Carlos V were pretty cool.
We hopped on the bus and left my beloved Granada for Cordoba. First, we went to see the famous Mezquita (mosque) de Cordoba, which is now a Catedral. It is enormous! The random change in architecture for the Catedral is really interesting, too. Afterwards, we checked in to the hotel and just relaxed until dinner at an Italian restuaurant that I didn´t really like and then a short walk around the city. A few of us bought some vino (wine) and had a fun night playing games and such.
In the morning, we were off again for Sevilla! Los Reales Alcazares de Sevilla, a palaca complex with beautiful gardens where the Spanish royal family still stays occasionally, was very cool. We got perdidas (lost) in a hedge maze! After tapas and sangria for lunch, we went to La Catedral de Sevilla, where I had to present to the group for my art class so I can tell you all about it! It is the biggest Gothic catedral in the world, and the 3rd biggest catedral in general in the world. There are two important tombs there: El Rey Fernando III, who is also San Fernando, and (get ready to freak out, all my KoC friends) Christopher Columbus! Pretty neat. We also got to see the most adorable square I´ve ever seen in my life, complete with a little lazy river running around it with little rowboats, horse drawn carriage rides, and a romantic fountain. Just so everyone knows....I´m going to get engaged there. Jaja. Dinner that night was in our hotel, and then we went to find wine again and had a ¨hot tub party¨ in our bathtub. It was a blast!
Finally, yesterday we went to Merida, a city with strong Roman presence. We got to see the teatro y anfiteatro (theatre and amphitheatre) from the year 8 BC! It was actually in pretty good condition in some places, amazingly. We had lunch and did some shopping, then got back on the bus and got back to Salamanca just in time for dinner with Escoli. We went to El Javi for a while, and then walked around in a more authentic if slightly more sketchy Spanish bar area for a while.
Today, I haven´t gotten much accomplished...Those papers really need to happen pronto(soon)! Off to find a smoothie bar that this guy I met from UConn told me about before class! Oh and on a random note I heard a rumor that in Madrid this weekend we´re going to see Les Miserables! Sooooo excited!
Besitos,
Caitrin
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Adios, Motherfunkers
Buenas noches!
The title of this post if perfect because a) it is the name of the fabulous band we saw perform tonight, and b) I'm getting the heck out of here and going to Andalucia in like 5 hours! Hmm maybe I should sleep...especially because I stayed out until 5 am again last night! Let me explain. We met up with the Italian guys again, and I spent all night talking and dancing with a really nice guy named Sergio. It was really fun, and again I got to practice my Spanish a lot! Also, he and his friends knew where some more legit Spanish bars were, not just the American ones we always hit up, so that was nice!
Today, I was super busy so I couldn't siesta, either. I am trying to do a lot of work that's due once I get back. After art, we had another mandatory cultural activity, which was another FACYL event. It was nearly as weird as the French ballet, which amazes me. Basically a British theatre group danced around really badly and made dumb jokes in high pitched voices. It was one of those shows where the humor is supposed to be in how bad it is/ how you can't believe what you're watching...But it was just awful. I usually like British humor, but this was not British humor. Anyways after that we went to another really good FACYl event: un concierto de rock (a rock concert) by Adios Motherfunkers. It was a blast! The only other really good FACYL event we've seen was last night, when a group of really awesome African gymnasts/ break dancers/ acrobats set up a stage in the middle of the Plaza Mayor. It was really cool!
Anyways, like I said I have to get up at 6:15 to leave for Andalucia... Blech! Haven't seen that hour since senior year of high school... Hope you all have great weekends!
Besitos,
Caitrin
The title of this post if perfect because a) it is the name of the fabulous band we saw perform tonight, and b) I'm getting the heck out of here and going to Andalucia in like 5 hours! Hmm maybe I should sleep...especially because I stayed out until 5 am again last night! Let me explain. We met up with the Italian guys again, and I spent all night talking and dancing with a really nice guy named Sergio. It was really fun, and again I got to practice my Spanish a lot! Also, he and his friends knew where some more legit Spanish bars were, not just the American ones we always hit up, so that was nice!
Today, I was super busy so I couldn't siesta, either. I am trying to do a lot of work that's due once I get back. After art, we had another mandatory cultural activity, which was another FACYL event. It was nearly as weird as the French ballet, which amazes me. Basically a British theatre group danced around really badly and made dumb jokes in high pitched voices. It was one of those shows where the humor is supposed to be in how bad it is/ how you can't believe what you're watching...But it was just awful. I usually like British humor, but this was not British humor. Anyways after that we went to another really good FACYl event: un concierto de rock (a rock concert) by Adios Motherfunkers. It was a blast! The only other really good FACYL event we've seen was last night, when a group of really awesome African gymnasts/ break dancers/ acrobats set up a stage in the middle of the Plaza Mayor. It was really cool!
Anyways, like I said I have to get up at 6:15 to leave for Andalucia... Blech! Haven't seen that hour since senior year of high school... Hope you all have great weekends!
Besitos,
Caitrin
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