Journal Updates & Photographs from Spain

1/27/2014

Check the "Comments" below for regular updates from Adi, currently living in Spain. As she makes pictures available they will be posted for us to follow her time abroad.

Pictures of Madrid & it's environs

Las Meninas by Diego Vazquez (above) El Prado Museum (below)

Below: Cordoba

Toledo (above) Plaza de Cibeles (below)

On the left: Alcala de Henares

Above: Segovia
On the Left Granada & The Alhambra

54 Comments

Adi

1/28/2014 07:25:26 pm

As y'all know I've been here for 2 weeks already, so my first post will be fairly long. We're staying in the town, Alcala De Henares, Madrid. They have some sweet playgrounds here. It's also where Christopher Columbus had his first meeting with Queen Elizabeth of Spain to fund his voyage to discover America. My dad is working at the University of Alcala, which is the first built university campus. Some very important people who attended this university include, Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo y Villegas, Pedro Calderon de la Barca, and Tirso de Molina among others. Also, here at the university, every year the king Juan Carlos gives the Cervantes prize of Spanish literature to a famous writer.
My siblings and I are volunteers at the university teaching young children to learn english.

We took a tour of Madrid and we saw some riots right outside the train station. We were very close and it was sort of scary seeing all the police standing around. We visited the Puerta de alcala, the Plaza de Cibeles,and El Prado museum. They say it has the world's best collection of paintings. One of the paintings that I really liked is called, Las Meninas by Velazquez. He along with Goya are some of the best artists in the renaissance time period.They also have several paintings from Tiziano, El Greco, Bosch, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. While there, we saw some art students painting copies of the some of the paintings, and they were very good! Sadly, we weren't allowed to take pictures there.

We also visited a town called Toledo. This year they are celebrating El Greco's 400th aniversary of his death. He was a painter who died in Toledo. Another cool thing they have there is Toledo's cathedral, The Primate Cathedral of St. Mary of Toledo, which took 200 years to build and 500 years to decorate. It was very pretty. Toledo is also known for their steel work, so they make lots of cool swords there. My family looked around to see where the best place to buy a sword would be, and we found an Uruguayan who gave us a big discount ( those of you who don't know, my mom is from Uruguay). There we got some cool souvenirs.

Other than that, we've stayed mostly at home, though we are going to go visit Avila, Salamanca, Toro and Tordesillas in a few days. I really miss you all and hope you're all having a great time in Utah!

Adi

2/2/2014 06:12:09 pm

Sorry, in the first paragraph I meant to write queen Isabel and King Ferdinand. I am well aware that queen Elizabeth is the queen of England. My mom and I were talking and I cannot multitask.

Mrs. Ness

2/3/2014 04:36:53 am

Dear Adi,
Keep those notes and photographs coming. We are following along in class, and look forward to reading your new post. Que lo vaya bien!
Mrs. Ness

Ellie:)

2/6/2014 06:53:03 am

Adi!!!!!! I miss u soooo much!!! U r doing a lot of really cool stuff! It sounds like so much fun! It is fun to hear from u!!! So keep giving us updates! ;)

Ellie:)

2/6/2014 06:54:11 am

Also those r some really cool pics!!!!!

adri ;) link

3/25/2014 07:28:47 am

ADI! I MISS U SOOOOO MUCH!

Normandy Labrum

2/6/2014 08:04:14 am

Adi I love you so much. I hope you are still enjoying Spain. I miss you. Keep having a great time. "ROPER"

Normandy Labrum

1/29/2014 12:52:07 am

Christian Says, "ROPER." I miss you soooooo much. I hope your having fun in Spain. How is sit.

Christian Taylor

1/29/2014 01:01:31 am

"ROPER"

Adi

2/2/2014 06:13:38 pm

I don't think you should be allowed to say that to me because i'm totally over it!

Christian Taylor

2/3/2014 07:32:31 am

Totally?

"ROPER"

adri;) link

3/25/2014 07:30:10 am

r u really?

Jordan link

1/29/2014 06:27:09 am

Nice to hear from you!

Jordan link

1/29/2014 06:27:30 am

"ROPER"

Jordan

2/4/2014 03:02:08 am

What the heck does roper mean?

Adi

2/9/2014 02:42:34 am

Nothing. Don't worry about it.

Adi

2/9/2014 02:34:51 am

Sorry about the delay, I've been meaning to post something but we were on a week long trip visiting Merida, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Ubila. I've got a lot to say about all those places and I can't remember everything. Also I'm in the middle of making cookies so this post will probably be a jumble of lots of different thoughts and fun facts. I promise I'll go back and clarify anything that doesn't make sense. Just let me know what you don't get.

In Sevilla, a student and I rented some bikes and had an AMAZING time adventuring and getting super super lost. We went to a cathedral there and saw the case where Christopher Columbus' bones are. The same thing Ms. Ness showed us in class. It was way cool! We also went to the Plaza de Espana. It was way pretty and super colorful. There were also a TON of gypsies. If any of you ever go to Spain, here's a tip, do NOT take the twigs they shove at you! If you do they won't take it back and you'll have to pay mucho dinero! (Lots of Money)

One of my favorite things was a cathedral in Cordoba. It was called La Mesquita. It used to be Muslim so it was decorated with lots of bright colors and it looked like a candy cane. It was sweet! (See what I did there?) Then it became catholic. So it's pretty different from any other cathedral I saw before. I'll try to find some of the pictures we took so Ms. Ness can post them.

I think I've got to go now but I'll finish later! Miss you!

Adi

2/9/2014 02:44:15 am

Oh, btw, If any of you have Facebook pictures of my adventures are being posted every day. But I'll be sure to Send them to Ms. Ness for those of you who don't.

Amelia Morgan

2/12/2014 04:37:34 am

what's with the twigs?

Jordan

2/9/2014 12:10:04 pm

Nice... mental note. Do not accept Twigs from gypsies... Does that include people that I think are gypsies? Just asking a random question.

Adi

2/9/2014 05:57:48 pm

If they are shoving twigs in your face, yes.

Jordan

2/10/2014 05:37:31 am

This begs the question. Why are the shoving twigs in your face? To fulfill some great prophecy "And there shall come a day when people shall shove small sticks into others faces," Or is it just for money? Just asking another useless question

Mrs. Ness

2/13/2014 12:15:59 am

Adi,
I had a similar experience with some Gypsy women outside of Granada, following my time there I researched the tradition, and thought you might be interested in finding out we are not alone. The article posted below, by the travel writer, Renae Lyndsay gives a good insight to the practice:

The Curse of the Gypsy Sevillana
Learning lessons from the gypsies in Spain

Sevilla, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, while walking around El Alcazar and admiring thick walls built five hundred years ago, a woman came up to me and offered me a twig. I had no idea why she was giving me a weed.

She said it was the new year and was wishing me the best year of my life. I thanked her with a smile, put the twig in my pocket and started to walk. She followed me trying to grab my hand to read my palm.

By then I was wise with the ways of the gypsy women so I hung on tight to my little purse tucked into my breasts and said "No, thank you." She didn't listen, she continued to follow me as I quickened my pace. She wanted coin for the twig, it was a special branch from a sacred tree that would bring all my desires and dreams to reality. Duh!

However, I wasn't about to open my purse to look for a coin. My next "thank you" was a firm one as I started to walk faster.

I walked over 300 miles in 2007 at 8 different events of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. If there's one thing I know how to do is walk, and at any pace I want. This time I knew I would leave the insistent gypsy way behind me, not to ever bother me again.

The next day I wanted to visit the most famous church in Sevilla. La Macarena. Yup! the one of the song. Except in Spain La Macarena is not a song, but the Mother of God herself. The Macarena church is located near the Muralla or ancient wall built to protect the city in the 11th Century. Just as I was about to enter the church, a woman handed me another twig and grabbed my hand to yet again read my palm.

I was only interested in donating my coins to the Macarena, thanking her for letting me into her sanctuary, not to some gypsy woman who believes she knows my future. However, when I turned and looked, I saw the same woman who had accosted me the day before. We immediately recognized each other. I smiled and went on my way muttering something about having enough twigs in my pockets already. When she saw me walking away from her quickly, so she wouldn't have a chance to catch me she yelled something in Spanish that made my blood curdle. I don't quite remember it now, but it had something to do with my health and how I would suffer for the rest of my life, unless of course, I would be willing to give her a donation, in which case she would reverse the curse.

I laughed and went into the church. I knew I would be safe there from any bad vibes of the gypsy woman. The sacred virgin would protect me. She had been doing that for over two centuries.

My trip ended in early January. However, as soon as I touched my homeland I got a horrible cough. The very next day I had fever, sore throat and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. What luck!

Unfortunately 3 weeks later I was still reeling from my illness and to add insult to injury I got food poisoning. The curse of the gypsy had come true. Can it be possible that gypsy woman could actually make me sick?

I'm fine now thank God (or the Macarena, whomever wants to take credit) but I think I should have emptied my pockets of the weeds of the gypsy woman whom I met twice in the streets of Sevilla.

I spent a total of 34 days in Spain, visited 10 cities, had my credit cards stolen, partied like it was 1999 and got the curse of the gypsy.

Never be a tourist, always be a traveler.

Renae Lindsay
Adventure Travel Writer

Adi

2/9/2014 07:42:12 pm

To continue, in Granada, we visited a place called the Alhambra. It was known for its Islamic architecture. It looked way cool! It was a palace, and we took a tour there. My favorite part were the gardens. I also learned that since only rich people got water, it made you pretty important to have fountains in your house. Also, to go along with that, the best gift you could give to a person was water, so the rich people had bowls of water outside there house that the poor people could drink. The Alhambra was pretty destroyed, but they had one remaining door left. It used to be full of vibrant colors, but it faded. Either way, the designs of the door were really pretty.

The last place we visited on this trip is Ubeda. I spelled it wrong in the previous post. It is full of olive trees and is said to make some of the best olive oil in the world. So we got some. We didn't do to much there since it was rainy and cold but, on the drive up there we could see tons and tons of olive trees and it was super pretty!

Anyway I'll try to do a better job posting, though when we go on trips its sort of difficult to find internet. I miss you all so much and hope you are having a blast back home!

Adi

2/10/2014 05:10:52 am

Here is some more info on the Alhambra. It is Spain's most popular attraction. Because of its intricate Moorish designs in the courtyards, gardens and royal chambers. The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs. It was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 and then renovated and rebuilt in the mid 11th century by the Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar. Granada used to be a Muslim city, and The Alhambra was used as a city. Then Spain won that area, and now its a part of Spain! Yay!

Amelia Morgan

2/12/2014 04:39:43 am

that sounds really cool!

Jordan

2/15/2014 02:43:08 am

I agree! YAY!

Mrs. Ness

3/19/2014 06:28:46 am

Adi,
I too loved the Alhambra. If you have free time you should look up Washington Irving's (of Headless Horseman fame) "Tales of the Alhambra". Years ago my husband I and picked up a copy and read the book while travelling around Spain. Like all good historical fiction it will translate you to the past. I'm delighted you are having the opportunity to see so much of the world. What a blessing for you! Enjoy!

Adi

2/16/2014 06:40:24 pm

On Friday (Valentine's!), I visited this place called Segovia. It was probably one of the best places I've been. It had this incredible aqueduct. It was built in the 1st century. And is still completely in tact. The most incredible bit, for me, was that it doesn't have anything in between the stones. It is just stones on top of each other. We also saw this beautiful castle. It was what inspired one of the castles in a Disney movie. I can't remember which right at this second but, I'll write some more facts later, when I can ask my mom for help.

Ike

2/19/2014 12:48:17 am

ROPER :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Adi

2/19/2014 05:37:15 pm

As I mentioned before, I don't think you should be able to say that anymore. I am totally and completely Over it. Get it in your heads. Also your smiley face has like, 50 double chins...

Jordan link

3/12/2014 12:57:35 pm

Oh, you must not have liked Ike's little self portrait.. :)

Adi

2/23/2014 05:52:04 pm

So, lately I've just been sitting around at home. Not very interesting. Though we are doing a bunch of traveling this week. So just a heads up, sometime next week you guys will be learning about Portugal. We're leaving on Thursday. So don't be expecting anything from me until later. I miss you all so much, and thanks for all the comments I get. They all make me smile!

Adi

3/2/2014 06:46:01 pm

I've just returned from my family trip to Portugal, Gibralter and Morocco. These places were a bit different because I don't speak the languages. In Portugal we visited Lisbon. It looked a lot like Rio De Janeiro, the way the houses were all along the hills. We had quite the workout getting up and down those hills. On top of a hill we saw this pretty castle, so we went up there to check it out. It was called Sao Jorge castle. Also, they have some pretty interesting Fanta flavors. Pineapple and pomegranate. Two different flavors, of course. Pineapple tasted better in my opinion.

Gibralter is this cool, little area that belongs to England. It felt nice to hear English again. We sort of just walked around and explored. So I don't know a ton of info about this place.

Then we took a tour of Morocco, which is in Africa. It didn't really strike me as Africa. It looked a lot how I pictured India. Funny enough, all the people shoving random stuff at me just happened to speak English. It was a lot of fun and the rugs they make are absolutely incredible. We also ate at this fancy shmancy restaurant there. I'm not quite sure what it was that I ate, but it was good!

Amaya

3/5/2014 12:29:57 am

ADI!! I think it's so funny that people keep saying ROPER! so I'll just say HORAN!!

Christian

3/8/2014 06:39:45 am

um. ROPER HORAN!!

Adi

3/9/2014 04:29:47 am

and umm... Roper Horan is sort of better I guess.....

Adi

3/9/2014 04:28:55 am

Horan is sooooo much better! Thank you!

Niall Horan

3/10/2014 06:01:43 am

Adi

3/11/2014 08:00:38 pm

Hahaha, very funny. Thanks, though. But....who was that???

Harry Styles

3/12/2014 03:09:29 am

It was really me. Sorry for tricking you.

Adi

3/11/2014 07:59:01 pm

I was in Barcelona a couple days ago, and I wrote this big, long thing to share with y'all, but somebody closed the tab and it didn't save, so I'm gonna try to do this quick but informative. Also, I can't remember everything.
Barcelona was an experience for all of us because the language spoken there is neither English nor Spanish. So I didn't know what anyone was saying. They speak Catalan. It sounded sort of similar to Portuguese, but maybe that's just me. We were there for 2 days.
Our first day in Barcelona started with a tour. During that, we saw La Sagrada Familia. A very interesting-looking cathedral. I'm using interesting in the best possible way. It just looked like nothing I've ever seen before. After our tour, we had free time to just wander. We found ourselves a cute little garden with a lake in the middle. By little I mean pretty darn big. They wad boat rides on the lake, so we got to ride boats! Yay!!
Our next day started with (can you guess?) A tour!! The first place we visited was Parc Guell. It's a SUPER pretty, colorful, park. One of the most important parks in Barcelona. It was designed by Antonio Gaudi. It sort of reminded me of the bug's world in Disneyland. It was a magical place. Gaudi is an artist from Barcelona. Another artist we saw lots of, was Picasso. He lived Barcelona when he was younger. There is a museum of his work there. So we visited it and during the middle of our tour, the lights tuned off. So we had to go into this dark hallway and just sit there. Bored with nothing to do, or see, for like 15-20 minutes. Fuuuuun! *sarcasm* After that was free time! Woot! We went to this market where I got some ice cream (because the weather is finally warm enough for that), and then headed off to the beach. It was a good day.
Anyway, thanks for reading all that. And sorry it was so late. Also thanks for commenting! Some of them are real funny!

Adi

3/16/2014 12:18:35 am

and I had quite a few spelling and language errors in that, so apology...

Adi

3/16/2014 06:37:59 pm

Just real quick announcement that I'll be home in a little under a month. Exciting, huh?

christian

3/18/2014 12:51:01 pm

hooray!

Cindy Parrish Ness

3/19/2014 06:30:56 am

Exciting for us- yes; however I fear it will be a bit of a let down for you!

Jordan Bennion link

3/22/2014 06:14:52 am

Lucky you were gone when you were. We had a MASSIVE project to do. We all have to teach for 25-30 min. You get to just sit and enjoy the Spain. You timed your return perfectly. Bravo.

Adi

3/20/2014 02:22:07 am

Yesterday was spent at Valencia. We visited for an annual celebration/festival called Las Fallas. Basically people create these MASSIVE puppet statues and then once it's dark, you watch as the are burned. We stayed until a little past 2 am, then took a 4 hour long bus ride to Alcala. I really am horrible at sleeping on busses, so I didn't sleep until 6am. So I stayed up all night! ( See what I did there??) So to make up for that, I slept until 2pm. So my day has gone to waste. Anyway, it was way cool. We watched 2 little ones burn and 1 big one.
Well, that's all for now. I can't wait to come home! See y'all in April!

Adi

3/24/2014 07:52:06 pm

Unfortunately, we've just about finished our Spain traveling. So I won't be updating for a while. But, we are going to see the Lion King tomorrow. So....I'm exited. And after that, we'll have a week to travel around Italy. Then I'll be home!!

Adi

3/25/2014 06:46:32 pm

So I've recently discovered that, along with the Lion King, we're also going to a museum with an exhibit on Pixar. Freak!! I'm so excited!

Jordan

4/1/2014 07:39:18 am

When are you going to be back?

Adi

4/10/2014 07:19:39 pm

Well, I am pleased to announce that I will be coming home TOMORROW!!! So I'll be at school on Monday. As much as I'll miss it here, It'll be real nice to be home again.

Mrs. Ness

4/11/2014 01:06:51 am

Can't wait to see you.... fly safely!

ROPER

4/29/2014 01:27:35 pm

I'm pretty sure you're not over me.. And this is Brendan Roper btw xD

Journal Updates & Photographs from Spain

Pictures of Madrid & it's environs

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Adriana Madden