Day 15: Back Home! Dear Classmates,

After a long flight and two airports later I have finally arrived in my beautiful of city of San Antonio, Texas. I've never been so fond of my city since I arrived in Spain, don’t get me wrong, Spain is a beautiful country however, there’s no place like home. This trip has been an amazing experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Spain indeed opened my eyes to the rest of the world but at the same time made me appreciate my home and life back in the United States.

To my peers who also had this great opportunity,

It's been my pleasure and an honor to have shared this experience with you. We were forced to bond so quickly for we were all we had. I know we all had are ups and downs and didn’t always get along with each other but life isn’t always perfect. You were all such good friends to me and I will remember you all forever. Good luck in the future and may God bless you all always. Thanks for the Memories.

Love, Gerardo

Day 14: Madrid and Moors Influence in Spain

I'm back in Spain and ready to finish off the rest of my tour. I feel as if I already know this city since I was here the first two days of my trip.

On the bus ride from Seville to Madrid I have to chance to realize how much of an impact the Moors had on Spain. The Moorish culture brought some amazing art work and most of all the architecture of their buildings. The Cathedral in Cordoba was an excellent example of the Moorish culture. This Cathedral is now owned by the Christians who defeated the Moors in the conquest of Spain. Inside this marvelous structure are beautiful arched columns which are painted red and white with high ceilings.

While I was in Granada we also saw some Moorish influence at the Alhambra. This palace had beautiful gardens and the most exquisite tile work I have ever seen. The Moors seemed to be very smart peaceful people with great ideas and who were always ahead of there times.

Madrid!! Glad to be back! I can't believe our tour in winding down. I'm so ready to take this town by its horns and have the time of my life. Today we arrived in Principe Pio (west Madrid) which is a great location to be in especially since its our last week. Euro Pride starts this weekend and it has been one thing I’ve been looking for the whole trip. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Day 13: Costa del Sol ands the Beach

Wow! What an amazing city, and with a beautiful beach to top it off. Costa del Sol is by far one of the best places I’ve seen in my lifetime especially with its scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Today was awesome, we finally had free time which of course, I spent at the beach and boy was it hot! I was amazed how different the beach was compared to our beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. The sand was hot and got in every crevice on your body. The water was cold and gave you chills all the way down your spine. The rocks that lined the shore were jagged and covered in a thin layer of green algae. The beach as lined with hundreds on cabanas which were filled with people from all over the world. The sky was as blue and the hope diamond with not a cloud in site.

I laid on the beach for a good six hours trying to get a great tan however, my SPF 50 Banana Boat sun tan lotion totally ruined any chances of my dream tan. On the other hand, my peer Dave who was also out there with me and trying not to get a tan gat as red as a lobster. The heat was a good heat with a breeze always blowing in the air. The air was crisp with a scent coming from the restaurant behind us.