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.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Day 12: Torremolinos / Salsa Dancing / Reconquest of Spain
Today, I´m in Torremolinos also know as Costa de Sol. We arrived here at around 5pm and the beached are stunning. Tomorrow, were finally going to have a free day which means we can sleep in and then go to the beach all day long! I´m hoping when I get back to San Antonio I will have a awesome tan.
Last night was great! I had the amazing chance to go Salsa Dancing in Spain, and boy was is a blast. My gang and I got all dressed up and headed out to this little but happening Salsa Bar down the street from our hotel. The first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful portraits that were painted all over the walls, the portraits were that of famous salsa artist such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. Last night was exactly what I needed, to let lose and have a good time.
The reconquest of Spain which lasted 800 years is a huge part of of Spain´s history. This reconquest involved the Christians and the Moors who both invaded Spain in order to take control of the country. The great popular hero of the chivalrous age of Spain, born at Burgos in 1040; died at Valencia in the year of 1099. He was then given the title of seid or cid by the Moors and that of a champion by his admiring countrymen.
Last night was great! I had the amazing chance to go Salsa Dancing in Spain, and boy was is a blast. My gang and I got all dressed up and headed out to this little but happening Salsa Bar down the street from our hotel. The first thing that caught my eye was the beautiful portraits that were painted all over the walls, the portraits were that of famous salsa artist such as Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. Last night was exactly what I needed, to let lose and have a good time.
The reconquest of Spain which lasted 800 years is a huge part of of Spain´s history. This reconquest involved the Christians and the Moors who both invaded Spain in order to take control of the country. The great popular hero of the chivalrous age of Spain, born at Burgos in 1040; died at Valencia in the year of 1099. He was then given the title of seid or cid by the Moors and that of a champion by his admiring countrymen.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Day 11: Barcelona continued - Antonio Gaudi
June 20, 2007: I wanted to write a little about one of the greatest artist of Spain, Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi produced the Sagrada Familia and Parque Guell which are both located in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia is an amazing gothic cathedral that has been under construction for over 100 years and still is 100 years away from being compleated. If I has to put this work of art in one word, then I would have to say…circus. The architecture of this enormous structure seems to go everywhere, with pillars, and intertwining arches of all sizes.
Gaudi also produced the Parque Guell, which sits high above Barcelona. This park is filled with beautiful landscape and gorgeous mosaics everywhere you look. The view from the top of the park is breathtaking. You can see a panoramic view of the enitre city.
After viewing both the Sagrada Familia and Parque Guell, I though to myself that Gaudi did not at all break the artistic traditions of Spain. In fact. I believe he added beauty and a sense of mystery to the city.
Gaudi also produced the Parque Guell, which sits high above Barcelona. This park is filled with beautiful landscape and gorgeous mosaics everywhere you look. The view from the top of the park is breathtaking. You can see a panoramic view of the enitre city.
After viewing both the Sagrada Familia and Parque Guell, I though to myself that Gaudi did not at all break the artistic traditions of Spain. In fact. I believe he added beauty and a sense of mystery to the city.
Day 10: Granada & The Holy Grail
Holy moley!! After a 7-hour bus ride, we finally made it to Granada. This city is known for its great night life and is as beautiful as I imagined. Since we just arrived, I haven't really got to explore the city. However, tomorrow we have a busy day cut out for us.
Yesterday in Valencia, I got the chance to see the Holy Grail, which was by far the most fulfilling thing I´ve done during my tour of Spain. I felt as if Jesus Christ was in the room as beautiful angelic music filled my ears. Valencia was a great city, but I only wish we had more time to explore it.
Today is Richard´s birthday and we're planning on going out to celebrate. The nightlife is great in Granada, and I will tell you all about it tomorrow.
I miss you all! love, Gerardo
Yesterday in Valencia, I got the chance to see the Holy Grail, which was by far the most fulfilling thing I´ve done during my tour of Spain. I felt as if Jesus Christ was in the room as beautiful angelic music filled my ears. Valencia was a great city, but I only wish we had more time to explore it.
Today is Richard´s birthday and we're planning on going out to celebrate. The nightlife is great in Granada, and I will tell you all about it tomorrow.
I miss you all! love, Gerardo
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Day 9: Valencia
Today I made it to Valencia! Valencia is located on the east coast of Spain on the the Mediterranean Sea. As I stepped off the bus in this great city, it reminded me of Madrid, only smaller. Our tour guide Gary said that, ¨The city is growing, and will only get bigger¨. The scene of the city is that of a Hollywood movie. People everywhere were wearing their stylish clothing and the backdrop of beautiful buildings just caught your eye. Today the weather in Valencia was plain out hot and reminded me of back home.
The streets are lined with motorcycles which seems to be the best way of getting around. Today my gang and I are going to go visit the local market which is the best in all of Spain and then go see the Holy Grail. This will definitely be one of the highlights of my trip, to be able to see the actual chalice used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper.
To all my readers and my dear family, I miss you so much and can´t wait to get back home. My trip is going great, and I´ve experienced so much. However, as Dorthy said, ¨Theres no place like home¨.
The streets are lined with motorcycles which seems to be the best way of getting around. Today my gang and I are going to go visit the local market which is the best in all of Spain and then go see the Holy Grail. This will definitely be one of the highlights of my trip, to be able to see the actual chalice used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper.
To all my readers and my dear family, I miss you so much and can´t wait to get back home. My trip is going great, and I´ve experienced so much. However, as Dorthy said, ¨Theres no place like home¨.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Day 8: Barcelona- Conversations
Hey guys! Well, today I'm in Barcelona and it´s an amazing city. As I walk the city streets, it,s so crazy how many laungues you can hear. It´s as if people from all over the world flock to this city. Many conversations I heard dealt with the word ¨Playa¨, especially in San Sebastian and Barcelona. The beach is a huge part of these cities´ culture and a staple for tourists. One of my favorite things to do was to see all the minds in the plaza and watch how the people interact. Today i´m feeling really home sick and really want to go home. Don´t get me wrong the Spain is beautiful but home is were the heart is.
Tomorrow were off to Valencia which will complete half of our tour, and will mark the beginning of south Spain. So far, I have experience many different customs and tastes however, McDonald's is still my favorite. Well my time is comming to an end here at the cyber cafe and at 3 Euro an hour I got to go! till next time! gerardo
Tomorrow were off to Valencia which will complete half of our tour, and will mark the beginning of south Spain. So far, I have experience many different customs and tastes however, McDonald's is still my favorite. Well my time is comming to an end here at the cyber cafe and at 3 Euro an hour I got to go! till next time! gerardo
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Day7: Burgos
Hello again, today we left Madrid and are now in Burgos, Spain. This city is more of what I expected before I left home. Burgos is home to the beautiful Catedral de Burgos and is a more historic city. As ackward as it may sound, I´ve found that there are many connections from Spain to San Antonio. As we walk the streets of this country I realize that many of the last names we see in San Antonio are found in Spain. Plaza de Alonso Martinez is a plaza in Burgos and also has the same last name as me. I have also seen that unlike Texas there are no pick up trucks and only have small compact cars.
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