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
Thursday, July 5, 2007
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!
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.
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, 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¨.
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