July 16- Day in Madrid

Our Day in Madrid

First, during our day in Madrid, we had a nice breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast, we walked with our tour guide to the Prado Museum. While in the Prado, our tour guide showed us some the most important and stunning paintings I have ever seen. We saw works by famous artists such as el Greco, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya y Lucientes. After our visit to the Prado, our tour guide took us the old palace of the royal family of Spain. There, we learned a lot about the history of the royal family. After this, we ate a large lunch back at the hotel, then we had a rest. When we met again after our siesta, we walked to a market and drank some delicious juice. We then visited a sweet shop that sells traditional sweets that are typically eaten around Christmas. After that we had a lovely dinner at a restaurant near our hotel. We celebrated Sydney’s birthday by having cake after dinner. Finally we went back to our hotel to rest before our flight back home. My favorite part of our day in Madrid was definitely touring the Prado Museum. I can't wait to come home!

- Clara Tschoepe

My Video:

July 17-- Returning Home

Today, we woke up for the return home at 6:30 AM. We got ourselves ready for the trip and went to eat breakfast fast enough to leave the Hotel Regina at 7:25 AM. To get to the airport, we took a 20 minute bus ride where almost everyone fell asleep. Once we got to the airport, we checked in our bags one by one and then went through security. Afterward, we went through immigration and then took a train to get to our gate R14. When we arrived at the gate, we all ate something. At around 10:00 AM, we entered the gate and then quickly boarded. When we got on the plane, we found our seats, most of which were at the very back, and got situated. We knew it was going to be a long flight.
During the flight, most of us slept-- a few, like me, slept almost the whole flight! We got one meal, some ice cream, and one pre-arrival snack, which for the most part was pretty good. There were also a few movies playing, as well, which are so helpful when you cannot fall asleep.
I was so excited to come home to Dallas and be reunited with my family, but I was also going to miss my life and time in Spain. This trip was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so grateful to my parents and teachers to have made this trip possible. My most favorite memories that were made here have made this trip worthwhile. So far since I have been home, I have been bored-- I want to go back! I am so happy that I went on this trip!-- Radhika

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spd6kQ3dh3Q

July 15 2017

Hey! Eugenia here - today was our last day in Salamanca, :( BUT we left for Madrid which is one of the most exciting cities in the world!
Before we said our goodbyes and got on the bus to Madrid we received the most special honor to participate in the special "graduating" ceremony from the University of Salamanca, called "ceremonia de encierro/clausura." The ceremony took place in the "Aula Dorado Montero" named after a prestigious professor of the university. It was such a great feeling when I held my diploma in my hands and saw the proof that I had completed a challenging two weeks of Spanish classes!
After the ceremony, we went home and ate our last lunch with our families. My host mom, Basi, made sure that we had our favorite meal and then we gave her some Texas-themed thank you gifts as way for her to remember us. I will definitely miss her cooking when I'm back in Dallas.
Fast-forward to 8:45 pm today and we are finally in Madrid!! For dinner, we enjoyed some nice American food at the restaurant VIPS and celebrated Sydney's 17th birthday. So far, I love Madrid and I cannot wait to walk around the whole city tomorrow and really get a taste of the glorious history and beauty of this city.

Link to YouTube video: https://youtu.be/wiReWBApBf0

Important announcement for parents!

We will be arriving in Dallas this Sunday, July 17^th at 2:40 pm on Flight AA 37.  Please be aware that you need to pick up your daughter personally.

We look forward to seeing you soon, and thank you again for entrusting your daughters to us.  We had a great and fun learning adventure together!

We hope to have a very good trip back home ( Buen Viaje!)  Be looking for the red UA t-shirts at DFW airport on Sunday afternoon!!

 

July 3rd: First Sights of Spain in Salamanca

      Today was the first day  we ventured out into the city and explored multiple sights since on the first day, we were exhausted. We woke up and met at 10:30 under the clock in Plaza Mayor. It was a beautiful morning because it was sunny, but there was not too much heat and the sky was clear of clouds. After everyone arrived, we embarked for the chocolatería Valor. It was an emerald green shop with a round sign that said "Valor. Desde 1881" in lettering the color of red licorice. We were soon seared outside and ordered chocolate fría with churros.
      After breakfast, we walked to a church and celebrated mass. We met the priest soon after. He was very kind and blessed us all before we left. At 2:00 it was time for lunch with our families. I had a soup with lentils and some fried calamari rings for lunch. Then it was time for our siestas and we took a long break. Later we met Sra. Escamilla, Casco, and Lavault in the plaza and visited the API office. We learned useful information, like the importance of using a cross-body bag and how when women offer rosemary at night for free, they will make you pay anyway. After learning tips for life in Spain, we went to an ice cream store and Monica took all seventeen of our orders. We got our ice cream quickly because she was organized and as soon as I knew it, we had bid everyone goodbye and were walking home.  It was a wonderful third day and we learned many new things. I hope tomorrow is just as good!
Click here to watch my video of a brief history of Salamanca.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uSFjuEnauIw

Desayunando churros y chocolate!

Tipico desayuno Los domingos  en Salamanca

Muy buenos!

Deliciosos!

La churreria y chocolateria Valor

Buen provecho!

Despues de misa en la Iglesias de la Purisima Concepcion- el sacerdote hablo  sobre la alegria! Atras una pintura de Ribera-

El altar con la pintura de Ribera

July 14, 2016

In the morning, we had class and reviewed our final exams from Wednesday. Then for the rest of the afternoon, we had time to shop, to relax, and to pack. Anna, Anna, and I went shopping at Zara, Mango, and we looked for gift for our families ;). Shopping with the Annas was very fun and I enjoyed my time with them and will definitely miss them. Then we visited the Convent of Dunas and bought cookies from nuns who made them in their convent. The cookies that the nuns made are amazing. 

From today, I learned to be a more savy shopper and not to spend more than what you're worth. Today, I had to constantly rethink my decisions and purchases, with this reflection I was able to make the right decision and return all unnecessary purchases. From this experience, I realized that there is more to life than physical belongings and the most important thing is to find yourself through religion and culture.

http://youtu.be/gFl7wdD_bc4

July 13, 2016

July 13, 2016. Salamanca, Spain.
anna ruz españa video
Today was one of the most fun and interesting days on the trip in my opinion. 

The activities of today were focused on a very interesting and passionate art of Spanish culture: flamenco.

In the morning, we had exams in each of our three classes over grammar, speech, and culture. 

Later on, we went to a flamenco dancing class! We brought our fans and tried on long flamenco skirts. The class was hard to follow for most of us, but we all had fun!!

After returning home for dinner, we met again to watch a flamenco show! It was amazing to watch the talent and passion of the singers and dancers onstage. When I had thought of flamenco in the past, I just thought of the dance and not of the music that goes along with it. After seeing the live performance, I now realize what an integral part the music plays and was blown away by all of the talent I saw! Here is a link to a short video from the performance taken by one of our teachers: https://youtu.be/hyUV3Z-fbog. Today I found a new appreciation of Spanish culture and am so grateful to have been able to see it! -Anna Ruz