Valecianos Spend All Year Building "Las Fallas" & Then Burn Them

Hola queridos,

Las Fallas is a Spanish festival that happens once a year. The reality is,this fiesta takes an entire year of planning (they literally start working on next year's Falla the immediate day after the festival is over)!

The fiesta occurs in Valencia, Espana, which is Spain's 3rd largest city and located here -

Here are examples of some of the Fallas...they're like stationary floats made out of wood and styrafoam material. The mainly critize certain people (all are fair game except the King), current situations, etc...So although I didn't understand all of the "inside-ness," they were still a pleasure to look at!

(This one is critizing the "mayor" of the town who's critized Las Fallas)

(This one received first place!)

(And of course something about Obama)

This a picture of the Virgen, an image that's closely related to Valencia. It's made completely out of flowers...it smelled wonderfully!

Fireworks, fire, loud noises are all apart of this fiesta! At 2 PM they did an amazing display of fireworks, even though it was daylight, the sounds and sight of all the smoke was really rather impressive.

Valencia also had a Starbucks! This time they got a little closer to spelling my name.

Beautiful streets and look at all the people! Some 1 million people crowd this city on this day!


A soccer field...but still no hottie soccer players... sorry Cathy!

For the fiesta they also had typical Paella served from this massive dish as well as other foods made right on the street!

Finally, in the evening (or more like 2 AM), they burn the Fallas.. here's a picture at night...

..and here is the Falla burning.

This was an amazing fiesta that I will have in my memory forever and ever.

Besos

Cordoba and Mezquita from the VII Century

Hola queridos,

In Cordoba, Espana, I visited the second largest mosque in the world (the first is the Meca). Constructed in the VII century, this is pure history still in existance today and quite possibly the greatest 8 euro investment thus far. We easily spent an entire afternoon impressed by the beauty of this place of worship.

(All painting!)

(Pictures just don't do justice for the quanity of these arches)

(The most sacred part of the mosque)

Although originally created as a mosque, it was "transformed" into a Catholic place of worship with the construction of a church in the middle of the mosque (although the Catholics maintained the architecture of the muslems). It was easily one of the most impressive things I've whitnessed as I sat in the pew staring an awe for a good 10 minutes.

Aside from the Mezquita, we were enchanted by the beautiful streets of Cordoba and natural beauty of southern Spain.

Besos

I left my heart in Sevilla (March 12th)

Hola Queridos,

After a stressful exam week, I went on what felt like a true vacation to Sevilla, Spain. Sevilla is the 4th largest city in Spain and is located in the South, a good 12 hour ride (with lay-overs) by bus! We enjoyed beautiful, sunny, 70/80 degree weather with plenty of gardens and friendly southern Spain hospitality!

I got my first cup of Starbucks in a good two months and it never tasted so good! Normally, I can not justify paying $5 for a cup of java, however, I spent $5 euro for this cup and didn't think twice about it! (...and they thought my name was Brendan)

We stayed a beautiful hostel, Friends of Sevilla...I'd highly recommend it to anyone! For those who don't know what a hostel is, it's a cheaper form of accommodation. This room was a 6 bed dorm, including locker space, and communal showers. Some hostels include breakfast or WiFi connectivity and other ammenities. The price of hostels are significantly less (this was only $25 euro a night) and is also a great way to meet with other travelers!

(view from the roof down)

(sign in the kitchen)

We visited the Cathedral of Sevilla which was one of the most beautiful that I've seen so far.

I doubt this is how they lit the church senturies ago...

After having my breath taken away by the beauty of the church, we decided to climb the tower. As we've passed by the 20th floor we start thinking, when is this going to end? 25th, 32th... then finally, the 34th floor! And we weren't greeted by just any tower, no! It was a bell tower! So sweet!!

Besos

Salamanca!!!

Hola Queridos,

Salamanca was one of the most historic and beautiful cities I've visited during my time here in Spain. It has the feel of a University town but is so richely preserved from past history.

The first church we saw was that of Saint Steven. Look at the detail!

The House of the Shells (Casa de las Conchas). This was constructed as a wedding present...must have been nice, huh? Constructed in the late 15th century.
It's now a library...

Another really cool part about Salamanca is there were a lot of places where I was able to see things I was/am learning about in school, in person!

Students, after finishing their Doctorates exam, would be greeted two ways; if they failed their test they had to leave thru a small door and would receive "booo"s and disapprovement but if they passed, they would be greeted with applause (from people in the streets) and given the opportunity to write this emblem, or what they wanteded on this wall.

"The Medieval athedral Towers are two of Slaamanca's most important emblems...rising 110 meters tall. The Old Cathedral was built during the XII-XV centuries and the New Cathedral was erected during the XVI-XIII centuries (I stole that from the Salamanca Tourism Information Office)." I paid 3 euros to go up to the top which was worth it and so much more! I could easily add 100 pictures here but I'll limit it and save the rest for home...

Their Plaza Mayor (city center) was packed with people, enjoying coffee, catching up with family & friends, and of course, tourists.

It also included this escapade of drunk University students, reinacting a bull fight.

The Universidad de Salamanca is the oldest in Spain and was constructed in the early 13th century. According to the Legend, spoting the tiny frog (among many, many other designs) on the University buidling will bring you good luck and marriage within a year. Of course no one tells you that last part until after you found the frog. Can you spot the frog that's said to bring you good luck?

Here's a hint:

Still didn't find it? That's okay - it took me awhile to find it too! Here's the answer.

Good fortune to you, as well as, you'll be married within a year!

Besos

Los Carnevales

Hola Queridos,

Carnaval takes place 40 days before the begining of Holy Week...basically, it's celebrate & enjoy before playing it "solemn" for the 40 days of Lent. Two cities of Spain, in particular, put on performances, spectaculers that are the equivalent to the US's Mardi Gras.

People dressed-up as true characters (not like the sleazy costumes that have become popular in the States during Halloween)...& although it pretty much looked like Walt Disney threw up, it was enjoyable all the same! I wanted to take some pictures of the costumes I saw (like pirates, or Whiney the Pooh) but felt too much like a creeper so I didn't other than this one picture...

In my city I enjoyed free concerts each of the four nights of celebration, featuring groups of different genres each night!

Also, there were carnaval-like rides (although more for the kids) and lots of amazing Spanish food! (& yes, those are what they look like).

Besos