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

Valentine's Day in the Castles of Spain

Queridos,

My Valentine’s Day started off well with a very nice package from home, (thanks!) and continued to get better.

Although this wasn’t my favorite trip, it was still enjoyable. We went on the tour of Castles within my province; this included stopping in three different cities, all in one day!

To start off, we went to the small pueblo of Tordesillas. This is the castle where Juana la Loca lived. Unfortunately for you, this is the only view you’ll get of the castle…photos were a big no-no inside of the historic castle.




We also went to the museum where the Treaty of Tordesillas. With some free time I explored the city, the Plaza Mayor & some interesting looking trees.

We then boarded the bus and went to the Castle of Portillo, in you guessed it, the city of Portillo. Here I went down 100 some odd steps to see the bottom of the well… as I stepped closer to the bottom, the amount of water dripping on me increased & the steps were slipperier. Let’s just say I felt like taking a shower after.

Then I climbed to the top of the castle to see this view of Portillo.

Here are some other snap shots of the castle.

Hungry we stopped for lunch..Jaime played artist and Nick took a nap.

We then went to an authentic Roman house…it looked like we were going into a concentration camp, but fortunately, it was just the way it was built. After visiting the ruins of the house, we enjoyed a presentation of “a Roman household.”



After we returned, I went out with some friends & had a great night in the city :)

Besos!