tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612887968772420842024-02-06T21:12:23.157-08:00OverThePondJackLife in Sevilla, SpainJackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-26135397831468945952010-05-10T14:02:00.000-07:002010-05-10T14:54:24.884-07:00Antonio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzW4-h9P5Zz4tbkJ2ixfKggk22Ok43qfXyWrnr2BoaO5c-kTPkp0PeJdIHkDgGXap0LSC3v2EtWgSLsDN4IvEOH2tEJDgQhjMXlpWF18ZroKiJ3YbUquSwBInJ3Vlv7GeKS5W52y3zROZ/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzW4-h9P5Zz4tbkJ2ixfKggk22Ok43qfXyWrnr2BoaO5c-kTPkp0PeJdIHkDgGXap0LSC3v2EtWgSLsDN4IvEOH2tEJDgQhjMXlpWF18ZroKiJ3YbUquSwBInJ3Vlv7GeKS5W52y3zROZ/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469761609440877618" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWkx3yA7qmte5e9fQ2_37JGpeFQuN4yIUh0sXtm9mXu9s5FA75jIfjFJ_hxm2NEkl_Srw_g51NgCghIq5LUzbq495cXvwGEPAMW6vaMO41haNmWI7raHkcC3otLGLsJtgvzSwIoy7-89M/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg"></a>First off, blogging has been put on hold with finals and wrapping up life in Sevilla. I can't believe this is my last week in Sevilla but I'll save the retrospective posts for another night. Tonight I ate dinner with Antonio, my grandpa of sorts, and I realized although he's made a few appearances here, his persona merits much more. Antonio is one of the most animated speakers I've ever seen and every one of his stories, no matter the subject, is told in Homeric fashion, every detail drawn out like a fine gem. I don't have to add much to the conversation, and once he gets going, he's going. So here's some excerpts from dinner tonight that I hope you can enjoy. There's a chance it's one of those things where you have to be here, but you be the judge.<div><br /></div><div>Like I said, he's very animated, so I've provided a legend to help organize his favorite physical gestures:</div><div><br /></div><div>~Throws one hand up in the air.</div><div>@Points at something (usually me) with a knife.</div><div>#Counts something on his fingers, slow and deliberately.</div><div>$Picks up his glass and sets it down firmly with a little thud.</div><div>^Stands up, pulls up his pants starting from the back and working forward.</div><div>%Points everywhere around the room. (Usually emphasizing that he's always running around.)</div><div>&Lifts right elbow and puts his fist down firmly as if he's punching the table at a right angle.</div><div>*Takes glasses off, rubs eyes, puts them back on. (This takes around 15 seconds to finish.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio comes to the table after a loud argument with Dolores in the kitchen over whether or not he took his pills.</div><div><br /></div><div>&*$</div><div>Antonio: "Do you have a girlfriend?"@</div><div>Me: "No but I like girls." (There's a backstory between us where one time, just one time, I accidentally said I met a cute "amigo" instead of "amiga", and he doesn't let me live it down.)</div><div>Antonio: "That's the way to be. That's the easiest way. If there's one thing I know it's that a small ring can castrate a large bull."^</div><div>Me: "Haha."</div><div>Antonio: "As you know, she says I didn't take my pills. Here's the truth. I always tell you the truth."@</div><div>Me: "I want to hear it."</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "I went to the pharmacy today to pick up my medicine. I've got a friend there of course who tells me there's a pill that's the same as the one I take, but easier on the stomach. I buy it of course. You know my stomach always hurts me."$</div><div><br /></div><div>"Now the grandma wants me to take both of them. It makes me crazy. I'm going to go crazy. She's the crazy one but I'm joining her shortly. Kaka con la leche (literally means "crap with my milk"). </div><div><br /></div><div>"Maybe I'll give it to the dog." $</div><div><br /></div><div>"You know how many dogs I've had?"@</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "A lot."</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "Of course. While Luis, the oldest was still a child, we bought a cat. When we bought it she was "chiquitititito" (very small). But it grew. Then it bit Salvador, and Luis next. And I said to the woman then, "The cat must go". By that time it was the biggest cat you've ever seen. You wouldn't believe it @. Incredibly big. Biggest cat you've ever seen. Bigger than any if your cats if you have cats." @</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "I have two."</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "I took it to her brother's farm and let it go. I'm serious, this cat was a lion, which is why it attacked the children."</div><div><br /></div><div>"You won't believe what happened."*</div><div><br /></div><div>"It ate two roosters."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "Is that true?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "I always tell you the truth, uncle". (The word is tio, which literally means uncle but really means something along the lines of "dude".) @ </div><div><br /></div><div>"I make dinner for # you, for the grandma, for me, for Santiago, then I # clean, I repair shoes, I go to the doctor. %%%%. Always running around. Kaka con la leche."</div><div><br /></div><div>"But you wouldn't believe another dog we had. Best dog ever. Incredible dog. Buenisimo perro. More obedient than my kids and quieter than my wife. I loved that dog but it got big. Got very big. I gave it to a friend of mine, the one I told you sings flamenco in Triana. He's from Triana like us. (Locality is very important here.)</div><div><br /></div><div>"I told him, Listen, this is the best dog and you won't believe it. And now @ Yas (me), I tell you the same. Very good dog."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "I've got a great dog right now."</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "Ahhh. Always running around. I work more now than I did repairing shoes. And then I was earning good money. Many men came up to me when I stopped and demanded I repair their shoes because I was very good. I only do leather shoes, you know."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: (And this is by far my favorite topic) "What are all your pills for?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: @ "Look. # One for my nerves. Two for my tension. One for my sugars. You know I used to be a lion myself but now I have all this skin. Way too much skin. There's 2 pills for my mouth. You know the sore I showed you. It's the one that hurts when I brush my teeth. You wouldn't believe it. I'm always taking pills now and you know my stomach always hurts. Kaka con la leche."*</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "Yeah I know. I'm sorry for you."</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "You know I used to run from here to Plaza de Nervion. It's very far." @</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "You really ran that far?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "Without sweat. You wouldn't believe it."^</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonio: "And now I've finished. It's time to rest. "^</div><div><br /></div><div>The end. I know a lot of you are wishing you had five minutes back but I thought Antonio deserved a shout-out. I know it sounds a little choppy, but you have to picture the man kind of like a kind, giving his decrees in little increments. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well I guess that's all I have to say about that...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWkx3yA7qmte5e9fQ2_37JGpeFQuN4yIUh0sXtm9mXu9s5FA75jIfjFJ_hxm2NEkl_Srw_g51NgCghIq5LUzbq495cXvwGEPAMW6vaMO41haNmWI7raHkcC3otLGLsJtgvzSwIoy7-89M/s320/IMG_0562.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469761601134018162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-24162771698544003732010-04-18T15:52:00.001-07:002010-04-19T02:19:13.632-07:00Toledo<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYgfjH17wpOVj8SDU016mwGat8dZcajO6MhMX17pFzzpUnrNBzSWsZJ4vo8t8L038BXjiZ7a8yzDCnsDyrKyoMeG-oyh_d_fu0exzu8SJw8mF3igjXAHnAqoawrY4q-z3mcm5Jujum5fs/s1600/SDC12236.JPG"></a>This past weekend my interest group took an excursion to Toledo, Spain, which is right in the middle, about 30 kilometers from Madrid. This blog won't be one of the more extensive descriptions because Toledo is an old, sleepy town lacking anyone under the age of 50, and although I feel extremely guilty that 1000 year old buildings don't hold my attention like they used to, I'm human.<div><br /></div><div>On the way we stopped at Castilla-La Mancha to see a castle that was built by Christians on the frontier of reclaimed lands during the Reconquista. It's about 900 years old.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNsX0MrZ3O7smakl5_mIR823ZWV6rpI3YAr40RzKb4QOD1KroZhPQNu_LzQRAD-_V2_lq0Foh-agw9B-6wI4lPWnJwCqljZ2RJ1SWe7BhonEZh27s9fBk41wU8On5tn8e5k1G09UayRAu/s1600/SDC12154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNsX0MrZ3O7smakl5_mIR823ZWV6rpI3YAr40RzKb4QOD1KroZhPQNu_LzQRAD-_V2_lq0Foh-agw9B-6wI4lPWnJwCqljZ2RJ1SWe7BhonEZh27s9fBk41wU8On5tn8e5k1G09UayRAu/s320/SDC12154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461767256754844018" /></a><br /></div><div>Had a great view of the small town as well as surrounding countryside:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdplVwBYeSyx17jbfFoakovw9y8i4EB-a7G5aVNYolD7INXPGgIUgadAB98RelxX2EZVOymP9RQJYN-eDBo_5Myuvc6E2wZbUBcHk4v6liyAlp8FIvmQ0GpyIkcVc4lpkdHtEzulI30a6d/s1600/SDC12155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdplVwBYeSyx17jbfFoakovw9y8i4EB-a7G5aVNYolD7INXPGgIUgadAB98RelxX2EZVOymP9RQJYN-eDBo_5Myuvc6E2wZbUBcHk4v6liyAlp8FIvmQ0GpyIkcVc4lpkdHtEzulI30a6d/s320/SDC12155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461767248174340354" /></a><br /></div><div>These are pretty cool: the actual windmills Cervantes writes about in his epic <i>Don Quixote </i>where Quixote fights against giants that are really just windmills.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhwaCz4AvqvfnbvZ8npw3mkFn5gnN8QTS3AL-cz0p3t1I9TnLpb2p_f5EhdCqY5IDXRExp0HelAyw97eZtoWIosdtE_HLcu115xiPmB6eHjxskc5K1RzrLB3Tsd7ChH6d6DWtAh42bf1c/s1600/SDC12162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhwaCz4AvqvfnbvZ8npw3mkFn5gnN8QTS3AL-cz0p3t1I9TnLpb2p_f5EhdCqY5IDXRExp0HelAyw97eZtoWIosdtE_HLcu115xiPmB6eHjxskc5K1RzrLB3Tsd7ChH6d6DWtAh42bf1c/s320/SDC12162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461767239722853442" /></a><br /></div><div>Friday afternoon we arrived in Toledo, which was one of the biggest fortresses during the Reconquista, and as such is a legitimate walled city. </div><div><br /></div><div>For anyone wondering about the reconquista, a short summary is that it was the conquest of Muslim lands by Christians from northern Spain that marched southward over the span of about 700 years until the Muslims were expelled from Spain entirely in 1492.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvOwhgYQToe15gkkoa1x5RDTGpu2NmywWAV0OEs4RUaZaiEchDqggxzibUNsnD2JFKs3WOMP_L0P_VeXUWAF3bfroNA42j4Iw4EUKQcxwGXe0phu1BOX0LnqyfCSaCS7_dc5jO_OBtC3x/s1600/SDC12166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvOwhgYQToe15gkkoa1x5RDTGpu2NmywWAV0OEs4RUaZaiEchDqggxzibUNsnD2JFKs3WOMP_L0P_VeXUWAF3bfroNA42j4Iw4EUKQcxwGXe0phu1BOX0LnqyfCSaCS7_dc5jO_OBtC3x/s320/SDC12166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461758725665619218" /></a><br /></div><div>Here's the town square:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-MbWLc7pCbKwZbSRKCOZ3RJPYcnFS15PQdQfzF53aTKGQ1Z1LtsiOZ-tQjijkQumTaHKkrpUSLmYt6rDHLAyF8RCZUvajTzIaUmyoEmFebCrITPnd_KgDlPRlp9ZZtKs0SA_jaI0GTjG/s1600/SDC12171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-MbWLc7pCbKwZbSRKCOZ3RJPYcnFS15PQdQfzF53aTKGQ1Z1LtsiOZ-tQjijkQumTaHKkrpUSLmYt6rDHLAyF8RCZUvajTzIaUmyoEmFebCrITPnd_KgDlPRlp9ZZtKs0SA_jaI0GTjG/s320/SDC12171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461758711784303938" /></a><br /></div><div>First off we went to the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, where we climbed up the bell towers and looked out over the city, including the cathedral of Toledo:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rcBhjYFcT30aFBHRYCdx5KwVNeHu2Ot_Cz6PVXvzF7RS3uVriGdF-qQmyowr8vlxA3ZG0a-70UothjUhA5KFU23AFdfuJaaQDnYfAnyV8ZtKxSBFUP_GIkO4ofQiCuQZXqWuZp0gZ_mu/s1600/SDC12185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rcBhjYFcT30aFBHRYCdx5KwVNeHu2Ot_Cz6PVXvzF7RS3uVriGdF-qQmyowr8vlxA3ZG0a-70UothjUhA5KFU23AFdfuJaaQDnYfAnyV8ZtKxSBFUP_GIkO4ofQiCuQZXqWuZp0gZ_mu/s320/SDC12185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461758697876273730" /></a><br /></div><div>Here's the inside of the Monastery:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3vdb5PURbupyFJPAqJgxpi95WjvHFMGmHXR-JvjIpqPXXdUokVJNTcyGjgvtKFMDP46RocxPqXJCAdCHNbxWeD0t8YIB1NYmxqEFpG0ms_Jmx-RCuNFxKlS_ntLkp4RzyIJ7nWfQmzPF/s1600/SDC12197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3vdb5PURbupyFJPAqJgxpi95WjvHFMGmHXR-JvjIpqPXXdUokVJNTcyGjgvtKFMDP46RocxPqXJCAdCHNbxWeD0t8YIB1NYmxqEFpG0ms_Jmx-RCuNFxKlS_ntLkp4RzyIJ7nWfQmzPF/s320/SDC12197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461758688018984946" /></a><br /></div><div>Saturday morning we took the longest string of escalators I've ever seen up to the old city and got a great panoramic view of the city:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hZIlfiVuE8_Fkm2jVMuQ3K6KYfzUFTZDlbY5kSuPCxhfnH5MuqNGf4hnqCRa4HBco3yraEuNkTp59LhpxZrFSP_4BwyGs_DybPGZ8DzD7szYu207609I2w3LM9A9ekPEmxxpL5lDalxP/s1600/SDC12202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hZIlfiVuE8_Fkm2jVMuQ3K6KYfzUFTZDlbY5kSuPCxhfnH5MuqNGf4hnqCRa4HBco3yraEuNkTp59LhpxZrFSP_4BwyGs_DybPGZ8DzD7szYu207609I2w3LM9A9ekPEmxxpL5lDalxP/s320/SDC12202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461758679453638610" /></a><br /></div><div>Then we went to a 1000 year old mosque that sits on the site of an old Roman temple. The Mosque is called the mosque of "Christ of the Light" because it was converted into a Catholic church at one point, and also has a really cool legend. The legend goes that at one point, King Alfonso XI came to Toledo and came to this church to worship, and as he faced the church his horse saw a bright light and knelt down in front of the church. Ever since, it's been known as Christ of the Light.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmM1GD5eNaeSimFC6PPK9PNAck0nQpgVgGmJA7ezrrYrD0o9W72faNJHDl5VI0ZLPm2Eqr2FyuMjKICJfEW03EzJkHGDtk1eA6NiIp80fFbZQ98Zf-4zTznfTo-ABQBxRRPHM3_C37ncr/s1600/SDC12208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmM1GD5eNaeSimFC6PPK9PNAck0nQpgVgGmJA7ezrrYrD0o9W72faNJHDl5VI0ZLPm2Eqr2FyuMjKICJfEW03EzJkHGDtk1eA6NiIp80fFbZQ98Zf-4zTznfTo-ABQBxRRPHM3_C37ncr/s320/SDC12208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749699808235858" /></a><br /></div><div>The white stone below actually marks the spot where Alfonso's horse knelt:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUQOkYtluDbmcJKDlJLri_tUlC1SUj_YwYX3fd8FS2t88E7uBrPJeqSRjuB7KHxTcfiCrZpszLQ1ftl-mdArruxF1jTG8zrzgmzANWUb5aJuWaFYKyA8EpP088WobG5aZS1yT97j9y50Z/s1600/SDC12210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUQOkYtluDbmcJKDlJLri_tUlC1SUj_YwYX3fd8FS2t88E7uBrPJeqSRjuB7KHxTcfiCrZpszLQ1ftl-mdArruxF1jTG8zrzgmzANWUb5aJuWaFYKyA8EpP088WobG5aZS1yT97j9y50Z/s320/SDC12210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749690314576418" /></a><br /></div><div>Another view of Toledo from the back of the Mosque:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92rxH75cxXdWgJfmcKaofoFdCSbeO0ey_VXirWvaoSU1wWSnLs9pVle8jdtRnRsyMwqjv20er_0yArV69x36ijME3nzaxX5VD9ine_Ng9e6bvVBfCSTAM5u9jzxjRbPR3u0QnUILHC_NE/s1600/SDC12209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92rxH75cxXdWgJfmcKaofoFdCSbeO0ey_VXirWvaoSU1wWSnLs9pVle8jdtRnRsyMwqjv20er_0yArV69x36ijME3nzaxX5VD9ine_Ng9e6bvVBfCSTAM5u9jzxjRbPR3u0QnUILHC_NE/s320/SDC12209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749676120059282" /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we visited the Synagogue of El Transito:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SZRD_76Re6rHx3SZH4SkImoNWJV788QRd36_9nCALqosdGvFrVw_9BFxwtvNSjTZq5YZqV2-pl7Vu4UfVkPCuVGz9liICF8SVFBhmyMptSMUECVPOPLaTec_tmnplCorcvL-DuWbBQbQ/s1600/SDC12211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SZRD_76Re6rHx3SZH4SkImoNWJV788QRd36_9nCALqosdGvFrVw_9BFxwtvNSjTZq5YZqV2-pl7Vu4UfVkPCuVGz9liICF8SVFBhmyMptSMUECVPOPLaTec_tmnplCorcvL-DuWbBQbQ/s320/SDC12211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749668007090434" /></a><br /></div><div>This synagogue is one of the oldest in Spain and serves as a reminder of how influential the Jewish population was in Spain before they started being burned alive during the Inquisition.</div><div><br /></div><div>And as a perfect segway, here are chains of prisoners from the Inquisition hanging on the Synagogue of Saint Maria the white. This synagogue is only called a synagogue because it was built over an old Jewish place of worship. It's out of use now but in the past was a convent. I think they could've chosen more welcoming decor.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK-yd-h1vVSh2IQCbkAm4aGrQfg8zfXZT8tsjYtTGfSnB4tRQeplrns5y6ANHrKzX98YtfOINWZSl90X0P-OJjRfj_tZUW1ZIBj9CuPgF31aeMUj87xFh980xR__YXxVg4pnBXL1Hw_Wz/s1600/SDC12216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK-yd-h1vVSh2IQCbkAm4aGrQfg8zfXZT8tsjYtTGfSnB4tRQeplrns5y6ANHrKzX98YtfOINWZSl90X0P-OJjRfj_tZUW1ZIBj9CuPgF31aeMUj87xFh980xR__YXxVg4pnBXL1Hw_Wz/s320/SDC12216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461749656294969442" /></a><br /></div><div>From the inside:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim__Y3f-M4h05CsT7V_RXR59Ky1J6ckm_fkkvt8inCduBL-Ljr0y9fdPptP2Q7I4Ar2oGFfK_Iwu1V-kg8keaQ1lWctgCyd5t-HWTlqJQa-JwFXeQbE-1VUVuO9BFvYk5XQBBn0lHfwXti/s1600/SDC12224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim__Y3f-M4h05CsT7V_RXR59Ky1J6ckm_fkkvt8inCduBL-Ljr0y9fdPptP2Q7I4Ar2oGFfK_Iwu1V-kg8keaQ1lWctgCyd5t-HWTlqJQa-JwFXeQbE-1VUVuO9BFvYk5XQBBn0lHfwXti/s320/SDC12224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461620018061117858" /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we visited the grand cathedral of Toledo, which is, in the nature of every Spanish cathedral, grand. I only got in one photo before realizing that none were allowed, but it shows the ornate cloister in the center. If you're curious about the rest, you can look up pics of the cathedrals from Sevilla and Granada because the layout is the same.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNrjBAxiiFQOod3-SOVX8trsYXJU1THoAP019aw6JZRVL4u8GtC67SUqz9n_SWmfKoJjfrk-hpxWXYvySlxw8ssxpxnkuPko8h9EEc_Nze2hno532ERuRapK3T06n_ioVbO4Ueex7mXHk/s1600/SDC12226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNrjBAxiiFQOod3-SOVX8trsYXJU1THoAP019aw6JZRVL4u8GtC67SUqz9n_SWmfKoJjfrk-hpxWXYvySlxw8ssxpxnkuPko8h9EEc_Nze2hno532ERuRapK3T06n_ioVbO4Ueex7mXHk/s320/SDC12226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461620015594176466" /></a><br /></div><div>Saturday night we went to the theatre and saw a play from Prague that didn't have much dialogue but had a lot of black lights and cool effects. It was about a fantasy adventure and at the end they rolled a giant blow up Earth into the crowd. Overall, very entertaining.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we left the city Sunday morning, we took, yes, another panoramic view:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPQl9gM7pMVyUwfwjHckJ6-wfoO3-P5sWblor8gLuorxuWJnF-orhn1e1ygBSycoo-KWFwZBPVC-5I0TqKgTaH4H4GRcBQpI1IYpGDS0rF1Fj9PZOJmiMaJA6TL-_ZK8OGORCSAmb5ep5/s1600/SDC12230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPQl9gM7pMVyUwfwjHckJ6-wfoO3-P5sWblor8gLuorxuWJnF-orhn1e1ygBSycoo-KWFwZBPVC-5I0TqKgTaH4H4GRcBQpI1IYpGDS0rF1Fj9PZOJmiMaJA6TL-_ZK8OGORCSAmb5ep5/s320/SDC12230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461620008368271666" /></a><br /></div><div>On the way home we stopped in the small town of Almagra to see a 1000 year old theatre and the national museum of theatre. Interestingly, there was a military parade going on in the town square:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkhY-NuvFnLclsktnPvTdQS7__ttPyQP2B0fQw8fHxPUIKnq3m0TcqYapBLyH46XZMlQ5GmiVMm5vkyp-D8jRlDPramaWpkHoNS4TFpkSwZ0XH7Vt6KjHeyNtuw02SbPQ1iD5wawTMI0U/s1600/SDC12232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkhY-NuvFnLclsktnPvTdQS7__ttPyQP2B0fQw8fHxPUIKnq3m0TcqYapBLyH46XZMlQ5GmiVMm5vkyp-D8jRlDPramaWpkHoNS4TFpkSwZ0XH7Vt6KjHeyNtuw02SbPQ1iD5wawTMI0U/s320/SDC12232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461620001161177442" /></a><br /></div><div>1000 year-old theatre:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfBBniajXy_2joBnB_B0N0y1G088O9QJUZF5OvCmq_eL6ANcJh9tcMCG8YkNj_IBnnLbJB9nT6DAKc7gyhKcfDPsw3TChsEOw1DBZMWiyyhF-lv2OPGUngrhmJzzBDuHiyYVMvNweo_iz/s1600/SDC12233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfBBniajXy_2joBnB_B0N0y1G088O9QJUZF5OvCmq_eL6ANcJh9tcMCG8YkNj_IBnnLbJB9nT6DAKc7gyhKcfDPsw3TChsEOw1DBZMWiyyhF-lv2OPGUngrhmJzzBDuHiyYVMvNweo_iz/s320/SDC12233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461619996427554962" /></a><br /></div><div>The trip was overall completely worth doing, but on the way home I was feeling ready to do things rather than just see things. My average spirits were lifted when I won a crossword competition on the bus, and the prize turned out to be a sword. Toledo is famous for its swords and actually supply swords to the US marines and Swiss guard at the Vatican. My sword was not quite as ornate, but I hope the picture gives you a feeling of how big it is. How I'm getting it home, I have no idea.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYgfjH17wpOVj8SDU016mwGat8dZcajO6MhMX17pFzzpUnrNBzSWsZJ4vo8t8L038BXjiZ7a8yzDCnsDyrKyoMeG-oyh_d_fu0exzu8SJw8mF3igjXAHnAqoawrY4q-z3mcm5Jujum5fs/s320/SDC12236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461769373482966962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-86648107620744486732010-04-18T14:13:00.001-07:002010-04-19T06:03:57.424-07:00Last WeekLast week was an absolute whirlwind coming off London and Normandy (post coming soon), and leading up to Feria, or fair, which is our second spring break and apparently the festival of festivals. I decided that with so much going on I needed to keep focusing on learning and seeing more of Sevilla, so Tuesday afternoon I went to Casa de Pilatos, or the house of Pilate, which is in the center of town.<div><br /></div><div>Sevillanos love legends, and Casa de Pilatos is full of them. The stories surrounding this palace spiraled so far out of control that some people now claim this to be one of Pilate's houses, or at least an exact copy, his palace in Jerusalem. Nonetheless, the real story is this. The first Marquis de Tarifa, who also became Duke of Alcala was an extremely religious figure in Sevilla during the 1500's and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he discovered that in paces, the distance between Pilate's house to the Calvary hill was the exact same as a distance between his house, now known as la Casa de Pilatos, and a temple of Sevilla. He placed high emphasis on this to the point where descendants named rooms to show the correspondence, such as "The Passion". The locals ended up circulating stories and more stories about the palace, and here we are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the main courtyard:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfyXEW524ev9vu4t77zpkk6E0vvAY5Lb3byDitAK-aicZ96lYtJUoKce91L5vvsll3SvMV9fjvRN94DENUZCxVEMQyDpYmbpwJRWvXPOSb1e4GmURNud5SUMDotc3TQo87A3lNtLQ-a7F/s1600/SDC12100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfyXEW524ev9vu4t77zpkk6E0vvAY5Lb3byDitAK-aicZ96lYtJUoKce91L5vvsll3SvMV9fjvRN94DENUZCxVEMQyDpYmbpwJRWvXPOSb1e4GmURNud5SUMDotc3TQo87A3lNtLQ-a7F/s320/SDC12100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461613803703872642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQSE_wsn9cY7CUQ6GIqkb29evdwB1PNt0cN0kJQ078KX3rpel5W_VMsG2VXrO5WFhI43a8B84Un4YRitK0ZFFufr_BwmbEcKY5SDjKhOnvFMVokHNLok9rvJOzq-LU3yHmyP1_ym6-3s7/s1600/SDC12101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQSE_wsn9cY7CUQ6GIqkb29evdwB1PNt0cN0kJQ078KX3rpel5W_VMsG2VXrO5WFhI43a8B84Un4YRitK0ZFFufr_BwmbEcKY5SDjKhOnvFMVokHNLok9rvJOzq-LU3yHmyP1_ym6-3s7/s320/SDC12101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461613799403040050" /></a><br /></div><div>The palace was constructed in the mudejar style, with its Muslim roots fitted to suit Christian tastes, so the palace exhibits more exquisite tiling all over the walls.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLIQtgJfX2FfyqOay16DcQVMu1gHFVbVeA_AwpHXhhDttuvUvd0QsdX-XFzufKt36p7LgloZvL8TciK1PUmKqupBweQ3JDsy4wAa091sguv41JQtp-fqPGstNUiDbotM_or4bno-T7B5e/s1600/SDC12102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLIQtgJfX2FfyqOay16DcQVMu1gHFVbVeA_AwpHXhhDttuvUvd0QsdX-XFzufKt36p7LgloZvL8TciK1PUmKqupBweQ3JDsy4wAa091sguv41JQtp-fqPGstNUiDbotM_or4bno-T7B5e/s320/SDC12102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461613793576419810" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75diWVeE2vDrhGMgHiuZiAtxGjC98yzQOYTqVCkYa4s7v_7pYtT18sDSwLqwFqlSukqLKTctf225j_NlxeggNZePRn0u0wrhDnwFTnvxlcLmpTNZBa5V8s_-XI0Y4kuIlfuf_6oGeNWRJ/s320/SDC12114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461602611398805810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Pictures were prohibited in most of the palace, but because the family that lived here, the Enriquez de Ribera, was incredibly wealthy and lived in the golden age of Sevilla, where it had a virtual monopoly on all trade with the New World, they were able to collect art, ceramics, cutlery, tapestries, and furniture from China, Japan, Great Britain, and India, and it was all impressive.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WG0rnem5HsAXwrmst9qwq0c2Lyz4cOOmHXQIB4QiVMQlOJYOrjc4X3-bzKJjW-lSrNZTm08Ojh6e2Qs5BxFsK8U8TnQUUSrnyHetmgMmQoyXav3g1ob3D7LFMk5Hd3XU8nEeXfJLBI4o/s320/SDC12113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461607301667214482" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>However, in part of the palace where photos were permitted, I stumbled upon a large painting that was a bit worrisome. You tell me what's wrong with this picture.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8hR55uB2BkKvb41cw4Db7giVOToHW_8hco9CNrEw5WQsGrt0WHQDBsJq8cFWi_LpDMCKcs5HfJ3xcrZIvoSxSPfJQeFdco2KBzDHw4lM6iiAJVwCnnT7aRJjb7hxt30CAMGtdTsAyauS/s1600/SDC12106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8hR55uB2BkKvb41cw4Db7giVOToHW_8hco9CNrEw5WQsGrt0WHQDBsJq8cFWi_LpDMCKcs5HfJ3xcrZIvoSxSPfJQeFdco2KBzDHw4lM6iiAJVwCnnT7aRJjb7hxt30CAMGtdTsAyauS/s320/SDC12106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461607323730536322" /></a><br /></div><div>Maybe you need a closer view:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoS3HftEWfH2mHhIDnT9-aD4JYjnyVhgI26SHG2bNwIXun-aWAl4FZjKyZM4L1uS6Gat9VS6vOGJB-byaoTjNwtP2aj4R4FxOCU05Fs84RH6ldYOY_zDzZIm-CMBOvqzHjpceqCyClYMJ/s1600/SDC12107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoS3HftEWfH2mHhIDnT9-aD4JYjnyVhgI26SHG2bNwIXun-aWAl4FZjKyZM4L1uS6Gat9VS6vOGJB-byaoTjNwtP2aj4R4FxOCU05Fs84RH6ldYOY_zDzZIm-CMBOvqzHjpceqCyClYMJ/s320/SDC12107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461607312833734658" /></a><br /></div><div>I don't remember the names, but this painting depicted a powerful man of Sevilla with his wife, who was known as "La mujer con barba", or the bearded lady. I'm not making this up. Why the wealthy man chose to marry a bearded woman is one question, why he decided to pay to etch this strange family in history, quite another.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the interior, I went out (which is still in, technically) to the gardens.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrV3lawFVzVRtkpibQpD4zmjtU1zl8UihLmvAJJkvP_ECCSGA7zyYptWQvZwuvb2nE6pHaYRQAP4x8MAShVHWyJ_-eBvqTws0NAJ_G2bsOTfey_vxlS34ar89C1248a8X58MGfI6HqKzV/s1600/SDC12109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrV3lawFVzVRtkpibQpD4zmjtU1zl8UihLmvAJJkvP_ECCSGA7zyYptWQvZwuvb2nE6pHaYRQAP4x8MAShVHWyJ_-eBvqTws0NAJ_G2bsOTfey_vxlS34ar89C1248a8X58MGfI6HqKzV/s320/SDC12109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461607304790575186" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOA0yAf-58hn5rEm2G9BLyl7hZhTj_IhdO_0_wBmRP6R3EOvC7RqxilX9rNWL0-Y-8Dak6PPzn6DFFoFLrqkiTXBstZqCcaB_NX9yO7cCzVp148CzKL-fEC6VSpEeMdUXozwyMOsE97oS/s320/SDC12117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461602597960893250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WG0rnem5HsAXwrmst9qwq0c2Lyz4cOOmHXQIB4QiVMQlOJYOrjc4X3-bzKJjW-lSrNZTm08Ojh6e2Qs5BxFsK8U8TnQUUSrnyHetmgMmQoyXav3g1ob3D7LFMk5Hd3XU8nEeXfJLBI4o/s1600/SDC12113.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WG0rnem5HsAXwrmst9qwq0c2Lyz4cOOmHXQIB4QiVMQlOJYOrjc4X3-bzKJjW-lSrNZTm08Ojh6e2Qs5BxFsK8U8TnQUUSrnyHetmgMmQoyXav3g1ob3D7LFMk5Hd3XU8nEeXfJLBI4o/s1600/SDC12113.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a>After the palace, I had a little lunch with my spanish friend, Paula and we talked mostly about what to expect with Feria, but mostly other typical things. I'm kind of accustomed to spanish people now and realize they're just like me, so I don't have as many things to comment on, it's just normal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday morning I had a field trip in my anthropology class, so I took the long way to the museum and passed through a park, where the sunshine was in full force:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75diWVeE2vDrhGMgHiuZiAtxGjC98yzQOYTqVCkYa4s7v_7pYtT18sDSwLqwFqlSukqLKTctf225j_NlxeggNZePRn0u0wrhDnwFTnvxlcLmpTNZBa5V8s_-XI0Y4kuIlfuf_6oGeNWRJ/s1600/SDC12114.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOA0yAf-58hn5rEm2G9BLyl7hZhTj_IhdO_0_wBmRP6R3EOvC7RqxilX9rNWL0-Y-8Dak6PPzn6DFFoFLrqkiTXBstZqCcaB_NX9yO7cCzVp148CzKL-fEC6VSpEeMdUXozwyMOsE97oS/s1600/SDC12117.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSGhm3PhIrlBSOJhDkl_uAKLYcNuGtu2yayJVZ3NvQrzEDMq0F6GVAlN_jJ2DzBZur3h4iG3KLXYH2bR_a6ByqsWb2OYZY3GA05FC8d00X1xStdbakGs4jt1PWIi04fjlEJi8AoBDaZ2u/s1600/SDC12119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSGhm3PhIrlBSOJhDkl_uAKLYcNuGtu2yayJVZ3NvQrzEDMq0F6GVAlN_jJ2DzBZur3h4iG3KLXYH2bR_a6ByqsWb2OYZY3GA05FC8d00X1xStdbakGs4jt1PWIi04fjlEJi8AoBDaZ2u/s320/SDC12119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461602590344720082" /></a><br /></div><div>And then I made my way to Plaza de America to hang out before entering the Museum of Customs and Arts, which sits adjacent to the plaza.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNMDoiTk5O0ddnPsG6M8dYP9DNdJHAscKl6wITogJNkTxKu4q21ApH6BszOdgSEd86yh02QaL_KzcK1fAEe2sWXCG0QK-eOGmX4eE3pmqYFCQBxV6usabtr7zbimgH2FO4Dxh1YNjNw8P/s1600/SDC12122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNMDoiTk5O0ddnPsG6M8dYP9DNdJHAscKl6wITogJNkTxKu4q21ApH6BszOdgSEd86yh02QaL_KzcK1fAEe2sWXCG0QK-eOGmX4eE3pmqYFCQBxV6usabtr7zbimgH2FO4Dxh1YNjNw8P/s320/SDC12122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461602585337888690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A9Asf9k64I4rrWHeDU9z7rD38rc0nyI4WDfR9qrXc7M0HtBBnAsYg8PVHHIEBQoyNXBd1E-klPjTeencp5XKujiNi6cdcJPbGqlSy7sWqH7bkxcekpXsHtTDQMC_eFibZODchtj96PPS/s1600/SDC12125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A9Asf9k64I4rrWHeDU9z7rD38rc0nyI4WDfR9qrXc7M0HtBBnAsYg8PVHHIEBQoyNXBd1E-klPjTeencp5XKujiNi6cdcJPbGqlSy7sWqH7bkxcekpXsHtTDQMC_eFibZODchtj96PPS/s320/SDC12125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461602576193756530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexuhQhZivKjIfxw6go2VkDPhuj8BxBDGitve88PkGwX8QPp2IJ7o0MSUxvrVbs04xd1nIQC_zfFmvXlpsUJs5xdgUtB292fFbV-qniN2L6VKk83fFZulLkJ1a8T7_EZEdZDUtn568ftpc/s1600/SDC12128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexuhQhZivKjIfxw6go2VkDPhuj8BxBDGitve88PkGwX8QPp2IJ7o0MSUxvrVbs04xd1nIQC_zfFmvXlpsUJs5xdgUtB292fFbV-qniN2L6VKk83fFZulLkJ1a8T7_EZEdZDUtn568ftpc/s320/SDC12128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461593444762959378" /></a><br /></div><div>The museum was nothing to phone home about, but considering I was on a field trip and not just seeing it as a tourist, it was definately worthwhile. I have no idea how spanish women had the patience to sew these lacy mourning shawls.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId3Piy5D5lrQIEKcswbWkn5j-RsUyw4Kfl8N6PJUoxQzyteo_UUdKO29rGlQy430LLG-7OcZmGPZeSwSgiCtZFUDqsDil3Bc1O5Qmx5pZLce4LSrgeZEOve73s7iLRDY5UFBqWmws8Ai3/s1600/SDC12134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId3Piy5D5lrQIEKcswbWkn5j-RsUyw4Kfl8N6PJUoxQzyteo_UUdKO29rGlQy430LLG-7OcZmGPZeSwSgiCtZFUDqsDil3Bc1O5Qmx5pZLce4LSrgeZEOve73s7iLRDY5UFBqWmws8Ai3/s320/SDC12134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461593443063882098" /></a><br /></div><div>And as it was a museum of popular customs, there were giant wine barrels in the basement, apparently a couple hundred years old, and once a year there is a ceremonial day where some of the wine is served to patrons of the museum in commemoration of one of the most popular customs here: drinking. I would like to point out however that drinking here has none of the negative connotation that it does in America, unless you're talking about a "botellon", which is the practice of a lot of young people who get together by the river and drink a lot. I'd say binge drinking is way less prevalent here, where it's much more popular to just grab a glass of wine or beer with meals or during a break in the day.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFypoYjUI6ui-7Dzyg5J2knCpvCIMk4HEbCb7gHKplhriFLtxjXhEjz87JDFEKgjUy6xfmf_d_qqckJ6-yLH9FEVolGqIKDnh-yFQTMc_K3CpY5EejtH_si5uIiJvFiHOmM94mNd_EUpX/s1600/SDC12138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFypoYjUI6ui-7Dzyg5J2knCpvCIMk4HEbCb7gHKplhriFLtxjXhEjz87JDFEKgjUy6xfmf_d_qqckJ6-yLH9FEVolGqIKDnh-yFQTMc_K3CpY5EejtH_si5uIiJvFiHOmM94mNd_EUpX/s320/SDC12138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461593436879753186" /></a><br /></div><div>Seeking yet more culture, Mark, our friend Lauren, and I walked to the oldest bar in Sevilla Thursday afternoon. This bar was established in 1670, and continues today. Take a moment to let that date sink in. This bar is over 100 years older than our country. Inside, there are bottles on the shelves that are so old, the companies themselves have tried to buy them back. It's noteworthy that the bar is also famous for its spinach, and when we were trying to find it, whenever we would say, "El Rinconcillo, the bar with famous spinach", literally everyone knew what we were talking about. I should also note that the spinach was the best spinach I've ever had, which says a lot and nothing at the same time.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyiP5Zoh0SY1Lxr7M9xvoOB2doqmFEVWKcdkna9k52xctFgfSxgBaVdbz_c2JMjKb1ENhS_e0drEne6SnrlbHpMdfbhPIc2izSrCR8w-M0fTXo88a0aLEXNQayJGMkuoAWyq9_vF-70LW/s1600/SDC12139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyiP5Zoh0SY1Lxr7M9xvoOB2doqmFEVWKcdkna9k52xctFgfSxgBaVdbz_c2JMjKb1ENhS_e0drEne6SnrlbHpMdfbhPIc2izSrCR8w-M0fTXo88a0aLEXNQayJGMkuoAWyq9_vF-70LW/s320/SDC12139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461593428645540178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho05pgoa6rUcDboGJhIba2jfdnDL9cp8q1M8uh4GxkIvHgRRSmtprP6XV8o7ZPLMwqe9lARQFqQUhSCEIhf0ykQhc7FnqtdFwt63YBoIm_aboRXUS9nb6grcw0SIouEY4My2vafVHbHNzB/s1600/SDC12141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho05pgoa6rUcDboGJhIba2jfdnDL9cp8q1M8uh4GxkIvHgRRSmtprP6XV8o7ZPLMwqe9lARQFqQUhSCEIhf0ykQhc7FnqtdFwt63YBoIm_aboRXUS9nb6grcw0SIouEY4My2vafVHbHNzB/s320/SDC12141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461593419225238066" /></a><br /></div><div>In other news, strange things have been happening at my homestay. Before London, I bought a cheap box (think small dictionary sized) box of wine because I thought I was meeting up with friends that night. The meeting never happened, but when I came home from London, the box of wine was still there on my shelf, however it was a different one. And about every other day since, the box of wine has changed. I want to ask my senora about it, but I'm going to see how long it lasts. Also occurring last week, I went to the bathroom, and one of the small turtles from the basin on the floor had been swapped with a large turtle from the bidet, and all four turtles were moving around as if they were all very uncomfortable with the new situation. Later that night I went into the bathroom, and all turtles were back to their rightful homes. </div><div><br /></div><div>As far as school is concerned, I'm still going even though it may not seem like it. I'm actually really enjoying most of my classes. My writing class pretty much does discussion and a little grammar everyday, but our teacher is the man and keeps it fresh. In Anthropology we're learning about the economy of Andalucia, which can pretty much consists of wine and olives, and in history, we're learning about the Spanish monarchy under Charles V, and although the material is interesting and completely new to me, our teacher uses the blackboard very sparingly, and no sort of technology, so it's a constant struggle to pay attention to the 2 hour spanish lecture in the strictest sense of the word.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all I have to say about that.</div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-19337395429339159852010-04-15T05:42:00.000-07:002010-04-30T14:33:24.939-07:00Normandy<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypK-lqOHGhGcCUfK40l2GzZ2wX3Z1SWjzNJNCPwhceejzZmRRaHs2ywWa-6hDWjdF1ONDxwgmpVOOAYNrlRnsB0e2_23lCLfmolFw-wiNX0biqBpNJTIRFKPfQU4cpwL480fL_4REb4DH/s1600/omaha.jpg"></a>Thursday night of 2 weeks ago, during my stay in London, I went to Normandy, which is the northern region of Spain facing the Channel. I knew the travel there would be stressful since it included a metro, train, overnight ferry, and two buses to reach my destination, but I was feeling up to the challenge. Getting off the train at Portsmouth Harbor in the south of England, I was a little unnerved by the lack of people and it turned out that I was at the wrong station, and had a little walking to do.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMP2EFYM1C1hKmTeSeuwP90wiFaMYoo4mOQ5nvyaV665fcyCAXtkrYGRmUQRUa1ESuRRyNoiFRRA_He1bqNwAtznbPJBfFJ8y6WHcRDw7HjebGS1qeOersUqNSWYKO5Mg8aQrHQqgIArv/s1600/SDC11825.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMP2EFYM1C1hKmTeSeuwP90wiFaMYoo4mOQ5nvyaV665fcyCAXtkrYGRmUQRUa1ESuRRyNoiFRRA_He1bqNwAtznbPJBfFJ8y6WHcRDw7HjebGS1qeOersUqNSWYKO5Mg8aQrHQqgIArv/s320/SDC11825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461575146326353106" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nonetheless, I made it to the ferry station and got on my boat. I didn't take any pictures but these "ferries" are basically small cruise ships, with a theatre, multiple restaurants, a dance club, and various lounges. Nonetheless I just found a seat, reclined as far back as I could, threw a shirt over my eyes, and fell fast asleep. I woke up at 5:45 in perfect time to get off the boat and grab a bus to Caen, which is a small city in northern France which is the heart of all the war memorials. I was excited to be back in France but the early morning drowsiness combined with the heavy fog that was literally everywhere combined to put me into a cold, soggy, zombie like state that required 3 cups of coffee.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HJOGKbowTtsTlrBQq8lBBYPxRIQoqVEl7uazs8lGVgGrbMyvA2ma0yeqlOCDGn5sCMhjEMYF7zGwmMNjGeHNaKHmUf5UreYuoErnk0e5Tx1N9frq8F3hSdeNP4FiRZs9uKkJKYbNmRii/s1600/SDC11837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HJOGKbowTtsTlrBQq8lBBYPxRIQoqVEl7uazs8lGVgGrbMyvA2ma0yeqlOCDGn5sCMhjEMYF7zGwmMNjGeHNaKHmUf5UreYuoErnk0e5Tx1N9frq8F3hSdeNP4FiRZs9uKkJKYbNmRii/s320/SDC11837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461575136769446386" /></a><br /></div><div>Then I grabbed another bus which took me to the Normandy World War II Memorial. (More fog)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSRc2TaySkQEMuVdeJ8Vc0iY6DjXsINmtxnWIHBLQp7VJy2M0DErSi4rbHFziT_JPtTkYW7N7j43u1ZfMrIa_ZDY7z8OS5NSNOKAzMHqG4Hobk5X9dV8QIPe8S8joTz0t0F1WmhtHW53x/s320/SDC11844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461570006515369170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFWIjsFFE2rIK00_WZkH_oPSAeGM-jIDEldfacTR-2NfbpT7vbJQFoQ7ijRhbkAp5pOcL5KpxyQEQwoXuwyTvF37Kc5vuz8_g_e3isckGQQpbcZe8e70vfnKz5zFUOGNIMvmSNi8AH7ck/s1600/SDC11839.JPG"></a></div><div>Outside the entrance there were stone blocks from each country involved with the Allied cause, and each with a certain saying upon them. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we've got America with a classic quote from Ike:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFWIjsFFE2rIK00_WZkH_oPSAeGM-jIDEldfacTR-2NfbpT7vbJQFoQ7ijRhbkAp5pOcL5KpxyQEQwoXuwyTvF37Kc5vuz8_g_e3isckGQQpbcZe8e70vfnKz5zFUOGNIMvmSNi8AH7ck/s1600/SDC11839.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFWIjsFFE2rIK00_WZkH_oPSAeGM-jIDEldfacTR-2NfbpT7vbJQFoQ7ijRhbkAp5pOcL5KpxyQEQwoXuwyTvF37Kc5vuz8_g_e3isckGQQpbcZe8e70vfnKz5zFUOGNIMvmSNi8AH7ck/s320/SDC11839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461570027636264258" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>France, with a typically airy and poetic call: (Translation=I was born to know thee, to call thee Liberty)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ35KibCYsx-FDBIl922SP3AUztAuScR_OmQilw7qWPAejCNbbcd1R5f4hwmzXSurHuZrD3ELsBRZYJqw_gOsq2W6omHzKFYCbbQVLt72QrKKU91jK6jlpOdGz6nfbmKe-ImRZO46UBtc/s1600/SDC11841.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ35KibCYsx-FDBIl922SP3AUztAuScR_OmQilw7qWPAejCNbbcd1R5f4hwmzXSurHuZrD3ELsBRZYJqw_gOsq2W6omHzKFYCbbQVLt72QrKKU91jK6jlpOdGz6nfbmKe-ImRZO46UBtc/s320/SDC11841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461570015467607138" /></a><br /></div><div>And then we've got Greece: "We prefer peace to war." Eloquent.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVz9CRxkGgVKCuKAuGIv88d6b3iiqERmaGj65bDXJcCR-BIhns4CjRZVaj-NkFlPGIMjbo_HgQWnPGIcb5qCjzYW_nkJYFsWU3ULBEzHwv0OoKbcVdZiMCLor8rBWgy0igK8-KxIhoD_D/s1600/SDC11840.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVz9CRxkGgVKCuKAuGIv88d6b3iiqERmaGj65bDXJcCR-BIhns4CjRZVaj-NkFlPGIMjbo_HgQWnPGIcb5qCjzYW_nkJYFsWU3ULBEzHwv0OoKbcVdZiMCLor8rBWgy0igK8-KxIhoD_D/s320/SDC11840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461570013254255266" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I literally had no idea how to see Normandy before I talked with a woman in the tourist office at the France ferry harbor, but it seemed that the best option was a 4 hour guided tour. Our tour guide turned out to be awesome and we saw a lot of major major sites during the war.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first thing we saw was an artificial harbor called a "mulberry" that Churchill drug over from Britain to serve as a supplies harbor to the town of Arromanche. (I should note that Normandy is a province of northern France encompassing all these towns). Since Hitler fortified all the harbors in France so well, Churchill decided if they couldn't take a harbor, they'd bring one. Unfortunately there were only two constructed and within the first 2 weeks of operation a storm badly battered them. The other mulberry off Omaha beach was destroyed beyond repair, and this one required 2 months to repair.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSRc2TaySkQEMuVdeJ8Vc0iY6DjXsINmtxnWIHBLQp7VJy2M0DErSi4rbHFziT_JPtTkYW7N7j43u1ZfMrIa_ZDY7z8OS5NSNOKAzMHqG4Hobk5X9dV8QIPe8S8joTz0t0F1WmhtHW53x/s1600/SDC11844.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZE21tf6eC7oOn2xJKVg4VBk-q17CWWAIJ0pXmfs6V2kA71NBCcy3z4o2TRj8QoE1YNH84AoKXjOsgT0yzJAxhD30GOojYMVZzj6o2RJeW7cEltt0UmKuDjILes-zBk1EBPZ1PbjNDLpr/s1600/SDC11848.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZE21tf6eC7oOn2xJKVg4VBk-q17CWWAIJ0pXmfs6V2kA71NBCcy3z4o2TRj8QoE1YNH84AoKXjOsgT0yzJAxhD30GOojYMVZzj6o2RJeW7cEltt0UmKuDjILes-zBk1EBPZ1PbjNDLpr/s320/SDC11848.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461569999060391122" /></a><br /></div><div>A more efficient supplies strategy came from the Americans, who just bull-rushed everything over in ships.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIX0dV53WTCRVj9FAq9A6sve1pvlWAMxnvhd-W7AJDppcq9Ei2x44QJ7tKAOwsiLpYlW9wBS7x0FOUGVptYkt9nyT094VfuC1EyE7eSk4VP_CV-DDFP25DJGvKKxJp7nAGiQ3GBvoNFrj/s320/SDC11978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464270524920706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCvX62L_kIGfbZ3Rr9QSb7JB1ImPorf2VyjUho5v5knlYmGFQWfpcVzR8fPLhX-ohOE4Rwmf-JJFRnhzs6nHNTAcAUA_vN_mMzLdMfc4g3z8lWHNniktkRqhMoL__nkzsQsAkkuFMOXAn/s1600/SDC11853.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Picture of Sword Beach, the eastern-most of the five landing zones, and taken by the Brits.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCvX62L_kIGfbZ3Rr9QSb7JB1ImPorf2VyjUho5v5knlYmGFQWfpcVzR8fPLhX-ohOE4Rwmf-JJFRnhzs6nHNTAcAUA_vN_mMzLdMfc4g3z8lWHNniktkRqhMoL__nkzsQsAkkuFMOXAn/s1600/SDC11853.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCvX62L_kIGfbZ3Rr9QSb7JB1ImPorf2VyjUho5v5knlYmGFQWfpcVzR8fPLhX-ohOE4Rwmf-JJFRnhzs6nHNTAcAUA_vN_mMzLdMfc4g3z8lWHNniktkRqhMoL__nkzsQsAkkuFMOXAn/s320/SDC11853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461554079745996850" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Climbing up these cliffs proved to be the most deadly part of the invasion.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmoRv0QaW2YPAd1Mj686eeae4LSGw-t9tFo-wb7oIS85_qH7BqgJ5pA2K6AIDj7Ihou6CriD8Q9Vr3znDUhXPFQQA6Qd60NIkFjH9kHbp36MpyhkFpeJaNak1XrmFh_PNSYeUk3MpBqNL/s1600/SDC11857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmoRv0QaW2YPAd1Mj686eeae4LSGw-t9tFo-wb7oIS85_qH7BqgJ5pA2K6AIDj7Ihou6CriD8Q9Vr3znDUhXPFQQA6Qd60NIkFjH9kHbp36MpyhkFpeJaNak1XrmFh_PNSYeUk3MpBqNL/s320/SDC11857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461554074638267986" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And here's a German cannon bunker. Untouched by the bombing, it remains exactly as it was during the war.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGjHK3Y4suxj_ulB3t6-C_py4ixma8HIg_w2hFNMKFe6PwaOeuAGjnkvCZsO120dNDiQHAB197Ke2eMFlcHGk4VwHPtbUHlxNo0_czmoICmsSU-faIgXtFS3ilss5uamW5YcrHoZxGYMO/s1600/SDC11860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGjHK3Y4suxj_ulB3t6-C_py4ixma8HIg_w2hFNMKFe6PwaOeuAGjnkvCZsO120dNDiQHAB197Ke2eMFlcHGk4VwHPtbUHlxNo0_czmoICmsSU-faIgXtFS3ilss5uamW5YcrHoZxGYMO/s320/SDC11860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461554065212669778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkySJzYIDj7UD2beQQysSiYmty4XmuvmX1IVLDbDrKxDybbzCTxiSlhu4veBsN5pa2aHFoxfS0pDkApnTighRubtXpu5w1VHHX92RgeELwSHoXogzSXigkkembV1Cfz7b3T2ptnAh2az6/s1600/SDC11862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkySJzYIDj7UD2beQQysSiYmty4XmuvmX1IVLDbDrKxDybbzCTxiSlhu4veBsN5pa2aHFoxfS0pDkApnTighRubtXpu5w1VHHX92RgeELwSHoXogzSXigkkembV1Cfz7b3T2ptnAh2az6/s320/SDC11862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461554060993305474" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After Arromanche, we went to the American cemetary and memorial, which was in a very somber and powerful way the highlight of my trip. We started out in the Garden of the Lost, with every one of the 1,557 Americans whose bodies have never been found. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hH-iXFdDvRwCoUtR5_L5OESYOOg1Vona07MOcmsyi8qNCVlg01AStTYcIRkxKj7MgvpiFZZ1NVPx-V8ORdV6B4rngp0m8j_yBJIxOq3g0M3AA2T8BbkZGcvgQancGkHB732JWBG11DgS/s1600/SDC11877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hH-iXFdDvRwCoUtR5_L5OESYOOg1Vona07MOcmsyi8qNCVlg01AStTYcIRkxKj7MgvpiFZZ1NVPx-V8ORdV6B4rngp0m8j_yBJIxOq3g0M3AA2T8BbkZGcvgQancGkHB732JWBG11DgS/s320/SDC11877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461554053414505490" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside, there was this map of the overall plan for "Operation Overlord", which most people would agree saved nearly the entire world from Hitler. Plans of Hitler have been found to invade very nearly the entire world, so it's hard to understate the importance of June 6, 1944 for everyone worldwide. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfQN4buW-MSu4sCi1eosgBqa-ifxWkmUnpRDmWR_pzlQD5rEJoYoSOzFY8g_LqYdkD2zjoTAUNaPp8jpAy_FKa69xH-X3NC7yQ5HTwpr5LEIu4-2kgHHktU5Fxeteyzljjtt_nEZcDrvR/s1600/SDC11879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfQN4buW-MSu4sCi1eosgBqa-ifxWkmUnpRDmWR_pzlQD5rEJoYoSOzFY8g_LqYdkD2zjoTAUNaPp8jpAy_FKa69xH-X3NC7yQ5HTwpr5LEIu4-2kgHHktU5Fxeteyzljjtt_nEZcDrvR/s320/SDC11879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461363461684655970" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Reflecting pool:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkS6h-zeWv4RYsxr2izIh05ibd4Abm0mffSlIoWC7hwPlgmp2YqEOfH7tJ4fof-yNVw4UYGlN24gr32Prn1DcokcHuLjW5Y0Ldp9PkrQKGHufVtZNO3qjWIPpHvmf2Mc5BEwq3lpFd2t/s1600/SDC11883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkS6h-zeWv4RYsxr2izIh05ibd4Abm0mffSlIoWC7hwPlgmp2YqEOfH7tJ4fof-yNVw4UYGlN24gr32Prn1DcokcHuLjW5Y0Ldp9PkrQKGHufVtZNO3qjWIPpHvmf2Mc5BEwq3lpFd2t/s320/SDC11883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461363456217864642" /></a><br /></div><div>The actual cemetery is staggering. It's hard to grasp 9,387 graves, and furthermore that there were around 20,000 Americans who died in the invasion of France that are buried in the States. The exact totals from D-Day and the invasion of Normandy in total are incredibly unreliable, and to this day in this rural part of France, farmers will occasionally plow up a body from the war, sometimes with I.D. But generally it looks like around 3000-4000 men died during the morning and afternoon hours, and just on Omaha Beach. Casualties there were so high that they were a little easier to calculate. What I didn't realize was that securing the beaches didn't constitute any sort of victory. Allied forces continued to fight for months to push the Germans out of France. Normandy was just the beginning. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1SRfQR7mEBNFOx8vnwxPrJYOp7VQfrRMUZRrkEaClkbavaSOJs1EkGuNrEwKka5msKkvCxLHeOJoa2SvjI_RWJJdVCT3AVV_qSs7HyElr6bsYQPmQZP28_q1ReO5fFy0YQF2Q8V1P2xc/s1600/SDC11884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1SRfQR7mEBNFOx8vnwxPrJYOp7VQfrRMUZRrkEaClkbavaSOJs1EkGuNrEwKka5msKkvCxLHeOJoa2SvjI_RWJJdVCT3AVV_qSs7HyElr6bsYQPmQZP28_q1ReO5fFy0YQF2Q8V1P2xc/s320/SDC11884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461363444306197074" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpGkTsmLL7b_FobNsdQuk3797TlXS-p24TwLAXjGj0Tp7aX5GTeIWfGP4BPQ_xuEjX4_yDb6GQbVGyi-fPig6RuHvbaFB7uLaYFz23iXa7UostEvKn6caDj3Twir7vBfZ2e3CceJ19Fcj/s1600/SDC11896.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFwoJfT1zouzNuIkeX-V-mX2BYg73Y6seMKgAgu-zBp1nUhzAEzFbebZ3aYgH44NbxIr96Zy_QgjAWcaW75ZmeTq0nIiqXdgqsYXFcy1pv4XseGETq5-XlrVCYtOpT_x-E9kgw-kb_1RY/s1600/SDC11899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFwoJfT1zouzNuIkeX-V-mX2BYg73Y6seMKgAgu-zBp1nUhzAEzFbebZ3aYgH44NbxIr96Zy_QgjAWcaW75ZmeTq0nIiqXdgqsYXFcy1pv4XseGETq5-XlrVCYtOpT_x-E9kgw-kb_1RY/s320/SDC11899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461358404153305426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIn056lop_smcTlOupqGZpSj7slrLUVrvN2ZyRpF2eMcGR4u3w7mrWyBkZBGWF224zdRkGbVmoroTpIGWN3xQsH93tQyfjRQn8WbKSsvjfPF9K-aG3YDY4dDUn8qK6vifg37foHnUWoGp/s1600/SDC11902.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIn056lop_smcTlOupqGZpSj7slrLUVrvN2ZyRpF2eMcGR4u3w7mrWyBkZBGWF224zdRkGbVmoroTpIGWN3xQsH93tQyfjRQn8WbKSsvjfPF9K-aG3YDY4dDUn8qK6vifg37foHnUWoGp/s320/SDC11902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461358394859054130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonCRnog3OrD6RExMc-LG8CK79dIp_K7QybXVBjWSmzL7cMnWlq-i6P5cK9EP5Pc-1_QGiM_nIDSQbPF9dy7zWoztSQJi9OW-yhnhXkaMC4lzZ6oZiWcQp90EPB0FLhw9L_EvaW-bGy3lu/s1600/SDC11909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonCRnog3OrD6RExMc-LG8CK79dIp_K7QybXVBjWSmzL7cMnWlq-i6P5cK9EP5Pc-1_QGiM_nIDSQbPF9dy7zWoztSQJi9OW-yhnhXkaMC4lzZ6oZiWcQp90EPB0FLhw9L_EvaW-bGy3lu/s320/SDC11909.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461358392488228706" /></a><br /></div><div>Pardon the drama, but for me, the most powerful thing was to look at the names. When there are so many of something, you forget the importance of each. Each one of these gravestones has a name and a story, family, job, and everything else, that ended in France, literally saving the world.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpGkTsmLL7b_FobNsdQuk3797TlXS-p24TwLAXjGj0Tp7aX5GTeIWfGP4BPQ_xuEjX4_yDb6GQbVGyi-fPig6RuHvbaFB7uLaYFz23iXa7UostEvKn6caDj3Twir7vBfZ2e3CceJ19Fcj/s320/SDC11896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461358407765426434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>View of Omaha Beach from the cemetery:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSMTJ88nbLp05fOBy5LW2tr4V12JXb7uXSqR9RGcbNTOe-e1V6mPZgU3-duI2pI6wijVkdOZHfH5FQ36T0c8x4qEt4FS8NpevJbvkScr4EmPFHF8PZ319_lN2sr_JPl_8wSBH4UyvxQ91/s1600/SDC11915.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSMTJ88nbLp05fOBy5LW2tr4V12JXb7uXSqR9RGcbNTOe-e1V6mPZgU3-duI2pI6wijVkdOZHfH5FQ36T0c8x4qEt4FS8NpevJbvkScr4EmPFHF8PZ319_lN2sr_JPl_8wSBH4UyvxQ91/s320/SDC11915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461358377867898770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqux4haNg-kjE72UG1OwV2KVQ1bIoYckDl1e3ZMW_bxLPFrbytMRdVby_5yHb6BsRoZ1hLEEOmntQbAqqEsUL8uEhHdXe8XDcNrZ_jYiD7Q_6HbH7rf8i_1H_1zKY8jETE4bbR0LMKM27/s1600/SDC11919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqux4haNg-kjE72UG1OwV2KVQ1bIoYckDl1e3ZMW_bxLPFrbytMRdVby_5yHb6BsRoZ1hLEEOmntQbAqqEsUL8uEhHdXe8XDcNrZ_jYiD7Q_6HbH7rf8i_1H_1zKY8jETE4bbR0LMKM27/s320/SDC11919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461264251007304130" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After the cemetery, we drove down to the actual Omaha Beach. The thing about it is that it's just a beach now; people have houses there. As our guide pointed out, the beach didn't choose it's role. None of the Belgian doors or hedgehogs are there anymore, but it's still arguably the most famous, and important site of World War II.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGIIk-sqEOFDJGy-KTVXoHnugf-LDXueHpUMTCGS0lDoAoj9rRC-1TvMXdr2oW5iHvWPCv3EehFmHZxr74svsj2-aJQrrSnsPWksMQXS6BcVYNxdhmgTYNdb-ZDH-q95KxR58zojv55Tw/s1600/SDC11931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGIIk-sqEOFDJGy-KTVXoHnugf-LDXueHpUMTCGS0lDoAoj9rRC-1TvMXdr2oW5iHvWPCv3EehFmHZxr74svsj2-aJQrrSnsPWksMQXS6BcVYNxdhmgTYNdb-ZDH-q95KxR58zojv55Tw/s320/SDC11931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461264240227464658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYZubw8rnjevesoueNwYoC2vIk9wlcSbdhCTXcKpGUDu0ew_18tGEWofvGIyEESHxR-DvQhmnd3Z0FxMBAmMTB4ZkUFSlH6wX4CvbW4-jVDGOtazuQGjbPO6Yo7jQP1Ik1jVbflVx6mpz/s1600/SDC11934.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYZubw8rnjevesoueNwYoC2vIk9wlcSbdhCTXcKpGUDu0ew_18tGEWofvGIyEESHxR-DvQhmnd3Z0FxMBAmMTB4ZkUFSlH6wX4CvbW4-jVDGOtazuQGjbPO6Yo7jQP1Ik1jVbflVx6mpz/s320/SDC11934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461264231632308882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1z2CjNUH7NpP0qME0Yj8y5Sj6he2gdWvlvmYmxZ0-nncjmFuU4jRlCMo50dkvGRDkXfZGWOWGLE2mUnrAtHHuLlMutjn2D_C2L5CxxdHAYWl2I3wTxNbzIUPbnmMv_mq_qABH124QgbG/s1600/SDC11935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1z2CjNUH7NpP0qME0Yj8y5Sj6he2gdWvlvmYmxZ0-nncjmFuU4jRlCMo50dkvGRDkXfZGWOWGLE2mUnrAtHHuLlMutjn2D_C2L5CxxdHAYWl2I3wTxNbzIUPbnmMv_mq_qABH124QgbG/s320/SDC11935.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461264222714050722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0cSvdm1nFSCrCam_ayFXPqXLHNRrLGEgb0weAMwuBiK9PqOp_4MjnOw18xYg7Vcn7SXnLA2bjYxc9-nTPEQOU61kqcTNwFf95xUW43HLzTCLVRkJmJzorG_09hXMIiIT767Xt7ajhFfn/s1600/SDC11936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0cSvdm1nFSCrCam_ayFXPqXLHNRrLGEgb0weAMwuBiK9PqOp_4MjnOw18xYg7Vcn7SXnLA2bjYxc9-nTPEQOU61kqcTNwFf95xUW43HLzTCLVRkJmJzorG_09hXMIiIT767Xt7ajhFfn/s320/SDC11936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461264216938131378" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For me, going down to the water where this famous photo was taken...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypK-lqOHGhGcCUfK40l2GzZ2wX3Z1SWjzNJNCPwhceejzZmRRaHs2ywWa-6hDWjdF1ONDxwgmpVOOAYNrlRnsB0e2_23lCLfmolFw-wiNX0biqBpNJTIRFKPfQU4cpwL480fL_4REb4DH/s320/omaha.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465996780648564722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>...was the most moving part of the beaches. Looking back at the vast (and Omaha Beach is about 100 yards deep) beach and the imposing bluffs behind it gave me the chills. I've seen Saving Private Ryan but to touch the water and the sand that so many men died on was very moving. In a very strange way, being on Omaha Beach made me question myself in ways that normal life never does. I couldn't help but wonder if I would've had the courage to storm these beaches. Would I have the strength to watch friends die and keep moving forward? And then if I did reach the base of the bluffs, would I have the fortitude to climb and push forward instead of staying below in relative safety. I hope I never have to know these questions but it was scary to think about the fact that I'm 21, and many many men that lived and died on this beach were my age or younger. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkwXy865wECMX9IPo2zT4yRg3eN2AGwJFGqI9VYA7v9z6dfRleZ9zboKdl4mADxs3i1SNUpvBOFphfWROSUWKDMr0hbiraRPucaUFGVqkKXEnN8Q7P7xdleVk_ThyphenhyphenRv7JnVZnTX-sUOyh/s1600/SDC11939.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkwXy865wECMX9IPo2zT4yRg3eN2AGwJFGqI9VYA7v9z6dfRleZ9zboKdl4mADxs3i1SNUpvBOFphfWROSUWKDMr0hbiraRPucaUFGVqkKXEnN8Q7P7xdleVk_ThyphenhyphenRv7JnVZnTX-sUOyh/s320/SDC11939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460763717773239730" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Many of the German foxholes are gone now but some still remain. Spooky:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIz0b_gIRJUDjZQMqBjKqETa4AP0hq5wzHu5I_Jywn9JFJNtvPrWHRDslMsEYCH50uhAlFe0WVyinEPv8-QKBE_6x77rdn3UgI2pe2QimizioKk8z6vHWKE20EKrmd8o0whbYiSveY4Sn/s1600/SDC11944.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIz0b_gIRJUDjZQMqBjKqETa4AP0hq5wzHu5I_Jywn9JFJNtvPrWHRDslMsEYCH50uhAlFe0WVyinEPv8-QKBE_6x77rdn3UgI2pe2QimizioKk8z6vHWKE20EKrmd8o0whbYiSveY4Sn/s320/SDC11944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460763704434906770" /></a><br /></div><div>After the beaches we drove up to Pont Du-Hoc, where 7 German cannons used to be positioned. The Allies knew about the location and decided it was crucial to disable the cannons which each had range to fire up to 25,000 yards. Around 140 of 220 men died climbing (literally they had to climb) the cliffs, and when the Army Rangers 2nd Battalion got there, they realized the cannons had been moved back to safer locations because the Germans didn't want to lose them in the inevitable air raids. Those air raids left giant craters in the ground that are still a sight today. Sadly, the battalion lost over 140 of 225 men.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI5mqc_nlZrupW3n0Pzh4b_mNIwJqOFV9NJIaAfYCe4c2dy-MGTrL9DpnjomHjnSH0NZjplqFfJn_SHvv5tEb63o9LT2chWvSDNK5kPleWhq1MXSafMJ-XdRjVg91uAk8eRJmShdndzFW/s1600/SDC11948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI5mqc_nlZrupW3n0Pzh4b_mNIwJqOFV9NJIaAfYCe4c2dy-MGTrL9DpnjomHjnSH0NZjplqFfJn_SHvv5tEb63o9LT2chWvSDNK5kPleWhq1MXSafMJ-XdRjVg91uAk8eRJmShdndzFW/s320/SDC11948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460763696787218050" /></a><br /></div><div>German fort:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCeeMlbjYjclDJfNYZ7jV0bJaxa5zc8dq4fxHjPVFt_zH8sahC7_VjoiFNFkRKerB6nOJfX-UmP0RhZspQUw3wR4xX6gjo_xp-2VeehxjGZcCDWgJOxuedmsmooPX-xITTkKZq2KF6C0z/s1600/SDC11951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCeeMlbjYjclDJfNYZ7jV0bJaxa5zc8dq4fxHjPVFt_zH8sahC7_VjoiFNFkRKerB6nOJfX-UmP0RhZspQUw3wR4xX6gjo_xp-2VeehxjGZcCDWgJOxuedmsmooPX-xITTkKZq2KF6C0z/s320/SDC11951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460763687740304754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkZ_Kh6NsTfx0c2ZtFwbNDRPGU7Cdroc8SYlM-H8QiKnw-emTJZuP0bF7bZDVOra5uPxltCTb4UPf-aS7tWGMNMDT_x5o5QCzKpB9RX-B7FOCeOUaeKKXqOZDCsQ5sOWvFavACMpUrRrh/s1600/SDC11953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkZ_Kh6NsTfx0c2ZtFwbNDRPGU7Cdroc8SYlM-H8QiKnw-emTJZuP0bF7bZDVOra5uPxltCTb4UPf-aS7tWGMNMDT_x5o5QCzKpB9RX-B7FOCeOUaeKKXqOZDCsQ5sOWvFavACMpUrRrh/s320/SDC11953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460763681992155746" /></a><br /></div><div>Another German fort:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkExRxhJt6F4f5boBkjQ5IvO487UFX06yl2y2Pm0-vAZ4eYu0hEF0fsniFwSujOh7N7mndYqApxp41t4FUzM7hOiISNBNd3IC2dFIDekbay-yVPO7O4p8EB4na1Nd65AMaMope1ou_a0E/s1600/SDC11957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkExRxhJt6F4f5boBkjQ5IvO487UFX06yl2y2Pm0-vAZ4eYu0hEF0fsniFwSujOh7N7mndYqApxp41t4FUzM7hOiISNBNd3IC2dFIDekbay-yVPO7O4p8EB4na1Nd65AMaMope1ou_a0E/s320/SDC11957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460756825794901746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pouMQ0s_AAG89yq9Jp2RZrNGxJtlBlmdO_5fLhk45NQ2Mp3dHLcVeV_YhsSfsCtQWCGUi0JE3bh_wSLS5qa84P1FoHTLX3h201LKuTqlWgaj9HIpE_PvEieF_ItcyZO3x5_YUQpmAkS8/s1600/SDC11960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pouMQ0s_AAG89yq9Jp2RZrNGxJtlBlmdO_5fLhk45NQ2Mp3dHLcVeV_YhsSfsCtQWCGUi0JE3bh_wSLS5qa84P1FoHTLX3h201LKuTqlWgaj9HIpE_PvEieF_ItcyZO3x5_YUQpmAkS8/s320/SDC11960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460756822509731970" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Bigger view:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihCAWSEFrx5Dtt6iUKa2Sjgmxxklttjko5wN9my4Jd3P_aLiCGNyfT-SWXdtVzofUHgz21LZx4NxE4A2RP-SDx0fkcfUgm0IEzSQCNvF_bWGWvcWcc0O9PP1K0doLgwqFx4BMcZinN8bl/s1600/SDC11972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihCAWSEFrx5Dtt6iUKa2Sjgmxxklttjko5wN9my4Jd3P_aLiCGNyfT-SWXdtVzofUHgz21LZx4NxE4A2RP-SDx0fkcfUgm0IEzSQCNvF_bWGWvcWcc0O9PP1K0doLgwqFx4BMcZinN8bl/s320/SDC11972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460756813520631842" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After the tour, I had lunch, and then went into the museum back near Caen. The picture archives took me through the entire process of Overlord, from the planning to the conception, to the march to Berlin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few of the best pictures:</div><div><br /></div><div>The landing:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSaT6et37ZzSks9QRqZSXw8sG706NxOiNMdmrIIqQ2KrT91ZlDeY-MhhFflAIqwVk6SgWdalzOKX1KwXLwtjcjc58kdJ8VKetUOyjnOd8jqOXUdaqoZ0IPh4yYjO7YHPLC_xJSGjZTyIF/s1600/SDC11977.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSaT6et37ZzSks9QRqZSXw8sG706NxOiNMdmrIIqQ2KrT91ZlDeY-MhhFflAIqwVk6SgWdalzOKX1KwXLwtjcjc58kdJ8VKetUOyjnOd8jqOXUdaqoZ0IPh4yYjO7YHPLC_xJSGjZTyIF/s320/SDC11977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464277224621602" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Allied soldiers at leave and playing baseball in Normandy:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIX0dV53WTCRVj9FAq9A6sve1pvlWAMxnvhd-W7AJDppcq9Ei2x44QJ7tKAOwsiLpYlW9wBS7x0FOUGVptYkt9nyT094VfuC1EyE7eSk4VP_CV-DDFP25DJGvKKxJp7nAGiQ3GBvoNFrj/s1600/SDC11978.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk85JMvLWFcZa0uTLTZm8FFNHvH889OuwNU5xPvTdtVvmPTnL35ZFpXf_GxRPE3mUreIpp-LM2Zeq2PiDopkddGhY42GZMGuFoo5ZtnWQ2R1j36vqHGjglfDD-8QyijNQ3wWmKNyQdBuk/s1600/SDC11981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk85JMvLWFcZa0uTLTZm8FFNHvH889OuwNU5xPvTdtVvmPTnL35ZFpXf_GxRPE3mUreIpp-LM2Zeq2PiDopkddGhY42GZMGuFoo5ZtnWQ2R1j36vqHGjglfDD-8QyijNQ3wWmKNyQdBuk/s320/SDC11981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464260225026306" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The thick hedges used to separate cattle made the task of reclaiming France a brutal one. Here you can kind of see the hedges on both sides. And also, this is one of those pictures that makes me realize how brave these men really were:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPer-bzFdDWUY4YiHBffHpaaQpRA7sF8HfK5Yiu4h52QFDi7kCD1dYQdZVqSW2ZvoKn_0mcD2zqfLmbDodPAACOwIWAOksTnRRy_isof8QxQJQO98Z5FjNApdX2YKLjsbMiFLsSLIHVuNf/s1600/SDC11983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPer-bzFdDWUY4YiHBffHpaaQpRA7sF8HfK5Yiu4h52QFDi7kCD1dYQdZVqSW2ZvoKn_0mcD2zqfLmbDodPAACOwIWAOksTnRRy_isof8QxQJQO98Z5FjNApdX2YKLjsbMiFLsSLIHVuNf/s320/SDC11983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464254652673074" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>French gratitude:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSgQEAKQreN_IEXZgOk-Uxt4JnilaPQ9IH-S_iRL3AmLfSzD7rcLLkgzwIjkMPlF5y7DfkUzwcEAQrRrXGh14-Y-FpRzlnlaWX1fFxZ0ZYZqOZgIJs7aqu8rAKYf_-r7aCHHubuLa0tKR/s1600/SDC11987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSgQEAKQreN_IEXZgOk-Uxt4JnilaPQ9IH-S_iRL3AmLfSzD7rcLLkgzwIjkMPlF5y7DfkUzwcEAQrRrXGh14-Y-FpRzlnlaWX1fFxZ0ZYZqOZgIJs7aqu8rAKYf_-r7aCHHubuLa0tKR/s320/SDC11987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464241603600562" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the photo archives I had taken over 300 pictures that day so I put the camera away for a little while. I watched a couple movies on D-Day in the museum theatre, and then wandered through the new cold war exhibit they had which made me realize how little I understand about the state of the world 50 years ago and on.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a very packed day in every sense of the word, I took a bus back to downtown Caen, which was much more lively without any fog.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlS83TJsfCxStRbSAaDw_cNuktBRurEK3GvvMWMrfSDIDMxxs4qA-RIcGDS8fwH_Rmtz2mtrchbaI3Br6YhqVZrUlRyS2h_63SpG8atJk-hZ2LVmCg315Wvy4AcFS5KbNZjRaDu-N8qoJ/s1600/SDC11999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlS83TJsfCxStRbSAaDw_cNuktBRurEK3GvvMWMrfSDIDMxxs4qA-RIcGDS8fwH_Rmtz2mtrchbaI3Br6YhqVZrUlRyS2h_63SpG8atJk-hZ2LVmCg315Wvy4AcFS5KbNZjRaDu-N8qoJ/s320/SDC11999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442536161519842" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And as it goes with every part of Europe, there's a lot of old stuff. As in, older than America. This is an old castle that is right in the middle of Caen. Despite its grandeur, the inhabitants seemed to have no idea what it was or how old it was. But one man told me it used to be a private castle and it's around 500 years old. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hXtz3VhgzfX5f0Azgg2bTeGvyqwZJFIIcjgalMpqGwgirFO3NYrqSGRYGMayjSslXVydlR5SaPyjaDri6evqGORVXVxycKbRCArfxeVx85AmvF7whH4q40fBDe4qfOl-TrRdNUsKIrbh/s1600/SDC12005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hXtz3VhgzfX5f0Azgg2bTeGvyqwZJFIIcjgalMpqGwgirFO3NYrqSGRYGMayjSslXVydlR5SaPyjaDri6evqGORVXVxycKbRCArfxeVx85AmvF7whH4q40fBDe4qfOl-TrRdNUsKIrbh/s320/SDC12005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442529689392610" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And as if I need to see another old church, here's just your standard gothic-style European church. Remember, this is in Caen, France. There's nothing that makes Caen very special other than the war memorials, so you can try and think about how many incredible, old churches there really are in Europe.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCiCocW1BzH3i6VN0qfzBhuughLrG1eNZBbLXqMPMJgIukM6_d6ylS5NyxH1Bxpf8LJ0mRnKj0HGqtKVXYSaJAie8eY8uiQjM4xQ2tvy7hBdokagZUzN556x_B8waNTnVox328xl3AP0-/s1600/SDC12007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCiCocW1BzH3i6VN0qfzBhuughLrG1eNZBbLXqMPMJgIukM6_d6ylS5NyxH1Bxpf8LJ0mRnKj0HGqtKVXYSaJAie8eY8uiQjM4xQ2tvy7hBdokagZUzN556x_B8waNTnVox328xl3AP0-/s320/SDC12007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460442513657556674" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was exhausted after the day, but in my usual manner, managed to miss my bus stop, and would've continued happily riding along had we not gotten to the bus depot, where I clearly had to get off. When I asked the bus driver where to go and that I had a ferry to catch, he told me to keep walking straight. The directions were spot on, but after stopping into a couple hotels (there are much fewer english speakers in Caen than in Paris), I finally could piece things together that I was on the right street, but very far away from the ferry port.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't really have any options so I just strolled along through a quaint little French town. I've gotta tell you I continue to be shown that France is just a great place to live. Really everything is attractive and clean and the people are very friendly. Nonetheless, walking through a French town by moonlight, not knowing how far you've gotta go or remotely where you are on a map, isn't as much fun after a half-hour or so. And after 45 minutes I was about ready to just give up on the ferry and wait to be kicked out of France. But luckily I kept walking and then in an act of divine Providence, a man drove past the other way, stopped, and asked me if I was headed to the ferries. Sounds like the "last voice he heard" type story, but like I said, I was feeling pretty desperate. He ended up knowing a little english and I was able to decipher that I had at least an hour of walking ahead of me. Instead, he turned around and drove me right up to my gate. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nZPhd5Ae0qv5W02NrV5rvcbjzZ1o54UqJSqbz4-F1sfAC0AKHlQDvk2OYjj5f4pPKqoNFIbbUWVlmcwO42DARniex_KwZk6Yl3kXz8effBcL-xDEx6fCclVQkw3CE5Scz864ZJ1yYOVc/s1600/SDC12014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nZPhd5Ae0qv5W02NrV5rvcbjzZ1o54UqJSqbz4-F1sfAC0AKHlQDvk2OYjj5f4pPKqoNFIbbUWVlmcwO42DARniex_KwZk6Yl3kXz8effBcL-xDEx6fCclVQkw3CE5Scz864ZJ1yYOVc/s320/SDC12014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460349662072591954" /></a><br /></div><div>I was very relieved to be on a boat headed to London, and I probably feel asleep within 10 minutes on the ferry. All in all, the travel it took to get me to Caen and back to London was terrible. However, the war memorials and things I saw in Normandy I will remember forever, and I hope other people will remember the many men of June 6 as well.</div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-26742931810407477602010-04-14T13:49:00.001-07:002010-04-14T13:50:34.038-07:00The Dog BlogSorry, I'm not blog savvy, so although I just finished the dog blog, I started it in February so it ended up in the archives. But here it is...<a href="http://overthepondjack.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-blog.html">http://overthepondjack.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-blog.html</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-19830299378286776962010-04-12T08:31:00.001-07:002010-04-14T14:34:51.959-07:00LondonLast Wednesday I skipped town with my friends from Mizzou and headed to London for the weekend. Getting there wasn't too difficult although we didn't get to our hostel until about 3am because of a series of complications with the London bus services. But relieved to have beds to sleep in, we checked into our hostel and went to sleep. Here's our hostel:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX9gB7fHqup9tlnGeTcFFk_GlVcD4fizl3pt6snqLbNe5Aqb5KT9oxalu_O87Po2GDBZaJNbqC8y_v6Mj2WqUStqfozvHgP609TYK38Aycn7ZHNTgpoa-GqoB0oqPADb-bX8DwafuV7O6/s1600/SDC11757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX9gB7fHqup9tlnGeTcFFk_GlVcD4fizl3pt6snqLbNe5Aqb5KT9oxalu_O87Po2GDBZaJNbqC8y_v6Mj2WqUStqfozvHgP609TYK38Aycn7ZHNTgpoa-GqoB0oqPADb-bX8DwafuV7O6/s320/SDC11757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460004815675636978" /></a><br /></div><div>London may be the most difficult city in the world to see in a couple days, but we did our best. We started out by just taking the tube to the river Thames. It was a funny feeling looking out over the river because it's been the setting of so many novels I've read, and to actually be there visualizing Marlow from <i>Heart of Darkness</i> telling his story in a little boat, or Pip from <i>Great Expectations</i> looking out at the water as a gentleman, it was a very cool feeling.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw the Houses of Parliament and the Clock Tower (Big Ben is the bell):</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGOFh-V-Yo8V-AAlu1ioxzoA3WfIuS84qB5JHmKqfGbwvEhEpC5kzM8CdMsGGOcCUN7xG2bYQv3wFvXog8YlNn5HJaJeIqR3wMhZakVJAoVDiPrYlZEcbIYCEC6oRjycex1VHmo-CvXa2/s1600/SDC11761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGOFh-V-Yo8V-AAlu1ioxzoA3WfIuS84qB5JHmKqfGbwvEhEpC5kzM8CdMsGGOcCUN7xG2bYQv3wFvXog8YlNn5HJaJeIqR3wMhZakVJAoVDiPrYlZEcbIYCEC6oRjycex1VHmo-CvXa2/s320/SDC11761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460000853727131218" /></a><br /></div><div>And also had a good view of the London Eye:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK7oNps_6zVdcQd9uFM4ND-bl5xCiVrW6S30TlbhdBJkgay9cTRTK8uqo_oqVA3ZJZ-bhsvDxuZuj8W5GHMlyOtGgeBwbTcaymKcugGiFOSn3_D3gx2oIBqnLsEPfQ-nqQQTJzrS0BXAU/s1600/SDC11763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK7oNps_6zVdcQd9uFM4ND-bl5xCiVrW6S30TlbhdBJkgay9cTRTK8uqo_oqVA3ZJZ-bhsvDxuZuj8W5GHMlyOtGgeBwbTcaymKcugGiFOSn3_D3gx2oIBqnLsEPfQ-nqQQTJzrS0BXAU/s320/SDC11763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460000853015386658" /></a><br /></div><div>Since London is so big we decided to take a free walking tour to get our bearings. On the tour, we walked through Hyde Park and St. James' Park:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqx8TITCBC2Pvi4SKcUPuHHHFCgSwFWTLGIdumWF_LvKCLBdU8BmPa366C-h0WAcxkaRs_7r3VhnyNwPmmQWt_Uo4MKMgjH0Hqto3KADKBFd5IxUilagrC7k_tY8Qz53IWZT1bWc6QNCCJ/s1600/SDC11771.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqx8TITCBC2Pvi4SKcUPuHHHFCgSwFWTLGIdumWF_LvKCLBdU8BmPa366C-h0WAcxkaRs_7r3VhnyNwPmmQWt_Uo4MKMgjH0Hqto3KADKBFd5IxUilagrC7k_tY8Qz53IWZT1bWc6QNCCJ/s320/SDC11771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460000841359344370" /></a><br /></div><div>And we just so happened to run into some redcoats on their way to St. James' Palace:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO3claqMY_-Pj9hqOvjT88j2cpbyO-ZgPhzoEGbxoNkzJMxd2rwGIsdlS-tUcWuoGoSLUaJrG9lZ99iBWRdUYVvqxJnfwOWCj2cblgDiBqdpevxHo5cwWvhomyzhsI5JiQ5K7396PTM5o/s1600/SDC11773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO3claqMY_-Pj9hqOvjT88j2cpbyO-ZgPhzoEGbxoNkzJMxd2rwGIsdlS-tUcWuoGoSLUaJrG9lZ99iBWRdUYVvqxJnfwOWCj2cblgDiBqdpevxHo5cwWvhomyzhsI5JiQ5K7396PTM5o/s320/SDC11773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460000831966963090" /></a><br /></div><div>The Duke of Wellington was the man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, and his influence is all over the city. This is the Wellington Arch, which originally had a statue of the man on top, however was replaced with a statue representing peace after he died.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N_eb9l6JiGpFn6g1e0eq-DiueXeMEtxqePxI4cCfNUkQqon95vM-XpITggjgu4olG5b-mZBCQQVa9aqAoyUgW9i5J6eV9nGxjxNN60uLycWQ9m_8UO2wy-QTfh9RqSmY3Jc18h0FQ-OP/s1600/SDC11785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N_eb9l6JiGpFn6g1e0eq-DiueXeMEtxqePxI4cCfNUkQqon95vM-XpITggjgu4olG5b-mZBCQQVa9aqAoyUgW9i5J6eV9nGxjxNN60uLycWQ9m_8UO2wy-QTfh9RqSmY3Jc18h0FQ-OP/s320/SDC11785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460000829290859314" /></a><br /></div><div>We walked past Buckingham Palace, which is imposing, but much smaller than Versailles:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUsBFNZgfKhxA9bhbtpAHLaYvrFsVpyHSx3RjmEkjqQbcMUy0h4Jqf0fljc81mkZyhZqBLLC3_vn2-GZbvjObt1EnqVDVAbwnGjNl8TYFA66Ai8E4-0IwGDsdVRYiGmFD5YaAiCwDAHM5/s1600/SDC11793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUsBFNZgfKhxA9bhbtpAHLaYvrFsVpyHSx3RjmEkjqQbcMUy0h4Jqf0fljc81mkZyhZqBLLC3_vn2-GZbvjObt1EnqVDVAbwnGjNl8TYFA66Ai8E4-0IwGDsdVRYiGmFD5YaAiCwDAHM5/s320/SDC11793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717229645753026" /></a><br /></div><div>This is where the Princes Charles, William, and Harry live:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyODMGrEKf7nnpvFm0rmBahlJVj2VOydYsb0uLUhmSaAnGScmFcGHB23gF0glLBheONUD72EaIjxYG2whclCHH_hezLqw_1NzzOdgmUHD19tz9HeQl93hSGtDISpS5LqLgU5P4Vki9ms5/s1600/SDC11794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyODMGrEKf7nnpvFm0rmBahlJVj2VOydYsb0uLUhmSaAnGScmFcGHB23gF0glLBheONUD72EaIjxYG2whclCHH_hezLqw_1NzzOdgmUHD19tz9HeQl93hSGtDISpS5LqLgU5P4Vki9ms5/s320/SDC11794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717220127353170" /></a><br /></div><div>Me in a soldier's guard-post outside St. James Palace:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdGJWoRw1IMuFf0A696vZmgPflnJc2pS71OFtE4bNE2cY77UeXiL6oOizcUNaaZTFL68CVw2il-YR54soDvq37qZHKKyxi3uoWMG-oy9Lf-oo5Aed375RQX9-0yQk0_EheFrrbty5021L/s1600/SDC11797.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdGJWoRw1IMuFf0A696vZmgPflnJc2pS71OFtE4bNE2cY77UeXiL6oOizcUNaaZTFL68CVw2il-YR54soDvq37qZHKKyxi3uoWMG-oy9Lf-oo5Aed375RQX9-0yQk0_EheFrrbty5021L/s320/SDC11797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717206328001314" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's St. James' Palace, which started out as leper hospital, then became a palace for the monarchy, later a barracks for Oliver Cromwell, and finally the administrative building and residence of King George's 1-3. From what I'm told it's in the Tudor style, but what I know is that it looks an awful lot like my Junior High.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SNxr9pOpfbXZE_qeyQgaNZCDEybDnfEyq1UUmWDQ0STZfC_wLz43CSbtIs4xbZ_iw7w0zhel5gwxftOaTm0denl6568UgYbLDLMza2KqgUR8RYAkAuSs3Fe59M7ZrskT9CfoPiPcQs2Z/s1600/SDC11800.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SNxr9pOpfbXZE_qeyQgaNZCDEybDnfEyq1UUmWDQ0STZfC_wLz43CSbtIs4xbZ_iw7w0zhel5gwxftOaTm0denl6568UgYbLDLMza2KqgUR8RYAkAuSs3Fe59M7ZrskT9CfoPiPcQs2Z/s320/SDC11800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717199766038690" /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we walked to Trafalgar square, with Lord Nelson on the top of his column, and the National Gallery in the left-background. It's a meeting place for big events, and on the millennium New Year's eve, there were 1,000,000 in this square.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJtOJoHcavUCXFavFHI5a5xk5oCvXsiqTZssLnLudsVeKXwhtJaV89Y4XkMqvak6s9aDmMyEu-HU4LrNwZ7gWCAubc_gbpZwJlCHdWopFGeGleTm9pbLEVfR_vdPQXwlB0KwQJkQ-YjOU/s1600/SDC11803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJtOJoHcavUCXFavFHI5a5xk5oCvXsiqTZssLnLudsVeKXwhtJaV89Y4XkMqvak6s9aDmMyEu-HU4LrNwZ7gWCAubc_gbpZwJlCHdWopFGeGleTm9pbLEVfR_vdPQXwlB0KwQJkQ-YjOU/s320/SDC11803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717196031342098" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's hard to see clearly, but this is literally a nose stuck on a wall. Why? Because the British are a funny people. Supposedly it may either be rubbed for good luck by men on horses, or it may be a representation of the massive schnoz of the Duke of Wellington.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOXLn-1uBL-3exO8l25BFXxu4HUtXW64wMUOKrcBRc26_k4u7miiuDI_hH5eQt08Dory1pEb1JpTEIZJXaM28vgduIJn5jaOyLfi913w-egXMzOKIHeAYiPTBTKmCtg_XDMC8pO-X5ts4/s1600/SDC11807.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOXLn-1uBL-3exO8l25BFXxu4HUtXW64wMUOKrcBRc26_k4u7miiuDI_hH5eQt08Dory1pEb1JpTEIZJXaM28vgduIJn5jaOyLfi913w-egXMzOKIHeAYiPTBTKmCtg_XDMC8pO-X5ts4/s320/SDC11807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459710324948295042" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the royal horse stables on the parade grounds where the Queen celebrates her birthday every year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61Rfs6U60MTLnajLFyzCuVGOSg-lUJD6yjUjFWivfUVZRVzdxsV8uHaQVv04bWF28i3_3XeXmnNMgHRER1uObV_4BrS77jl7i459U-o2CtklcNK6nUa_utwouRrL5r7JNpSKdPr07ds2M/s1600/SDC11808.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61Rfs6U60MTLnajLFyzCuVGOSg-lUJD6yjUjFWivfUVZRVzdxsV8uHaQVv04bWF28i3_3XeXmnNMgHRER1uObV_4BrS77jl7i459U-o2CtklcNK6nUa_utwouRrL5r7JNpSKdPr07ds2M/s320/SDC11808.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459710315912412514" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That little black building in the middle is 10 Downing Street, otherwise known as the home of the Prime Minister. While the royal family lives in far from normal quarters and do minimal government work, the PM lives in a normal residence and does a lot of work. Such is life.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP501w-sQHCC369CosA8-d0PJIZN_ihI4UeSYds_BDufaseLiFpNEsX1mhy6znbNG0DTn9FCMbl6Kzv88T-68zJ1V12TbjnNZKgboWKwbCyRUrHuy7Lbc1xO3IPVbddQV2WUy1QToz0CF8/s1600/SDC11810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP501w-sQHCC369CosA8-d0PJIZN_ihI4UeSYds_BDufaseLiFpNEsX1mhy6znbNG0DTn9FCMbl6Kzv88T-68zJ1V12TbjnNZKgboWKwbCyRUrHuy7Lbc1xO3IPVbddQV2WUy1QToz0CF8/s320/SDC11810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459710308862602162" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And we ended up between Westminster Abbey, the Clock Tower, and the Houses of Parliament.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNuRQavdQ4iFqKC2vuWOkARIceQVQMuRCDtNPOQ3XfokGgJwg-6G8ltyLEqTj1Dao6rg-ZrJYDFXKp4i3rFKhTjvJy17y_U5QvlVINQ_Uy0G8o8SKbwGmqrp0Jr0wlq7WjWcYQZs9-Xs1/s1600/SDC11811.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNuRQavdQ4iFqKC2vuWOkARIceQVQMuRCDtNPOQ3XfokGgJwg-6G8ltyLEqTj1Dao6rg-ZrJYDFXKp4i3rFKhTjvJy17y_U5QvlVINQ_Uy0G8o8SKbwGmqrp0Jr0wlq7WjWcYQZs9-Xs1/s320/SDC11811.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459710299199021266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB7QRyWHSj5SEbfY-4GUIPKIaLZQM1rQS8thHZcaVzN82dwSM5LabRI7Tm75IFqJrRuF02D9WQG94wwoWR8obhg0g9EZOpeFD3Ouuq7FZZWMWbN-6wjsAeS_bDh2YuAvyK9VEZWIzY46W/s1600/SDC11813.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB7QRyWHSj5SEbfY-4GUIPKIaLZQM1rQS8thHZcaVzN82dwSM5LabRI7Tm75IFqJrRuF02D9WQG94wwoWR8obhg0g9EZOpeFD3Ouuq7FZZWMWbN-6wjsAeS_bDh2YuAvyK9VEZWIzY46W/s320/SDC11813.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459710289524905906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAngn_XIrCrNIiWICkiEy_dX6da_ujTUovNIGMe_NAB-AZJ9nN9e5zrUNqRV8EmwceRkVHRji8IeXaeB7105_FPa0nXl2AtX62B9Dqq9GkS4IolgcxkYIonvBb4lJFIDCIgtIIXu9F61Q/s1600/SDC11819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAngn_XIrCrNIiWICkiEy_dX6da_ujTUovNIGMe_NAB-AZJ9nN9e5zrUNqRV8EmwceRkVHRji8IeXaeB7105_FPa0nXl2AtX62B9Dqq9GkS4IolgcxkYIonvBb4lJFIDCIgtIIXu9F61Q/s320/SDC11819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459701948611158962" /></a><br /></div><div>In a basement room around the right hand side of the building, Guy Fawkes and his colleagues famously loaded 36 barrels of gunpowder in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fawkes was in charge of setting off and blowing up the Houses of Parliament with all the leaders and monarchs inside, but the plot was found out on November 5, the day of detonation. Interestingly, wiki says our term "guy" meaning a man derives from his name.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing that puts Paris a step above London, in my book, is that most of the sights and museums in London are between 10 and 15 pounds, which is around $20-$30. In order to avoid paying to see Westminster Abbey, and so that we could <i>really </i>see it, we waited until 5pm on Thursday afternoon and went to a church service. The choir was great but I was surprised at how many invocations were sung by one man in the middle as well as the fact that the "lessons" as they were called were just short passages from the Bible. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I was hoping for a little bit more. Having said all this, the church is absolutely beautiful and enormous on the inside, and it's a little bit of a sombre feeling to be sitting in the church where Princess Di's funeral was held.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here the blog is going to get a little unorganized because Friday I went to Normandy to see the WWII memorials, but all you need to know is that the trip was awesome but stressful with respects to travel. To get there my travel went metro, train, overnight ferry, bus, bus. And reverse that for the return trip. Normandy needs its own blog so I'll do that soon. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I was surprisingly energetic when I got back to Portsmouth Harbor and got on a train for London Saturday morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislluCF0pB-9RtcOLt131HBgQPT9WS-9Mpd5Bmn-i3c-czCGNfY9JzB9JwQE31egFaOOgc27EaiTpYDs9ZARVBUNXeFnxq9eshjxG1S0rZTK91EFDmWp2F88HxEG8I0mUGjNqF3jNf-Z2e/s1600/SDC12017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislluCF0pB-9RtcOLt131HBgQPT9WS-9Mpd5Bmn-i3c-czCGNfY9JzB9JwQE31egFaOOgc27EaiTpYDs9ZARVBUNXeFnxq9eshjxG1S0rZTK91EFDmWp2F88HxEG8I0mUGjNqF3jNf-Z2e/s320/SDC12017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459701939737885186" /></a><br /></div><div>The train ride was actually really great and I got to see a lot of the English countryside, with a lot of sheep, forests, quaint (but wealthy looking) houses, and horses wearing coats. It was the perfect scenery to envision gentlemen jumping horses over brambles while chasing a stag.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got back to Waterloo station and decided just to walk around. I ended up down by the river and the London Eye, and stopped in for a genuine English breakfast. It turned out to be pretty much a normal American breakfast, but nonetheless was better done than most. There's a lot of things I like in the picture below but I'd like to point out the bowl of sugar cubes on the right side and the fact that my coffee came in a pot, with a mug in the center (without a handle so most people use two hands like drinking out of a coconut), and also a little thing of warm milk. That's coffee done right, although be wary of the addictive quality of sugar cubes.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvm2PNhQDXdePPl6KzO-cLApvHgZ0-0fPsX8KLYV0kqcmJJaxDc78ujSk8sr2wxdM8E-tstQc30_GL73mFgKKrwzBzx3U_W2z6A7JQR3O-5g7PoeqNv2uitmnthklA4C4T04gigBmMCUL/s1600/SDC12018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvm2PNhQDXdePPl6KzO-cLApvHgZ0-0fPsX8KLYV0kqcmJJaxDc78ujSk8sr2wxdM8E-tstQc30_GL73mFgKKrwzBzx3U_W2z6A7JQR3O-5g7PoeqNv2uitmnthklA4C4T04gigBmMCUL/s320/SDC12018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459701935039533858" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After breakfast, it was still too early to meet up with my friends so I just started wandering. I saw Cleopatra's needle:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW73IbuQNH3g-1fgN_Z0h8jGcQlJVjilpkNmEJtR88V62OL_Qgn6qHL2Vn8M8_KacNZEZwqYeNR7SvbKc8rxZhoF-Useyg61WtoFK6yRumdJTRwbRrFr-KGtV3WtHeSIz_oiKseIHv8F_/s1600/SDC12019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW73IbuQNH3g-1fgN_Z0h8jGcQlJVjilpkNmEJtR88V62OL_Qgn6qHL2Vn8M8_KacNZEZwqYeNR7SvbKc8rxZhoF-Useyg61WtoFK6yRumdJTRwbRrFr-KGtV3WtHeSIz_oiKseIHv8F_/s320/SDC12019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459701927835873842" /></a><br /></div><div>Obviously a lot of the river:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYZDrpGTG3_s6OnkCA7c-bSQxYUgCjVPidf0A1y7Eiw21zdhDl5D8jXfhCnkE9NIJJV1wlBA0NEvfkpDWZroc3j2ZPKOEw-XNnLeFObDyiNZ5Bq7NRtP4EuJjJjuzytcOP7WHgyV38I0j/s1600/SDC12026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYZDrpGTG3_s6OnkCA7c-bSQxYUgCjVPidf0A1y7Eiw21zdhDl5D8jXfhCnkE9NIJJV1wlBA0NEvfkpDWZroc3j2ZPKOEw-XNnLeFObDyiNZ5Bq7NRtP4EuJjJjuzytcOP7WHgyV38I0j/s320/SDC12026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459701923014125058" /></a><br /></div><div>St. Paul's Cathedral:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw8WX-20aQQZR4aMOaef2cyc_AJuuy3NVomnYJ-PCaGdJohSlEL97F8V5D3eqojoF5ONsY8qVUIcPr_Sh4CXp60ZBP-yDiGPwJsX0w9Y3cK-yphBgHYjScrrDBQ7jrQwMkAlEtczsbrve/s1600/SDC12029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw8WX-20aQQZR4aMOaef2cyc_AJuuy3NVomnYJ-PCaGdJohSlEL97F8V5D3eqojoF5ONsY8qVUIcPr_Sh4CXp60ZBP-yDiGPwJsX0w9Y3cK-yphBgHYjScrrDBQ7jrQwMkAlEtczsbrve/s320/SDC12029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459690552609520130" /></a><br /></div><div>Shakespeare's Globe:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvAqjEdHOnIbAb6cxyJ5gIBIz1B3TUV5JnsN2oK1WnXs3xkOHnX_7dT2FDDVAMosrTePJdrc8_akkR03FfqefQv950Rb-6zqjZa-tgWdVyKUt-CL11SudkVqekUSp2GZ_OXDMC4kAuQVS/s1600/SDC12031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvAqjEdHOnIbAb6cxyJ5gIBIz1B3TUV5JnsN2oK1WnXs3xkOHnX_7dT2FDDVAMosrTePJdrc8_akkR03FfqefQv950Rb-6zqjZa-tgWdVyKUt-CL11SudkVqekUSp2GZ_OXDMC4kAuQVS/s320/SDC12031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459690543857790674" /></a><br /></div><div>Cool British looking pubs and squares:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3RADPH1nUqwA09IjYH9r6RYfTE6PC3IxzpPO9L-ET0YONPoE-1x5Gzx7QTCQN4vfOxIDSJHmLuBDARg0Np-0D6c05Q8gVGgNhilEXts-mzfr4-TLiwT7twXMWDGn3QOOg9wqvQ7DJEB4/s1600/SDC12034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3RADPH1nUqwA09IjYH9r6RYfTE6PC3IxzpPO9L-ET0YONPoE-1x5Gzx7QTCQN4vfOxIDSJHmLuBDARg0Np-0D6c05Q8gVGgNhilEXts-mzfr4-TLiwT7twXMWDGn3QOOg9wqvQ7DJEB4/s320/SDC12034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459690531055565490" /></a><br /></div><div>A replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship. That's a deer on the front. Why? Like I said, the Brits are funny people:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzxK2PfyMZWdE1QThyphenhyphen9zCI5k5QzVeVWr07Gke1ZwEK2SAe-g_OhmN7QMhOIi-ZPrQPM8Jh9sGN-dLeJKZcoO2oI9s-MMXDIQBgqZdLhA37s16gA-v6MgwGIMJvylxUS97iB5bBdSHi6PS/s1600/SDC12036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzxK2PfyMZWdE1QThyphenhyphen9zCI5k5QzVeVWr07Gke1ZwEK2SAe-g_OhmN7QMhOIi-ZPrQPM8Jh9sGN-dLeJKZcoO2oI9s-MMXDIQBgqZdLhA37s16gA-v6MgwGIMJvylxUS97iB5bBdSHi6PS/s320/SDC12036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459690525773350514" /></a><br /></div><div>The cathedral of Southwark:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUo3Ie2ldT7Cm0x_cAMPnx3LtcvH0XKENN4NEew1pPz0ICTmDew-sKhyphenhyphenmdHXgHoZuj2rWsJ79JJHSw6KqjpPo1pqe7H52AvgOyr9ybMXk9VjHd9xYYsXADC20homBieqIpUWo449XPlIa/s1600/SDC12037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUo3Ie2ldT7Cm0x_cAMPnx3LtcvH0XKENN4NEew1pPz0ICTmDew-sKhyphenhyphenmdHXgHoZuj2rWsJ79JJHSw6KqjpPo1pqe7H52AvgOyr9ybMXk9VjHd9xYYsXADC20homBieqIpUWo449XPlIa/s320/SDC12037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459690518494948898" /></a><br /></div><div>And between pictures of the cathedral of Southwark and London Bridge, there's an interesting story linking the two. Long ago before there were bridges across the Thames, John Owen raked in large sums of money ferrying people across. He was a notorious miser in every sense of the word and decided to fake his death because people would be so grieved that none of his family or servants would eat that day, which would save him some money. So he did it. The problem was that the servants began to feast and celebrate. So Owen came up out of his fake death and started yelling at everyone, which startled one servant so badly that he "dashed Owens' brains out" with a broomstick. Owen's daughter Mary was so grieved at actually losing her father that she donated the rest of her life and her money to a church, which is now the cathedral of Southwark.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0LJQ5DIpSsfhtqPiPHU3gySBoRahnYhiSMheRfUbeBq9HlZs0034tSS72141dOtpNSUYeDc02zt9u6Cv41tx4DFIkn5mxfFjZpzPk0kxIwc67y8cyJqY0pYFFJeCwtJqPMmhrFQz0HXt/s1600/SDC12039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0LJQ5DIpSsfhtqPiPHU3gySBoRahnYhiSMheRfUbeBq9HlZs0034tSS72141dOtpNSUYeDc02zt9u6Cv41tx4DFIkn5mxfFjZpzPk0kxIwc67y8cyJqY0pYFFJeCwtJqPMmhrFQz0HXt/s320/SDC12039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459364453778732466" /></a><br /></div><div>H.M.S. Belfast, which fought in WWII and the Korean War:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKghvojefUrpj1RGtiJYfqrCMP4uAIenQQ8eP-Q4DqV2QUYLwM4IbafAr_G662JZwP4DB6ldVnHM9bFUSswJ2nH2O7UQ8EqgNkAHL7BNGJkekotBO3vVXoVCks6sFurwlQeAjyDvTND-J/s1600/SDC12040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKghvojefUrpj1RGtiJYfqrCMP4uAIenQQ8eP-Q4DqV2QUYLwM4IbafAr_G662JZwP4DB6ldVnHM9bFUSswJ2nH2O7UQ8EqgNkAHL7BNGJkekotBO3vVXoVCks6sFurwlQeAjyDvTND-J/s320/SDC12040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459364448005151282" /></a><br /></div><div>Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge is the bridge that most people confuse to be the "London Bridge" because it's much more noteworthy. Although it has never actually burned, there have been some incidents such as opening while a double decker bus was on it, and getting buzzed by a plane. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYuXQhZPnAKbe66uXgP_ikNKRr1ERqfy5qm65anCWKkLgSL9BzJndYwYCP9O_H6zlnhlZ3brE8hZTIk1YGEyNYOgixduSfBZEsQeGlbXchc89dt01nJ4J_O6_NW6Glkfv4VznlgbsF3qT/s1600/SDC12042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYuXQhZPnAKbe66uXgP_ikNKRr1ERqfy5qm65anCWKkLgSL9BzJndYwYCP9O_H6zlnhlZ3brE8hZTIk1YGEyNYOgixduSfBZEsQeGlbXchc89dt01nJ4J_O6_NW6Glkfv4VznlgbsF3qT/s320/SDC12042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459364439409365042" /></a><br /></div><div>After a great walk down the river, I headed for where I thought a metro stop was so that I could head west and see the changing of the guard. Little did I know that some of the dots on my map labeled "metro" did not refer to the "tube", which is a metro in my mind. Thus, I wandered through the Tower Bridge section of London for a while and had an enjoyable time seeing London where normal people live.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBOzkqkyBQWBfiD45CWy9eNIn_JkeMSaJQU5LRDkU93CGrN0cst5j5WFZHDP-l5lukr8_5wshpDUQ5_AzMGasQ66O5hg9eiNvw_ZZ8dcAkwdK-lOPdhH_r559FHecCPhLS2vClDWl-Rkd/s1600/SDC12050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBOzkqkyBQWBfiD45CWy9eNIn_JkeMSaJQU5LRDkU93CGrN0cst5j5WFZHDP-l5lukr8_5wshpDUQ5_AzMGasQ66O5hg9eiNvw_ZZ8dcAkwdK-lOPdhH_r559FHecCPhLS2vClDWl-Rkd/s320/SDC12050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459364430051093026" /></a><br /></div><div>I did make it to the changing of the guards, but unfortunately learned that even though it happens every other day, it's popular. Of course I should've known to go earlier but I did manage to see a little of the action and take a picture of some men wearing bearskin (That's what the big black hats are made from. It's real, too.). </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK1MYSXEhhmjAjXzPhKLw_ksHubuF-6quRnBVSg_buF1nML_imxgp2_WRAJOOwZf6QLsWF1ce_4t70v2E32F2H3a7_7UoIYJOsNG7bezmyq3IBU01ocD8f7AWvK0IwfdE0RsSXPs8ImEY/s1600/SDC12059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK1MYSXEhhmjAjXzPhKLw_ksHubuF-6quRnBVSg_buF1nML_imxgp2_WRAJOOwZf6QLsWF1ce_4t70v2E32F2H3a7_7UoIYJOsNG7bezmyq3IBU01ocD8f7AWvK0IwfdE0RsSXPs8ImEY/s320/SDC12059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459364426783486946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNQ3vtbT6IftqbhSjHgA0vIJ8wztCo6GcrSEjU2x_PxcpEndeaSyMql1yY3ZCmeM2vn-GtWCUq3Fu5HheDSvsMm5-c_TqZ1sSHDIkASeiHGubZY6B4ml8m1616kV6z6GLMkmavQtH-Yzf/s1600/SDC12068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNQ3vtbT6IftqbhSjHgA0vIJ8wztCo6GcrSEjU2x_PxcpEndeaSyMql1yY3ZCmeM2vn-GtWCUq3Fu5HheDSvsMm5-c_TqZ1sSHDIkASeiHGubZY6B4ml8m1616kV6z6GLMkmavQtH-Yzf/s320/SDC12068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459282895851639410" /></a><br /></div><div>In the afternoon on Saturday Mark and I went to the Churchill War Cabinet Museum, which was an underground basement of strategy rooms, sleeping quarters, and communications rooms (closets is a better description). This was where Churchill ran WWII and although he allegedly only slept down here 3 times, this was where he held meetings, planning sections, and where much of his staff stayed. The reason for the bunker was to avoid the German bombings of London during the 1941-1942 War of Britain. It is rumored that Churchill enjoyed watching the bombings just on top of the bunker aboveground. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the main meeting room:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tH_36go4d2P_RbOBV3-ubsEjPeg0XiA_aeGi6Uuemt0uDm6xj9i2SrApOvHoso2wih7osBeTd_NcYCOaa91ZgDqhFjCVbSMqupOwnhghB5V_LzYrG0r3WwceuyfqzltjH_oREVti2lHT/s1600/SDC12075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tH_36go4d2P_RbOBV3-ubsEjPeg0XiA_aeGi6Uuemt0uDm6xj9i2SrApOvHoso2wih7osBeTd_NcYCOaa91ZgDqhFjCVbSMqupOwnhghB5V_LzYrG0r3WwceuyfqzltjH_oREVti2lHT/s320/SDC12075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459282882904880050" /></a><br /></div><div>And here we have one of the coolest museum exhibits I've ever seen. It's a touch-screen table with all the years from WWI to after WWII, where you can hone in on a specific year, month, even day and see what Churchill was doing. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAB1q2MXc3rdpkVhyphenhyphenKM-nmErV8NpdJIkqzlLQXAr9qICrSz0rH9YHy0TFWs2Uy8isEqu4FCF_GITC6I8-RroXOxH2NtuvU1ffRfv9rNMT8piHbIx3BJCfo935DV4UVUv0XzaPHQlBmHeR9/s1600/SDC12083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAB1q2MXc3rdpkVhyphenhyphenKM-nmErV8NpdJIkqzlLQXAr9qICrSz0rH9YHy0TFWs2Uy8isEqu4FCF_GITC6I8-RroXOxH2NtuvU1ffRfv9rNMT8piHbIx3BJCfo935DV4UVUv0XzaPHQlBmHeR9/s320/SDC12083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459282875447277506" /></a><br /></div><div>This is the aptly named phone room, which housed the phones connecting to the royal air force, army, navy, and special forces.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDmFIXneiapSB9qEN1U_tXumSBUeFZA77H-M52PnNfLa2J0ZArtAQnVswecwVDfy0cd-0zQPTkArgLo-zW4AFKgiOPNM3Etc41gFt8U8OWC4yO60O79fwCvDB-Wt84SmQ6zD_sGSpD1W/s1600/SDC12090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDmFIXneiapSB9qEN1U_tXumSBUeFZA77H-M52PnNfLa2J0ZArtAQnVswecwVDfy0cd-0zQPTkArgLo-zW4AFKgiOPNM3Etc41gFt8U8OWC4yO60O79fwCvDB-Wt84SmQ6zD_sGSpD1W/s320/SDC12090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459282866341431394" /></a><br /></div><div>Did you know? Arguably the greatest Brit in history, Churchill's mother was American.</div><div><br /></div><div>The obligatory phone-booth picture:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzX5tlJs9Cs-my0aPoAKNBQ5vHlq72wfohSiALiRoQPT0aAKA_oTZe-BCgPB2jmN-UOzCyJxkSrWpd6EtYWnbzk-P-ZmOoCkNOaWMA3anFQs-wuoxQstNHgbr2tuVsjE-GGoAtfbsdE2t/s1600/SDC12094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzX5tlJs9Cs-my0aPoAKNBQ5vHlq72wfohSiALiRoQPT0aAKA_oTZe-BCgPB2jmN-UOzCyJxkSrWpd6EtYWnbzk-P-ZmOoCkNOaWMA3anFQs-wuoxQstNHgbr2tuVsjE-GGoAtfbsdE2t/s320/SDC12094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459282858475228610" /></a><br /></div><div>Saturday night we decided to go to the musical "Billy Elliot", which was heralded as the musical of the decade. I'm not huge on theatre, but I was excited to sit down in an old theatre and feel like I'm doing something cultural. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCsJbD8iEPlLYHWlNhygogmXxYLfgcKpSVbP-sXzVh9EZDBfn6qBT8mI_hBXpvFKUN6cRRtQFmMpKjurY4gmkAF0s4yAkph1u77WezJ6iWGt4weMqOR_0YJ-2EIwMn-hTPWYd8JQgxMot/s320/IMG_0756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459276501701237442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /></div><div>However, I quickly was met by a woman who had the same seat as me. Strange. It didn't take me long to realize that although my entire group had tickets for the 7:30pm show, I somehow had a ticket to the 2:30pm show, and after talking to the usher, my only option was to buy another ticket (no chance), or leave. I will say that the woman at the ticket window was extremely helpful and went through probably 100 ticket stubs to find mine so that I could argue with the private ticket vendor.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole experience happened much faster than you would think, but honestly, I walked into the pub next door, ordered a beer brewed in London, and realized that the Masters were on TV. Suddenly, I was very happy not to be watching a dancing boy with an abusive father.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgZWjqf_3PtbGn5OeIwveYqtTg7YE1knkwfjLqkiMIarmbNaZEIAIBZ-6nRJKeoeD3y_UMov052Pk8LiSorqsIAj6fMA40-E3VEmOLqSeB2L3Y_6gO2yjrNFA0EGkqFiuk00ipDpb8Yd9/s320/IMG_0757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459276507942836498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday, I had it in mind to see the British Museum which Rick Steves heralds as "simply put, the best exhibit of civilization anywhere". In fact, it was the one thing I entered London wanting to see above everything else. Sadly, we had a bus to catch at 1:45pm, and I first needed to go back to Leicester Square and try and get my money back for Billy Elliot. After finding out the manager doesn't work on Sunday's, I wandered around the area, which was very cool, and then decided that better than spending $30 to run through a precious museum, I would calmly explore the upper Kensington and Notting Hill neighborhoods, checking out the Portobello street market.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpjjN64D2OdaGZ-_va1GNpleUywQvu1B7z6NALgGBwmjZGYGGEtuDz5d4-R1jpMZS7Q_zsWvoBHRQM589V7Z7JvpRGYSzfgVL8jUDnm0-lp5ALtpW-mISrnH5sJQS9ye4vj24iRBADjGO/s1600/IMG_0763.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpjjN64D2OdaGZ-_va1GNpleUywQvu1B7z6NALgGBwmjZGYGGEtuDz5d4-R1jpMZS7Q_zsWvoBHRQM589V7Z7JvpRGYSzfgVL8jUDnm0-lp5ALtpW-mISrnH5sJQS9ye4vj24iRBADjGO/s320/IMG_0763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459276532884477490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUMZZhxHvX9fMdDr2WSdqqfXckngwEC0j5-vf2IStCAfSeG14J0EwU2tf-BQFottAtMc5n8KWhPRZU2KXBYwo6vepKFLC8EKn8lXUG12IHYvfkA_FhNQHxY2IiLAm-OtLiNNL8dlwnJ67/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUMZZhxHvX9fMdDr2WSdqqfXckngwEC0j5-vf2IStCAfSeG14J0EwU2tf-BQFottAtMc5n8KWhPRZU2KXBYwo6vepKFLC8EKn8lXUG12IHYvfkA_FhNQHxY2IiLAm-OtLiNNL8dlwnJ67/s320/IMG_0761.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459276525102056354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5xkXh6DzO4HLL2rx7rPLq0KXG8o3mKFELTS_PR_CRtxoUT200CZblZyCuOwjxqxQhf4OsqvLWbiELDihPfcE30xHpcXyrOu9rR57xr12g-8aWZglHZxX_Z49Qh5mmj4NQejNuR1rwhgA/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5xkXh6DzO4HLL2rx7rPLq0KXG8o3mKFELTS_PR_CRtxoUT200CZblZyCuOwjxqxQhf4OsqvLWbiELDihPfcE30xHpcXyrOu9rR57xr12g-8aWZglHZxX_Z49Qh5mmj4NQejNuR1rwhgA/s320/IMG_0759.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459276521219667922" /></a><br /></div><div>This little area is one of my favorite neighborhoods that I've seen largely because of the mix of different types of people from ethnicity, social class, and style. One thing is for sure: With those big uniform houses in the middle picture above, the people that can afford to live in Notting Hill have more than a few nickels in their pockets. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were late for the bus, which meant later to the airport, but we caught our plane in plenty of time, and I arrived back to Antonio, Dolores, and the turtles around 8pm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, London is absolutely great. But I think size-wise it's even bigger than Paris, and I felt that it was much more difficult to get my bearings and also took more effort to explore neighborhoods and what not. I think I would need a week or two to really see it because it has anything you could want.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the people were very hospitable, and although I didn't spend much time there, I'll say I think the people in Spain are much more outgoing than the British, and the French are a little bit more helpful. All in all, awesome.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgZWjqf_3PtbGn5OeIwveYqtTg7YE1knkwfjLqkiMIarmbNaZEIAIBZ-6nRJKeoeD3y_UMov052Pk8LiSorqsIAj6fMA40-E3VEmOLqSeB2L3Y_6gO2yjrNFA0EGkqFiuk00ipDpb8Yd9/s1600/IMG_0757.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCsJbD8iEPlLYHWlNhygogmXxYLfgcKpSVbP-sXzVh9EZDBfn6qBT8mI_hBXpvFKUN6cRRtQFmMpKjurY4gmkAF0s4yAkph1u77WezJ6iWGt4weMqOR_0YJ-2EIwMn-hTPWYd8JQgxMot/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG"></a></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-89399167502917913922010-04-06T04:57:00.001-07:002010-04-06T14:41:54.722-07:00Spring Break with Mom and Han<div style="text-align: left;">Last week was our first spring break, taken because it was Semana Santa (Easter week), and Sevilla has arguably the grandest celebration in the world. About 8 times a day during the week, a brotherhood that forms a parade of hooded figures (exactly like the KKK) and carries two grand displays (one of their Virgin and one of Christ), will leave from their neighborhood church, walk to the Grand Cathedral, walk through the streets of Sevilla, and then return back to their neighborhood. The displays are elaborate, with gold and silver framework that takes months and months to make and employs people throughout the year.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a picture of grandstands set up in preparation for the week:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidb3B9SYzTO5M_s3lwFJ_qDDz7H_0eB1h9v1lPqoOhWQn2eOGtIyNaJGc40aLaUlsa7KzauDTemYb7D-RXhPHoxS6Y2GW8hKhc9bEgVpUWDp5t2411XSt2P-aYzSW8_5j3q1lF-7APLyv/s1600/SDC11228.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidb3B9SYzTO5M_s3lwFJ_qDDz7H_0eB1h9v1lPqoOhWQn2eOGtIyNaJGc40aLaUlsa7KzauDTemYb7D-RXhPHoxS6Y2GW8hKhc9bEgVpUWDp5t2411XSt2P-aYzSW8_5j3q1lF-7APLyv/s320/SDC11228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456993908683854626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These brotherhoods ("cofradias") make up the back bone of the social structure of Sevilla, and have many functions from supporting the needy, maintaining and reinforcing Sevilla's identity and the identity of it's inhabitants, and forming a network for goods and services. Although everything leaves from churches and appears very very religious, it is only a religious festival for some. For most, it is a celebration of the Andalucian identity and the coming of Spring. And the Spanish love it. Everywhere you went during the week there would be people commenting on the beauty of the processions, and luckily, I got to experience a few days of it with my mom and sister, who visited me for the week. We spent Friday through Monday in Sevilla, Tuesday and Wednesday in Granada, and Thursday through Sunday in Barcelona.</div><div><br /></div><div>This blog probably won't have as much commentary for the pictures as some because the best part of the week for me was definately just spending time with my mom and sister, and catching up with them over walks and meals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nonetheless we did do a lot in the week in terms of seeing sights.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their flight was delayed Friday from Madrid, so we lost a day there. However after settling into our apartment near the Alameda of Hercules (a great neighborhood that I didn't know very well beforehand), we took a walk through the history part of Sevilla, where I spend a lot of time, and went to a tapas bar called Levies, where we had some great spinach croquetas, spanish tortilla, and sangria. Afterwards, we went to flamenco at my favorite spot, Carboneria and we all had a great time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, we headed straight for the Cathedral...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop9DvT86hHZdQ8wEvQJDdr-p6wf_suUAR-ab4eTT8O4g0yWsKelQgkHrrCQJ1WBhFDMAhdBsZC_9GNrebHjqrV9sKC5UqF4MHo1QwB_IKk-bMkoHhzaOB9hwSNS7H20Vb8nA4faSx3A9z/s320/SDC11229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456993916020119730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div>And then we climbed La Giralda to get a view over the city:<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62GSbn4yz5ZpvNvCArr-yitD0jXPjZuWeGfP2LKgtdAdFvXXOHdkwCCLHyhCIao2wt9Oisen6GXtfSJ1tWt6-uEmUV-z1I5f8wMa2-sG5i3vcfv_xLuQTvjeI7a8k5AC-ypZkMy6YGqNr/s1600/SDC11233.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62GSbn4yz5ZpvNvCArr-yitD0jXPjZuWeGfP2LKgtdAdFvXXOHdkwCCLHyhCIao2wt9Oisen6GXtfSJ1tWt6-uEmUV-z1I5f8wMa2-sG5i3vcfv_xLuQTvjeI7a8k5AC-ypZkMy6YGqNr/s320/SDC11233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456993919913183122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we spent the early afternoon in the Real Alcazar, where we saw the ornate Mudejar interiors:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu8CJ4cRlfyIsUO1r2R0JjghcQ8_pg4xEC76DHu39j1eYmNcQNmI8XyTpfLxWkn93wKa2OO36NlOrEKTQr7eLcaxTNIl1YKsu1pljhaHhp8Khx8H6IxMlkaDqL563VJN7rQC-50wZXm4y/s320/SDC11237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456993925423003394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The interior reflecting pool:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr2akzxR7XBT-kH1uA0tD7a_EZZOYrgA7X3D0Hc-sXvee5mZ5-dv0ExRHjnf-Pz4rFCRyxwvBhgb3QOW3EGaPkCcroVc31SYZ2EfmYj8Sbst-ltDUWvRIqD3yexZvwUYF8Ko6p7yqXbNV/s320/SDC11238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456993930094632402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop9DvT86hHZdQ8wEvQJDdr-p6wf_suUAR-ab4eTT8O4g0yWsKelQgkHrrCQJ1WBhFDMAhdBsZC_9GNrebHjqrV9sKC5UqF4MHo1QwB_IKk-bMkoHhzaOB9hwSNS7H20Vb8nA4faSx3A9z/s1600/SDC11229.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>And of course the gardens:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEnYwcKXgIk_FGqDXZf1EL_qoIwwzAmmHjZtYjZ8Q31obDOT3VOCR0Rii1UtW4LXjkkTwwe_-b7e8_tR0vssVH6NX3s-Wkgpi1durc3X8pe-ddG_wfkIrWNfMZIIbzInq3NlA9bFogrJ8/s1600/SDC11248.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEnYwcKXgIk_FGqDXZf1EL_qoIwwzAmmHjZtYjZ8Q31obDOT3VOCR0Rii1UtW4LXjkkTwwe_-b7e8_tR0vssVH6NX3s-Wkgpi1durc3X8pe-ddG_wfkIrWNfMZIIbzInq3NlA9bFogrJ8/s320/SDC11248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456995965162690802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaUmR9x2UFkfX7XUKonqmkA3c36MzvyZsOfj4D_RZmGX1KAFWn6sP_KTDr7JL2Gg3OyS_txHWejCBDKNpbPNMEVvuJJ8wemtjR3adVBNSsfeaxyDdiF7ZI6zHdERCk2G0yGA19nyY7M4Y/s1600/SDC11244.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaUmR9x2UFkfX7XUKonqmkA3c36MzvyZsOfj4D_RZmGX1KAFWn6sP_KTDr7JL2Gg3OyS_txHWejCBDKNpbPNMEVvuJJ8wemtjR3adVBNSsfeaxyDdiF7ZI6zHdERCk2G0yGA19nyY7M4Y/s320/SDC11244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456995952022105458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9lLD3k7CPIDbsdiSwJb1_WOPB4UrbDya6X8U4xy7mzXf3K_I97s1dg-Ug5e218v-eDMI2vmXR_9ySnRJBG0axCLdlySvHYLxCPRDOsdnFaCjyp1Ehmu93rUkUvINaVHvexXbqWgKxw4G/s1600/SDC11242.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9lLD3k7CPIDbsdiSwJb1_WOPB4UrbDya6X8U4xy7mzXf3K_I97s1dg-Ug5e218v-eDMI2vmXR_9ySnRJBG0axCLdlySvHYLxCPRDOsdnFaCjyp1Ehmu93rUkUvINaVHvexXbqWgKxw4G/s320/SDC11242.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456995947828414370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We finished off our day of the Sevilla must-sees with a walk through the plaza de Espana...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiHKpYWbxwphNb2mwvXG-OkwnUdX4X0PKPgRwJGzZr4uWpwGMNA7ZSqk_A7Xi9dM3NJVIhff94gxJnYDsKhBqxcEwkBhnTHB1BvGhaENC-0cNssb0DtUft_5imbBR9sOLKPpUI_-P0Bg-/s320/SDC11255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456995967160578258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M8WONPvexI6DsOfaD3XhQxVspNBzV9GFlv3eOBCnBTlpcyj31zUnV4aNys9ejJUpizdyGRXYP1FOxdn9pjOZ-MfGXAIJ6YF83cQfKhHxpUyWHGMhgxIZatiYgHIztLX0uyIkNk3kRKzS/s1600/SDC11307.JPG"></a></div><div>And then ended at Parque de Maria Luisa. Exhausted from the day, we ate a late dinner and relaxed for the rest of the night in the apartment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Day 2 brought an roughly unintentional church tour where we started off at the Basilica of Macarena:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8HC87h2OZcKRLbxLqSbFZ-7fCqSb76EtjCqQcvYuvO0wzHaDrMomUmWiFxuYMQZLuSYgBqz8-z-KRkX7DXaeJZCnSGInvo9U-4L8vz3ez5qsmicF1yCluD3fP3KzHW0gQ1osAI0-p5f5/s320/SDC11261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456995971765618802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Then hit up the church of San Miguel:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NovzktMOzVqU7WlXw4JZrWgtYXy1sViW9CyofEZjdSkSN8j9Ar95_KDRj3cgLq8xpI4hrLbZIuHn9MAuZ_BSrfiBaNfsFr0yW6ZEWgb4H5XXUZQSTuoDPbf_1OLk6umO2YAW86u68Bcx/s320/SDC11270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456997651815161458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M8WONPvexI6DsOfaD3XhQxVspNBzV9GFlv3eOBCnBTlpcyj31zUnV4aNys9ejJUpizdyGRXYP1FOxdn9pjOZ-MfGXAIJ6YF83cQfKhHxpUyWHGMhgxIZatiYgHIztLX0uyIkNk3kRKzS/s1600/SDC11307.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's an up close look at the virgin in San Miguel before taking her path through the streets:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53B_JWoQib-ueB_xMzq5vFHB92RPqZpdQw43yCrT7RVJU3Gp3BRqGUiYv4ICEvpt_m5LVxBjdcMwAASIu1z4gl0Ccd8nNgKMI7tLokJ4kexv3V8nO96-OUIfoasEshh225oiNFFj6Dpwr/s320/SDC11274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456997655465993490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a nice and slow lunch on the way, and then headed for the church of San Salvador, one of the grandest churches in Sevilla, and also known popularly by young folk for the adjacent plaza of the same name that's one of the most popular places to drink outside. We however were going to see the first official procession of the week, La Borriquita, which celebrates the little burro Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem. Since it's kind of the kick-off, it's very popular, especially for children, and the crowd or "bulla" as they call it got bigger and bigger until we couldn't move and were baking in the hot sun. I can't say my mom and sister enjoyed it as much as I did, but we could all appreciate the work that goes into making these processions happen, and we can attest to the enthusiasm with which the Spaniards view them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the Nacareno's, made up of the brothers of the cofradia:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONTApNgl_6r9ZKO3gxhmYGFzByP6sADnUH9Jxbqj_mlKiknb3N4diGtKFLcEYoXSZnpkx5jnXm0UEGu7cEth2kQsgn1ukDTIyoGuzA_vf16FRALY5azpd3vk-F7OzsfoHt5bSpfsbZVp_/s320/SDC11289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456997670233210626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the crowd:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13RpKhgir4uqOIlZeRJB-iy5DXDAID6dAmA1NepUKLC3btaLKQZEuI0SIibjM15offHQyu3P3_XOV0IDBqXTPPYENWtoS41g_xVAwa8NvUlvbqDWidZSy0kgvzaxlidlVCDzgrC9BvtK_/s320/SDC11284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456997662532158498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And the man himself:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M8WONPvexI6DsOfaD3XhQxVspNBzV9GFlv3eOBCnBTlpcyj31zUnV4aNys9ejJUpizdyGRXYP1FOxdn9pjOZ-MfGXAIJ6YF83cQfKhHxpUyWHGMhgxIZatiYgHIztLX0uyIkNk3kRKzS/s1600/SDC11307.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M8WONPvexI6DsOfaD3XhQxVspNBzV9GFlv3eOBCnBTlpcyj31zUnV4aNys9ejJUpizdyGRXYP1FOxdn9pjOZ-MfGXAIJ6YF83cQfKhHxpUyWHGMhgxIZatiYgHIztLX0uyIkNk3kRKzS/s320/SDC11307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456997678655312658" /></a><br /><br />By the end of of first official procession, we were exhausted and headed straight for the river for a drink and hopefully a nice breeze. Luckily after weaving our way through the crowds, we found both and had a nice afternoon catching up and watching all the Spaniards move about in their finest clothing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Later on, we took a tour of the bull arena in Sevilla:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_SUKHFnh8D1v8nnWG-O2MjxPdE2HcQF9ltRM2rhOdce9WWFFCFrQMeT4okK3uCZRv3_xJbcdvRKYseK21NYSpFVSwN9F1In4DZ2CQWJKUL4HN90D9ii27RHjpLGI_2lkWeema0O_J3JV/s320/SDC11323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456999363521788738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We took some time to freshen up and then wandered through the still enormous crowds and found a classic Sevilla restaurant for dinner. We tried the cured ham for which Andalucia is famous, and I learned once again that olive oil with bread is not as popular here as you would think. They're more into whole olives, which are fine with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Monday we had my favorite meal in a while, a great lunch in a small cafe, where we had coffee, wine, fresh salads, and a great chocolate dessert, and watched it rain for a bit outside on the Alameda. I know this blog is a little listy due to the sheer mass of everything we did, but I can't say enough how good it was to just be with my family for the first time in 2 months, and just talking with them was the highlight of my week.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the rain subsided, we did some of the obligatory tourist shopping, and watched another procession. This one depicted the kiss of betrayal from Judas in the garden of Gethsemane.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMe3VM_XTrfY7Sie_0Xu3VhWKUhRPRLH3Nkc2RVjAmm-XqvOqA2PyzLa2-jaqSzOPZbimOgvRff9vav2I5qzbFlsibxHFMiChdD_VjJquGimuWC7mUYq6BCmEsAfMgNVk4wadxVFc-GwK/s320/SDC11377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456999389710038130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">And here's their Virgin:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7W-nk5d-rF7xdvdnRMUXYdHWKdZN3m2vkUeuZZsyQ0QUx-Gw_lgB-ywGbNSkHnBunAgSiII8tIt_hhKufK_7NsQDfU4akjHlvJpLqqbA2j2JQuneoqG2uG0_3IvVhyKBUixCk3m5hWvv/s320/SDC11392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457001118625673234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">During the afternoon, we sat by the river and watched the slowest procession ever! But we had a nice spot by the river so it didn't matter to us.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1igmY6Q-qUn0494ZwwSUBDt37BKYgMaWV_kWxg4padOI54kjIQvp91yWxZ18g_QXL1urBxLlbsZG001a2Rn4s-49KAY5n0xH5eZW6uqaZbCuKZ6V8-qNI7cu4cBz1kqHimRGwSJlbk9n/s1600/SDC11339.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1igmY6Q-qUn0494ZwwSUBDt37BKYgMaWV_kWxg4padOI54kjIQvp91yWxZ18g_QXL1urBxLlbsZG001a2Rn4s-49KAY5n0xH5eZW6uqaZbCuKZ6V8-qNI7cu4cBz1kqHimRGwSJlbk9n/s320/SDC11339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456999371488779186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></span><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Are you starting to see the popularity of these things? The number of people everywhere is overwhelming. Afterwards, we had dinner at a pizza place where the waiter actually went outside to watch a procession for 20 minutes or so. The pizza was great and I think mine with strawberry jam over ham and cheese was the best.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbPttURCAgw-UINYlWeREkVav4gcKTsIDLssHXF2yIuo9jtm9Y3TKM0bvcgOMN9iq5MmG5DTHIx_7PW6qd3OJWCwo3WyGy62ZyLn5QA9CuLbKkehwW9QpG2HSbxzZqNKFJd-OJDl6EiMq/s1600/SDC11349.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbPttURCAgw-UINYlWeREkVav4gcKTsIDLssHXF2yIuo9jtm9Y3TKM0bvcgOMN9iq5MmG5DTHIx_7PW6qd3OJWCwo3WyGy62ZyLn5QA9CuLbKkehwW9QpG2HSbxzZqNKFJd-OJDl6EiMq/s320/SDC11349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456999382874135234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">That night we ran into another procession on a long long roundabout walk we took to find a suitable restaurant (of which there are plenty)...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuz6WpZzNpaePy6x4pKHyxfu6ooD50MsY1jQe5L7ISZO2dRM-pSrBtsPcu19awrA-b15_T-5IAvfX_gxQV0xvyHJRXkh0oZcs1RRyOg2SPMcYGZA0lxmw4u6Fn3_Ip3CKWQrDoaeyL21c/s320/SDC11355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456999386157654514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><br /></span></span></span></div><div>And then we ended up having some of the best food I've ever tasted. Han had squid with a passion fruit sauce, mom had duck, and I had suckling pig.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhCXcmZqtdUiKl38wjxIEH5DeSQbT1-3wpesPqusXJHqCCE9EXbfwqMTdzSohYGnvl4rP4c6lT92Hv3QSPYZF11OR_JNHxHnfp0KlMxAQn8efhVA68FmM_iGMSkDIddd7LGq5KyQvXvTJ/s320/IMG_0745.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457001143326612994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I should note that although I didn't take any pictures of it, 3 different times we had ice cream from a place on Alameda, and the pistachio they had there was absolutely incredible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tuesday morning we hopped on an early bus to Granada, and drove over the rolling hills of olive trees and small lakes with wild flamingos. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our hotel in Granada turned out to be in a great location, and almost 500 years old. We threw our stuff down and then had a nice lunch on a nearby plaza. Next, we visited the mausoleum of Ferdinand and Isabel, and walked around on the main streets for a while. After a lunch consisting of delicious tea, we made our way downhill to see the Granada cathedral, which was absolutely spectacular. It was my mom's favorite church, and the big white columns and plentitude of natural light make it much more brighter than the cathedral in Sevilla.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7GewcpH0ENtKPVIdJ3w0uvSLX0hirsMq8vVgsZs47ppzUbYf7BSV9AbRdPv5U8x9cq5ha_zrnbtMRKyi8oQDsmKhDX34nhDYuLcTE2j2nxe0h7lzxMyXHV0QPZ362c7qSWgeQg5ok6u9/s1600/SDC11407.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7GewcpH0ENtKPVIdJ3w0uvSLX0hirsMq8vVgsZs47ppzUbYf7BSV9AbRdPv5U8x9cq5ha_zrnbtMRKyi8oQDsmKhDX34nhDYuLcTE2j2nxe0h7lzxMyXHV0QPZ362c7qSWgeQg5ok6u9/s320/SDC11407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457001132496793858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTf-r5qe4Rnd58m-g-H-PAh77_4dwAPsq-x3NW3n0_34r3TXuDAFKWlXkmy19iwianv4Evs5Phd0eqMJewEqw2agq-c6RAeNvile4AwuFBFTywIxsJoiZZ7BB-XZXaMAPfHNlv7PmkPS8/s1600/SDC11402.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTf-r5qe4Rnd58m-g-H-PAh77_4dwAPsq-x3NW3n0_34r3TXuDAFKWlXkmy19iwianv4Evs5Phd0eqMJewEqw2agq-c6RAeNvile4AwuFBFTywIxsJoiZZ7BB-XZXaMAPfHNlv7PmkPS8/s320/SDC11402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457001124119416770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Honestly, you can't grasp the size of these cathedrals with pictures so make everything a lot bigger in your imagination.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1igmY6Q-qUn0494ZwwSUBDt37BKYgMaWV_kWxg4padOI54kjIQvp91yWxZ18g_QXL1urBxLlbsZG001a2Rn4s-49KAY5n0xH5eZW6uqaZbCuKZ6V8-qNI7cu4cBz1kqHimRGwSJlbk9n/s1600/SDC11339.JPG"></a></div><div>Later that day I decided to have an ice cream, which was again incredible, and after a small meal I decided...to have an ice cream.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFdNgVvhoVJZ87tDs_T7Ki6UnRbDBclMMHjp4QTH4_1e4AwxDthzgUwqpFxAJg6sHF9FF0vvcacxFd-7EQq_pPOST5OrHCvouG68Q-wnirqeNh26eOAGtljwuFsq3ALGSYzLG59lCD6SV/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFdNgVvhoVJZ87tDs_T7Ki6UnRbDBclMMHjp4QTH4_1e4AwxDthzgUwqpFxAJg6sHF9FF0vvcacxFd-7EQq_pPOST5OrHCvouG68Q-wnirqeNh26eOAGtljwuFsq3ALGSYzLG59lCD6SV/s320/IMG_0749.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457003242422688466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSnAtZ9oJPnWeUNaB5zYYNNNHmKr1GmvU6D0MasOR3UgDRvL1YXVD0bDK1vf63vNS6IB_n28uBJ3SCHXqqSxeZoXRRYkC9FHZgO7KswXduaRlici0G2b4dqG2kBcMF-E-At4Hvec-CmOq/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSnAtZ9oJPnWeUNaB5zYYNNNHmKr1GmvU6D0MasOR3UgDRvL1YXVD0bDK1vf63vNS6IB_n28uBJ3SCHXqqSxeZoXRRYkC9FHZgO7KswXduaRlici0G2b4dqG2kBcMF-E-At4Hvec-CmOq/s320/IMG_0747.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457001150952820210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Though it took about a half hour to get there by taxi (the streets were blocked because Granada also has processions all week), during which I thought my mom was going to kill me, we finally made it up to the oldest district in Granada, Barrio Albaycin, the old Muslim quarter, where we wandered through the white buildings and took in some spectacular views.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoAP96q-UHa_7zYIftelMtXXLsAs4mWgOuHnPZpapdkv4_mp9DwOofur3lXTaTBgFCrdx_CQMhZY-7DvDkKbtvKIL1681_QgPDEhvp2TwtjkPu_XTA3pdq2YRKzLS6W7IveNmScNVYxSC/s1600/SDC11413.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoAP96q-UHa_7zYIftelMtXXLsAs4mWgOuHnPZpapdkv4_mp9DwOofur3lXTaTBgFCrdx_CQMhZY-7DvDkKbtvKIL1681_QgPDEhvp2TwtjkPu_XTA3pdq2YRKzLS6W7IveNmScNVYxSC/s320/SDC11413.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457003251620736498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAggQ9UtKeMPhdWq-KDK5gSdQ0fMfHAHKvmHUIZAuDK1pVObS1tS61KmuD4Pt26YiZlk0FXp0K71o4MQmLeIA4RXgSopxX4Gk6sam6WgGHwRCG2iXy2pxNUHXj4i7KuHhwrXFRKbUoFEVk/s1600/SDC11418.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAggQ9UtKeMPhdWq-KDK5gSdQ0fMfHAHKvmHUIZAuDK1pVObS1tS61KmuD4Pt26YiZlk0FXp0K71o4MQmLeIA4RXgSopxX4Gk6sam6WgGHwRCG2iXy2pxNUHXj4i7KuHhwrXFRKbUoFEVk/s320/SDC11418.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457003267072744642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprt_kantWSgJi1SiBhH1tdoi3Yj2g-mFIGAki15ehKrHk8T1-8NtlKRAkQlmdSz5z2YwrVYt_AgEleo-TYVgKFSZUOEiZg43Y3dP_bkLZzwMRfewuyMMmiVLl5iYwCX0PWyMvNv-k6y3S/s1600/SDC11415.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprt_kantWSgJi1SiBhH1tdoi3Yj2g-mFIGAki15ehKrHk8T1-8NtlKRAkQlmdSz5z2YwrVYt_AgEleo-TYVgKFSZUOEiZg43Y3dP_bkLZzwMRfewuyMMmiVLl5iYwCX0PWyMvNv-k6y3S/s320/SDC11415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457003253786584034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was getting late so we found some stairs down the mountain, which happened to lead perfectly to a recognizable gate...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMlpjlTfl5o60oqUbQxcR5L2vrcKmN5uA-fpHNZQlTQu7eZ2G17CCCSOPD9_wl402XQbXFkCVUtL9dpxSWlihNdRgVW1Ilu5qi5SWHirnNJ6qTKmzhpglT8rS9EOPBkACm8-BjgU6qvYA/s1600/SDC11422.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMlpjlTfl5o60oqUbQxcR5L2vrcKmN5uA-fpHNZQlTQu7eZ2G17CCCSOPD9_wl402XQbXFkCVUtL9dpxSWlihNdRgVW1Ilu5qi5SWHirnNJ6qTKmzhpglT8rS9EOPBkACm8-BjgU6qvYA/s320/SDC11422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457003276729682802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAggQ9UtKeMPhdWq-KDK5gSdQ0fMfHAHKvmHUIZAuDK1pVObS1tS61KmuD4Pt26YiZlk0FXp0K71o4MQmLeIA4RXgSopxX4Gk6sam6WgGHwRCG2iXy2pxNUHXj4i7KuHhwrXFRKbUoFEVk/s1600/SDC11418.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">...which took us back to the main part of Granada where we had a very nice dinner, and spent the night deleting facebook friends, a new hobby of mine. If you're reading this, you're probably safe. Probably.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wednesday in Granada we went to the La Alhambra fortress, which Frommer's describes as "arguably the most impressive fortress in the world". I've already blogged about it but this time I did learn the interesting fact that the French occupied the fort during their invasion of Spain, and looted and destroyed a lot of it. Though bad news for La Alhambra, this was good news for me as I've been looking for reasons to dislike the French again after an incredible time in Paris (Paris day 2 coming soon). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After that period, La Alhambra was largely forgotten about, even by the people of Granada, over which it had loomed for almost 1000 years. Luckily the romantic poets and writers and hippies moved into corners, stables, and courtyards of the fortress during the end of the 19th century (including Washington Irving who lived in a tower), and they brought it back to life with fire-lit story telling and flamenco performances by gypsies they shared the fortress with. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some pictures of the fortress:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsqcEVgEbZz4toktK8Jcr83lKmuczSkrAseklzRN1a166nUX89zA9PiGsOGZihAOFVtWSYaFbRUb2EfFxch6KSIdTrZcR20BsE-SYro9QIcoSA5dngXV-dHIfRbPDJVpJZEK9Yupsnlnd/s1600/SDC11427.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsqcEVgEbZz4toktK8Jcr83lKmuczSkrAseklzRN1a166nUX89zA9PiGsOGZihAOFVtWSYaFbRUb2EfFxch6KSIdTrZcR20BsE-SYro9QIcoSA5dngXV-dHIfRbPDJVpJZEK9Yupsnlnd/s320/SDC11427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457004831225811746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtieR6vDeIdiJRrW5oom7sOA5-oE5Ix7yY358Lu78qqbzgg1Az4zK3bZ8yWjwqIL-sbPTvbRm8GTgIm20ORkBap_Mc5yq0fnstMPP8ms4930SnUrMxKwF1Kp-U9q7X6k5DHp3UCfLF542F/s1600/SDC11503.JPG"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7eNwilx-iNpEmpwJNzpDYkVIAjSYSntazgCJNXO89sssLDtiur-czL6oqvggLDRtnajKGFT3Ae2SY-upPkawn7gSws0OJpsy0Cns3i8f4gBp9R_5dc_KMVEZ2-7MmFH1YFAi-Y9RSMSI/s1600/SDC11455.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7eNwilx-iNpEmpwJNzpDYkVIAjSYSntazgCJNXO89sssLDtiur-czL6oqvggLDRtnajKGFT3Ae2SY-upPkawn7gSws0OJpsy0Cns3i8f4gBp9R_5dc_KMVEZ2-7MmFH1YFAi-Y9RSMSI/s320/SDC11455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457004853508284738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmlW7h6IyRhpNdFzztkN2JqS-_MBWxcrb5O4cYfJyCqa1F0P6kxNFZms2kYFYiBp-1cfOX-Cfl5V3qSGaxfy88lYJnLr9c7m7tRFYrUdKsw3bz1yuBJMOEYv72urx0HGs9kMZ_9eo6iFP/s1600/SDC11454.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmlW7h6IyRhpNdFzztkN2JqS-_MBWxcrb5O4cYfJyCqa1F0P6kxNFZms2kYFYiBp-1cfOX-Cfl5V3qSGaxfy88lYJnLr9c7m7tRFYrUdKsw3bz1yuBJMOEYv72urx0HGs9kMZ_9eo6iFP/s320/SDC11454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457004848382330930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7fvHH5sWf1ybQ9gZx7sc_7CFlCtHK-R8R2QvC1FSe_vU226m3nbnXOm2t_s6AuvQV31xa3GvZ1zZN-qUk1wuR1YUYwsFvBAIF2lePKALZfTjTgCwn8lvhegvsptON56UnmqU1lA6KM-c/s1600/SDC11434.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7fvHH5sWf1ybQ9gZx7sc_7CFlCtHK-R8R2QvC1FSe_vU226m3nbnXOm2t_s6AuvQV31xa3GvZ1zZN-qUk1wuR1YUYwsFvBAIF2lePKALZfTjTgCwn8lvhegvsptON56UnmqU1lA6KM-c/s320/SDC11434.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457004836130416514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsqcEVgEbZz4toktK8Jcr83lKmuczSkrAseklzRN1a166nUX89zA9PiGsOGZihAOFVtWSYaFbRUb2EfFxch6KSIdTrZcR20BsE-SYro9QIcoSA5dngXV-dHIfRbPDJVpJZEK9Yupsnlnd/s1600/SDC11427.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Later that night we had dinner and then absolutely crashed. My mom and I went outside around 11 to watch a procession which was literally right outside our hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a Virgin with La Alhambra looming up in the distance:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtieR6vDeIdiJRrW5oom7sOA5-oE5Ix7yY358Lu78qqbzgg1Az4zK3bZ8yWjwqIL-sbPTvbRm8GTgIm20ORkBap_Mc5yq0fnstMPP8ms4930SnUrMxKwF1Kp-U9q7X6k5DHp3UCfLF542F/s320/SDC11503.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457004863316695506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And now, BARCELONA</div><div><br /></div><div>After a short flight thursday morning, we arrived in Barcelona. Starting off, we took a big blue bus tour...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UNguBNNvqLPbdFeuuhNDvBNvu1sFfA8MZ0nVP4sOMdSetqW7S9Tut_78bvWqBvYHU4XMglasy5Bcaow6kwNZWoC9oKc3LNh85bdeMM5Ujb4ErfR_owXqtniiXH-g4K4zsdA2tsisxQCo/s1600/SDC11506.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UNguBNNvqLPbdFeuuhNDvBNvu1sFfA8MZ0nVP4sOMdSetqW7S9Tut_78bvWqBvYHU4XMglasy5Bcaow6kwNZWoC9oKc3LNh85bdeMM5Ujb4ErfR_owXqtniiXH-g4K4zsdA2tsisxQCo/s320/SDC11506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457006743984491458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>...where we saw some amazing architecture of Antoni Gaudi, a Barcelona native whose work is heavily influenced by nature and generally looks like sand castle work mixed with gingerbread houses. Here's one of his buildings, La Pedrera, with is modeled after the waves of the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrftE_mIq0uUran71q941R_Q4PCWwWiDZv_hp7-LIl1UTmItNPyCqjzJzJ8t8InUvnqZoKeo7Bt5LEvJ0zxdWjtXa53oI6K-LeGDZeqHtoGu2c5_YPo5tWkZY02ReURhfmGX80eCloa9I9/s1600/SDC11518.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrftE_mIq0uUran71q941R_Q4PCWwWiDZv_hp7-LIl1UTmItNPyCqjzJzJ8t8InUvnqZoKeo7Bt5LEvJ0zxdWjtXa53oI6K-LeGDZeqHtoGu2c5_YPo5tWkZY02ReURhfmGX80eCloa9I9/s320/SDC11518.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457006771858077634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And here's another Gaudi work, Casa Batllo (the one on the right), which is made to look like the scales and jaws of a dragon.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhi8d36qw7QPiocfsQRe-5yWYOXAklt4nl_M9w62gXqZYQj525myqGFHZcT23hkcdqsYs4ZNcWMHVnqYzwPTGYiBvoXYWqdQIP3_OJNgb2yJcqlq1sW1FEm6H90mlvm_F5Y6vsU-GbgOvu/s1600/SDC11516.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhi8d36qw7QPiocfsQRe-5yWYOXAklt4nl_M9w62gXqZYQj525myqGFHZcT23hkcdqsYs4ZNcWMHVnqYzwPTGYiBvoXYWqdQIP3_OJNgb2yJcqlq1sW1FEm6H90mlvm_F5Y6vsU-GbgOvu/s320/SDC11516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457006764627631890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>This is Plaza Catalunya, which was really close to our hotel and always crowded with people, really stylish people.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtChORkKfA_ZWc2vZwL6xCQBnxBDlHriEe7HK6ANbnPwNbzL_OkUbE_wgiCPddT6_lIAMBG8-8QAtigso2zdpa1mOrHmaVUIK4C1TwqLPnezdkSb76BpP8Nw-Dzd_3zEcMyfN2AvPjJna/s1600/SDC11509.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtChORkKfA_ZWc2vZwL6xCQBnxBDlHriEe7HK6ANbnPwNbzL_OkUbE_wgiCPddT6_lIAMBG8-8QAtigso2zdpa1mOrHmaVUIK4C1TwqLPnezdkSb76BpP8Nw-Dzd_3zEcMyfN2AvPjJna/s320/SDC11509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457006752313772066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UNguBNNvqLPbdFeuuhNDvBNvu1sFfA8MZ0nVP4sOMdSetqW7S9Tut_78bvWqBvYHU4XMglasy5Bcaow6kwNZWoC9oKc3LNh85bdeMM5Ujb4ErfR_owXqtniiXH-g4K4zsdA2tsisxQCo/s1600/SDC11506.JPG"></a></div><div>Up north we hopped off the tour and went to a park designed by Gaudi, Park Gruel, which overlooks the entire city. </div><div><br /></div><div>The entrance gates:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2gyPQPiU0fxG2yjqVtWDFkgRGkhFQ0yQZn1uNw7xpOLPNLj9UWtXIW1dzqVJco8VbVOIL3hFx-zaXPrOh0W0dgFEp6HsPYiH8e1hyphenhyphenyAv8q_jy6-u5m6WsXuq5scxQVZgjRoDL3dwJfNQ/s1600/SDC11537.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2gyPQPiU0fxG2yjqVtWDFkgRGkhFQ0yQZn1uNw7xpOLPNLj9UWtXIW1dzqVJco8VbVOIL3hFx-zaXPrOh0W0dgFEp6HsPYiH8e1hyphenhyphenyAv8q_jy6-u5m6WsXuq5scxQVZgjRoDL3dwJfNQ/s320/SDC11537.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457008148877183378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The main staircase up:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP__wnFeKfbIwrgahAyToYqDGv0kHLLqbCAakFy1u_otae3wZGYAHJHC_KGWkhI4xNO3-WVguAFKAxYXijbrxr3ybX3NURufYtzgoNuwgQVG3Y7xwF9TVLASi5P_TWScQD1uzI-J6SSnnt/s1600/SDC11540.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP__wnFeKfbIwrgahAyToYqDGv0kHLLqbCAakFy1u_otae3wZGYAHJHC_KGWkhI4xNO3-WVguAFKAxYXijbrxr3ybX3NURufYtzgoNuwgQVG3Y7xwF9TVLASi5P_TWScQD1uzI-J6SSnnt/s320/SDC11540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457008152649320850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cool cave-like walk under another walkway:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34DSudTye_dynrjZ0w4qmkPUzzeMHG_gpe66DQYLGaKFboxFpz49tq7_eTdZIwD_Uh6ZbiXO3ivPGhibYO86eCykXEXbLPMgPEYKymtRg58G8mMizglg7jTENztbofqIPrhpc45IQ51l6/s320/SDC11542.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457008159294736770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Great view:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2xZ2X5UUfLBZwfHyWlYANSEJtH3OSYsARV3fvgTPmGF2NhzWfy0_mVlT_AkC-rzG-ys4DHTfLwm6fk3s19adkkb9BKibB4aHBh47CFAWOXT3-mEiSVwVABTgcJel5I_BzjWlHBgIXoLC/s1600/SDC11559.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2xZ2X5UUfLBZwfHyWlYANSEJtH3OSYsARV3fvgTPmGF2NhzWfy0_mVlT_AkC-rzG-ys4DHTfLwm6fk3s19adkkb9BKibB4aHBh47CFAWOXT3-mEiSVwVABTgcJel5I_BzjWlHBgIXoLC/s320/SDC11559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457008168174708466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuXNAObgyoxk0QopLk9Jz07kzONvUf6rtLQNet4xI_X_eG2HD3ZNY0ivSQvzIKZks7EmTUHNM2GCHftDQkSGr8fXiwhvEjba80F5n-BMLAA7kkGToDYUSGr7NW_TxcYsuGtopebH6s1nJ/s1600/SDC11552.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuXNAObgyoxk0QopLk9Jz07kzONvUf6rtLQNet4xI_X_eG2HD3ZNY0ivSQvzIKZks7EmTUHNM2GCHftDQkSGr8fXiwhvEjba80F5n-BMLAA7kkGToDYUSGr7NW_TxcYsuGtopebH6s1nJ/s320/SDC11552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457008164146383250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a little rest stop at the hotel, we went to Gaudi's church, La Sagrada Familia, which began construction in 1882 and continues to this day. The projected finished date is 30 years from now, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's a little too soon. There are 6 towers built out of a total of 18 (12 apostles, 4 evangelists, Mary, and Jesus), and the tower of Jesus is going to be 70 meters taller than any existing tower (and it will emit bright colors in all directions). This immediately became my favorite church ever although it is still lacking most details on the interior and an entire facade on the exterior, as well as the other towers.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34DSudTye_dynrjZ0w4qmkPUzzeMHG_gpe66DQYLGaKFboxFpz49tq7_eTdZIwD_Uh6ZbiXO3ivPGhibYO86eCykXEXbLPMgPEYKymtRg58G8mMizglg7jTENztbofqIPrhpc45IQ51l6/s1600/SDC11542.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP__wnFeKfbIwrgahAyToYqDGv0kHLLqbCAakFy1u_otae3wZGYAHJHC_KGWkhI4xNO3-WVguAFKAxYXijbrxr3ybX3NURufYtzgoNuwgQVG3Y7xwF9TVLASi5P_TWScQD1uzI-J6SSnnt/s1600/SDC11540.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2gyPQPiU0fxG2yjqVtWDFkgRGkhFQ0yQZn1uNw7xpOLPNLj9UWtXIW1dzqVJco8VbVOIL3hFx-zaXPrOh0W0dgFEp6HsPYiH8e1hyphenhyphenyAv8q_jy6-u5m6WsXuq5scxQVZgjRoDL3dwJfNQ/s1600/SDC11537.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPIGmPnKOq5yZIHXiXo3uhrnxFY7TGbXh9cQadgSLAd1lLemziDcw2ri-DlUAwzJkaxUWBg7vC4OHTU3mdMMXZprAULfQjVjzFHfrCyTFnyxFUcmxORvjtb5WOzztLwVlYF_-2AomCQ41/s1600/SDC11632.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPIGmPnKOq5yZIHXiXo3uhrnxFY7TGbXh9cQadgSLAd1lLemziDcw2ri-DlUAwzJkaxUWBg7vC4OHTU3mdMMXZprAULfQjVjzFHfrCyTFnyxFUcmxORvjtb5WOzztLwVlYF_-2AomCQ41/s320/SDC11632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457012335563076162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br />I really liked the newer facade which focuses on the Passion:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalpqc7DRWmx67KWmojvfOLPLot0boEdtlWx2rFFluHO0LVAmqKDhUxwhWlsCFHo9OeA4gyuQ21LU6ONoUsHzL8w9PAk5muXTSXLzmtC3owHbKZNMrUlWvhk8xtC0sKjssq9KTNPHbWOBx/s1600/SDC11535.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalpqc7DRWmx67KWmojvfOLPLot0boEdtlWx2rFFluHO0LVAmqKDhUxwhWlsCFHo9OeA4gyuQ21LU6ONoUsHzL8w9PAk5muXTSXLzmtC3owHbKZNMrUlWvhk8xtC0sKjssq9KTNPHbWOBx/s320/SDC11535.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457006779093835346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozypV403pdUrSzy7K4aKBZraIodkLLN2xES_Ub53wI_lYzWYkJ9ApivDRldO_YpTaEXhab4mpQRskHygJVsETSNfM3Jyemwg7J8OF3QDWo9NLq65UXJ3c4-FIVobejzuNVPrbA1jy1_Rh/s320/SDC11597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457010796388481906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the other facade is very cool depicting Christ's birth:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBZRC1_tZC2q1Pz3UGwRJh4RNRuaisy7nk12W0PIFAw5W6ZRTvmbriNYud25YaXE8qtSQMd2semeYYcK5d3UCoTb1hXdzBnpsNz1o1yPG4NenkzVGxe91qoW2xxk6-NJAhx_ar6WSw0MT/s320/SDC11618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457012313377092498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij6l2Q5_hAOlOKzjl7rJTOHHm1wk3kkvLVwm9fK_yoouZ3cU8Z4Naq5kuYYY-r3Rdk12JqOVHuC7gVQtqq6FGhEPil0_0JLAmm9P15aM-89c8NYlqb_jNcXRW4anHDsOumpvpavWdIMeN/s1600/SDC11622.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij6l2Q5_hAOlOKzjl7rJTOHHm1wk3kkvLVwm9fK_yoouZ3cU8Z4Naq5kuYYY-r3Rdk12JqOVHuC7gVQtqq6FGhEPil0_0JLAmm9P15aM-89c8NYlqb_jNcXRW4anHDsOumpvpavWdIMeN/s320/SDC11622.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457012327876909522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You can probably tell from the Passion facade but the art and figures throughout the church are very modern and give everything a very surreal feel. Inside, it feels like the roof is literally in the heavens, and I love the main column supports which are modeled to look like trees</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBZRC1_tZC2q1Pz3UGwRJh4RNRuaisy7nk12W0PIFAw5W6ZRTvmbriNYud25YaXE8qtSQMd2semeYYcK5d3UCoTb1hXdzBnpsNz1o1yPG4NenkzVGxe91qoW2xxk6-NJAhx_ar6WSw0MT/s1600/SDC11618.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFlYIqzkfVWN7i9GT7RF3_nA5hMWy3WsqF0N8XfAc0zUzlzh62tuCQXcKu-grlyutSw8MjKnLu0OulX4ihZbSUYyTWnWw4U-ZNvcjR6Q7HtUpZqcAmaJyOLjMGn1LLHlm0D708tVKS0qm/s1600/SDC11615.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFlYIqzkfVWN7i9GT7RF3_nA5hMWy3WsqF0N8XfAc0zUzlzh62tuCQXcKu-grlyutSw8MjKnLu0OulX4ihZbSUYyTWnWw4U-ZNvcjR6Q7HtUpZqcAmaJyOLjMGn1LLHlm0D708tVKS0qm/s320/SDC11615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457010826999058434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bCO5TJhXzqhnfS5cs0ORK4FfgIxFTmMrizkSVD2CGHggd-4qWRnbwAn30VZXGEYM4kSqjVTsDvmnOeHvS0ufz8wq_DJMu8njU-qZb_HSwxgTe_FWv3Kr9vrQoKvRYVGaysQp7EZCMb_5/s320/SDC11606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457010807716024642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLs8g29u1gwGVSqu6lBWWNgZt9oMZ-7z7HcCmuerHuMUNQo0w5WKB5MsYpFy6bvG6vYdl-P-2XUffUQEh-diZd8Do4ilDIlf6C_83VtaIID7YRG6enTr0eZGzKsBVYqAAM2vR-smJi-Ln/s1600/SDC11613.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, the stained glass adds modern appeal and bright colors to a tradition in Catholic churches that's persisted for a thousand years.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLs8g29u1gwGVSqu6lBWWNgZt9oMZ-7z7HcCmuerHuMUNQo0w5WKB5MsYpFy6bvG6vYdl-P-2XUffUQEh-diZd8Do4ilDIlf6C_83VtaIID7YRG6enTr0eZGzKsBVYqAAM2vR-smJi-Ln/s1600/SDC11613.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLs8g29u1gwGVSqu6lBWWNgZt9oMZ-7z7HcCmuerHuMUNQo0w5WKB5MsYpFy6bvG6vYdl-P-2XUffUQEh-diZd8Do4ilDIlf6C_83VtaIID7YRG6enTr0eZGzKsBVYqAAM2vR-smJi-Ln/s320/SDC11613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457010825443586802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbwHwr3WZ501SnOS_ypTntSC5R61aJ1m_bzuYN8SQk3FJ0nvsyaA8nTyKesxlEM7YLDPBBk8OfuXWi0Xys51e9uMutzgAMhQ-w_NZCvVPGn2COiKP7fHXQC3lL_n2IGuwu5FGXS1v12q3/s1600/SDC11609.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbwHwr3WZ501SnOS_ypTntSC5R61aJ1m_bzuYN8SQk3FJ0nvsyaA8nTyKesxlEM7YLDPBBk8OfuXWi0Xys51e9uMutzgAMhQ-w_NZCvVPGn2COiKP7fHXQC3lL_n2IGuwu5FGXS1v12q3/s320/SDC11609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457010811084114578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>The dimensions of this building are so astronomical (and not even close to the finished product), that I could not take it all in whatsoever when I stood there, so of all the things I've blogged about, this is the most impossible to display with pictures. You really should google image it and get glimpses of the tops of the towers as well as better high up interior views. It's a little early to give away hints of my Europe top 10 list, but this will definately be there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday night we were pretty tired but made it out to a Catalan flamenco show, which was really enjoyable, but not quite as aggressive as those of Sevilla. We could tell very quickly in contrast to Sevilla, which is as Spanish as it gets, Barcelona is the definition of an international city. Some flamenco:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfKduCANv70A8R3aqgLKfbua1BkLqqQcclk4YxpkkPPibuBGu95WhF7VId9vn2bfQK2bxHaIhYeOMIH_5q6v9PVFgrMjLcARupKCMdu1ZTJ92cSyU7HJ3dtvIq96O5WdHs6o0Lfr36CcN/s1600/SDC11633.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfKduCANv70A8R3aqgLKfbua1BkLqqQcclk4YxpkkPPibuBGu95WhF7VId9vn2bfQK2bxHaIhYeOMIH_5q6v9PVFgrMjLcARupKCMdu1ZTJ92cSyU7HJ3dtvIq96O5WdHs6o0Lfr36CcN/s320/SDC11633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457012343953298098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning we walked down the famous La Rambla street, which was literally always crowded with thousands of people...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYar_vRlos9kFL7bWLyyv92SUEs4uuoCzwbJ7S1yWHumP6W8SbdPxMhdSOXCyucBOXP9PcPY0Ywo2lOMuLSYUvkM7dNveMU2N1jQBJS9GXF3WSHyZ-TIkpDXEOzQXPub5BR2HMhatSKqr/s320/SDC11634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457012347991271298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and then we made our way to the Gothic Quarter, which is the oldest part of Barcelona. There we saw the beautiful cathedral, where the choir was actually singing latin hymns from the cloister:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIBlB6TmGbDGQafnkXcQw-25r1OymaIRdD90sxx_3R4Vcxvv351wilOfzMG1peUCKo8KuSwaG5t_7g_IUx9qPVe19dgIh0VUyltuwKBQeCCq7hLF-b8ceZM29Gtiw4DJcIbLgS3C1Nx0k/s1600/SDC11645.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIBlB6TmGbDGQafnkXcQw-25r1OymaIRdD90sxx_3R4Vcxvv351wilOfzMG1peUCKo8KuSwaG5t_7g_IUx9qPVe19dgIh0VUyltuwKBQeCCq7hLF-b8ceZM29Gtiw4DJcIbLgS3C1Nx0k/s320/SDC11645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457013598329706066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoLlEaM5GDFYexoRYrgAFN8hFj8VEGhkMsqz1DYuu-vcuYRSMYbMyBXWaAAZiq7ru_ElVz62ySindLbEKtwyw_kPYnbKPfJSiys7V724bkQNSUjCtrNkLz1uLNgInXHG2a-xzeh2EgyPu/s1600/SDC11637.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoLlEaM5GDFYexoRYrgAFN8hFj8VEGhkMsqz1DYuu-vcuYRSMYbMyBXWaAAZiq7ru_ElVz62ySindLbEKtwyw_kPYnbKPfJSiys7V724bkQNSUjCtrNkLz1uLNgInXHG2a-xzeh2EgyPu/s320/SDC11637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457013594870550050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we saw the ruins of the Temple of Augustus, which was constructed during the life of Christ:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2KUhlrR1omUfA540psJZjS7P4tfoDsPisvcUEgFP0GCDeazYsEFxwOJ-xZghlYOksInnKZpN3NDq4GaZ6gNFRT800yu-kTHwOMj3N1ZApc1y0bu_Hs_k9klQCkHNTEcLCjp1ElZoY0lg/s320/SDC11650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457013607582491218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And thirdly we made our way to another cathedral, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, which was cool...but...after seeing the amazing cathedrals like Sagrada Familia, Notre Dame, and those of Sevilla and Granada, this wasn't anything mind-blowing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMCcC-RTrtpFr7onvSepoPjJGtUVcJEfmG0_OdzidcUaP7a2KX8PtBrB5sJ_YFzJOPz43-fKtRuREYMA6IVahcdKSXuHM55-enJiGWMWk3e77hJPDSa3aeaajHd6AKjFga7t8_3kzhVoW/s320/SDC11657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457013609561314722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...although it did have some nice stained-glass:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_3W2-ZTvAg2MbzY3GPiLloA4h7viW1hME5SebFu-27tBzRIFBk4EF0bEAFUKHj_jdYOJ3WabA1tKo-6UBbWNk-dFKF91MPMBGRVoUch1avDfuqv1vWXAa6nTHtFslQ-byRSLQpsoJj5g/s320/SDC11659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457015149370706882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After checking out the oldest part of Barcelona, we grabbed the nearest blue bus and headed out towards the ocean, where Barcelona redeveloped a large part of the city for the 1992 olympics. The sun was out and although the wind was howling, we were definately enjoying the proximity to the sea.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT6vxNoOZ9Rt-tmeA-18wp6aGhTw4hCXq2mAdGoCjRuM4o_MDf2DPqb2NHOWXCzCaSTmdRqpiBicyqkQkTfDYxDXiQ_SgaVnU_ntwkq2u42QomXjPiV9maEjktk4q8joLs-MRODERp3yi/s1600/SDC11674.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT6vxNoOZ9Rt-tmeA-18wp6aGhTw4hCXq2mAdGoCjRuM4o_MDf2DPqb2NHOWXCzCaSTmdRqpiBicyqkQkTfDYxDXiQ_SgaVnU_ntwkq2u42QomXjPiV9maEjktk4q8joLs-MRODERp3yi/s320/SDC11674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457015167151825058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4lcdIWlTT84-CuelqxoN_nc9pNiIHvVzNF6F-g9Q8sm6V6b-itqdOy7LGRk5N56ieSdfEwSdoRmgLTpAL5yjqqgntqySDT7jfgvQCpTRse9oSvDyIVhxcx8Py_2yhsuxYQzDt5LVmy9s/s1600/SDC11663.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4lcdIWlTT84-CuelqxoN_nc9pNiIHvVzNF6F-g9Q8sm6V6b-itqdOy7LGRk5N56ieSdfEwSdoRmgLTpAL5yjqqgntqySDT7jfgvQCpTRse9oSvDyIVhxcx8Py_2yhsuxYQzDt5LVmy9s/s320/SDC11663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457015154419405026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I love how everything in Sevilla looks (and is) old, Barcelona has art everywhere, and in the newer districts the modern art really takes the focus off the big city and knits everything together nicely.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some art that doubles as a lane divider:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvvrmVwxbk4OHIcd_tA_yHYWPScRj8OUGDoZvqG2bua_Uh-iifJe7kFjsMa82nzExWRodya7Ddr-N4yyQhBJTiXA4waLswH4mD4vPYyxgJ8mk1Np6mUyMtjHbdFYmWRs8sjoIO8e9kBTl/s320/SDC11680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457015175579275890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is called David and Goliath, and I'm thinking that David's so small you can only see the path of his slingshot:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyRxhMcPUe9iZqDzMi1Bf8QU9__Wo1zRGvzG-HkHTRu_BEnqQHPZQuLcRmbZgYO1Qdn8w8w1OKwK9xywsotuMVvXpT_YznxeCUEY7xCkXutLK6fYEMD-rr4DyflARpcPgP9fZqZ3X9S4U/s320/SDC11684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457020521964814322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally we have the work entitled, "Woman and Bird":</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOv9u0-qk5laBAqcYA0FqYAZwG-89HHI9f0tEqHEtiV72mrp8hJLS9wXMv0vRzK-VO3sHDfuKs7zV1BcKYxCevnNG1hB1VH8PKQs4AsmCcH1eIDOHrzjItkTR_0OR0SFQWk0jXQ-PWvJK/s320/SDC11693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457020538249743058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cool modern building:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcGHvb0u2w8Pf4_xjV8nxi8AmD7DvC8IOae8Hp32bgaDlP8QRwRTK1XAWR7QLjsopO4PO9RucQMYa-PnndKf0ZdMVbOh90lkHsC9Sp-xPClmt4sZK-jthr6q2AQmfq9KNQUE-pZp7dZsr/s320/SDC11677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457015169937143106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another great thing about Barcelona is the wide open plazas. In the modernista section every corner is cut off the buildings to make plazas at literally every intersection, and whether it's art or fountains, it adds a very open feel to an enormous city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOJyLRa7GVumGI50crivo39oTW-PkJKfM_YcBbggzwNXskOA_NxgQNjpQBKxdt99EsGA9Am1ZTXICiDRIF11ApWicAdzWWaG4A2hzazfTiLapzsmvg0LN8SIH0v-aeMsd0qRne1JM-17/s320/SDC11689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457020528546999058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another great fountain:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzAnseudLu8CR7qY3LzQF7Q3UwJctiXE38palUXUDu35aELDfK8x4Xhyphenhyphen2IBiA01vQzIIxzUXrnoNa8b1S14nos7HDOPsOoDjZ9mvH2f9AntGmAI15LAXbCOZnd0uHPPorguVU5BG8qGMh/s320/SDC11695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022293318593938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Towards the end of the bus tour we went through the Olympic hill where we went into the grand stadium (which wasn't really that grand)...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2KB4M6Oenbr9ZWCrKNexvmrySHuFdSzFeN01hwkpMuDXYfu8VtCL6M6wLz1uzxmjK40CWuEqFj5an_khJ-6fEc3pryajD5OE8jqPK4XOgIC5tVZrK6nxwXSYZDjoyUCg5ZikLftCggUB/s320/SDC11708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022312514916658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although there was proof of its grandeur when THE BOSS came to town:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVQvs_cLjXnCnVcFB8TfCi_mGRnvFEpAci_ru0IgZQVuEjlYfz40IiLCeOg0DkXquLVLAFyOt3NebgCoAiHDz-mPM5lZzAfS28Twv2cN4g07i6PwzhJ8B-6PdmqcqUkz1KjipEUmWavaR/s320/SDC11709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022323287930418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The torch:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheV7NM0uz0OK8Cfx4vR-lKs158GoTYlMuhFhqv4S3ODw-eCaGHTgdOVnc86NdMuvl8Ks8fdCHubGyWjo5PkbujvZsqSakkzkwvzeNQEkz4-tJWb-c5uEonCw-9pnoZxbtLe1YX6Luj-dK9/s320/SDC11710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457024298987224226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later on, we went to the Picasso Museum, which traced the artist's evolution. I'm not a big art guy and the first two art galleries I've payed attention to were the Louvre and Orsay in Paris, so I'm doomed to a life of disappointment when it comes to art. Nonetheless, the Picasso museum was cool because Picasso donated most of the works and most of them had nothing to do with the cubism style he's now known for.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of his early works:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y-0dDTchDBooS_R6rLrqldvKK5APOaDqakYhmqFef-4B14J7LMCokrMeS3ybq3ySsQOr_prYy0jiYurLLoaU7ZRb1FL7rcf0cUyLp80BeNhzAFlQupxSWk6NaMt9AJMTLfagTi9UvjOi/s320/SDC11711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457024299910753186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The real highlight of the day came after Picasso, when we wandered around in search for crepes and happened to find the most quaint crepe shop in Barcelona. Fact. There was just one (beautiful) girl working the crepe wheel and between the crepes and the employee, there was a lot to be excited about.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjvrnCeSn6gIvMThBJBbs7LsDo86gHG7oaYgo3ARfth8FqKBeWmSdaGl7qbkh6MZMAADKl-dcHwEnA44h2opNpb63Z38XDnk4yYkJBBribZi6_vpVWqR7rduKhAZXlbA-v6FktUTN4M8I/s320/SDC11713.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457024303441564546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday we went to the Art Museum of Catalunya, which is in this magnificent building:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01vjXuQj4BVKIGy2ycJIP854xzKGWyaLHrrHPvKaqVTKqn-jyy9E69nuEzDKBDP6cd0QisElKiDdYFRq2DYyvziQMaOMhgEcvuhPMt38r0kTmX_dY3wSIL9uptkyjiPRk-kck0-_h_nma/s320/SDC11699.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457022303502646706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With this magnificent view:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAk_OKCVICB31jlOhYeMjzxzY7VTh75aF7uaExJ55BqJxo17J31vyFJYBQQIBtQIrR8F0BI0CBvk1fw__IspTyTfYkpl7E6ZQNqTczAc7TbEYecTaGlu4TEaUIVcbTqtOuIfr7ejAy9QZp/s320/SDC11720.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457024318379943746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this magnificent room:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq7SedMDx-Sk6tC1KGRfY7g_FmlHEhNmu4QWFl5s0pTdzQAyiPYyahZ2LrpzbOUssTNzufJqm8oiZmkZGdh0ZQyQLMULW6oPgdaAs2y4RQN9o6sZ9DeEre7PHIR_CEFGTwk2lp8Yjt_4P/s320/SDC11722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457024324313358050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this magnificent art:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc6ELUsXpSwKlMlaYxAcI0VrjcEA_SyKpSgNQa1w40OHupYrFkx1WdeWvn0m7IWtEbRnDmuHUVLH9LXr5fm2OLlcN-0eweBnKsGJLxASxL8LmL8KuVaRIMFZwZj4jNgc7a7R9XYsHTgmb/s1600/SDC11730.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc6ELUsXpSwKlMlaYxAcI0VrjcEA_SyKpSgNQa1w40OHupYrFkx1WdeWvn0m7IWtEbRnDmuHUVLH9LXr5fm2OLlcN-0eweBnKsGJLxASxL8LmL8KuVaRIMFZwZj4jNgc7a7R9XYsHTgmb/s320/SDC11730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457026051504212610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7dplckel4rjKiFWhFHL529Qn-J21bH4ldEVKPgnT8P_8fNtRNQ3lVJSnWaqiD1vMd084a0RwPM5VlDZvOxDhiLdNarD74Chbtl-pVzojlM_FmVa-y8G6_pUxcYmqgp53QWCpgbHqvHYi/s1600/SDC11728.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7dplckel4rjKiFWhFHL529Qn-J21bH4ldEVKPgnT8P_8fNtRNQ3lVJSnWaqiD1vMd084a0RwPM5VlDZvOxDhiLdNarD74Chbtl-pVzojlM_FmVa-y8G6_pUxcYmqgp53QWCpgbHqvHYi/s320/SDC11728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457026048152378402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXXU2eE21qwbs_p95Ti_aR6LMDB-CVl2i5BPXp1NCcpeg50tVBU07rY2lCjPOIPqC58xu5BMqYglpNhyphenhyphenVjfT4DWnPPrbbLGlSEuNYZsnxgrb8jAdAPKbptKUay4Sxuzh7MGCuoWJCVKhs/s1600/SDC11724.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXXU2eE21qwbs_p95Ti_aR6LMDB-CVl2i5BPXp1NCcpeg50tVBU07rY2lCjPOIPqC58xu5BMqYglpNhyphenhyphenVjfT4DWnPPrbbLGlSEuNYZsnxgrb8jAdAPKbptKUay4Sxuzh7MGCuoWJCVKhs/s320/SDC11724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457026040702991794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The museum really was very interesting, but Hannah and I were just a little tired, and were really happy to take in some famous Barcelona Cava (champagne) outside the museum overlooking the city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday night was an absolute blast because we went to the FC Barcelona (arguably the best team in the world) vs. Atletica (much worse) soccer game. For a very unfair matchup, the atmosphere was still incredible, and you could tell from the get-go that Barcelona is absolutely unreal.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two pictures after a goal:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF__nXI2pmn6bRjGYCps3HvlQqsgKcAhxzIN0ojKxkjZ15BGEwE0RE8h8Ec46sqaYu-o7DQkgJTWWJNrcoFJLC2DknHt9I7ohg_mGjTUJLzhFYx0mKpmKxFdg0oRKsC8JgyZxOs56c2nA/s1600/SDC11751.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF__nXI2pmn6bRjGYCps3HvlQqsgKcAhxzIN0ojKxkjZ15BGEwE0RE8h8Ec46sqaYu-o7DQkgJTWWJNrcoFJLC2DknHt9I7ohg_mGjTUJLzhFYx0mKpmKxFdg0oRKsC8JgyZxOs56c2nA/s320/SDC11751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027181491374434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5YwJhlAXh71vjXwalnAaMI2naTjAr_jCsWnEU_c-6jGR2yiVl0ZewXsLkrf001eBOz5RmJHdpEPUl4pMfUhCFBvqhhJ_AFIRaTj4scCpuVySzPTleoHU2avoveccPHDzVscr2kw3bU7x/s1600/SDC11748.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5YwJhlAXh71vjXwalnAaMI2naTjAr_jCsWnEU_c-6jGR2yiVl0ZewXsLkrf001eBOz5RmJHdpEPUl4pMfUhCFBvqhhJ_AFIRaTj4scCpuVySzPTleoHU2avoveccPHDzVscr2kw3bU7x/s320/SDC11748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027176855887186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The action shot:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtlEuj1AsHRXxrut7fDjkfl9NtzVOkaXvS7N_v6GbqKYmrTcjD37ETYvZefutlkp4P8c77bCl6KbtY5NGbD2Aj91NyVZeH89r3l-8k0s2gH2MjShJlf76Dj482LVpQ66CQ_XZSQIqshPb/s1600/SDC11745.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtlEuj1AsHRXxrut7fDjkfl9NtzVOkaXvS7N_v6GbqKYmrTcjD37ETYvZefutlkp4P8c77bCl6KbtY5NGbD2Aj91NyVZeH89r3l-8k0s2gH2MjShJlf76Dj482LVpQ66CQ_XZSQIqshPb/s320/SDC11745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457026065572054178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Pre-game:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qt5RueffYnP5dyDs_hwsI62rhRWSie-ymqMqg5KzM2ZcyB2Kq1Up2rCMXkwli_yoQRm9cqnqq9W-PG81Jb_w_WKelXLkXrKLuVFJHDhE99Yu2QBWA87V_X_OEWQOyLuyPjx6G1L7dPST/s1600/SDC11738.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qt5RueffYnP5dyDs_hwsI62rhRWSie-ymqMqg5KzM2ZcyB2Kq1Up2rCMXkwli_yoQRm9cqnqq9W-PG81Jb_w_WKelXLkXrKLuVFJHDhE99Yu2QBWA87V_X_OEWQOyLuyPjx6G1L7dPST/s320/SDC11738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457026058898382594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Barcelona was 4-1 and afterwards 100,000 happy campers filed out into the streets. We walked all the way home, taking in the warm evening air as well as each other. I've missed my family a lot while being over here, but spending time with my mom and sister for a week made me really excited to go big here for another 2 months and then go home to see everybody. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday was a rainy rainy Easter in Barcelona, so we of course spent the morning walking in the rain down by the harbor, but then ingeniously found a great restaurant for lunch when the sun came out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I said goodbye to them Sunday night and flew back to Sevilla, grateful for the week that was. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow. This really has been a novel. But every novel needs an...EPILOGUE...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The flight back was the best plane ride of my life. We took off around 7:30 and landed at 9:00, which means we were in flight perfectly during the sunset. In fact, we literally rode the sunset home. It was like an hour-long sunset filled with the most vivid pinks, purples, reds, and blues you could imagine, and the colors were so thick it was lick we were flying through some dreamy Tim Burton film. An Easter memory I won't soon forget.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-45698049758378575892010-03-26T03:47:00.000-07:002010-04-05T13:09:16.258-07:00Morocco<div style="text-align: left;">Two weeks ago I went to Morocco, specifically the cities Tetuan, Tangier, and Chefchaouen. I went with a trip program over here because I thought it might be dangerous to be an American in a Muslim country who doesn't know Arabic, but the whole trip ended up being completely safe, if not involving a lot of tourist traps. Just to keep everyone on the same page, Morocco is on the Northwest corner of Africa just across from Spain.</div><div><br /></div><div>We crossed the Straights of Gibraltar in a ferry that really wasn't much for views due to the fog...</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeRO5jyp11krQ5WkOCIGefrvohawuvR0TRA_4rTaREXjZawO_BXz_1bab6-pgln7j9yt8PsXK_gEoPasLDzIUiOLOm2-xuUbulF6hl2C0xDbnCp3AdmEfJfdoUWxLPBKfWUXnwYVAbeFP/s320/SDC11110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896600491555298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>and then took a short drive to Tetuan, where we spent the first night. I was surprised to find out that the countryside of rolling, rocky hills interspersed with largely white towns and villages was not so different from southern Spain.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkhZXAg8WwzW-FXEL4o6nBEtn8Gj8X2Ip8CVTPRuKdL9GIfr9kXbxYAUO5M8WZFC3Mh_i3C4BoV8BojJeqhiAWHLEaPNvs4iPINvekJnC0EfdU19j6r8f54toZnP813Icumgh0td0YLNC/s1600/SDC11166.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkhZXAg8WwzW-FXEL4o6nBEtn8Gj8X2Ip8CVTPRuKdL9GIfr9kXbxYAUO5M8WZFC3Mh_i3C4BoV8BojJeqhiAWHLEaPNvs4iPINvekJnC0EfdU19j6r8f54toZnP813Icumgh0td0YLNC/s320/SDC11166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452921199988383218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyOaO0DqU76Itsr9wEdkmMntNfzavtrD_WJ77hF9HmMJiAGFbZPY1yBgv5_NkR0rEsK6FVUvyfO5Uvvx8vmTRMpmecAae8xmum1CErhZLRmN9zq0flnLs_plmkne9rahbcFAndtpedHOg/s1600/SDC11162.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyOaO0DqU76Itsr9wEdkmMntNfzavtrD_WJ77hF9HmMJiAGFbZPY1yBgv5_NkR0rEsK6FVUvyfO5Uvvx8vmTRMpmecAae8xmum1CErhZLRmN9zq0flnLs_plmkne9rahbcFAndtpedHOg/s320/SDC11162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452921190310243074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>Although I will say that everything being in Arabic makes things a bit different...</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6LPvKlyVBdnl1DSLTW2zXKHbX2k1MN1y3sxWe3ohLX9Lkqad7vuwBOb4OQfE112NyJc2vdam84UrYslIJhp_9SRmVAUopT2Z6XKXCorTAF9e5ldKyzjeM-EniXSHwoDEZQ14cvwKa-y3/s320/SDC11193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452945989969882130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>After about 7 total hours of travel, it was nice to retire to my hotel room, which I had to myself, and must say was really really nice.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIxMfhR-9tlf3MkFkSx8C_QbBRuAOQSVfWdGoU9lPivCnM-jK5RoM3ntM7aiB7GUouwoDuVERoXbzgYyQfhOeG6TLZJSZz4x5DUx3CIffrhPOpzHlGoeN5R8hPOAlelB2bOg51i69EILg/s320/SDC11113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896611874303858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>I know it sounds ridiculous, but beforehand I thought the whole Muslim-law thing would really make Morocco a foreign world of sorts, but as you can see from the view from my balcony, it at least appears pretty normal...</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7nXq9nafK-FJgZapYCjiPaNXb3eg5MYK5HCwLsweyUipRQZiqGfWEYP9Z43EuQ3jyEM9vF7mStsPPCAj8gAUiJGQ4UysRA1LLxO1QKP2wss1uAl_PBPt32t-fJ6ZbA4jgCjD1estZs5r/s320/SDC11114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896618943753330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>Our dinner the first night was curry chicken, much spicier than I'm used to, but it was really good. Since this was the first trip I'd taken without my buddy Mark, I was a little out of whack trying to fit in socially. I made friends with two girls from Canada who were really cool, and also with some girls from Appalachian State who although can't be as cool since they're not "foreign" were still great company. But I spent the first dinner talking with our spanish guide Maria, who is 33 and looks 23, and is incredibly nice. Although she may have chosen to talk with me out of pity, I'd like to think she knew that I'm down to talk in spanish, which we did, and I must say I felt pretty cool being the only American making an effort. </div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, I watched some news in Arabic, and went to bed. I must say, I think we're way more conditioned than we think because even though you know you're just watching normal news, when that ticker starts scrolling right to left and Arabic music fades in from the background, it's hard not to at least feel a little uncomfortable like you're watching a terrorist internet leak. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we headed out to see Tetuan, which is a city of around 320,000 inhabitants. I can't say the city is beautiful, but it's definately not dirty like my preconceived notions had me believing. There are Moroccan flags literally everywhere because while we were there, they were preparing to host the Moroccan king for a week or so.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKUz1Jf409FKfAjEgFscWiOAEDPPzkedwGNctXNlrG64fIZSNi_oNDqW2nc9j0V7x8UsL-jpJ135zh2UM5zCYp_N5PkImoOudWyYzmgIcXA6A6FJyBQl4Tbv6jgqIA_SAnM5UPhLiFraU/s320/SDC11120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896629251895842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>Though Tetuan is certainly modern, we visited the old Jewish quarter (I swear the Jews have literally been forced out of every place they've ever tried to live), and it revealed the old market style living where there are specialty vendors for everything. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0prYJwZo0goaFC8J9g13HSkA5bjeG3PNTQJ96sjB8lIbEpACEfaIlt-c-sAl3_uAj201RClYqS2BhEfkUGBh239iW9ESceY-o2-IicikqZvyRdT0Mc_oe88mTV60QPOpDUMFKzWo1VbG/s320/SDC11137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452912992758992066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>We first visited a spice market where they let us sample all their herbs and spices which are used equally for cooking and health. For example, ginseng is a popular spice, but they also believe (not that we don't have the same ideas) that it will clear your blood and give you energy. Smelling all their samples was great, but it did turn into a sale by the end where they were flat out asking you what you wanted to buy. Needless to say, I bought some saffron (which is the royal spice of Morocco and is about 10 times more expensive in the States), and also some magic lipstick which turns from green to red when you put it on. This was for my sister, of course.</div><div><br /></div><div>The spice market:</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM33AzRw-YFvP-LpQuc9T6iNDiWfFamwYiXQT3xAUowvN6bIqzT57D-bdlmCSc3Q6zRX06J_ffHzyWjdtcp6E0EYnCX386uYCPpTrHu1iO0D5ZQ5_2jW2aHUKHMjlyoUoJmHjLDZid9Lz2/s320/SDC11135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452912983438028546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>Here's a stand for dried fruits and nuts:</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0zyRHbwagx60WlTh7G01Ox6Kdtx1Tg0z88mbtdtBKkzs6-xPaUB8vpkmhatrYrRkbPNZzLrM6hBVQOz9zChASqEtsjzw5iGmpl9fmZKrwEEP5A46GM3r6zzaq_o-yEe3ZIzN24777umL/s320/SDC11130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452912967581369442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span><div><div style="text-align: left;">And lastly, a silk store with any color you could imagine:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbXOXbq1uZctVx0lywtaShqWSMOm_ReQ2DeorGFFXBcHpAwfXegyB1IApycP0JJND8kEYXq72T3mhEcuVrmKUiV38CsWoJ3v35irKFDXzGXRHwj5SJrDvOSnIFRCiAnc70r6cAFLIZ5os/s320/SDC11128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452912960557628962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our guide, Mohammed, had a woman dress one of the girls in the traditional Berber attire, but sadly there wasn't ever a display of the men's dress.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2uNEmAqW0cPaykYuRE-4-MjV05mAP8d2T1UJm9X9OmFUUnY4EW4Q1-wOlq_eftSehpc1cdyCoTZlFGhWKubT0946EZ6H6y72zYYSLJWinXgDh0wcJ2dnl0nkrjRgYMIcNnBNqg2i6CzI/s320/SDC11133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452912976032058322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next we went to a house of tapestry, which is a luxury good in Morocco. Although there are women who weave the tapestries inside, most are done up in the mountains in the surrounding areas where women spend up to a couple months working on one carpet (carpet doesn't really do it justice).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The tapestries were very elaborate and the men who explained the process and revealed to us the hallowed rugs were very suave, but I just couldn't put down 40 euro on any of them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CcK-9enNy0HUUarzZol5h_L5TWH_qp3cpesz2hZN-jExHQ50QYuUfqlFmwooxx0Bod69Vy0tli-_dKawisRazf-vlMF2oK_u0tul10nLh362l-MVwcGel1lCOCg7oB7nAHSo7jnKlnaR/s320/SDC11143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452921176204866162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a full day of the markets, I was shopped out and ready for a nice sleep. Fortunately for me there was more to see and do, so we got on the bus and started the drive to Tangier, a city of 700,000 people. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Along the way we stopped at the Cave of Hercules, which I think is mostly a man-made tourist trap. However, in the very back there is a beautiful and natural view over the ocean, where waves crash in a mist your camera if you're not cafeful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3TrgM1g-dvkjsHDyS_Afu0FfO3V5gos8SR8Qrxd4QGldb57u3Jpd1-FgZ4VllyMMtq4Xi1BGG7plAB5vzm5iDqrHIhvNhGj3_nBgW9-Q8El4G_PfelySLhNrHcSmeIsaZLEhXAgT7ikD/s320/SDC11200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452945997915824082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the next stop, I got to ride a camel with my friend Mary. It was a strange ride because camels just lumber very awkwardly. It feels like your sitting in an old fashioned ice cream maker that churns really slowly so you never get knocked around but just bounced around randomly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LyBo7cbU3A_SjZb3tG2E8NI2sUQzHCGd0nR4JgbIuaAKRtUJPlWr-GUBOZUcF3qmCl6QiRqAnH7UYVAgpUO3UO2Ebe18BN2RO5x3SC2whwosE2xtqsn0fl6QmAZe4_zrw59RslsV-Gb7/s320/SDC11182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452945967671276626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the ride I wandered off to look over the sea and get contemplative...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKgCR5HWr6EdyZgai_IuGJbB2r1g4zEmOt7tFj1gFKRRNYpAppxD5v0EpAxiWWx_TAKUUfkNRAWhHzwpzWU3HyH_QTkgr83TogDJ3MsN56Mtj9Ad7OTjypJC2V-GXQZL23c-zhmWhg-3-/s320/SDC11191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452945977948141602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and then we met up with the ocean again at the next rest stop, where there were more vendors with cheap goods to show us. (Honestly it's not that bad, just that I have a tendency to be really interested in cheap crap that I usually lose on the way home.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA2GbWqg5TWW7gXJaKjQt87hwZKML9FIbHx2UB9-HoC39sh1oiUkrJAN7dQ3XaETS32rRM5s8PFQFeoRlzwA2lEZOIzu7pJ3YZd9fjioFzXzlCCuoXyI4GFT5xZUvoURtoNammRx-mLjT/s1600/SDC11172.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA2GbWqg5TWW7gXJaKjQt87hwZKML9FIbHx2UB9-HoC39sh1oiUkrJAN7dQ3XaETS32rRM5s8PFQFeoRlzwA2lEZOIzu7pJ3YZd9fjioFzXzlCCuoXyI4GFT5xZUvoURtoNammRx-mLjT/s320/SDC11172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452945963070317842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjDhY8AGmwGNNem-qDDVjaSayST_IiobyOMIpCY2u3SGKys2niFVoYhs_k4N5JGfjtEqHVQM5sAdquGeL4fMMhpFq_3Bjg-BZltKcCRWJjdfMnlQwx6_rIcTsFDYG9pPLS2M0mXD71BC/s1600/SDC11170.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjDhY8AGmwGNNem-qDDVjaSayST_IiobyOMIpCY2u3SGKys2niFVoYhs_k4N5JGfjtEqHVQM5sAdquGeL4fMMhpFq_3Bjg-BZltKcCRWJjdfMnlQwx6_rIcTsFDYG9pPLS2M0mXD71BC/s320/SDC11170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452921206977980162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At our hotel in Tangier, I found another hotel room all to myself, though not quite as luxurious as the hotel of the night before. Nonetheless it had a small balcony, where I sat for an hour or so reading and listening to the rain. It's another strange thing that I expect things like sun and rain to be different in different places around the world, but it's very unifying to directly see that they're the same everywhere. Though the smells of the markets were not always pleasant, the smell of the rain and right after it stopped was fresh and made me think of sitting on my front porch at home, watching it rain and just letting my mind wander.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The room, night 2:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pOkz6vx1m6zT3cruCX1aP51rHAiNqcLTLTrvO5a0gVlWxI4VUWGSWe1prjp88r9a11rf0MiZxoWIb65Glx4ixRbXfDocfbA46YYEzbh7RKTmdSQIWuhnFHSIIocptTEFEwmMXOW8qGcU/s320/SDC11209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456743770533710274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday night I got to experience a Moroccan supermarket with Maria, who didn't want to walk there alone. The supermarket was...just like a Wal-Mart. I mean even down to the organization it was exactly the same. The only difference was very loud techno music that was playing everywhere, which made a nice contrast with the relatively old crowd. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later that night Maria took us to the discoteca, which was adjacent to our hotel. It took me around 10 seconds to see that it was the oddest nightclub I'd ever been to; live Arabic style music mixed with hip hop type beats and a crowd of men all wearing 70's style suits that mixed John Travolta with Al Pacino. Saw a lot of chest-hair that night, that's for sure.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning, we took a bus through the mountains to the small city of Chefchaouen. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and quickly shattered any stereotype I had of Muslim countries being deserts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHR4oBplSGaUlEbKq-ZSq2B6B4kf8t_EzayK19rpuI8NxEtC-0PciB9BNINMAZyCtE6D72XK2L69tGUBv1X5HyEPh62tSTRw5JBqRhQbiVZ-e56r5VFkEug5Zb5fjP3CbsDOs_9ybI9f/s1600/SDC11216.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHR4oBplSGaUlEbKq-ZSq2B6B4kf8t_EzayK19rpuI8NxEtC-0PciB9BNINMAZyCtE6D72XK2L69tGUBv1X5HyEPh62tSTRw5JBqRhQbiVZ-e56r5VFkEug5Zb5fjP3CbsDOs_9ybI9f/s320/SDC11216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456743786278182274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An important side-note taken from a rest-stop bathroom: this should never be considered a toilet...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJK1cCYeQbXVtGVLpzdP5XOZ5-SEEiOAxV8LiMcs-NoMjBawyAKf-GRd1GCoXss3ew_IMY3UvrjQzQu6tTJ2m1JbMU77s4g5CUjiuH07ykldmSZW0_i5wUlLnBUxV59XetvdQ0oo4KLfy/s1600/SDC11210.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJK1cCYeQbXVtGVLpzdP5XOZ5-SEEiOAxV8LiMcs-NoMjBawyAKf-GRd1GCoXss3ew_IMY3UvrjQzQu6tTJ2m1JbMU77s4g5CUjiuH07ykldmSZW0_i5wUlLnBUxV59XetvdQ0oo4KLfy/s320/SDC11210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456743781629897154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Chefchaouen is a small city up in the mountains that's absolutely beautiful and known as the "city of blue" because it's blue. They paint the walls blue instead of white because it's easier on the eyes when the summer sun beats down on them. We had the funniest little guide who kept snorting pepper off his thumb (seriously, pepper), and saying it was for his sinuses. It's not a stretch for me to believe that would clear 'em out but there's gotta be an easier way, in my opinion.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pOkz6vx1m6zT3cruCX1aP51rHAiNqcLTLTrvO5a0gVlWxI4VUWGSWe1prjp88r9a11rf0MiZxoWIb65Glx4ixRbXfDocfbA46YYEzbh7RKTmdSQIWuhnFHSIIocptTEFEwmMXOW8qGcU/s1600/SDC11209.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6KBlcIOEww5jVfpmmgQgmA3i8v3lb9YF2mgo2HZW7APBVFqxmf3ptjgRMx_A3cJGWwtOj01gbuo3ZTmFv4zQxZdljtGi-XxR70viZdH1g3vYwfT9xoWxU3xpMVJCwHO98vnnG0f-S0PP/s1600/SDC11221.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6KBlcIOEww5jVfpmmgQgmA3i8v3lb9YF2mgo2HZW7APBVFqxmf3ptjgRMx_A3cJGWwtOj01gbuo3ZTmFv4zQxZdljtGi-XxR70viZdH1g3vYwfT9xoWxU3xpMVJCwHO98vnnG0f-S0PP/s320/SDC11221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456743762467301634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After seeing the city that made me think of CandyLand, we headed to the coast, caught a ferry, rode a bus back to Sevilla, and about 10pm I walked into the apartment to greetings of "Dolores! Dolores! He came home! The Moors haven't taken him!" Apparently older generations of Spaniards think Morocco is a little dangerous.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, great trip. Would not want to live in the cities there but the countryside is beautiful and all the people were incredibly nice to us. We didn't come across anyone who didn't have a good command of English, and I was surprised at how normal everything was. The one thing I will say is that from the workers in the market to the loiterers everywhere we went, it was apparent that men have a much more social role in the community. I'm sure there's an intricate social web behind closed doors, but it is definately behind closed doors. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Food:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LyBo7cbU3A_SjZb3tG2E8NI2sUQzHCGd0nR4JgbIuaAKRtUJPlWr-GUBOZUcF3qmCl6QiRqAnH7UYVAgpUO3UO2Ebe18BN2RO5x3SC2whwosE2xtqsn0fl6QmAZe4_zrw59RslsV-Gb7/s1600/SDC11182.JPG"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHehLc_sM9Kvrr4UjWl9U-HQaoj0Ikd7ht7_43BIs6D5QVFM3LtRr5DjlGuw8gBjQ88mb462Szkl5yLX1siL8mZAqGjFEo8voUkcpm_lZoW-Ic9yowg7jbyWPdjA1GzPwRx9C8xxA9BEu/s1600/SDC11160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHehLc_sM9Kvrr4UjWl9U-HQaoj0Ikd7ht7_43BIs6D5QVFM3LtRr5DjlGuw8gBjQ88mb462Szkl5yLX1siL8mZAqGjFEo8voUkcpm_lZoW-Ic9yowg7jbyWPdjA1GzPwRx9C8xxA9BEu/s320/SDC11160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452921186845994930" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeRO5jyp11krQ5WkOCIGefrvohawuvR0TRA_4rTaREXjZawO_BXz_1bab6-pgln7j9yt8PsXK_gEoPasLDzIUiOLOm2-xuUbulF6hl2C0xDbnCp3AdmEfJfdoUWxLPBKfWUXnwYVAbeFP/s1600/SDC11110.JPG"></a></div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-23097744750683695902010-03-19T03:23:00.000-07:002010-03-19T05:11:36.923-07:00Weekly Update<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjODUwqt3Ekqx2YExmWaya4SpPpdSCGOodi8pnkORUyNETjyNOwcsi1rWaJVcEOIhK9g8D_OXPPcnW6Cx8Y9rFqTD5XleVIHoAOaHGELSBCYmZWoRAeZzDGb2vwBpc7456v_yBbXwgb70c/s1600-h/SDC11079.JPG"></a><div>This past week I had my first mid-term on Wednesday, so most of Sunday through Tuesday was spent studying, despite the beautiful weather outside. But late Tuesday afternoon I was burnt out and had to take a walk outside, ending up at the river, of course, to find hundreds of people hanging out in the warm air and fading sun.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXwt2vVyk3_kdYQhaIeZhJ0_ZFtCR09XpGBAAmL54IGYrSiOwsojSXFHCnH9bnYMtzjlNmmEnF4sg1U8s8tpQNTAv04n4NJ2X4v8fHEAv3hFS3gQl1jMIwl2wKwWZBmSSHjZGmQEVinnk/s1600-h/IMG_0734.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei2bjzwL-FQ_Yg-09txVLdDSwsVVWjToK7B5uT9RhsGogPuoYaawXN0f5b-EvNTARQuz8BsTVMi2ztf73aujd1OzknCbdQYlITl4iwwYxV3nC9iFnHRHBYqFSnNO3OsM9IVxwRTWi84mm/s1600-h/IMG_0732.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei2bjzwL-FQ_Yg-09txVLdDSwsVVWjToK7B5uT9RhsGogPuoYaawXN0f5b-EvNTARQuz8BsTVMi2ztf73aujd1OzknCbdQYlITl4iwwYxV3nC9iFnHRHBYqFSnNO3OsM9IVxwRTWi84mm/s320/IMG_0732.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450291393940919586" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXwt2vVyk3_kdYQhaIeZhJ0_ZFtCR09XpGBAAmL54IGYrSiOwsojSXFHCnH9bnYMtzjlNmmEnF4sg1U8s8tpQNTAv04n4NJ2X4v8fHEAv3hFS3gQl1jMIwl2wKwWZBmSSHjZGmQEVinnk/s320/IMG_0734.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450291401806686258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><br /></div><div>Tuesday night Mark, myself, and a few other Americans headed to the Nervion neighborhood to watch Sevilla FC play Moscow in a champions league game, which I don't fully understand, but know to be a very very big deal. Such was evident the moment I stepped onto the metro...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjODUwqt3Ekqx2YExmWaya4SpPpdSCGOodi8pnkORUyNETjyNOwcsi1rWaJVcEOIhK9g8D_OXPPcnW6Cx8Y9rFqTD5XleVIHoAOaHGELSBCYmZWoRAeZzDGb2vwBpc7456v_yBbXwgb70c/s320/SDC11079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450291407916411858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a beer in a bar by the stadium beforehand, and I can't even explain how many people, all in red, were walking the streets and chanting "Sevilla". However, we were a little surprised when we got into the stadium that it was pretty empty even 20 minutes to game-time, but it filled quickly, proving that even with their soccer, Spaniards tend to be a little late.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't say that the atmosphere was intimidating, but still very impressive. The fans sang probably 4 or 5 songs before and during the game, which was not what I expected. I don't remember much chanting during the game, but there certainly was singing, and we were probably the only people in there that didn't know the songs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another interesting note is that the stadium concessions were drastically sub par, and at halftime, everybody, and I mean everybody, pulled out their "bocadillos", or sub sandwiches, that they brought from home. It was as if over the loud speaker the announcer had said, "Okay, it's bocadillo time now". </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved playing soccer but sometimes get bored with watching it, but I will say that although we were very high up, and behind a goal, it was never boring, and much more intense than I thought it would be. </div><div><br /></div><div>The game was a good one, although Moscow ended up with the victory, 2-1, and the feeling after the game was overall dreary. Nonetheless, I had a great time, went home and straight to bed.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGnKlSN3gwHAnTV7KVpnGrzbE7dm4L-44I0RICL9IwHFw0u_cJX-hfdzNtLbNFQtbtQ-KFwyUviTmVDre5eLtHx7kEyE4cNXbW4O-r8fkLALhLOwZwFX1N8Prt0_Uw5W7tYUZ64yHa-Me/s1600-h/SDC11102.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGnKlSN3gwHAnTV7KVpnGrzbE7dm4L-44I0RICL9IwHFw0u_cJX-hfdzNtLbNFQtbtQ-KFwyUviTmVDre5eLtHx7kEyE4cNXbW4O-r8fkLALhLOwZwFX1N8Prt0_Uw5W7tYUZ64yHa-Me/s320/SDC11102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296235808767346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ3GWpJCwT-PxZEKmkE3DzSxasViuaGPaPnIFAdrB-I1c-zHiPGejC2ySI62vLs_TmZ5LZP5rXtClOf2ktGGZNplRi3mFIn8Q8JeHWuRVCJZrtBz4jhv76tQTQFo7nj_CdCjuxze6LFOv/s1600-h/SDC11095.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ3GWpJCwT-PxZEKmkE3DzSxasViuaGPaPnIFAdrB-I1c-zHiPGejC2ySI62vLs_TmZ5LZP5rXtClOf2ktGGZNplRi3mFIn8Q8JeHWuRVCJZrtBz4jhv76tQTQFo7nj_CdCjuxze6LFOv/s320/SDC11095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296227643886322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDZC67Px0QunQ1kTlu0mL2a3G5fDPyY38eBpV8_4xgta_KaXp1zFLbPHkHVUYhhz8gQume9HTrJrm6buXzOkVmZ4WW_q-No3bQ7UU95QCf1QaTF84573aRMKXjfBrmjpHgCtLA45wfgyp/s1600-h/SDC11089.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDZC67Px0QunQ1kTlu0mL2a3G5fDPyY38eBpV8_4xgta_KaXp1zFLbPHkHVUYhhz8gQume9HTrJrm6buXzOkVmZ4WW_q-No3bQ7UU95QCf1QaTF84573aRMKXjfBrmjpHgCtLA45wfgyp/s320/SDC11089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450296215880193026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XwsqYakPAcdh0AUfuc9rbg00CxaOMHtUVELtffbbaZhc88_7su0ucuef5JLxodJVx6WRBCVsXEi-t8KbphWSqVWKIn1tWIc_Fi6_9LhX3tFh94iPm0wz3rFc7CJ0SHbBya6cPOSQ5Vry/s1600-h/SDC11084.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XwsqYakPAcdh0AUfuc9rbg00CxaOMHtUVELtffbbaZhc88_7su0ucuef5JLxodJVx6WRBCVsXEi-t8KbphWSqVWKIn1tWIc_Fi6_9LhX3tFh94iPm0wz3rFc7CJ0SHbBya6cPOSQ5Vry/s320/SDC11084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450291419942611826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday I took my first mid-term, Creative writing and critical thinking, which went really well, and then read a little for my lit class in Parque de Maria Luisa. It was St. Patty's day, so that night, Mark and I went out to a couple bars, one of which we found has a 1 euro special on little sandwiches and mugs of beer every Wednesday, which is nice, and I called it a night early to catch up on some sleep. Yesterday I had my morning Anthropology of Andalucia class and then spent the afternoon studying and walking through parks. </div><div><br /></div><div>I booked a ferry ride from London to Normandy later in April, which I'm really looking forward to, and I'm trying to plan a trip to Ireland as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lately I've been doing a lot of bonding with Antonio, my senor, and I think he really enjoys talking to me, mostly because I just sit there and listen, and ask a few questions now and then.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other night we had fish for dinner and Antonio ate 4 fish heads. I asked him about it, trying to explain that we Americans tend not to eat the heads and he said very seriously, "Oh what a shame. I enjoy heads very much. Big ones, the wider the better in my opinion."</div><div><br /></div><div>And if I want to really get him going I'll just ask about Semana Santa, the holy Easter week here, and he will tell me literally every detail. He's told me the schedule of the processions from each neighborhood (big parades of robed men carrying religious imagery, which march from their neighborhood to the great cathedral in the middle of Sevilla, and then go through other neighborhoods before returning), and he's told me his favorite parts; the great white horses, la esperanza de Triana (a procession that honors Triana's virgin), etc. He also told me a lot about what it was like when he used to take part in that procession; how he played a bass drum (he makes the sounds for me), and sometimes carried a big cross.</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, he's a really animated story-teller with a lot of life experience to draw from, so I really like listening to him. My favorite thing he does is count things on his fingers. For example, I asked him which of his sons had been in the Semana Santa procession and he said, "All of them of course, we've got uno, Salvador; dos, Luis; tres, David; y the last one, Santiago." And when he's done he looks at me like "yeah I haven't lost all my marbles yet".</div><div><br /></div><div>I know you're probably thinking it's weird to comment much more on Antonio, but because we talk about it a lot, I need to update you on his health. He's got a bad shoulder, a stomach that's upset if he eats a big dinner, drinks orange juice or coffee, "tension" problems which I think means high blood pressure, and he tells me that's why he eats a lot of fish and drinks wine frecuently, and he also takes medicine for his "nerves", which sounds to me a lot like some mysterious Victorian diagnosis of crazy people.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I love the guy and hope he stays healthy well past my departure.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all I've got to update (other than three days of Paris), and I'm headed to Morocco to take my first steps on Africa. Right now, actually.</div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-42210171762269726992010-03-18T09:45:00.000-07:002010-03-19T03:17:02.039-07:00Gibraltar<div style="text-align: left;">Last Saturday, Mark and I decided to go to Gibraltar, the tiny peninsula off southern Spain that is less than 50 miles from Africa. It's four hours by bus ride which meant we spent a lot more time driving than down there, but definately still worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think largely due to growing up in Missouri, I've always loved the ocean, and I started getting excited at this first glance of it (trust me, it's back there)...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz6Cu_ANSdUzirlhM5S3OovTvIZhTic5lVpxQv8NmoIc_CnrtNEAqSfS0y5zAsQ2jhD_vuoL0f5Jw8zVm7IQt0ReJ0VmML6ncqKgIHBV-9HM8yL4gaASwVLBDsn1ePRtbhDb0NDVNbEnv/s1600-h/SDC10966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz6Cu_ANSdUzirlhM5S3OovTvIZhTic5lVpxQv8NmoIc_CnrtNEAqSfS0y5zAsQ2jhD_vuoL0f5Jw8zVm7IQt0ReJ0VmML6ncqKgIHBV-9HM8yL4gaASwVLBDsn1ePRtbhDb0NDVNbEnv/s320/SDC10966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450018601966639682" /></a><br /></div><div>After driving along the coast for a while, we finally saw what the people of Gibraltar call "The Rock", which pretty much is a big rock that makes up every bit of Gibraltar that hasn't been reclaimed from the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIPLmo_UzFmqAaw4C7oLhGH-wEPfd7WnsrRWda5KigxijKDOW-2dzNVe-2rqDNDbJdVRpbSTGwaeuvijvto7M5uyiUj5R_yFZKKqj5U-_KYK1OzllBE44_XXT6B-G1llzq_fXIEYq1LgE/s1600-h/SDC10971.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIPLmo_UzFmqAaw4C7oLhGH-wEPfd7WnsrRWda5KigxijKDOW-2dzNVe-2rqDNDbJdVRpbSTGwaeuvijvto7M5uyiUj5R_yFZKKqj5U-_KYK1OzllBE44_XXT6B-G1llzq_fXIEYq1LgE/s320/SDC10971.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450018609814953986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, in our tour given by Dave, an Englishman who was everything I dreamed an English tour-guide could be, told us that around 50 acres have been reclaimed from the sea, largely by Dutchmen, who are "jolly ingenious", and to our left we saw the old walls that used to protect the town from the sea, but now sit right in the middle of things.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiBz1485arK_C1Jn8Z1Tg3fv6JlDiz1_1YccVmxhXT6hnf7BKcZik8U0yI6Tz8B5u45GzmCz4WEISvNTFLy_HPFXdQr6KJCq1vFaK0bukzSGzpSCkXBPCbkhWabUkSYCm0hq0cyqhj-AZ/s1600-h/SDC10978.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiBz1485arK_C1Jn8Z1Tg3fv6JlDiz1_1YccVmxhXT6hnf7BKcZik8U0yI6Tz8B5u45GzmCz4WEISvNTFLy_HPFXdQr6KJCq1vFaK0bukzSGzpSCkXBPCbkhWabUkSYCm0hq0cyqhj-AZ/s320/SDC10978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450018616686838930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another interesting fact for you, all of Gibraltar's water comes from desalinating plants, and here's a waterfall that drains the very salty leftovers back to the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbD6eqjz9-wr76QOQCpt_csWues4xTCdgMVJqfXi2gsbdDYQRYUhwMMAa4ghkM159aEnDZNJ5mL5_U4QHx7oqCI8xECKLAGvjptedkro6GIjomNVAs6wptr470hBu8io0IzhLAtmlf0Fn/s320/SDC10988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450018625629580866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Like I said, Gibraltar is basically a big rock, but historically it's been a fortress for the Moors, Spanish, Portuguese, and finally the British, and to hoist the cannons up high on "The Rock", there are these pulley-rings along every street...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnJoudlelQL8PoN3PyEGovxe1tARskEId-tQBSADLGF-kVQd5jUndGvbLuIpkygFwaKv5ag5nSbdDfN3ZDo23rCAEAhlK2kxRN3O5Ty2p1GE6-2_Jo5AqRURexlKgSoMTg1649XED2D4V/s320/SDC11012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450022332369502050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>There's definately a military feel around Gibraltar, which makes an interesting contrast to the people who live there who tend to be expatriate Brits or Moroccans or Italians, looking to get away. There's a giant 20-ton cannon on the top of the rock, which could easily shoot into Africa, but it's never been fired in anger. Also impressive but completely irrelevant is a 100-ton cannon we passed on our tour, which could fire farther than anyone could see when it was constructed, but takes a half-hour to load and an hour to maneuver. Thus, it didn't take long for the British to realize their prize-cannon was not very practical.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later, we got to go into St. Michael's caves, which go down right into the heart of the rock, and are very cool, but for all you long-time readers, are absolutely dwarfed by those of Aracena.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd2CKgk5_CkZHQaZna5u0VQLPSTiV5QOJSn9cci05B5f-uSrCcSBJcNtS_qdz5-wj5elR04r7eDnxmkT6yTU-makbpw-8IF3rm52IM59JC6ledzR7a1N94RpurOam9GViLkuM6xdtDGO1/s1600-h/SDC11026.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd2CKgk5_CkZHQaZna5u0VQLPSTiV5QOJSn9cci05B5f-uSrCcSBJcNtS_qdz5-wj5elR04r7eDnxmkT6yTU-makbpw-8IF3rm52IM59JC6ledzR7a1N94RpurOam9GViLkuM6xdtDGO1/s320/SDC11026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450022346371085762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVBCRmfAxfp8v0VviroX7y5YPA4ZnZxCDv6DtS9s_1OrWoaWz2Mk5ww62b2zTsNo7ViBNC9dUOfiKTEAzJ4JmBLIxisKyAkdDFpjhqw4WYysnVAEUkcdh9nAi1zpOnU4ADOee2b7a3KTK/s1600-h/SDC11022.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVBCRmfAxfp8v0VviroX7y5YPA4ZnZxCDv6DtS9s_1OrWoaWz2Mk5ww62b2zTsNo7ViBNC9dUOfiKTEAzJ4JmBLIxisKyAkdDFpjhqw4WYysnVAEUkcdh9nAi1zpOnU4ADOee2b7a3KTK/s320/SDC11022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450022335244586322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Something very cool is that they have a small amphitheater in the caves where they hold concerts and speeches and such.</div><div><br /></div><div>We then made our way out to a great lookout point with the lighthouse and a view of Africa.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpzod3mDugXWh7uSKOLIb4_LKTHZx-LPI9fcc3A1_7J8oAvLz87gz-9wMZKmwaCP57ZjL-2-65NKeU9A-LfweIgEZ0s9XzZO10RMGZ1VH046xeR9BlK5L27gbeN-r9GIVT1zL_14QvECz/s1600-h/SDC10999.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpzod3mDugXWh7uSKOLIb4_LKTHZx-LPI9fcc3A1_7J8oAvLz87gz-9wMZKmwaCP57ZjL-2-65NKeU9A-LfweIgEZ0s9XzZO10RMGZ1VH046xeR9BlK5L27gbeN-r9GIVT1zL_14QvECz/s320/SDC10999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450022324709658882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>That little piece of land is Africa, Morocco specifically.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6POi-GNTZn-i_IIuuyHeVT9Yu7zcHwaF-8ESspIruRwGppmbgkjUe8VzXWXwEbAUmYNCFNbEyfkL94EcHVHJwasH30oeJPUDDKEU3jkAhcJchLoyQp7JmP82dt_zstzMWqFfHn4ZA7XB/s1600-h/SDC10994.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6POi-GNTZn-i_IIuuyHeVT9Yu7zcHwaF-8ESspIruRwGppmbgkjUe8VzXWXwEbAUmYNCFNbEyfkL94EcHVHJwasH30oeJPUDDKEU3jkAhcJchLoyQp7JmP82dt_zstzMWqFfHn4ZA7XB/s320/SDC10994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450018629625067394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Probably the highlight of the trip has to be the monkeys. Gibraltar has about 250 little monkeys living there that most likely came over as sailor's pets from somewhere in northern Africa. Winston Churchill declared once that the British would only leave Gibraltar when the monkeys did, and in the 1950's when the monkey population was dwindling, the British went to Africa and brought over more.</div><div><br /></div><div>These monkeys are very much used to people always around and if you're not careful, they'll steal your hat/lunch/souvenir, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrFLJF-I4tuuaxNdf0z2AvkC4ay1RZzEPfAPRq1qzmri-aId6ioT-i0KC0iTszu44WQ3WYxSKYWvPhXMtWXis1X5rxOq221MvMhT4gM2bHJ31zzr0OINXVkRuD-BGGjT3ofo2OOTOoAUH/s1600-h/SDC11054.JPG"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2gDpyU5bOIxp2Nc1-y3OoYbDHiFiPOf-wPhzkVI-LGk9R43ihHlebRIYkbz7OccKG_8Ow3AyCDiz10M7AtFCgQg-QDqK_Er1DCPViPcpNobzqG8cLduRLsOesIpIiQDgT7oFWzazC9XP/s1600-h/SDC11047.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2gDpyU5bOIxp2Nc1-y3OoYbDHiFiPOf-wPhzkVI-LGk9R43ihHlebRIYkbz7OccKG_8Ow3AyCDiz10M7AtFCgQg-QDqK_Er1DCPViPcpNobzqG8cLduRLsOesIpIiQDgT7oFWzazC9XP/s320/SDC11047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450024949961259346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g_8TEow0VXP0xjH2hMSh-7m0b-a5dKtXT7oS-dPBYNKDGng7zQAHXnwtdpgYUAuXGQnqcLhDLfaMyWsUf2OTFX8z-CJDGwWkyA388Z3iir4uZr3Y4CbRyUUhvJ5jHdn3WpePvKxWp51I/s1600-h/SDC11044.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk0wmC1Vw4VnubGPtbJN8a0bc6qZ6V_9fI470I2m_QXCfXMgB4sTicM9ISHCuWMRuN8bo1UJmPL5TKEe28FQonLl_EypyGbEjureqzG17cLdKk89ei2DlUZikSyIucBWhUtewNzlZqqqH/s320/SDC11041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450022352053744322" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g_8TEow0VXP0xjH2hMSh-7m0b-a5dKtXT7oS-dPBYNKDGng7zQAHXnwtdpgYUAuXGQnqcLhDLfaMyWsUf2OTFX8z-CJDGwWkyA388Z3iir4uZr3Y4CbRyUUhvJ5jHdn3WpePvKxWp51I/s1600-h/SDC11044.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g_8TEow0VXP0xjH2hMSh-7m0b-a5dKtXT7oS-dPBYNKDGng7zQAHXnwtdpgYUAuXGQnqcLhDLfaMyWsUf2OTFX8z-CJDGwWkyA388Z3iir4uZr3Y4CbRyUUhvJ5jHdn3WpePvKxWp51I/s320/SDC11044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450024939129363794" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />This last picture also gives you a picture of Dave, our great tour-guide.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk0wmC1Vw4VnubGPtbJN8a0bc6qZ6V_9fI470I2m_QXCfXMgB4sTicM9ISHCuWMRuN8bo1UJmPL5TKEe28FQonLl_EypyGbEjureqzG17cLdKk89ei2DlUZikSyIucBWhUtewNzlZqqqH/s1600-h/SDC11041.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrFLJF-I4tuuaxNdf0z2AvkC4ay1RZzEPfAPRq1qzmri-aId6ioT-i0KC0iTszu44WQ3WYxSKYWvPhXMtWXis1X5rxOq221MvMhT4gM2bHJ31zzr0OINXVkRuD-BGGjT3ofo2OOTOoAUH/s320/SDC11054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450024959672435458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk0wmC1Vw4VnubGPtbJN8a0bc6qZ6V_9fI470I2m_QXCfXMgB4sTicM9ISHCuWMRuN8bo1UJmPL5TKEe28FQonLl_EypyGbEjureqzG17cLdKk89ei2DlUZikSyIucBWhUtewNzlZqqqH/s1600-h/SDC11041.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><br /></div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-25212049839823121602010-03-11T04:46:00.000-08:002010-03-12T14:54:22.319-08:00The past week or so<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_WsqO6dcri04Ddynt_yFVKpx8Kj2Ljac-2RZNhPAXOYj5KcFswWJlBLo3K2mo-YN0WkZTq91R0gNXxrXyRNz-fs1hOP5ce1N2yTw5OFzR_zHCe10zoUj5X6AYog9APLCaE7HVsimuRrd/s1600-h/25647_1401577920441_1262106237_31157228_533265_n.jpg"></a>Here's a little update of the past week and what I've been doing. It wasn't too busy but it was great to have some time without travel to take in Sevilla and get to know some people here a little better.<div><br /></div><div>Getting home from Paris last week, I was exhausted and spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday catching up on school and sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Thursday, despite more rain here, was great and I spent the late afternoon wandering around with Mark and our Brazilian and Italian friends, Enrica, Stephanie, and Roberta, who continue to surprise with their willingness to spend time with us. We wandered around the center of town through all (not even close) the narrow streets, had some coffee, and then a couple beers at a little pub, waiting for the rain to die down.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_WsqO6dcri04Ddynt_yFVKpx8Kj2Ljac-2RZNhPAXOYj5KcFswWJlBLo3K2mo-YN0WkZTq91R0gNXxrXyRNz-fs1hOP5ce1N2yTw5OFzR_zHCe10zoUj5X6AYog9APLCaE7HVsimuRrd/s320/25647_1401577920441_1262106237_31157228_533265_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447444498122421714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /></div><div>It feels odd in a way saying this with all the new experiences I've had in the last month and a half, but the time I spend with these friends, just talking about life, Sevilla, Italy and Brazil, has been some of the most valuable in terms of personal growth. It's hard to put into words but just learning through experience how to talk to people and what makes us all tick once you strip away the convenient conversation topics like sports, trivial news, etc. I feel like in the past there have been a lot of times where I've just felt bored talking to people, but here I'm constantly reminded of the value in just spending time with people, now that it's not quite as easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later that night I met up with my "intercambia" or basically the one Spaniard my program sets you up with, for the first time. Her name is Paula Prieto Gil and she's a student at the teaching vocational school here preparing to teach english. I went out for tapas (appetizer dinner for all you who are just tuning in), and then to a bar afterwards with her, a friend Luis, and two other Spaniards with their American intercambios. From the Americans I learned that in fact, there are people who live in Rhode Island, and from the Spaniards I continued to be convinced that there's not a single mean-spirited student here. (I think non-students dealing with the "crisis" have a right to be a little cranky.) </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great time and Paula's low-cut shirt gave me a night-long exercise on eye-contact, which though painful at the time, makes me feel like a stronger man now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday brought a day free of class perfect for getting a lot of studying done, but unfortunately I used the morning and a large part of the afternoon to play guitar. I'm going to have to limit myself because I'm getting a little better which makes playing more appealing, but once the rain stops I'll probably just bring my guitar out into the city with me, let my facial hair grow out, and play a lot of Cat Stevens (Before he became Yusuf, of course).</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday night brought Mark and I to our favorite flamenco bar, Carboneria, where we enjoyed a show, and then headed out to the Alfalfa bar district.</div><div><br /></div><div>The notable thing about Saturday was that I met up with my intercambia again, and went to see "The Men Who Stare At Goats" with her and some of her friends, which as some of you know is written and directed by the Coen brothers. For all of you who saw Big Lebowski and left feeling like somebody must've slipped you some acid, or maybe saw Burn After Reading and couldn't help but be a bit surprised that Brad Pitt was killed off in the first half of the movie, or that George Clooney turned out to be a raging sex addict...Let me just tell you that you have no idea how unbelievably weird a Coen brothers movie is until you see one in spanish with no subtitles. The entire time I could understand a lot of the dialogue, but had the ironic contrast of understanding zero of the plot. I couldn't even fake a conversation about it afterwards other than, "Man that was crazy when the hippie was in the military."</div><div><br /></div><div>Either the best or the worst part of the experience was that I proved yet again to myself that I am a complete idiot, and in the thirty minutes between buying a ticket and going into the theatre, I managed to lose my ticket like a child. Thus, I paid to see the movie twice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday night was my "brother's" girlfriend's birthday, so we had a little celebration with a cake and their baby Noelia, of course, who didn't mind being the center of attention. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCwnVDmz6BAF1FwXHSMKX7kYlwkspFyX3lfWCsvS7PyHo2aEmS2BMTMe6np7UuhQmYJ_0_BnyfxctXKfUQlyfvFhDH6rSKqsCP8y47BQ6riWnkA0I4NiE9dcIDBWz3ZrMOTTVwQv5OWMh/s320/SDC10958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447360269566767650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4cYhEF3rPP4HjPviVbF5njOiw6SOX0YQYiIjAVFYQCpWjt_ZJnJlMtuDWr5cY68ET6xeDeznuuPGHH5TcSF3jlzTHH1ntDl-KlNpRVtFe2UWmmWeKEt8D56a6HQ-mZZ3kiJcc7u1rfzQ/s1600-h/SDC10960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4cYhEF3rPP4HjPviVbF5njOiw6SOX0YQYiIjAVFYQCpWjt_ZJnJlMtuDWr5cY68ET6xeDeznuuPGHH5TcSF3jlzTHH1ntDl-KlNpRVtFe2UWmmWeKEt8D56a6HQ-mZZ3kiJcc7u1rfzQ/s320/SDC10960.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447360274524906818" /></a><br /></div><div>An interesting thing happened to me Sunday; I spent more than just 30 minutes at a time studying, and actually managed catch up a little bit. The interesting thing is that although I don't study a tremendous amount, the 3-4 hours a week I spend studying seems to dwarf every other American. In fact, in my history class Monday, the image of the US took a a drastic hit when one of my colleagues asked the professor, "What centuries are we talking about?". Considering that the name of the class is "Introduction to Modern Spanish History: 1492-1716", that's just ridiculous.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday brought a warm day of absolutely incredible sunshine...</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFk_0fvlwqNdf78k5B-xFIrnFXAcQhBOHEHhBxmRdZ2W0_xdc1SCztrM41p_xFHW5KwFFRtG7ronfHFAJtl7XWZ-KRjesJh1JzxaZ0_K6b-KuGgraFeJZ-HzlMeFRCQ74CMl9xdl284-_/s320/IMG_0722.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358942808441906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCwnVDmz6BAF1FwXHSMKX7kYlwkspFyX3lfWCsvS7PyHo2aEmS2BMTMe6np7UuhQmYJ_0_BnyfxctXKfUQlyfvFhDH6rSKqsCP8y47BQ6riWnkA0I4NiE9dcIDBWz3ZrMOTTVwQv5OWMh/s1600-h/SDC10958.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tGSkhfpP5mes1Yvu3eUoA5qQAZX0x8HhChyNvnmHQM3slk6xkCtj7L6Xi2erT3IBN3EZM3fDQZasF1OjBv9TWaD59uoFey78pZdrzOeCj_QQEeFt7QV89dUeISQ-13VLhZRJ5x1V_-pw/s1600-h/IMG_0727.jpg"></a></div><div>And Mark and I spent the late afternoon relaxing at a little bar overlooking the river. The city came alive with people and I can't wait until the weather stays like that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier in the day, I had lunch with Paula and her friend Cristina, and then Paula and I walked around Parque Maria Luisa, which was very peaceful and even though it is nothing like my house, the sunshine and little ponds made me think about sitting by the lake at my house in late spring, and made me a little bit homesick. But the park was very beautiful and I can't tell you how great it is to have people to explore with. </div><div><br /></div><div>Me...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OTTo_EjxkIqA0XaDW5B1IFm_IVQPvFxkqc0hsw9wWtOH1oyw-wNKE6Xr5Zge-ZJ9nt4YL6v9mednmtFTF1a5Cl1F0yVSPTrx5rVlKS40P-ecbmtbRwEraDPUu8YXogREJ2onTAVOOfD1/s1600-h/IMG_0721.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OTTo_EjxkIqA0XaDW5B1IFm_IVQPvFxkqc0hsw9wWtOH1oyw-wNKE6Xr5Zge-ZJ9nt4YL6v9mednmtFTF1a5Cl1F0yVSPTrx5rVlKS40P-ecbmtbRwEraDPUu8YXogREJ2onTAVOOfD1/s320/IMG_0721.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358935954475122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div>Now Paula...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZpGIFQ6C98_8GWS8H6gPg8vTF-Yjrc4SIAtlYu1gTlYJOEpGzlXR5VCS65XNrZ3Fm6cxVFu_5TOfpo3lWzd5HAM64paOaEob0GeY3AYCcI1cZeOGqYF3m9peZbRwGsIYoIUWlsGxcOsH/s1600-h/IMG_0720.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZpGIFQ6C98_8GWS8H6gPg8vTF-Yjrc4SIAtlYu1gTlYJOEpGzlXR5VCS65XNrZ3Fm6cxVFu_5TOfpo3lWzd5HAM64paOaEob0GeY3AYCcI1cZeOGqYF3m9peZbRwGsIYoIUWlsGxcOsH/s320/IMG_0720.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358923475460546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>And some other sights...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsaNpNL0iBWBzpOlnrcft2nNMIf_YGFb_7mfIFj6DP9tDM8cE8czXtd7Dv5Fv3_h0A2xeR9732c0Ml47a2jXDlxgtkUXVClTcXck4kSw44d2tf19HN6RLzJkNPQCQfV5kKgwtm0dm8Hhg/s1600-h/IMG_0718.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsaNpNL0iBWBzpOlnrcft2nNMIf_YGFb_7mfIFj6DP9tDM8cE8czXtd7Dv5Fv3_h0A2xeR9732c0Ml47a2jXDlxgtkUXVClTcXck4kSw44d2tf19HN6RLzJkNPQCQfV5kKgwtm0dm8Hhg/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358910453235618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQx8zcK-5mrtublI3UcpShhGk2m3lOb9PkJPB9W6zRA020YyF5TwooNts4TOk1sX0H08lYQ2jT2XAIH6eOKQu_IHBLCzXUiMUWm0mYDBDfCwEXm88nPsDPCvhiIJdG8aghlpkThON3ajs/s1600-h/IMG_0717.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQx8zcK-5mrtublI3UcpShhGk2m3lOb9PkJPB9W6zRA020YyF5TwooNts4TOk1sX0H08lYQ2jT2XAIH6eOKQu_IHBLCzXUiMUWm0mYDBDfCwEXm88nPsDPCvhiIJdG8aghlpkThON3ajs/s320/IMG_0717.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358904980885906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tGSkhfpP5mes1Yvu3eUoA5qQAZX0x8HhChyNvnmHQM3slk6xkCtj7L6Xi2erT3IBN3EZM3fDQZasF1OjBv9TWaD59uoFey78pZdrzOeCj_QQEeFt7QV89dUeISQ-13VLhZRJ5x1V_-pw/s1600-h/IMG_0727.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a>Tuesday night, Mark and I wanted to take it easy so we just went to this little teteria for tea, which was not quite to the level of Granada, but still much better than western teas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqXZ-CA3nn24oNceBOREB2N2JnCIcT4aH1cnje5ChYbvgLRbW_W2Dbj2_pA_5PFo9ZcgWgUH8laByG8kan82C3FLlhXlz6DI08Lo7XJnaH2angQK2lj9p_61V8mGSTZ_-wARtciQOCHVq/s1600-h/IMG_0726.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqXZ-CA3nn24oNceBOREB2N2JnCIcT4aH1cnje5ChYbvgLRbW_W2Dbj2_pA_5PFo9ZcgWgUH8laByG8kan82C3FLlhXlz6DI08Lo7XJnaH2angQK2lj9p_61V8mGSTZ_-wARtciQOCHVq/s320/IMG_0726.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447360253654237858" /></a><br /></div><div>Wednesday night, Enrica (Italian) invited the group over to her apartment again for dinner. Last time: pasta. This time: pizza. We met their friend Henri from Finland, and Nate, a junior at U of Michigan. Nate's spanish was unreal and for the first part of the night, Mark and I felt like neanderthals speaking in grunts and burps in comparison. But like I mentioned earlier, to our astonishment, these girls still haven't realized how lame we are.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had pizza and some sangria, and then headed out to the discoteca Caramelo. It was a fun time, but I'm honestly a little burnt out on the discoteca scene, though I haven't even been that often. I'm pretty steadfast in my position that trying to sway in a semi-rhythmic manner while dealing with complete and total confusion about what to do with my hands, is not the best way to spend a night. There are very very few guys who don't look like idiots when they are dancing in a discoteca, and those lucky few usually are wearing leather, which I don't have.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a little side-note for you. Wednesday I needed to shave but our hot water here is currently not working. It wasn't a big deal for me to shave with cold water, but Antonio insisted that cold water would not do. So while dealing with the baby, he heated some water for me and although it wasn't necessarily the hardest thing to do, I felt like getting a picture of the hot water to give proof that I'm being very well cared-for. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2lvMAg10qV6Gk1wX7lLzuPNzfuVb8-q95eDWKc0A7R5gZpvMHIp3iEKF5CttBAW16zUVwqOPYK9udAlu0Us8EINnYxAmB0kW11g3SZnsxNwmi94POvrgxjsNInTlxkZ2Eb1CoaU597f/s1600-h/IMG_0724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV2lvMAg10qV6Gk1wX7lLzuPNzfuVb8-q95eDWKc0A7R5gZpvMHIp3iEKF5CttBAW16zUVwqOPYK9udAlu0Us8EINnYxAmB0kW11g3SZnsxNwmi94POvrgxjsNInTlxkZ2Eb1CoaU597f/s320/IMG_0724.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447360243622255602" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFk_0fvlwqNdf78k5B-xFIrnFXAcQhBOHEHhBxmRdZ2W0_xdc1SCztrM41p_xFHW5KwFFRtG7ronfHFAJtl7XWZ-KRjesJh1JzxaZ0_K6b-KuGgraFeJZ-HzlMeFRCQ74CMl9xdl284-_/s1600-h/IMG_0722.jpg">A</a>nother side note, I love walking past this book store every day, in which it would be absolutely impossible to find anything, but is just so quaint. I've been in a couple times just to smell it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsaNpNL0iBWBzpOlnrcft2nNMIf_YGFb_7mfIFj6DP9tDM8cE8czXtd7Dv5Fv3_h0A2xeR9732c0Ml47a2jXDlxgtkUXVClTcXck4kSw44d2tf19HN6RLzJkNPQCQfV5kKgwtm0dm8Hhg/s1600-h/IMG_0718.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tGSkhfpP5mes1Yvu3eUoA5qQAZX0x8HhChyNvnmHQM3slk6xkCtj7L6Xi2erT3IBN3EZM3fDQZasF1OjBv9TWaD59uoFey78pZdrzOeCj_QQEeFt7QV89dUeISQ-13VLhZRJ5x1V_-pw/s320/IMG_0727.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447360264109704562" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Final side-note: I think the turtles can sense the warm weather coming because lately they've been doing a lot more climbing on each other in an effort to escape their porcelain prison.</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXP62x4-LZjZZpXjxGIfJ8Jqthb3yTv5HyW3K9ccTi1fSRw_rD3Utnj-lwg9lU-Ma_DL80BQKK3iGsqH6iul3kg0ho3L-5QMN2nP4t_zZtdcvoG6sejMFxXlRrcaCSuLhYU_Z5grEPPPG/s1600-h/IMG_0705.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXP62x4-LZjZZpXjxGIfJ8Jqthb3yTv5HyW3K9ccTi1fSRw_rD3Utnj-lwg9lU-Ma_DL80BQKK3iGsqH6iul3kg0ho3L-5QMN2nP4t_zZtdcvoG6sejMFxXlRrcaCSuLhYU_Z5grEPPPG/s320/IMG_0705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447358081667280850" /></a><br /></div><div>Last night I saw yet more flamenco at Carboneria, my favorite spot, and it was an interesting night because a section of the crowd actually got called out by the guitarist for being too loud, ignorant of their art, and implicitly, for being American. </div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, went to the Alfalfa district for a while with my good friends from Mizzou, which was interesting because although my spanish is sub-par by most standards, I know more than my friends, so I served as translator off and on. Ended up hanging out with a group of spanish guys that was really cool, one of whom has a small obsession with the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, which is strange in a region of Spain where snow is viewed with animosity at best, terror at worst.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, after breakfasting with Antonio as usual, I did some reading and podcasting in the park of princes near my apartment. It was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't begin to count how many people were out. It was warm, sunny, but with a great Mediterranean wind, and gave a really great taste of what's in store in the coming months. </div><div><br /></div><div>After lunch, I met up with Mizzou friends and hung out by the river, like we sometimes do. But this time, I finally gave in to what I've been wanting to do for a while, and I brought my guitar. With the sun sinking down over the brightly colored buildings and the Guadalquiver river, surrounded by friends, and playing some music, I could not have been more content. It was a few hours getting in touch with my inner hippie, and though he's from a slightly different genre, I definately could understand the blissful simplicity that inspired John Denver in "Sunshine on my Shoulders". </div><div><br /></div><div>Enrica met me down by the river just before Haley and Tricia and Nick were leaving, so I kept right on playing. After an afternoon of songs, it was nice to be playing for Enrica both because she is foreign and beautiful, speaking 3 romantic languages, and moreso for the fact that she doesn't know hardly any of the songs I played, and therefore, no clue when I start making up verses.</div><div><br /></div><div>She wanted a good hang before her flight home to Italy tomorrow morning (for 10 days), so we went to a little bar near the grand cathedral, had a beer and a little tapa. I find myself wanting to say this over and over again, but it's great to both have people to spend time with and talk to, and also to realize the value behind doing so.</div><div><br /></div><div>Walking home in the cool air, guitar in hand, thinking about the day that was coming to a close, I realized something that a lot of you probably have decided at one point: I want to be forever young. How many times (after this semester), will I get to play guitar by a river in a mediterranean city, with a setting sun, and beautiful, intelligent girls? I'm 21 and at the rare and precious time in my life where I want to be exactly the age that I am. I don't have terribly stylish clothes, six-pack abs, and frankly my hairstyle right now waivers in between marginally acceptable and atrocious, but I never want to lose that spring in my step when I leave my apartment and think, "Yeah, I can take on this world."...It's that idealistic confidence and the fresh eyes that can only come from facing the weight of how many incredible things are right in front of me, and when I was walking home tonight, I couldn't help but think that I could literally fly up into the stars if I felt like it. But like I said, I want to be exactly where I am, so I kept on going until I found Dolores and Antonio singing quietly and folding socks together on the couch. Life is incredible.</div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-22293196661121146162010-03-07T06:21:00.000-08:002010-03-08T09:51:20.645-08:00Friday in Paris<div style="text-align: left;">I’ve delayed this about as long as I could out of dreading the massive task of blogging about Paris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I’m just going to go for it and hope I’m done in a couple of days…</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Getting to Paris went off without a hitch, taking a bus to Madrid, and then flying out Friday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I did learn that it’s a lot easier to say you’re going to sleep in an airport than to actually do it, and come Friday morning I was ecstatic to be leaving that Madrid airport.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrAAbRx-vb5EJAGDgazSB773rjTWQmfKEDLBVQW35nBSnygLG2FgPmAr2nTD1_nLlL9EK-nxp8i4sWNUG4i_DTieM72cB9YLJn5slPJ6559Twgx4RT5qzeWZzQRxeVCGSe3l7DQMVuzDu/s320/IMG_0702.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445927271940286146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">I took a bus from the Paris-Bouvouis airport into the city and got to see some French countryside, which was incredibly pleasant but looked a lot like…Missouri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a few metro stops I found my way to the 3 Ducks Hostel, which would be my home for three nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQoLveP4JZNiKV98WM-kNR2t_H8o2fNX4leu5mQy6pa2xZ8EUS1pQFpi-VLS3NB1u8y53oueIm-bKeyCLAc0Ql4_KkcSuMM5Hj9wAZX_-ZhxzaMsxuiuyT1RaceY450a50hADrGV2HXb5/s320/SDC10316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445927288670405106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtgwOQ5k6HC0zf3vjG1lnldMBsVaP0ku6bQIAT-QigOVmTceewWXplESROAGVbcbELVgFh3A9saaYRm6vtskXv4AsaBOjvjH_GynEbtMLsJ_eQTmksSSCt-caITR4Twa0aU-YEw9XTADo/s320/SDC10317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445927291546853618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">After settling in, I headed to the meeting point Mark, Sam (a guy from Clark University), and I had planned on:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Eiffel Tower, 2pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I found Paris strangely easy to find my way to and it was beautiful weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I just kept walking and then all of a sudden, the Eiffel Tower was standing right there over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The thing I noticed on the approach was that the tower is far bigger than I imagined and must weight a million pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t remember what the total weight is, but I do remember that there are 50 tons of paint on the tower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just paint.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IOZZg8LooX9sHVJpPBf2Xyr9EbRomhYv4zz-AqtXysqoj7gSSuG02LVEgMmKOszV1C4s92EqfWkV0N5KiL8pn1-mjePEMwmwu2tFDh8hThJIuzqMoxe4MvVjkPRmCZmHisC8KP2m40tA/s1600-h/SDC10322.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IOZZg8LooX9sHVJpPBf2Xyr9EbRomhYv4zz-AqtXysqoj7gSSuG02LVEgMmKOszV1C4s92EqfWkV0N5KiL8pn1-mjePEMwmwu2tFDh8hThJIuzqMoxe4MvVjkPRmCZmHisC8KP2m40tA/s320/SDC10322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445927309305625954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-x30TwtkpHasZ9lGSaYDv1Y5loewRQQ1ilTdmCk1gfxzvggKoqTwcn9FriLVYogrpTR9yYXXqKocdIOhH_4fUA-pOKZ31slSI1ke3ai9sFbjYvFBtWLzPfBuKu86aG-oqQbsVGSmKTET/s1600-h/SDC10320.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-x30TwtkpHasZ9lGSaYDv1Y5loewRQQ1ilTdmCk1gfxzvggKoqTwcn9FriLVYogrpTR9yYXXqKocdIOhH_4fUA-pOKZ31slSI1ke3ai9sFbjYvFBtWLzPfBuKu86aG-oqQbsVGSmKTET/s320/SDC10320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445927301115792786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Side Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The policeman under the Eiffel Tower carry some of the biggest automatic weapons I’ve ever seen and probably average 6 foot 5.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Meeting up with Mark and Sam, we realized we were in the capital of all of Europe, and had no plan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But luckily we had the combined knowledge of one travel book and a few podcasts, all of which from Rick Steves, and his advice would guide our trip to the point where we referred Rick as “he”, as in, “Hey, do you think the Latin Quarter is worth checking out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s he say about it?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And anyway, Rick’s advice for Paris is just to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So walk we did, </p><p class="MsoNormal">right up the Seine River and I’ve gotta say it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We walked past the Orsay Museum:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kel8y0hdoVtK8neXLZAAfFW_vGwHvt7smxogqdLc37Bk6TNLeN4F82CE0xxSXT_wiMiMGjmKZ-FoUXY8h0sYIw2uYVLC59jN3Fj-o4dfNNwVlLkxKB0vlF2ofPMZH-9GVxDAMQpt3FAw/s320/SDC10332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445966352500526178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The Louvre (Yes that's all the Louvre):</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3k8O4z9DLQex_RMDyqHTIjNSvqmAB3PXFNIGywG7CBxSrwIvTmd2iwKVIMeHy0RwDJA6hV0yesecrzrHSbL8Nt20uyFhx7LRNFoYT_5ajV3oNJIJwjj-6Ys_EOD-SJuOttG3NWepBJYj/s320/SDC10337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446275700031865378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Napoleon’s Tomb:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFumDOJ3NYQGbOLd0Itz9dUkKVO-n08OmCU-gZ7kkBPG48tgqDmbIFhWGQncpKVFdL0EtjH27_TVTpaLwmLCi15scBYS2TEp9yujuql-QDZx4R2O8yDLxDJkL7iaAbhWC_M8_AQlloWS4/s320/SDC10328.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445966348059947938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The famous riverside book stands:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaKlG03YIOwnu9EiqAkpVq3CYuYYa-5mSdVD8SQM-CLS24DRRk3Ex8_3wwi9NK5mivXRuZpOchrscW1Kv4BZpD-ofr-7QvnBRwUb-B80ttoaviQeBlvgSmC1LcJ28U91lOvP8rCJ8B1D0/s320/SDC10333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445966360897507618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">And these gold things:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMq49tNbK-8h1gAVk7p84CbXNwqfDXOCR1r8o5QpjihvzqFDe0Yrbsau2JcCdcC_Net5y1xl1Tr1ueYgyEuSo9BJ4_1l_j3jkbXaPXLNwen1QF4g1aP-4GWEyeM-6l_PHoIZPasVULI28f/s320/SDC10327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445966339044026738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Since we were headed that way anyway, why not check our Notre Dame?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s me out in front of the bell towers where Quasi-Modo was said to have watched the chaos of the French Revolution:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkUprquXv6UWg4sqc3T6xcSdCiswkIQJ3_9iuDpKxYcUrG0moIr54LEtI8_hQ87VfwDV7Nc0oiKEL6F-MmmsJ6K120LLw3RVfA_mBW78_QTlC3p36tb_KbtMrBP2v_Z_bKaaL8YlHKmlF/s1600-h/SDC10380.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkUprquXv6UWg4sqc3T6xcSdCiswkIQJ3_9iuDpKxYcUrG0moIr54LEtI8_hQ87VfwDV7Nc0oiKEL6F-MmmsJ6K120LLw3RVfA_mBW78_QTlC3p36tb_KbtMrBP2v_Z_bKaaL8YlHKmlF/s320/SDC10380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311344059274946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYebYlcqhh9JvCp4xeqblF9ZfjbGgJPlXAwzKuSLmBDl3NjJBl_jEVnciEyPe5UHs0oHAZDXtFzOnHlV4qOG5dNQgur9_rWE9I6AMVXhyphenhyphenELHOxzPrrGU_yvix8nyHKGmtU-Dqn8X7VEf0/s1600-h/SDC10378.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this is the even more famous backside with its flying buttresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite adding an undeniable grandeur to the cathedral, the buttresses actually reinforce the walls to such an extent that the incredibly weighty top doesn’t need so much support from the walls, allowing for the walls to house the massive stained-glass windows.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIqiUVd8LmbOn7FMGF_17cjPx-swVKGcRpW_xGyfgbs-mpfY19mhGS32phi1uAW-627cFuyp06Jx3ZhD6-eiN4aQa2n4KhdRkzmj39qKV7AtDn00osyyJEUkkGGKMGj3wOnlb9r-A8t26/s320/SDC10372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446305563002810082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">While we were there, a mass was actually taking place, and despite all the beautiful sights, the most memorable part was how Notre Dame smelled, kind of a combination of jasmine and cinnamon. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCpzlASh2WD4A_aiW87PXdyzfUmxRyf0d6eD14Ckxj0DTihuCVJCy8ycyAdb1NzowN5D8voavXFG_CvPrFO3uw6eu3VGiEVe_brC7tJtipC9PkZiKag6YWOvCBc9kudnXSkgqTPqVlppQ/s1600-h/SDC10363.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCpzlASh2WD4A_aiW87PXdyzfUmxRyf0d6eD14Ckxj0DTihuCVJCy8ycyAdb1NzowN5D8voavXFG_CvPrFO3uw6eu3VGiEVe_brC7tJtipC9PkZiKag6YWOvCBc9kudnXSkgqTPqVlppQ/s320/SDC10363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446305544149928242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWmXyICY-qsw99FXgkyXul5ySgrf9-bBtgZszZNuA0smm4ivZYTJDk7kXXZ6JiqW32VqVhNJFUJRIz6bsAthLML5LOpGu7sR_YC_QoVzY2fsZQPJ3L5muKb870igDZgLPZJqzLWKadAZ6/s1600-h/SDC10361.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWmXyICY-qsw99FXgkyXul5ySgrf9-bBtgZszZNuA0smm4ivZYTJDk7kXXZ6JiqW32VqVhNJFUJRIz6bsAthLML5LOpGu7sR_YC_QoVzY2fsZQPJ3L5muKb870igDZgLPZJqzLWKadAZ6/s320/SDC10361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446305532702504962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9qM3-XtqwOzEjrkxlSqHZhkwlrQrZo2ZWaVTJ7-Q9S-4NjeI2mb86oJ07fxrYEoaHq8iRitS4Zwore7rBn7wYJzbAAdc5N0PT5_F4i2r2oa-AeDunJni6X9SW7Xz6HsHB6BSTggVLbRf/s1600-h/SDC10356.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9qM3-XtqwOzEjrkxlSqHZhkwlrQrZo2ZWaVTJ7-Q9S-4NjeI2mb86oJ07fxrYEoaHq8iRitS4Zwore7rBn7wYJzbAAdc5N0PT5_F4i2r2oa-AeDunJni6X9SW7Xz6HsHB6BSTggVLbRf/s320/SDC10356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446305522342558050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BnzJ-dGAKTWvhVv1roDHXg5A4qmgixPTqV_lAVxFe8LELXZN2XT4sl23oWIU2-sME4bqxkAWk96cg8zGOhNcUaKfCmVUpBZteHh_rDVljPmrSolfrVY3Qjj1lrbZB-XppeT8HAAI-1k5/s1600-h/SDC10355.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BnzJ-dGAKTWvhVv1roDHXg5A4qmgixPTqV_lAVxFe8LELXZN2XT4sl23oWIU2-sME4bqxkAWk96cg8zGOhNcUaKfCmVUpBZteHh_rDVljPmrSolfrVY3Qjj1lrbZB-XppeT8HAAI-1k5/s320/SDC10355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446301639468084658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xv5t_D_n4J8sUB5mvF6F5zS1TaV8auEFxGXo4uRSERW1nKvlPScJZlkjFjGw1VYBxFZ2C6CfOzZtdxPnQi1Md87Zi0U6EZ8MRCl37t-GjqbyKdgBq1x3-WkfCG5dcvrFjateP8ElHplX/s1600-h/SDC10348.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xv5t_D_n4J8sUB5mvF6F5zS1TaV8auEFxGXo4uRSERW1nKvlPScJZlkjFjGw1VYBxFZ2C6CfOzZtdxPnQi1Md87Zi0U6EZ8MRCl37t-GjqbyKdgBq1x3-WkfCG5dcvrFjateP8ElHplX/s320/SDC10348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446300735636788194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">It’s tough to describe the size and beauty of Notre Dame, but like everything else, you’ll just have to take my word for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The outside is covered with some of the world’s first gargoyles, a name which actually comes from the French word for “gargle”, which is an apt name for the creatures which in addition to scaring off evil spirits, shoot rain away from the precious stained-glass.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocfItxxL5_07OffrH4QzJvsNtGVkfM-zfbXNA4c0ru_ofphxi415WYbcO0GOSfJ3rV2AvaVinrbIU1mLk28MuUTdz1WIMsY5PVWoCWpYdgORj0nY_diOakUlnO_QBrweqRwtBJer_h2Xp/s320/SDC10369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446305550356244290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYebYlcqhh9JvCp4xeqblF9ZfjbGgJPlXAwzKuSLmBDl3NjJBl_jEVnciEyPe5UHs0oHAZDXtFzOnHlV4qOG5dNQgur9_rWE9I6AMVXhyphenhyphenELHOxzPrrGU_yvix8nyHKGmtU-Dqn8X7VEf0/s320/SDC10378.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311333085101218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, we took a little walk through the beautiful and historic Latin Quarter of Paris, which was historically the intellectual center of town, where in medieval times, the only way to communicate in elevated social circles was with latin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We ended up at Luxembourg Gardens, where we took in the beautiful Parisian sunshine and people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I should note that it was supposed to rain the entire weekend, so even if we only had one day of sunshine, I was very thankful.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Latin Quarter waterfront:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger0quxyhvlyaZHxZECrdM9Q1N05WoIIX_rlO3WuZTUVmePmpQ2_Hm0Q02R0nzR_hXpY5643R1TSg6Vuk_2vNI-4IJmC0BpjZtrNZykx_SevRPBAb0GDct47PIpvwKqEp-3mvyaYVIr03A/s320/SDC10341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446299707886511906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EFGOZC2Phldp93ZhlfpbaDR68dwdU37shlGFiXSAgPi9An6xO7oMYGgev1aUBu4FyKGTPLPok3BXHVx7y5wOa2G5riirJ4wciMLIIEGSH6BNeyIFIFH3dXNhsjZJ4DkC6Go1_IiZHXKK/s320/SDC10382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311353561205554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Luxembourg Gardens:</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzYmzACTAZjuJJBXVdu9yiVJmh50oTDTgZ5RA_-bqZDid15C_HB7j3YoezxZdm88-F8IBvhTD2oZt5PgsHhQALUoCygqPyT2CmTejhN4wU3hr3NYmJ2q3oScHVVPm_UfJguYMolh_jSX9/s1600-h/SDC10397.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzYmzACTAZjuJJBXVdu9yiVJmh50oTDTgZ5RA_-bqZDid15C_HB7j3YoezxZdm88-F8IBvhTD2oZt5PgsHhQALUoCygqPyT2CmTejhN4wU3hr3NYmJ2q3oScHVVPm_UfJguYMolh_jSX9/s320/SDC10397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311369914197106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIpPa_r6XTbsBpI2rVvq1EkIvi29pv6atRFtnK3FE8aCZ8R6G3I0fa02p4GZbmtrOAGmROLTRq7E93_wI5suSTcjlVf-en5SF1hsqJDGmUqM6kS1Ew1LFFaHMqfky0kPB3MWtxyKvvork/s1600-h/SDC10389.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIpPa_r6XTbsBpI2rVvq1EkIvi29pv6atRFtnK3FE8aCZ8R6G3I0fa02p4GZbmtrOAGmROLTRq7E93_wI5suSTcjlVf-en5SF1hsqJDGmUqM6kS1Ew1LFFaHMqfky0kPB3MWtxyKvvork/s320/SDC10389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311363399325458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">The night brought even more opportunities of things to see, but since the Eiffel Tower had peaked our interest earlier, we headed that way again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the way, Mark’s nose for sweets led us to a bakery where a French woman passed us on the way out and said, “Such a good baker”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As if we weren’t already convinced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a picture of the sweet I got, the name of which I have no idea, but I assure you it was delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’d say pecan flavor mixed with a really gooey shortbread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNUixnBSUdfNTgvOAFnGSf9FAtHfKWaeYpMcrZCNn4XOwBig-oSodKzR3GiUv6xpZ2kEGnCpb6sirI5H4dVDlsb47TjhwOJLvQEg3Tz2cCuvyV2Pd0infoeQzEwCpkkn2UH8QXTy6vAmb/s320/SDC10404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446316064691752098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Then we made it back to the Eiffel, which is much less imposing and more romantic at night.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNgtxjg45WEfxL0hVcvagNnIGNPfoCpy6VVHsTB3noPsJY0nC2mlamrkXKIp4HfVnGfzD_6nvNEIFrnDIfX23muZEMjhmH2n4QFhqM1rjJc57vRl0zfZ2jA5K_Zx8Za-Fj4b-YpVHfs4-/s1600-h/SDC10409.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNgtxjg45WEfxL0hVcvagNnIGNPfoCpy6VVHsTB3noPsJY0nC2mlamrkXKIp4HfVnGfzD_6nvNEIFrnDIfX23muZEMjhmH2n4QFhqM1rjJc57vRl0zfZ2jA5K_Zx8Za-Fj4b-YpVHfs4-/s320/SDC10409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446316070201857458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">The ride up was interesting because there’s only a few small little windows to look out , and at night it was very ominous.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv64J1AX6eO6gM3GSf5l5OjUT5ymlBPrItfHMOR592RZh6rCSdpVolk9nchYZzo08WFbIpW4Gew8cVpxHMZDSdlAzJc5dMDT1rJ-6WT2IGLwFqybE3YylUWQi1DZc74ns5XmZlq5pRwSjO/s1600-h/SDC10414.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv64J1AX6eO6gM3GSf5l5OjUT5ymlBPrItfHMOR592RZh6rCSdpVolk9nchYZzo08WFbIpW4Gew8cVpxHMZDSdlAzJc5dMDT1rJ-6WT2IGLwFqybE3YylUWQi1DZc74ns5XmZlq5pRwSjO/s320/SDC10414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446316075759109554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNgtxjg45WEfxL0hVcvagNnIGNPfoCpy6VVHsTB3noPsJY0nC2mlamrkXKIp4HfVnGfzD_6nvNEIFrnDIfX23muZEMjhmH2n4QFhqM1rjJc57vRl0zfZ2jA5K_Zx8Za-Fj4b-YpVHfs4-/s1600-h/SDC10409.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal">But the views at the top were absolutely incredible and even though we were in an inescapable cage, the howling wind made it a bold adventure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We caught glimpses of the Arc de Triomphe,</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXAtUbfZzkidJthx7TrTMo13CZi10F7aOMfaNeaZRkkSE0kd7n1ip1u6w7Vn7b2PuJms0eg0dAjLvM_su15c9vPJyTTkJt4C8GaCJGkdWpGP78HRqFzhglSs_wql5OgKAy7uvdn3AzsBl/s320/SDC10432.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446319591106686386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Napoleon’s Tomb,</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUoAFDaKW1VTEuctjv0OxmHNZEiUrDRySSFAbTcS6CCIt50VS6oaby82meRxOUEGzsoEyJSiinq7J3aQTzF2vrBa7wRnCCFwZoFFKmz4llScXy9PlBu8FuaJYFp_PhqDKVAF6hUOdcIzK/s320/SDC10423.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446319571187828850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">And that same riverside walk we took earlier in the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryTtY6jIe9bDwfKXLLkIoYk3qRF6ThjAqt3InPT6ZErWcB65FKif45iY6Tn658_OOuN_SjvT72dQIGqpx3VFUrtxLlb2nKBPWkBBgGnDLkAtYCNu2g7Lx-NNbKvgDC-3CR4K_qxn2lDep/s1600-h/SDC10427.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryTtY6jIe9bDwfKXLLkIoYk3qRF6ThjAqt3InPT6ZErWcB65FKif45iY6Tn658_OOuN_SjvT72dQIGqpx3VFUrtxLlb2nKBPWkBBgGnDLkAtYCNu2g7Lx-NNbKvgDC-3CR4K_qxn2lDep/s320/SDC10427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446319576901539090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUoAFDaKW1VTEuctjv0OxmHNZEiUrDRySSFAbTcS6CCIt50VS6oaby82meRxOUEGzsoEyJSiinq7J3aQTzF2vrBa7wRnCCFwZoFFKmz4llScXy9PlBu8FuaJYFp_PhqDKVAF6hUOdcIzK/s1600-h/SDC10423.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HKwDPt9eUak6AJdwBzLUW02UQvLHWvXsOf6DlFXj8GcWP2wzA_diu_QxViiveEFf-0qEO1_jsCyPZIs5bw_3H25OHEbMEffhfNW9caaUan1Y1XBp0H3syqIWzSIQYckYWPVyYTyVbY4G/s1600-h/SDC10421.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HKwDPt9eUak6AJdwBzLUW02UQvLHWvXsOf6DlFXj8GcWP2wzA_diu_QxViiveEFf-0qEO1_jsCyPZIs5bw_3H25OHEbMEffhfNW9caaUan1Y1XBp0H3syqIWzSIQYckYWPVyYTyVbY4G/s320/SDC10421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446316085314456274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">And on the hour every hour, the tower lights sparkle for about 10 minutes, and though I didn’t catch much, I did take a<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdTL4QniNBI"> little video</a> of what we could see from the top.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, we headed back to the hostel, stopped at a little restaurant where we saw some American friends, and then spent the night in the hostel courtyard, which was an experience ranging from incredible to disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The highs were meeting Dave, from Australia, who just was straight awesome, and listening to a guy from Finland rock some Oasis and Chili Peppers on a beat up guitar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really the only low was that I met a couple guys who have done a tour in Afghanistan, and I asked the dangerous question, “What is the war like”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Though I respect them for their courage and also honesty, that’s a world that should make us all weep.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But all in all day 1 in Paris was a sweeping success and I could barely sleep waiting for whatever Saturday would hold.</p> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-18462439722756615112010-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:002010-03-04T05:24:43.957-08:00Granada<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY90tz3XgIZO3v9NVADYkbCTc_Ol3gA3LrK-_PzE5H-NSDB-xZQ5WmU4NmA7w_VvxAwA3xGaUOnv21I_5w2tUsNdN6QQiaHKiITTlmpGpzPsRIGcGYSIezfwv_-poZ8T285uiwcEJueJu-/s1600-h/SDC10309.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a name="OLE_LINK1">Last weekend, our program took an excursion to Granada, which is a city nestled in between mountains southeast of Sevilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Granada has a population of about 400,000 people but has the feel of a much bigger city because it houses numerous universities and lots of tourists almost year-round, which come to see the monuments, but also to enjoy a city that’s less than an hour away from both ski mountains and the beach.</a></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSdfcVqPnrjVHKJOJcEUsj1T2P57m7s86Wbahrbah2syCwHciI8AyxzYp_dhRI5YirUSPRYVUL_aPw2y21vKOFaUZ6P666UTGRhYvmrwjtqv8lTel1A-ZCp0w6j5zcrO-Y8Lw1jUX4sF2/s320/SDC10196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457352619664642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Nonetheless, I really loved Granada because if you get out of the tourist areas and look into the old neighborhoods, it’s exactly what I think a nice little Iberian town should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Granada has a very rich aesthetic appeal based on Arabic architecture, design, and art, and this is because it was a city built up by Muslims from north Africa around the year 500, and was the last city to be conquered by the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabel, and in the momentous year of 1492.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Despite it’s richness, you can immediately see the rule most Muslim designed cities follow; the beauty of any dwelling should be on the inside, and the outside is largely meant to be uniform, with white serving as the only exterior paint color (It also helps with the summer heat).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqso1yq2m_y7dApKuxRR_4yMDp7sJme_7PVRRHY3wBXQX5LKlrAY6zLsjZ6JBDvFGBbPci_3ejhNLYj5d3OMwEvfd6fTlSPNC6KlwX7wJg1YD2ZhWCFaeyRw32hyMRqHzpPqRCQMbGm5h/s1600-h/SDC10204.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqso1yq2m_y7dApKuxRR_4yMDp7sJme_7PVRRHY3wBXQX5LKlrAY6zLsjZ6JBDvFGBbPci_3ejhNLYj5d3OMwEvfd6fTlSPNC6KlwX7wJg1YD2ZhWCFaeyRw32hyMRqHzpPqRCQMbGm5h/s320/SDC10204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457365430373010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxd16Z7KMmbFYQPqT4svgA9G72TBuutrgrbxpqrQU3MMUkPDc5mIvMDcAnaIKTsG7EwG-ZZgK1_rPBFtDYVf_k7g0_kAzgeRzz85jffKM6fKVeSwUWo8HRsxOoHXMOvmp0jqFKrPDwO1p/s1600-h/SDC10200.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxd16Z7KMmbFYQPqT4svgA9G72TBuutrgrbxpqrQU3MMUkPDc5mIvMDcAnaIKTsG7EwG-ZZgK1_rPBFtDYVf_k7g0_kAzgeRzz85jffKM6fKVeSwUWo8HRsxOoHXMOvmp0jqFKrPDwO1p/s320/SDC10200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457361428070834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Granada is full of hippies, with hookah bars, live music everywhere, and lots of people trying to sell you trinkets, and everything there urges you to stop and relax with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At the oldest barrio in town, Al-Almacyn, which sits on the side of a mountain, there is a breathtaking view of the whole city, and the palace fortress La Alhambra, which is the most visited place in all of Spain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hsTNLzGMWb59kA_a6UOKtqCKHuuJUrz-ev6DiH2_2dHpfRJEUboJzbdTB_vSAV8Ll7LrscchU57QfH0VYxnfvs6ic5cu4WrLfhNlS4GAL5542MVSnr5RsBpT-f-cDvN1daaqTZDIdkh5/s320/SDC10206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457367947251650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSD19XkK7Wk12jatsimEIIvPnjolCJBLzZjwjAgPSgtHlxkFXmgaoSwtkjuiMLeqq-af0NrO46fpeBzp2bQp8nVgcRp2BoEF7AnIpvYb8PbX2BFxW1kxtLAR3aRBgQ_grLfJBDNnAD0o9/s1600-h/SDC10216.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSD19XkK7Wk12jatsimEIIvPnjolCJBLzZjwjAgPSgtHlxkFXmgaoSwtkjuiMLeqq-af0NrO46fpeBzp2bQp8nVgcRp2BoEF7AnIpvYb8PbX2BFxW1kxtLAR3aRBgQ_grLfJBDNnAD0o9/s320/SDC10216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444462182345898578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAyaaSqkeZ3hGLq5XrbgmwDNmDvNIDZfRYbweG3oH1kO-Da0Gu2-NOD4yBhKddmAhSXMpzUu7VuEXKviG-ug0N6L1-emJUVHzrgNdrx02qP0T_q3hTrDTv3exZm68EnK62lpCmLGQJK3E/s1600-h/SDC10208.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAyaaSqkeZ3hGLq5XrbgmwDNmDvNIDZfRYbweG3oH1kO-Da0Gu2-NOD4yBhKddmAhSXMpzUu7VuEXKviG-ug0N6L1-emJUVHzrgNdrx02qP0T_q3hTrDTv3exZm68EnK62lpCmLGQJK3E/s320/SDC10208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444462175946906754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Here’s the same view at night time…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mJEaBcQGhoTrTS4GhAfuU33pzWoU5MDjLC9a5xN51G06C1GtBBxkpzXJ8CBd0pSpv4z9QRTZobTwckCHRbeex3cdOC9HqGn-ZgzdSgqo3O_Obbg0t1v-xQkLDrvludfouOLsK8GlcfLE/s1600-h/SDC10238.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mJEaBcQGhoTrTS4GhAfuU33pzWoU5MDjLC9a5xN51G06C1GtBBxkpzXJ8CBd0pSpv4z9QRTZobTwckCHRbeex3cdOC9HqGn-ZgzdSgqo3O_Obbg0t1v-xQkLDrvludfouOLsK8GlcfLE/s320/SDC10238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444465373922408930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5gPnQ5G-PNoF_E_1O91CugXA3g67_LmLmFe9bhCwv-TF9Md1iALBTQGUmZtuDU4L-jT2Ll0jOnJCpKnzDGGohHJ112-wuBmIR4rQ-AxCKHwyesuIFRCBYQYzaNakF9KVgSUCp6_erMJG/s1600-h/SDC10236.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5gPnQ5G-PNoF_E_1O91CugXA3g67_LmLmFe9bhCwv-TF9Md1iALBTQGUmZtuDU4L-jT2Ll0jOnJCpKnzDGGohHJ112-wuBmIR4rQ-AxCKHwyesuIFRCBYQYzaNakF9KVgSUCp6_erMJG/s320/SDC10236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444465368132382434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">After checking out the barrio, we headed to a tea bar on this street…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CRtahqrqht9jZhy1lkTMjDpkfl6P4xuc08ZgWHJf1t7lUKiHkGg6G8Sxv6U79m4EXKanBUx16qhywi4vOGQUs7zt2AO9GskYH8ZjbXi8YgmmpjTBsi4GFIpVFw97oX57mY37iT04ru4Y/s320/SDC10226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444462188376092674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">…and then found out that the tea is really interesting…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7y_lcTPZZBce9KF3K5x8LVhNQdmDt6w2e6U8V5-Uuw4272f1f89FSgqcCcjA71A0nE_SC-SjjUEuLKKjOfrbar8PXdcTRyJ5EHEksXG0I_bHrPJHYLHfjPLlUZnDTpdOHnT6pQNYcfje/s320/SDC10233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444462199665909698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">I’m pretty sure the recipe calls for you to stuff as many herbs and spices into a little teapot as you can, but I know for a fact that the result is a good one.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Although the hotel we stayed in was nothing special, it did have amazing all-you-can-eat food, and it became apparent by looking around the dining room that this was something all of us Americans had dearly been missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The meals we ate were so big they could be classified as debilitating, and my dear friend Mark couldn’t help but let it get the best of him:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa2djnSvnHuP1stbuwYP3oRdagJ_z_mQe2KFYfTbdQB1z6SXbB8n8u15IGOmNdhDGIeRsn1WNp6xB4FxCu0kJqNkELIDxjds4GGWQQvO-hm3j1M0Q-cZNx8GVJQVuzzhC54lJls8pEUsl/s1600-h/IMG_0653.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa2djnSvnHuP1stbuwYP3oRdagJ_z_mQe2KFYfTbdQB1z6SXbB8n8u15IGOmNdhDGIeRsn1WNp6xB4FxCu0kJqNkELIDxjds4GGWQQvO-hm3j1M0Q-cZNx8GVJQVuzzhC54lJls8pEUsl/s320/IMG_0653.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444457347414701410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">That night we decided to go out and mingle with all that Granada youth, and it was a really good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An odd thing about Granada is that with every drink comes a free tapas, which is just a small appetizer type deal if I haven’t clarified before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a really novel idea, but after our king-sized dinner, we were wishing we couldn’t just paid a little less for the beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But like I said, it was a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Sevilla FC soccer squad was on the tube playing Atletica so the bar was packed and everything was really exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mark and I, being the ladies men we are, went with two girls from Miami of Ohio, one girl from George Washington, and one from Harvard, so clearly we were over-matched mentally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What we were lacking in that department we made up for with just being friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact, at one point a bunch of guys came up and decided to give Mark some pretty forceful hugs, and of course the whole time he’s just laughing and saying, “Hey you guys, que pasa?” while I’m telling Mark he might as well give them his wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Say what you will about the midwest but don’t say it’s not full of nice people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">After the soccer bar, we headed to a couple others to check out the scene, and then decided to strike out on our own as our group had at that point combined with a few others and before we knew it we were in a completely immobile American blob, totally incapable of making timely decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mark and I decided to head towards what was described to us as, “A discoteca in a cave, but with a great view of the sunrise”, but along the way we met a guy from Ecuador named Juan who advised us to come with him to a better discoteca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were hesitant to follow him but decided it was safe as he was about half our size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe there’s some Mayan in him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What we found at this other discoteca was the most European place you could ever imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Take every European stereotype (euro mullet, black jeans, lots of dark leather, big sunglasses, pursed lips, etc.), and throw it together, and you have this discoteca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The strobe lights were constant and the music was like something out of a movie right before the naïve Americans get snatched…just kidding Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Epileptics would not last long in there, that’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">I can tell that after this semester of mine I will be ready to never step foot in a discoteca again, but as of now I’m still enjoying the occasional visit, and this night was just too European to not be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I ended up meeting a girl named Celia and her friends and hanging out with them while Mark spent about 50 euros on Juan, and we left the place at the ripe hour of 7am, headed up the mountain, watched a cloudy sunrise over Granada, and headed into the hotel to gorge ourselves on coffee and eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I usually place a higher value on my sleep than I do on any sort of human interaction but I figure this is the time to stay up all night if there ever is one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">The coffee at the hotel was strong enough to get me going, and at about 10am, we headed for La Alhambra, the crown jewel of the region of Andalusia.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took about a million photos, but this is another place that’s just too big to even come close to capturing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The palace was built by the Moors, Muslims who inhabited Spain before Ferdinand and Isabel knocked them back to Africa (…and if you’re feeling any pride in that, believe me when I say the Spanish inquisition is not something to be proud of), and is built on a mountain to separate the rulers from their subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">First we went to Generalife, which was the summer home of the kings, and just doesn’t have the same spectactular views…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ3UuSQAOph1S11_5HB4Wyt3PVIoPXV7lVMaWYD3eQH3AwYEyO8g5QAC_E46czKSYggJYyWmGMVNZ7tJ807xB95sAJI147YaxIhKILQ5yT9WCuCHs6Re2Mm4fcpgwMRQ8yNPjK8BefVF-/s1600-h/SDC10271.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ3UuSQAOph1S11_5HB4Wyt3PVIoPXV7lVMaWYD3eQH3AwYEyO8g5QAC_E46czKSYggJYyWmGMVNZ7tJ807xB95sAJI147YaxIhKILQ5yT9WCuCHs6Re2Mm4fcpgwMRQ8yNPjK8BefVF-/s320/SDC10271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444465394392853218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_jAB6tQGoHACVhNG3kwVfJei1Bda4qamrcS7vKzVdSFgjbpk45E9nqkH8hnJDHWNltZgTRCah2ndpxg_fIz0f-aXrq6tkcqGmJP_zEIW2DhuMm63Zjt9aO75ycd3ibM5hHhFvNj4MyTA/s1600-h/SDC10259.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_jAB6tQGoHACVhNG3kwVfJei1Bda4qamrcS7vKzVdSFgjbpk45E9nqkH8hnJDHWNltZgTRCah2ndpxg_fIz0f-aXrq6tkcqGmJP_zEIW2DhuMm63Zjt9aO75ycd3ibM5hHhFvNj4MyTA/s320/SDC10259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444465391321309266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Inside La Alhambra, we wandered the gardens, </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY90tz3XgIZO3v9NVADYkbCTc_Ol3gA3LrK-_PzE5H-NSDB-xZQ5WmU4NmA7w_VvxAwA3xGaUOnv21I_5w2tUsNdN6QQiaHKiITTlmpGpzPsRIGcGYSIezfwv_-poZ8T285uiwcEJueJu-/s320/SDC10309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444768602637580786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMlucYg5RwaJfz0L_k_FA2OdOlY24xJ63Hq7iqgC9URTd429yUQOjD0xenBj-rRA42fKTbDh24YeVjM7kKLcN0BvA2luzmIDUlB5QDqo2qz7rfE0A_wKMn7e3vQsOsh9RF4M6KNkvwXLv/s320/SDC10250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444465382974712754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4V4UbDJj63hhay13o2eTDTdk336otu1FNNCiyDI0NAOAiee3v7nUgp8FFgF7ih0GCLu0GJfEs4lvyly6SqtuJeh779fWWU6vkEP4ig0-PxlISOmyOvY-ztwgBN0rjsuDkltfxgmDS4nO/s320/SDC10297.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444767702780038418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">went inside the palace of King Philippe, which was built as his honeymoon venue, </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhAAgl2l7n0PpmBBsabe3ETqVQOLFm8Z2QqjX_5rC0L4OYPv3mpKflIV65JcnaamH8mTcOs97qF9QFQ7nYzY_-wolmMM876HBxaySVjlPNu4nHDOG6hO1zppC1hzMwP_od1SF40QHJUdk/s320/SDC10285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444765314823403746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">climbed up the main tower to look out over all of Granada,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QQbb_o_TcHoS_TIHFZnpCSvSdn9RgplPu-5OPLeLGiB9ExeQZyCJTUHUjT46X6D_hLCk6Li4bXTNGCIXw3UPSZRpM_XIDJtbND17na3_adbuywH4M6uUGb3M4iqiTOdrefv80ExJBJnD/s320/SDC10280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444765305800125378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">looked back down on the old army encampment,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNscxlAKrI5MEASS9275ZVyo03SuAc6IEYyKpKtSPv5flYuTtUIv4_ZiJYaHeJdukR22P7lVqqESksub3fm8JERnekHuGCNP97Kwp5JNA9D-Yar3Vv8RQoG4oBDFzyOlVnaVAO7KcHu6S8/s320/SDC10276.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444765297488105154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">and then headed inside the grand palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everything was beyond words, but the royal palace is the most difficult to do justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every square inch of every wall is engraved with Arabic poems from the Koran and pictures of Arab kings, and there are rooms upon rooms of high ceilings and intricate masonry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEALiDqbPgKjgmMAFzbTqAHeg5v4LXfIvOGyXweefOjeKnU5BcweYncuyTQIbyu8cAuhW8G7ZCic4_kgU0hfCDD4d8vxkRhB44m0DA1rrayO7lFlJXpRcWkOsGdiKaoZZMcuuMwzQqjzZe/s320/SDC10291.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444765323890050146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" 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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4V4UbDJj63hhay13o2eTDTdk336otu1FNNCiyDI0NAOAiee3v7nUgp8FFgF7ih0GCLu0GJfEs4lvyly6SqtuJeh779fWWU6vkEP4ig0-PxlISOmyOvY-ztwgBN0rjsuDkltfxgmDS4nO/s1600-h/SDC10297.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ie6UBOAytsk9RhPy3W0QWqRhysj6mLCDOtjNKx3ngzOnCmFX13hU64Xl0GUIl5vHQi-arQgchYrvcYyKYgcwHVka6Pa3ezm0DdI6Y0prAslWUI4cIR7nuKEj5V-Kciuq-kpQDr8u0Jax/s1600-h/SDC10292.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ie6UBOAytsk9RhPy3W0QWqRhysj6mLCDOtjNKx3ngzOnCmFX13hU64Xl0GUIl5vHQi-arQgchYrvcYyKYgcwHVka6Pa3ezm0DdI6Y0prAslWUI4cIR7nuKEj5V-Kciuq-kpQDr8u0Jax/s320/SDC10292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444767691072701282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>It is absolutely impossible to take everything in, and the feeling of being overwhelmed was strong despite us only seeing maybe 1/3<sup>rd</sup> of the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You could easily wander this place for days just gazing at walls and wishing you knew Arabic, but because we had class on Monday, we left after only a few hours, and headed back to sweet Sevilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Needless to say, I fell asleep on the bus within the first few minutes, and I can only say it’s a great thing to have Mark to sit next to because I know he won’t judge my excessive head bobs and drool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1">Side note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a picture I took from the tower of a hillside of caves that is still to this day inhabited by gypsies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know enough about it yet but I know that gypsy is not a derogatory term here, but rather an ethnic term used to describe a sector of society far more marginal than anything we see in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They spend their days among everyone else, but I’ve been told they rarely live outside small communities so autonomous that police seldom ever go there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Advice I’ve been given is that if you get pick-pocketed by a gypsy, it’s lost and gone forever because the groups are just that separate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4FR1veg8WkxohriZlOmWQ80Om65_1uPTg2lsuKZ8VitbNjZNj9GZwe7zljiyVqps8YrjQJr9dDDFtnO4W672QfKpiRXGwVqJfw3u2vDhsbvXvJo_rwlzfmOyd9-qIbjW0rmbLadRsMDR/s320/SDC10275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444765289367298178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-50234859577220404002010-02-25T05:13:00.000-08:002010-02-25T05:37:55.177-08:00Last two weeks...<div style="text-align: left;">Now that I’ve got you on your toes (or lost you), here’s an update of the last two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s interesting that on one hand they were really eventful and I can definitely feel my schedule filling up very quickly now that I have to study…But on the other, life is getting a little more normal for me and in a way it feels like I don’t have much to say.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ll start with the low point of the last two weeks…pastries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I finally gave in and indulged in a local cafeteria, whose window displays of sweets have been tugging at my collar this whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t a picture of the first pastry because it’s life outside the display case was only about 40 seconds long.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But after walking a little farther, I realized I needed another immediately, and here’s a picture of the second one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTes9IE0-tiOdeLddGSrL8rSuwdE_4tTQeOc6Rv9NyDMmrgqUpRl5SSUNylInQgBpg-O5t0axHzCtC8Hp_rnQCFZz6pFELZChU493N8hS0kzyFaOojN1SwkCHS74Uvomg5LayKLV_s4pT/s320/IMG_0638.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442170370564787138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not sure if this is good or bad, but about 10 minutes later I got the worst stomach ache of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was almost crippling and I had to sit down on a bench to recuperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m pretty sure my body literally can’t handle that much sugar in a 5-minute timeframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Stay tuned, this wouldn’t be the last debilitating encounter with Spanish sweets.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last Wednesday, I went out with Mark and a couple girls he met at the university; Stephanie and Enrica, who are from Brazil and Italy, respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We went to a cozy (and free) flamenco venue in the city center and basically just made conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m normally not someone to talk a lot with people I don’t know very well but these girls were very friendly and even more intelligent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s hard to realize how much emphasis is placed on learning other languages in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stephanie speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English, and Enrica speaks Italian, Spanish, English, and some French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mark and I were a little intimidated because we’ve only got about 1 ½ languages under our belts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GtZO4bD0imOxFgvD5TSviFdGrtsLpDym3oyfCR4Y_EPIsO2X02VLwIR4e7BoGwK7HjKfO14kKxVO7F0EuRU9mnjRqgD3Ar6Cy_81Ap6dh3ZC6y0gMntGYaEUCbXnuFWKWo1YdWJ686G6/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442170378229457058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">After flamenco, we went to a bar in the hippie district of Alameda and walked around for a bit and called it a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It wasn’t terribly eventful, but it was fun and ended up running into about 3am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like I said, I’m not the best at talking for a long time with people I don’t know, but I realized about mid-way through the night that people from all over the world have a lot more to talk about than we originally think.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thursday I met up with my Theatre, Dance, and Arts interest group and we went to, of all places, the theatre, where we saw an hour-long performance of a spoof on popular horror films.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m no theatre buff but it was really entertaining and even though this was in a large theatre, it was still intimate and the entire production was put on by just 2 women, who used lots of props, creativity, and I guess just stage talent to make it seem much larger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will say that a theme I’m picking up on here in Spain is that they really like sexual jokes, not sexual innuendo, but blatant sexual jokes, which is a bit odd for some of us Americans.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP-y-fr5C7dPbcxlmzmz8BZ47mM05GEzlkLuNF52pfkfMDWJ6IdKwwgRAME5pw8fmzO93HNFaTxv5yGEqZwpiXCiMYTKSw1151MZbfpIsaiVEVjk9O_l6arCToyfdOBGvQx2QpgSv_INJ/s320/IMG_0643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442170389674200642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Afterwards, our group went out for tapas for Nick’s birthday (at the time I had no idea who Nick was), and then went to the bar district of Alfalfa, where I met up with Mark who I’d like to commend for holding intelligent conversation with a group of 4 very attractive Spanish women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobwGu-liA9VCtOQ9RXSFKQ_HJJALLY61p6NJIQZml_pf5e527ZORKAsEvMTFr3H2XTnYDjD7zzU479WbPTQgDZDdf60ADow6d6RPoF4UkpxH5WRLvQcZ0ufh0JUC4EMOWNdQ9Djmtirfj/s320/IMG_0645.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442170393248422930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The night ended with churros again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But like the pastries, and as if I hadn’t learned my lesson a day before, I had to get 2 orders and ended up feeling terrible for much of the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The good thing is I think the experience will severely reduce the amount of euros spent on churros this semester.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYXjNole_RFwecb_g00w2ZTsXKrZsJYub3OcsESVXfwIuZtPSKCQOmqvNhRmj1dcydIIun3ZlPpojYz_LrHd055xqqMdJOZN3fNOQU2n_R3If_5IZJ-K1QcMq7SBmX1YXemgJlcymUV4i/s320/IMG_0648.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442170403616649794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The weather was a bit grey last week…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC5QO6GjsPzrJs8UpRDaeU25AAPW_fafD6eMDPgB5P882S8QhBSjWtpK5wMcx2fnp_j6sFssX5LljHCMdfziIS1SWekAedyXtxy-_h697dvnFCDJ5cJtNuTAMgiDNosjS5o90XDE0glP2/s320/IMG_0658.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442172115870206882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Although it rained all week long, Friday brought an absolutely beautiful day and I mostly spent it reading outside and biking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are so many museums and monuments to see but I just couldn’t go inside on such a great day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEC8edcqc7BNqXoqvTnw8Mq-mTFvSmooUPeqec3PEDBSfSenNgLOoEC1sv5_QJiHyg9StflNDWA-FBg5lCINNJ7CPPwug8SaANqu_lZIE-0t3LKNS-vVhYxz4pfKJY-zWFUv8MyyC_U0Mz/s320/SDC10185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442174392469473874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weekend brought a program excursion to Granada, which was absolutely great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But There are a lot of pictures so I’ll have to make that a separate post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This Tuesday brought another interest group activity, which was flamenco on a grand stage, with two guitars, 3 singers, percussion, and 6 dancers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I should mention that on the way to the theatre, I got so lost on my bike I had to go Lance-style on the Pyrenees to get to the theatre on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Along the way I did find a small marginal area that houses more that a few homeless people living in tents or in cars.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a sad irony that in a city so beautiful, just a short walk away live thousands of homeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unemployment sits at around 20% and if you pay attention, you can tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These are two pictures depicting the little forest where homeless live, and a picture from the same spot revealing the close proximity to the city.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dZ8BhDYFlTCYKXCwCDZCsNJfHVBQGVJlylB6XP77w1IHQQ0b-tgxuIlBgk0o29VIND8vM2TioTQcKYixAEZSSBWDnnVB0c4Ma21BnWLP6fZIOWLosRR7dcDcsqhx4WaCB9wj94zMzI23/s320/IMG_0655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442172092626589826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlHAq5EIjQ0Xt160CPz1AH6EF-pBVh6nEuDm_Dt1WL-KeO8COZT06v_tSi14aXX2_pqfkpvKhclydruK2Ux43UlnVm6VoNWrCUb0RxLZu1uRiuyGEVOwQxbnzyFa1br-Beg6AP4BfatUW/s320/IMG_0656.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442172100305499298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">At the theatre, the performance was great, and like all the other flamenco shows I’ve seen, I could’ve watched it and listened to it all night.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH3BzQPktndImedXLtzcmtNVkzsUemWOyTvy177geBGJ6lG_n-XUwAUY_82oEWEUcV7QPoq4A0dgmONjxbxc3w-18jF3phyphenhyphenxBj5a96h24t_FgpHyTTMjD6f2m9tIlP2B_LgHKYoJgMX2X/s320/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442172107752559490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">And finally, last night Mark and I met back up with Enrica and Stephanie, as well as another Brazilian student, Roberta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enrica cooked us dinner at her apartment, where we met one of her roommates, Slavih.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>JFK is surely frowning in his grave as Slavih is the interesting combination of Russian and Cuban.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stephanie and Roberta can actually trace their family back to indigenous peoples of Brazil, and Enrica’s family has been in Italy for over 500 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sadly, Mark and I have little clue as to what we are, although I am some small portion Spanish and the name Campbell comes from Scotland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another interesting point:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it is not a myth that Italians eat a lot of pasta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enrica, whose pasta was great, says she has it nearly every day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a picture of our eclectic crew:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKed-R73jK6oqubGWhH4emrwxkgiVXi5HeR7XkvZANO0kMhR8J3yd7Dm1-6cW47DuSvP6-JO-XuxCFXZmkOhRHCrz8BpRAQiK71IOfOrXKfOqK93Py7gfoAWr2EGH5MAm5mKx4k0gwDD_G/s320/IMG_0659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442172120226091330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">After dinner we headed to a discoteca called Caramelo near Enrica’s apartment, which was very Spanish and a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We randomly met up with our Spanish friends Miguel, Danny, and Alex, who we didn’t know would be there, which was really cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think we gained some street cred when they saw the beautiful international girls we were with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Around 3am I was past ready to go, but didn’t want to be the turd of the party so I stuck it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But by 4am we were ready to leave at all costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enrica was too, but the quote from Stephanie was, “But it’s so early!”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nonetheless, Mark and I walked back to Enrica’s apartment and then took a cab home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Called my mom at 5am my time, got the scoop, and was off to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To mom, dad, Han, and all my family and friends, I miss you all a lot and am getting a little tired of this one-way communication because it’s hard to know what you’re doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I hope all is well and you’re toughing out the cold. I'll end with a picture of my brother Santiago, sitting with his girlfriend Jessica and their baby. I tried not to be too creepy.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9OdgjZkkCTOapQK9MdevXawMjKUEFh39hwNyfAQXFvOB0VEorr_oyjY94env8AzqiLh56VonQcHXO20OOig89CZwx1JMhsF_quNbDahDFT1GB4xmm-QGFQ6UiItj-uET3vm90TsGfnb_/s320/SDC10188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442174394064159474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-59085893621293319262010-02-18T05:10:00.000-08:002010-04-14T13:46:44.038-07:00The Dog Blog<div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m going to be honest, this is not some spontaneous, flippant post that I came up with a few nights ago and thought it might be funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knew I was going to write this after only a few hours on the dog-laden streets here, although I had no idea of the kind of scope it would eventually grow to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Due to the number of pictures and the fact that I’ve fallen behind on every aspect of blogging, it’s taken me much too long to actually publish this.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But with that said, this is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b>the dog blo</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><b>g</b></span></span>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Simply put, the Spanish love their dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are dogs everywhere; the sidewalks, parks, in cars, sitting outside restaurants and shops, and even in bars late at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it’s not just the amount of dogs that is astounding, but also the distinctiveness of the dogs here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a gross oversimplification, but I think the three largest varieties of dogs can be labeled “Small Sweatered”, "Strange coat", and “Big and Hairy”, although such categories are a little rigid. Nonetheless it'll help me keep this organized.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Over time I’ve been collecting pictures of my favorites, and although it was a painful process going through the pictures and weeding out certain dogs that didn’t make the cut, I managed to get the number down to thirty or so that I hope you really enjoy.<span> </span>I may give you a brief description of what my favorite attribute of the dog is and anything that the picture didn’t capture.<span> </span>So basically what I’m saying is if you need to go to the bathroom or grab something to eat, do it now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Big and Hairy</b>:</p><p class="MsoNormal">This guy's the same breed as my dog at home, but with crazy long hair:</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83dryVexRlcLxeJIvSj1Yz1gPMKMSmYgn7w53qUr0hKd_VtlLdYFrKLDLVAwr8B2OmygFwrNOPUC68wL2vFH_MzzGU-r6GZyBKfyXtoYA2VoZO0buW1SoaAbuVfDfAuXbTfQT5vXB9oIT/s1600-h/IMG_0329.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aK3vqXi08Oagam7bpfqVE6spacSvul-r31Ep7KzWTnPLLeSv-RI1boBGerRoT6sp_F7psWg4Ev1_89DdRXrRKbHXl8C3C79lEUYi-skmGDWYN4eOs_LiV2_6pDtWESeLVli3_b5qCQ8G/s1600-h/IMG_0588.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aK3vqXi08Oagam7bpfqVE6spacSvul-r31Ep7KzWTnPLLeSv-RI1boBGerRoT6sp_F7psWg4Ev1_89DdRXrRKbHXl8C3C79lEUYi-skmGDWYN4eOs_LiV2_6pDtWESeLVli3_b5qCQ8G/s320/IMG_0588.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354768514392642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This breed is everywhere. I call them the Spanish Bob Marley and I think with a little care, my hair would look pretty similar:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVI-CG6n5HPMj5wtO2Hws7cgz20CqRptBqnDFPqnQhP0X6MIDK8qVmc8EdUqOYW296aYeQaD2b_0r4TMfAvDAkTsCYDgBC2zyfKq8pg2xT9d9i4ivetIBC5YT_WSZLOp7IKHzy8pHUTFW/s1600-h/IMG_0586.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVI-CG6n5HPMj5wtO2Hws7cgz20CqRptBqnDFPqnQhP0X6MIDK8qVmc8EdUqOYW296aYeQaD2b_0r4TMfAvDAkTsCYDgBC2zyfKq8pg2xT9d9i4ivetIBC5YT_WSZLOp7IKHzy8pHUTFW/s320/IMG_0586.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354534829259442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Another Bob, but this might be my favorite dog of them all:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOAtxCUjt26MENM7Pe2Qu4mtFDI-yqNXh6txmjvKuz7dXzeXQBmFAasOwyv9LctIQnsW8NdENl8u1v3B4t7Ur-BZw1iXbf1a6puVrV-K68fwlRY40zlEUEQ4TXmKZN9fo9sA2uqaQps7_/s1600-h/IMG_0558.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOAtxCUjt26MENM7Pe2Qu4mtFDI-yqNXh6txmjvKuz7dXzeXQBmFAasOwyv9LctIQnsW8NdENl8u1v3B4t7Ur-BZw1iXbf1a6puVrV-K68fwlRY40zlEUEQ4TXmKZN9fo9sA2uqaQps7_/s320/IMG_0558.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354526866118754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">However, this may be the overall best snap-shot. The timing with crowd movement could not have been any better. And the best part: the only one aware of my scheme is the dog, who is clearly looking right at me (Okay the guy to my left may be a bit suspicious):</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBp1XoKbQrhRJ61VWx0SAKhrvlaZ3pT8CZYL9ptc025-M1qLwb3GqDjUPy8zE36OENfuhvhcCOGazU15bZHmRCeq3xmUWX-drCDGlKumRD6Ynv7bovUC-e2MmJiCmgOuVLj22_iaaNcZ/s1600-h/IMG_0551.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBp1XoKbQrhRJ61VWx0SAKhrvlaZ3pT8CZYL9ptc025-M1qLwb3GqDjUPy8zE36OENfuhvhcCOGazU15bZHmRCeq3xmUWX-drCDGlKumRD6Ynv7bovUC-e2MmJiCmgOuVLj22_iaaNcZ/s320/IMG_0551.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354517655538994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Could this dog also be confused for the infamous "Bah Bah Blacksheep"? I think so:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9XL1govdFEvK0DqHGOo9kTPKmwxj__W2VNDON4Jes3uGsI38IqM1Fc9-8Snzt0eToElUXcqMaOBmIqR_jNrdTrhaTCMqILAxfSZXI7lhjis84UlF7yn7tC2Nn-5qApk84YfafOZauloS/s1600-h/IMG_0546.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9XL1govdFEvK0DqHGOo9kTPKmwxj__W2VNDON4Jes3uGsI38IqM1Fc9-8Snzt0eToElUXcqMaOBmIqR_jNrdTrhaTCMqILAxfSZXI7lhjis84UlF7yn7tC2Nn-5qApk84YfafOZauloS/s320/IMG_0546.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354507929475138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">From the angle this may look like your standard German-Shepherd, but what you can't see are the 4 inch fangs:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzuiq8Sx20xOx-mYnPsBvIMatuBtHfKfwKTFef5ryOOkCp3rsfgvlUmRxHEV32rKJBKHHO0TzgSi9RmGfI_ni8kMpRtsyZ-3BVbPw1K0vwnXws5_lrFFPEg40JuE0PFTgF7EG75ATBeTh/s1600-h/IMG_0500.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzuiq8Sx20xOx-mYnPsBvIMatuBtHfKfwKTFef5ryOOkCp3rsfgvlUmRxHEV32rKJBKHHO0TzgSi9RmGfI_ni8kMpRtsyZ-3BVbPw1K0vwnXws5_lrFFPEg40JuE0PFTgF7EG75ATBeTh/s320/IMG_0500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447354505954819634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I remember this one well because the owner's hair looks exactly like the dog's:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft5E-u7pHyuGotYiueypMco8Ht9m073RJYXTsWBHjR94QWCxu-nIWRPcCpC_nrV-dwMAo2GsiMhWYcAnfL7bsloKY8wJ0M5fpoaMKM-FxsoWWams_tb_NoroyfiMiBz_BCdPysWXFPhiD/s1600-h/IMG_0442.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft5E-u7pHyuGotYiueypMco8Ht9m073RJYXTsWBHjR94QWCxu-nIWRPcCpC_nrV-dwMAo2GsiMhWYcAnfL7bsloKY8wJ0M5fpoaMKM-FxsoWWams_tb_NoroyfiMiBz_BCdPysWXFPhiD/s320/IMG_0442.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447353315262767986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">If your basement floods here in Sevilla, they use this dog to sponge up the water:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedzoJAjX8hBOhwVU9NlWQN3MVw4AAoumnOLMQGebRvvo9_LaC5d37vJhL29qlPBmTo9OAB3BGZcz178F032E4gDyOKyv_6LqdXBQyJNhxAL9lAztcfakKYKzYrV4YAiI_DBVufSJ6k3cp/s1600-h/IMG_0437.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedzoJAjX8hBOhwVU9NlWQN3MVw4AAoumnOLMQGebRvvo9_LaC5d37vJhL29qlPBmTo9OAB3BGZcz178F032E4gDyOKyv_6LqdXBQyJNhxAL9lAztcfakKYKzYrV4YAiI_DBVufSJ6k3cp/s320/IMG_0437.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447353306205209314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, this is one of the down-sides to all the dogs:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubYrSC-s1X9-tkmHeW3-zlutfLROtRnGLnTquiZO2lO7DOBKXZfg8MStna4gYSd-emtMFjh0XCHqyI_zbokzOmjx85ipaFBEV9xGyL2LjbYhaJc4dhW2DXbodjGXM7P7cvYZaye0Kc6A0/s1600-h/IMG_0420.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubYrSC-s1X9-tkmHeW3-zlutfLROtRnGLnTquiZO2lO7DOBKXZfg8MStna4gYSd-emtMFjh0XCHqyI_zbokzOmjx85ipaFBEV9xGyL2LjbYhaJc4dhW2DXbodjGXM7P7cvYZaye0Kc6A0/s320/IMG_0420.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447353298920700994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I'm not sure if it's the same dog, but I think this guy may appear later wearing a sweater:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECOIY9C5z-kW3RjXVwm6-9CGp4-6BV_rGDwax4At1_Yh74XbBo6EJ9DjdhI-eO5AhkrOOl3w99IbiLZxERLLPnUo-hepNzyfEdfW7zg6-pfOiD6vmSXSYDr9g084pxPkqdf7ArAB_MQM0/s1600-h/IMG_0386.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECOIY9C5z-kW3RjXVwm6-9CGp4-6BV_rGDwax4At1_Yh74XbBo6EJ9DjdhI-eO5AhkrOOl3w99IbiLZxERLLPnUo-hepNzyfEdfW7zg6-pfOiD6vmSXSYDr9g084pxPkqdf7ArAB_MQM0/s320/IMG_0386.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447353293244640386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Eye contact, genital sniffing, and butt sniffing all at once? I'm not positive he's their leader but definately held in high esteem nonetheless:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xxexFLS9OMUnQqNK5kUIt7rx3W-QrivloEAld3z4hICe2WMQUM_tyCDma42cQj9gxXj7ajOuEEEn-Im6QpKT320bG9WoOJq3TdUjHe1KJAgj6Xr3Nqgf4MQPDjl1mSD6JvXUBCLm9qK1/s1600-h/IMG_0382.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xxexFLS9OMUnQqNK5kUIt7rx3W-QrivloEAld3z4hICe2WMQUM_tyCDma42cQj9gxXj7ajOuEEEn-Im6QpKT320bG9WoOJq3TdUjHe1KJAgj6Xr3Nqgf4MQPDjl1mSD6JvXUBCLm9qK1/s320/IMG_0382.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447353285086862018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">And now, <b>Strange Coat:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Probably not a very good angle but you can see it's a leopard-coated greyhound (although the shadow looks like a kangaroo):</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ3iN9domMeY1f7its_8Rdtrk8zMJibCbkJ4qlwA5X11AlL40aX1shUxVRsGoLpluG9o9WcPxDavtYqDaq7U2MesmMocQbhyte4HJVVwWhDXAN77XQCywIAkLjNUyu2N-vFQUZKaV2PaI/s1600-h/IMG_0486.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ3iN9domMeY1f7its_8Rdtrk8zMJibCbkJ4qlwA5X11AlL40aX1shUxVRsGoLpluG9o9WcPxDavtYqDaq7U2MesmMocQbhyte4HJVVwWhDXAN77XQCywIAkLjNUyu2N-vFQUZKaV2PaI/s320/IMG_0486.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439574285809571618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This black and white dog wanted me dead:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z36haQz8yjhBix6i3aErAD8D3wpLXTZFR89P2-Sm4mBiXNFr94Y5mmV7ff3AxZB3dNkiFe6ACudHrUQ80GCIOS4jC_MkcBZ7NSZ6-e6TyuJTvxJ0P3CfRVyhSu_AR5ydfLNK1pxDwLgZ/s1600-h/IMG_0438.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z36haQz8yjhBix6i3aErAD8D3wpLXTZFR89P2-Sm4mBiXNFr94Y5mmV7ff3AxZB3dNkiFe6ACudHrUQ80GCIOS4jC_MkcBZ7NSZ6-e6TyuJTvxJ0P3CfRVyhSu_AR5ydfLNK1pxDwLgZ/s320/IMG_0438.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439574282129033250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't like this one at all but I'm sure he's nice enough:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyjUIKXgQxaIf2hBqh8Q0pOp-DNDRQN-3PaAU6ojQW9poYWR_eH0SrwiZHwR00rq3Q5oZwOxN4JDKCvlZkX336NC9RWZn-2bhPT-PMZGnfp5DzOnacI6UrDJeWz8kl2jIeaqnCbar9Rzg/s1600-h/IMG_0436.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyjUIKXgQxaIf2hBqh8Q0pOp-DNDRQN-3PaAU6ojQW9poYWR_eH0SrwiZHwR00rq3Q5oZwOxN4JDKCvlZkX336NC9RWZn-2bhPT-PMZGnfp5DzOnacI6UrDJeWz8kl2jIeaqnCbar9Rzg/s320/IMG_0436.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439574268418779698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe the owner painted on those spots:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5DOkx17l-6KxzCOGOPkzj5MfU78I_NrK6hgF1vLA2zTALGyfez8UP_fqgDaVGrACPzPObNrbPLgVXwrsnJ6Tjua6bWR16ZHiOc54zrPbxk34sCG86qkr-RkVNZBMkY0QrSuyWQRSrcEH/s1600-h/IMG_0401.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5DOkx17l-6KxzCOGOPkzj5MfU78I_NrK6hgF1vLA2zTALGyfez8UP_fqgDaVGrACPzPObNrbPLgVXwrsnJ6Tjua6bWR16ZHiOc54zrPbxk34sCG86qkr-RkVNZBMkY0QrSuyWQRSrcEH/s320/IMG_0401.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439574266340873506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another leopard dog:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo4APpedz7_Vr6sHbcN-9QkBcCA_UCzvNRvxsdwnu8NUwLkbMVHb2lrZSe9PKHxeKhfS2YESyfa0JONUnqRSe3htBzbCsbXgxl1w1D1Y3Numivpv4VR1I6jfmqp4c3wNDRfH-sZZ_YYZ7/s1600-h/IMG_0380.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo4APpedz7_Vr6sHbcN-9QkBcCA_UCzvNRvxsdwnu8NUwLkbMVHb2lrZSe9PKHxeKhfS2YESyfa0JONUnqRSe3htBzbCsbXgxl1w1D1Y3Numivpv4VR1I6jfmqp4c3wNDRfH-sZZ_YYZ7/s320/IMG_0380.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439574255545659906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This dog was literally the biggest dog I've ever seen:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvrBwx6v0EkGo9-GLH7IuAPaUVHgKO5CCTWl-fJKXenWRbVsZJ_S5VUK2tdRpOOFvMYQcgDVNW_-nVO7oWXDRyDy7t_lmxI7MysO_00-blnw26u9CG_h7XUUZleWyqnKc-2x9KBB6MXnn/s320/SDC11256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456750943666741922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">A great segway because we get a dog with a great coat, but also this brings us to our smaller variety:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5QOcNRfPfiOtluUY1ECfo6mCXqMnIs7WVMafwUU9GhUiegUjSIkCe8IGqQsvlQtxq9J_KQ3QS909N1r6nhQ_IK5kV5gF5TWRXF8JNHfMz-ky94qEOpJfX6L3ceE_Q1OOd0m6aP8R7deW/s320/SDC11257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456750952356181666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaMspIgREEag7K9RF_ZnYG1IVXRLbA9t6aZBDZ0gc5YzJbNT_DQIsMouMzqP0AgKHeXZ4tzaFf6VSmoHR-gfCtghwj-Fn0WLyZJXfPViMqAHmP3nmy-lEzCm7KYZW1PitwvlsqyzIfh-/s1600-h/IMG_0550.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Small Sweatered</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">She must wear the pants in the relationship (and the sweater):</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaMspIgREEag7K9RF_ZnYG1IVXRLbA9t6aZBDZ0gc5YzJbNT_DQIsMouMzqP0AgKHeXZ4tzaFf6VSmoHR-gfCtghwj-Fn0WLyZJXfPViMqAHmP3nmy-lEzCm7KYZW1PitwvlsqyzIfh-/s1600-h/IMG_0550.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsaMspIgREEag7K9RF_ZnYG1IVXRLbA9t6aZBDZ0gc5YzJbNT_DQIsMouMzqP0AgKHeXZ4tzaFf6VSmoHR-gfCtghwj-Fn0WLyZJXfPViMqAHmP3nmy-lEzCm7KYZW1PitwvlsqyzIfh-/s320/IMG_0550.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439572863630466946" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br />Sweatered French bulldog. She would be french:</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJSKGwzIADytnOOis6QZY9f7RtBgwqon2z1s8um-myaFNOalneiIkIrR9NcLf8wwBrOHSZsaF6mgEG1c_Scfdk8XCi_Akzeh4-BTBIMUPynf8_DvdeK53sYr331Ikiqk1jHHZ3ZTdyPJ0/s320/IMG_0711.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447355680688176098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROe6TWoKqf2wbMhrCEAsn_YCA02034-YvG4TEdGWxGhdgR-b7QkO_hYSuPPN6RT5Pu0Ht2tyobhWxzG7HtAWtuVErEWPDL-CqD-fYiiKpjRP_nVK0ytZVV8xQm7Zc0Xa9pvtwPg7HoNV4/s1600-h/IMG_0431.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A personal favorite of mine because I see her waiting patiently outside this shop about every day:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROe6TWoKqf2wbMhrCEAsn_YCA02034-YvG4TEdGWxGhdgR-b7QkO_hYSuPPN6RT5Pu0Ht2tyobhWxzG7HtAWtuVErEWPDL-CqD-fYiiKpjRP_nVK0ytZVV8xQm7Zc0Xa9pvtwPg7HoNV4/s1600-h/IMG_0431.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROe6TWoKqf2wbMhrCEAsn_YCA02034-YvG4TEdGWxGhdgR-b7QkO_hYSuPPN6RT5Pu0Ht2tyobhWxzG7HtAWtuVErEWPDL-CqD-fYiiKpjRP_nVK0ytZVV8xQm7Zc0Xa9pvtwPg7HoNV4/s320/IMG_0431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439572859393550290" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br />Here's a glimpse of the care people give their dogs around here. The woman is pouring her little sweatered dog a bowl of water (probably about 2 euros worth) right on the main street of Sevilla:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirle-Bspkb3j-PDcukiIjd70cVWsB1b-jMO8SqnsDljrRAbiG2lWmeVIXvoc_ZKue_OpZSRIAvKtfm__nLv7wtFN_OLMYKvdG01SGkRvgY4R5y6WPJ6WzajK0CgcklR5o0bSAe73Na9AEm/s1600-h/IMG_0427.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirle-Bspkb3j-PDcukiIjd70cVWsB1b-jMO8SqnsDljrRAbiG2lWmeVIXvoc_ZKue_OpZSRIAvKtfm__nLv7wtFN_OLMYKvdG01SGkRvgY4R5y6WPJ6WzajK0CgcklR5o0bSAe73Na9AEm/s320/IMG_0427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439572853016005058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>This one's just absurd:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQtFmYaT64YrocL6B9WbBvTtwj4iZMtUknp95n4O-FpmUFWb92mlrmIDfWREG6kyAdDxfUXrWRkCFPkTl-YeG1BscliA4stZYYaBskMg1cTl6qLzwvXgldvfMFlhflD2GDyZKzU8mJQno/s1600-h/IMG_0411.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQtFmYaT64YrocL6B9WbBvTtwj4iZMtUknp95n4O-FpmUFWb92mlrmIDfWREG6kyAdDxfUXrWRkCFPkTl-YeG1BscliA4stZYYaBskMg1cTl6qLzwvXgldvfMFlhflD2GDyZKzU8mJQno/s320/IMG_0411.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439571204843466994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And now we see a sweater with a fur collar...ironic:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWLXE6V0rkLSy_4rdPc6CplYM05UimD0LmOUCqWpllR4KV8gkzWkhoQhF1lGW3lJwf55klTDsj41jQaeKCgRv6InomxaV9RTlHIZ2XVL6kyeFGPF_cBbBwDMj-WbfsmyLhhOdjdkZYGv6/s1600-h/IMG_0404.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWLXE6V0rkLSy_4rdPc6CplYM05UimD0LmOUCqWpllR4KV8gkzWkhoQhF1lGW3lJwf55klTDsj41jQaeKCgRv6InomxaV9RTlHIZ2XVL6kyeFGPF_cBbBwDMj-WbfsmyLhhOdjdkZYGv6/s320/IMG_0404.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439571200018901026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm pretty sure I've seen Harrison Ford wearing this same jacket somewhere along the line:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd16sRN0U-HgAgx1YrTM6oJo9fm8NcYO6Qgdzi1abg1usqMcxMLN4cYN126jEVWgHRLY9Zm9oQCnfs6rPjxTxOl6oOxMW9MaP44nF34e9BuKSeYWiO_k7oluv-0MPcW0OxzH5H-jxsQrk/s1600-h/IMG_0402.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd16sRN0U-HgAgx1YrTM6oJo9fm8NcYO6Qgdzi1abg1usqMcxMLN4cYN126jEVWgHRLY9Zm9oQCnfs6rPjxTxOl6oOxMW9MaP44nF34e9BuKSeYWiO_k7oluv-0MPcW0OxzH5H-jxsQrk/s320/IMG_0402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439571195312426546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Doggie raincoat:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlwXJvJ70G9Vx2pUTa7himWqG7PmUuX9U9BZOii46bB2hftp9PvBvyrRKxGHGFbSyxh_wEcFSq0NH8ObriwGMzdfq1rzLAlEGgsk9Fr3AlwT9zR3eOORE4t22ODwfnIjLu1GwOY6D_d-G/s1600-h/IMG_0398.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlwXJvJ70G9Vx2pUTa7himWqG7PmUuX9U9BZOii46bB2hftp9PvBvyrRKxGHGFbSyxh_wEcFSq0NH8ObriwGMzdfq1rzLAlEGgsk9Fr3AlwT9zR3eOORE4t22ODwfnIjLu1GwOY6D_d-G/s320/IMG_0398.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439571187824072114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And just a classic:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9cbPNZUogp0uAM-SSk37E_LA6S1Ar-32FCAN4cYjx9i3MCAEMu9KPhxLeqB_ELGuQ0ekHlemadNEwoJCeQgZkltqubneWc8l4o-M14EdY_XWVa5kbSNEdoIDRJ77fgVNs8SqPywAmPhU/s1600-h/IMG_0396.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9cbPNZUogp0uAM-SSk37E_LA6S1Ar-32FCAN4cYjx9i3MCAEMu9KPhxLeqB_ELGuQ0ekHlemadNEwoJCeQgZkltqubneWc8l4o-M14EdY_XWVa5kbSNEdoIDRJ77fgVNs8SqPywAmPhU/s320/IMG_0396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439571178171353074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll end with this guy because he's the rare hybrid of a big and hairy but also sweatered canine. He might also be part lion:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe0oKgb7Ifa8ERQFL_F-E7Cv7tu-klpmIIY3F9Tf5D4aJ2YXPsGcCZ7ntjb5Umis104oRNgi764Edlvx6kNs1c7G2A5tCfXPDwdDIzDdnJMhkCV754CKOl6MOQhFZOSxeYs7By-BExG-l/s320/IMG_0729.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456750935953381938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">You’re probably asking yourselves right now if walking the streets of Sevilla is like walking in a mine field, and my answer would be that at times, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But that’s only on a few rare occasions, and although it makes it much harder for dogs to decide where to pee, the streets are cleaned every night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nonetheless, this brings me to the dog that I live with; Baxter (or Buster…It’s hard to tell).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My “brother” Santiago now has a 2 week old baby to take care of, and he’s used this excuse numerous times to neglect Baxter and his walking schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I’ve taken to walking Baxter every other afternoon or so, and I felt it necessary to share with you how Baxter likes to take a walk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Walking with Baxter is kind of what I’d imagine walking with a 4 year old might be; he requires constant attention, and although communication is hard, you know something serious is going on in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For Baxter, I think it is his plan to pee on every pee-spot in the neighborhood and anywhere else I take him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And sometimes I think he just likes to pee on anything at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He pees on walls, trees, bushes, grassy patches, fire hydrants, sticks, a basketball, man-holes, and a couple cars when I wasn’t paying attention.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On our last walk I decided to see how many times he could pee on one walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The total count was 59, and I had to cut him off because it was lunchtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Try and think about how large a number that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can only hope, for his sake, that he doesn’t get the same stop and go burning feeling that we do.</p><p class="MsoNormal">My friend Baxter (I caught him at an awkward moment):</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPtbz5-5EDoyy0Z5gxXiw_f_iA1cI1Ga4satkrMneIHr-y1dgJx92Behhnq4vWpSpLVGxjCOkW-wKFuGar11Q1ptBqaehyigpjxoG2GpCd2wcFCHpoP8TiX4_y1kGsL4f5vGy6L9utg1U/s320/IMG_0654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447355672112197234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The fact that this is just one dogs work begs the question, “Does the city just smell like urine?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The answer is no, unless you’re a dog or maybe a very small child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These great dogs only add to the quaint narrow streets and statued fountains that make up Sevilla, and apart from some confused looks from owners that have caught me photographing their dog(s), it’s always a pleasure to see them out and enjoying the fresh air.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have to end this blog with an American dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Actually <i>the</i><span style="font-style:normal"> American dog:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you’re reading this Blue, know that these dogs mean nothing to me and I’ll see you soon, brother.</span></p></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83dryVexRlcLxeJIvSj1Yz1gPMKMSmYgn7w53qUr0hKd_VtlLdYFrKLDLVAwr8B2OmygFwrNOPUC68wL2vFH_MzzGU-r6GZyBKfyXtoYA2VoZO0buW1SoaAbuVfDfAuXbTfQT5vXB9oIT/s320/IMG_0329.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447355666347542898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><br /></div></div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-40440364548936089032010-02-16T10:13:00.000-08:002010-02-16T11:18:02.777-08:00Catching up...La Giralda and the Grand Cathedral<div style="text-align: left;">The most notable monument in Sevilla is most definitely the great cathedral and the adjoining tower, la giralda.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s another place that photos really can’t capture, and I’d recommend you google image it to get some great aerial views that will show you how big it is.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xNeWHMC8h7Z1aaxCHeyR1C8bPs62ymMDaiwB_ADGLW4-kS2piSduHw2ef3BPp6UnGpgsy1DYKji81g0GRrpA718eijIAsRw3kCtttdCIRP27uwJM8P6TOYWYPB-Qlempl2GJJgxilM_w/s320/Sevilla-La+Catedral10p.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438913652085325970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 224px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Originally, there was a great mosque on the same site, which was then adapted to Christianity in the 8<sup>th</sup> century, when Christians took over Sevilla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are still a few elements of the original mosque present such as the patio of the orange trees and the Giralda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3ggLbHO6U-BiivIHO5liVmaktUVGt-PDwLkkpRIilGOjigA21udiPhPWFM-q79PGLw9Yjist-PkMwGVZvsXhCNOCRYA03gqV449GdXaghnkrkjn2cjK4ValPgCiLgj3XC6nawr7308ro/s320/SDC10045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438909866834923314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Here's a picture of the patio of orange trees. This is where Muslims would wash before entering the mosque.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In 1401, plans were made to destroy the current structure and build a new gothic cathedral, and the council had the goal that the church be “so big that all who see it will think we are mad”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Construction began in 1517 with masons from Spain, France, and Germany, and although it would roughly finished by the turn of the 18<sup>th</sup> century, it was added to up until the early years of the 20<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s a construction period of around 400 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">And if the size wasn't enough, the extensively decorated interior will change your mind. There are over 50 large stained-glass windows, most of which have been redone numerous times due to the frequent earthquakes in Portugal. Here's a picture of one of the larger ones (although when the sun shines in it's tough to get perspective):</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_7ejGXdZCQDlzIcEbzqtg0i2MJp23q2cS3nfeQJ1RX5OB4QUzd32fSCESyxUwn4Q-CLcsIDkDO7sVpcAzeUxI0uBatBh38ASHM3eUkqZtvIYklvW9EXcSOgps6owu58rwL6sf1nliWWa/s320/SDC10020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438906834787909922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">It's worth noting that for many, this would be a pretty great place to be laid to rest (I'd prefer a plot next to my lake at home where I've buried a few cats). Here's a picture of a famous Cardinal who died just before ascension to the Pope:</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYrMEEHC5hTgsK_s8PeoywKvFiarmocq1T330DNVlunGImD72z0knSPANS6aRO0NzYqIocdykxfvmxTmoJKBXJ2yDqINF1pbv9ktB984AgcAOy-wNlBuy7pLH1v_7_4x2mMaoPKTHiYfC/s320/SDC10032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438907706433438674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">And I guess it's also worth noting that Cristobal Colon also rests inside this cathedral. For all you non-spanish speakers out there, that's Christopher Columbus! These remains have been heavily disputed in the past because both San Salvador and Madrid both claim to have Columbus' remains. Interestingly enough, DNA testing has proved that all three do in fact have Chris' remains (How they got the initial DNA to perform the test is a question beyond my grasp of the spanish language). This fact of course questions either the integrity of the DNA test, or the integrity of Columbus' family...or both. But anyway, here's his coffin:</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbkj_HTvJmJnXcgKaWd0RMlsXpgh10RJ6EpTmSFPYgCMQ9MBrBT6G5B6NmBa7taDiRM9vjNgwAaymhk76h-_-EYd22CsdlrF__rWf71F8IMoTTpnuxsDYuO5_CdrzVR8iH3KgxX8EvFlw/s320/SDC10024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438907104978167538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The four pall bearers represent the kings of the four realms of Spain during Columbus' voyage, a couple of which carry staffs with crosses on the top and a Muslim image on the bottom, representing the triumph of Christianity that Columbus' voyage apparently brought. Say what you want about the man's beliefs, navigational prowess, and all the diseases his men brought to the New World, but don't think you wouldn't have done the same thing if you had his financial means and courage. If you wouldn't have made the trip, it certainly wouldn't have been out of a knowledge of the difference between European and Western hemisphere bacteria.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The size of this church is absolutely impossible to grasp, but here's a couple ceiling shots to give it a try...</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice6SC3VEVVxzSXCVlRHYtEnRksWWZe0IGzB8IpdizeC_54aKWXMjodItYKUc7MYeKD5SvRk5HotAAuzFvAjSjdWXbGB1TsV-GhOL9Mtox-Seqp6XxWHHbnhslp6mmJM3KQE3QAY6cjWqF/s1600-h/SDC10036.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice6SC3VEVVxzSXCVlRHYtEnRksWWZe0IGzB8IpdizeC_54aKWXMjodItYKUc7MYeKD5SvRk5HotAAuzFvAjSjdWXbGB1TsV-GhOL9Mtox-Seqp6XxWHHbnhslp6mmJM3KQE3QAY6cjWqF/s320/SDC10036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438908802991758738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzxcpwLf2WMguVExQ5A4EuHL2kT197PtpbjSay5K0EjIIlgLb5qCtFjQkynDqi0f85ZlUk-9BsqKzOk1K4M6zI6Q1hZvGpWoENDJhjQJDbVyD3-jiS8fWJVvsq2W-Rprf5-3gXlibgkyy/s1600-h/SDC10033.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzxcpwLf2WMguVExQ5A4EuHL2kT197PtpbjSay5K0EjIIlgLb5qCtFjQkynDqi0f85ZlUk-9BsqKzOk1K4M6zI6Q1hZvGpWoENDJhjQJDbVyD3-jiS8fWJVvsq2W-Rprf5-3gXlibgkyy/s320/SDC10033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438908057718983714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYrMEEHC5hTgsK_s8PeoywKvFiarmocq1T330DNVlunGImD72z0knSPANS6aRO0NzYqIocdykxfvmxTmoJKBXJ2yDqINF1pbv9ktB984AgcAOy-wNlBuy7pLH1v_7_4x2mMaoPKTHiYfC/s1600-h/SDC10032.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03Uj8va1rZf498L-bjzHFLmcCoIynbMYNkMuVNzI_E11XZjRY0SlZSKIecjILoUk_7Oeifci0tvI5BltTRo5i6yZVsUcUB0wGf3MyGrStmZ0BJfI3AryU3KzKEelMviAb2CYfDIHzUxox/s1600-h/SDC10026.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03Uj8va1rZf498L-bjzHFLmcCoIynbMYNkMuVNzI_E11XZjRY0SlZSKIecjILoUk_7Oeifci0tvI5BltTRo5i6yZVsUcUB0wGf3MyGrStmZ0BJfI3AryU3KzKEelMviAb2CYfDIHzUxox/s320/SDC10026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438907360825578962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">In the middle photograph above, the door below is the main entrance to the cathedral, but is only opened for the King of Spain, or the Pope.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The organ in this place only sounds on special occasions, but from this picture you can tell it's big.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ215s40SDH9_uetaeUPupOYULzD2C8t7ETu9GH6vt7FhTXS7fLbZasKh9bCRA_D5TRzqUPvurPFgFYOtJRIdZoAGR8dCAl0-_PoZTTZmGJaK89SLV8VEhunGqq9Miibl5QkLPzIoTo9JA/s1600-h/SDC10012.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ215s40SDH9_uetaeUPupOYULzD2C8t7ETu9GH6vt7FhTXS7fLbZasKh9bCRA_D5TRzqUPvurPFgFYOtJRIdZoAGR8dCAl0-_PoZTTZmGJaK89SLV8VEhunGqq9Miibl5QkLPzIoTo9JA/s320/SDC10012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438906592661128434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">...and that's only half of it. There's an identical organ on the other side of the choir chamber. Each has over 30,000 individual tubes, and although it's automated now, required 3 men to play in the 16th-19th centuries.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to everything else, the construction of this cathedral took place in the golden age of Europe and of Spain, and every one of Spain's greatest artists played some part in the art that adorns many walls of this cathedral. I feel so terrible that I can't remember their names, but that's the way it goes, and in fairness, wiki didn't know, either.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUb9TQ2LxtHOIYABNWUzq0Ylzl8vlYKFAn7c4Wi-yOsYmo-kx7DAUmXDR0BG8_GgH3KIYaOD_-_DudhWJvYK26t2ewEu7HL9HOkuYvj_TGp0F7QS1NW89QrAdzvuHc8a1qU1DME-u2pkQT/s320/SDC10041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438909133212060930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">This is the most famous painting in the cathedral, depicting St. Anthony. It's difficult to see, but if you look closely around the figure of the kneeling St. Anthony, you can make out a line that goes all the way along. This is because in the early 20th century, robbers broke into the church, cut out the man from the painting, and sold it on the black market. The figure made his way back onto the grid and was bought by an American. But when he was contacted by the church who had located its whereabouts, he immediately gave it back (go America), and luckily, St. Anthony made his way back home. In such a strange series of events it's a wonder that he wasn't lost for good! In that case it's a good thing St. Anthony happens to be the saint of lost items. Seriously.</p><p class="MsoNormal">With a tour of the grounds and inside complete, we headed up the tower, La Giralda, which is by far the most notable site in all of Sevilla. It is the first thing you notice no matter what road or path you take into the city. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Walking up the Giralda, I was extremely surprised to find that there are no stairs.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eAZB9G5rvXjTj7bz4P6kfy6zn8IF6uff9IN0UnO2g_lsNnZlKDNYNqVEbGV4U15-OkfutTx4UJ2765L68-Ih0-jWWQcODepz3yqUUlpu2mhuEiUr3Ts7FTP5-qDZ8MoAMJ-EvYCiUsnL/s320/SDC10055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438910183766929234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">This is so that horses could make their way up to the top. Why? That's a question that escapes me, unless it was just the laziness of their riders. (In their fairness, the tower is around 30 stories high).</p><p class="MsoNormal">The tower is still a functional bell-tower, which we experienced first-hand when the clock struct 2pm. Thank my stars it wasn't 11.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp51dyS_2r0kl-EJS7G0qJSqh_bbrJQ7KAGcy2UEiC8ItBz138jczhyA529_AmK2OXjMk6IFx2ZL43B79q0cHNlLPV5Hptv1ZbMq15XdPhrFq_EOlQK7NVQ0dwFJ9qAyMFfW8OErOuMFn/s320/SDC10069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438910822713410178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Here are some photos I took from the top:</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj7yscTM-3k5EN3TNiOkXHLBmgupRR0A4PjB6tlYW7rCJkxa7wFbMCIhtfbZhffsPYS0-CQBYotV-efAk9i_7n780ounwL4Yg1ezTcCV8Gq-GYExttpwmH8OhTeP6HXsCIZ2UNmXM-hxU/s1600-h/SDC10086.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj7yscTM-3k5EN3TNiOkXHLBmgupRR0A4PjB6tlYW7rCJkxa7wFbMCIhtfbZhffsPYS0-CQBYotV-efAk9i_7n780ounwL4Yg1ezTcCV8Gq-GYExttpwmH8OhTeP6HXsCIZ2UNmXM-hxU/s320/SDC10086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438912845187375458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>My favorite street in Sevilla, Padre Merez^<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5qQacicpIsTabuXiurHqHo2rwXlOubAhpDfcCsO90UdSbMU3GBUbP5LUcLPNsWG2TYvTKzwnyt-wibVgkKK6pAJK_CmJOMl71LV6-7N9Ma5TSEnVAcVRv4Te2azNDX-CFFgKmWlSjaR9/s1600-h/SDC10082.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5qQacicpIsTabuXiurHqHo2rwXlOubAhpDfcCsO90UdSbMU3GBUbP5LUcLPNsWG2TYvTKzwnyt-wibVgkKK6pAJK_CmJOMl71LV6-7N9Ma5TSEnVAcVRv4Te2azNDX-CFFgKmWlSjaR9/s320/SDC10082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438912553937301682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>The Real Alcazar, or royal fortress, which I discussed in an earlier blog but will be returning to sometime.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiaXV3XVryKs70mgta39A1HgYdeRI28mVbQBJvWE5LUlotjjD1AVg8UZtJTzVlb8FNlP5eKNrKqDINW0hzT95UlohDEL7cHLVSiPCwUIcKldee1i4MRhL073lAJGsB8rKGKnbvNV7xBiL/s1600-h/SDC10080.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiaXV3XVryKs70mgta39A1HgYdeRI28mVbQBJvWE5LUlotjjD1AVg8UZtJTzVlb8FNlP5eKNrKqDINW0hzT95UlohDEL7cHLVSiPCwUIcKldee1i4MRhL073lAJGsB8rKGKnbvNV7xBiL/s320/SDC10080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438912149767274626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Here's La Iglesia Santa Cruz, which I pass everyday on the way to class^</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tzxovIcBhSSigHdL6Bzgs_ex7xS9IYTn3nQFLBiCoWY6UKrQOUZYWXvgvrjOiVHtsKVQUaRVhkga1w0yqQS_FFXLv-H_wD7EapR2Wr31HBW9N6d96QQlN9AnM7dfdMQ_Ytp5B4Ijmjw6/s1600-h/SDC10074.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tzxovIcBhSSigHdL6Bzgs_ex7xS9IYTn3nQFLBiCoWY6UKrQOUZYWXvgvrjOiVHtsKVQUaRVhkga1w0yqQS_FFXLv-H_wD7EapR2Wr31HBW9N6d96QQlN9AnM7dfdMQ_Ytp5B4Ijmjw6/s320/SDC10074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438911775014217266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>And the Arena de los Toros, pretty self-explanatory but bull-fighting doesn't start for a month or so.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp51dyS_2r0kl-EJS7G0qJSqh_bbrJQ7KAGcy2UEiC8ItBz138jczhyA529_AmK2OXjMk6IFx2ZL43B79q0cHNlLPV5Hptv1ZbMq15XdPhrFq_EOlQK7NVQ0dwFJ9qAyMFfW8OErOuMFn/s1600-h/SDC10069.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LkcwjCi6qwSJstn6T3LjKDpN30DOZnwVPAlJVu6zZN3Rc2-q8bTe7ltlm7d6LCfxC8KC0Pc7JNvwrrlBXUtgFsuu6k8wpGr4RyeyC_d6myQlB00u5hNWgTmusLS5cwt4FXOj-JXoztfA/s1600-h/SDC10059.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LkcwjCi6qwSJstn6T3LjKDpN30DOZnwVPAlJVu6zZN3Rc2-q8bTe7ltlm7d6LCfxC8KC0Pc7JNvwrrlBXUtgFsuu6k8wpGr4RyeyC_d6myQlB00u5hNWgTmusLS5cwt4FXOj-JXoztfA/s320/SDC10059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438910467657672738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"> And just another view of the Cathedral and the top of the Patio of Orange Trees.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-19667371926878139172010-02-16T09:53:00.000-08:002010-02-16T10:12:43.939-08:00Carnival<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJl1Wfs3cimqTc3eFAZYgbFcPfqlZ85aoLRmpNeOZFfYSqg2y5QfNqqE_QJh3XSFdVXwoV-Q1df24sK1kZSAbcg4fXe-mavAABnahB7O1P2xZJSdu-2uWSgQFyR3gLZx317FNlUhDiCPr/s1600-h/19054_307573263323_762478323_3415690_1906015_n.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">I have absolutely no idea how to start this post, so I'll start it with a picture:</div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9Cb0KLlJAqHUqt7JtMQkn3qPiZALxh1Kh3HkCP0h0ac-OG-7uN5HkthWepyLFOS9R006y56ixPlJ1oF8JA0jZr17ImKSOVP-vpFrgCctos0fgSEHF7zBnWsNlDf3v9pt6GSjlMKHV7p0/s320/IMG_0618.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438901909213898242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is a post</span> about the festival of Carnival, which takes place on the coast in Cadiz, Spain and lasts for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To put it simply; it is the biggest party imagineable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There’s no way that I could describe the atmosphere of this party, and because it’s pretty wild, I only brought my phone for pictures, and didn’t do a terribly good job of documenting it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I guess it just makes sense to start at the beginning:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Carnival involves costumes, and because Mark and I are quickly realizing the expenses of European living, we wanted to get costumes at the lowest possible price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our new friends gave us the idea to go as sudoku, but we expanded it a little with Mark being a sudoku and me a word search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not going to lie, our costumes were pretty basic, and when we got to the train station and saw all the crazy costumes people had, we were sure that we would be the duds of the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We basically came straight home from Aracena, ate, and headed for the train station, but unfortunately we missed our train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Luckily we got tickets for the next train at no extra charge, and headed for our gate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had four bottles of beer in my backpack to save us from paying as much at Carnival, but to our dismay, it was illegal to take them on the train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So Mark and I, now minutes from missing a second train, but not wanting to waste 4 liters of beer, start chugging outside the gate, trash most of it, and run to get our train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Turns out the security was completely on the honors system, and we wouldn’t have had any problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But with that said, I’m proud that we can say we honored the honor system.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, we had heard that the party actually begins on the train, and I had grand ideas about loud music, chanting and singing that I couldn’t understand, and a myriad of new spanish friends taking us in their arms and embracing us as their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The train was actually just a normal ride, and aside from a few hooligans up front, was largely uneventful.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Getting off the train, we donned our costumes and followed the masses forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It didn’t take long to find out something we didn’t see coming; everyone loved our costumes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Moreso the sudoku, although I did have a lot of people come up and search me.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t tell you how many times people would shout at us, “Sudoku!” or “Que buena”, and it kept up all night long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were a hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJl1Wfs3cimqTc3eFAZYgbFcPfqlZ85aoLRmpNeOZFfYSqg2y5QfNqqE_QJh3XSFdVXwoV-Q1df24sK1kZSAbcg4fXe-mavAABnahB7O1P2xZJSdu-2uWSgQFyR3gLZx317FNlUhDiCPr/s320/19054_307573263323_762478323_3415690_1906015_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438905768467969394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">It was pretty easy to find the party, because it’s absolutely enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was literally a parade of people banging drums and everyone was chanting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We walked around and tried to see everything, and then reserved ourselves to the fact that it would be impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To say that we were a little over-stimulated at first would be a big understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were people swinging from lampposts, dancing on scaffolding, and the costumes were so outrageous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One thing I wasn’t fond of was the fact that the men really liked to dress as women, and many took it way too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe the craziest thing was that in this chaos, there were actually a few families with children walking around!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2h8NUkgn0HMMuE1wapCJlkaaEUcU_W_FF_rw-JuXSPjpxZ3THgghOpvvli5qr9WfJ818CcATt6AH0CQdyePR_9tKadL8CZYuDiutb1KbPhlcZn1MQsS81CgeG-JtCiC-xquKRlo1bENY/s320/IMG_0625.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438902301426048850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">I imagine this is the kind of place that was awesome for me now, but also a place I will never let my daughter(s) visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s great, but there are some serious logistical issues like lack of restrooms (both sexes just used the alleyways, which had no drainage…you can imagine), and I found myself wondering, “Does the government know about this?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqGCLd7SQM_1Ccnr6cA3bjivwIj61sXRQ99SIX40dvKHKRb_WNO2X0SsjhHcvJnazzMBaU4DJT6FZxfWy7VQAneqZUXKNz6XE5X42oe2l6i4gRzCZqED4c33SszGIjZjiz_L40Y_3CBOL/s320/IMG_0616.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438901704819239202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">To many of you, the rest of this probably won’t be too exciting because we got there at 10pm, I left at 8:30am, and in between you could say that pretty much I just stood around and talked to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But it was a lot more than that.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aOM-0Ff8UenW-E1NsHsgI47s5qZ-4l6RberSU5vmbS-O0b2aHFkPK71Q-xXOMFbNLOJa2UVxTGM5RnYPv_0pFU2btrJv5_K0xlElcP_EeBescyHFpfaWI2ftXXkaoAEP9nvP2qCE36Se/s320/IMG_0610.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438901441803061074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">I joined a crew of Spaniards on some scaffolding for a few chants, where I realized the main chant pretty much just said over and over again, “Alcohol”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And honestly, it was a pretty fitting chant for Carnival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I met so many people, many of whom just loved our costumes and came up to talk to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wish I wouldn’t worn a head cam because some of these people were just absolutely ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were a lot of hippies, cross-dressers, policemen, strippers (by my best guess), and a lot of bright colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPSo1_nk-iKiS_RGh8_hHwdOe8tsjkUL6x8LE5m7gazNbyryOcL9hhWwde7RIau9ZLHbxysdCHi-UonJD2JLr5jWVg_IynO2EWc5M4YxAYmJ1pL6EoAD1U0wQTG6K_usaV5dslxZTlLrM/s1600-h/IMG_0623.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPSo1_nk-iKiS_RGh8_hHwdOe8tsjkUL6x8LE5m7gazNbyryOcL9hhWwde7RIau9ZLHbxysdCHi-UonJD2JLr5jWVg_IynO2EWc5M4YxAYmJ1pL6EoAD1U0wQTG6K_usaV5dslxZTlLrM/s320/IMG_0623.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438902107052606018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">This was some sort of chorus line that was broadcast on Spain's major tv station.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I met a lot of university students, and to my surprise got a lot of phone numbers, which in my opinion, makes them new friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The biggest problem I realized this morning was that the party was so loud and my spanish ears so bad, I doubt a single name in my phone is correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And there are about 4 numbers in my phone that I didn’t bother putting a name with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Friends nonetheless I say!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Early on, Mark and I actually were found by our Mizzou friends, which is pretty crazy in a crowd of a few hundred thousand, and we ran into other Americans off and on throughout the night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a list of some other characters that I talked to last night:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A Spaniard deploying to Afghanistan in 2 weeks</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">An Irish couple that were drinking something along the lines of liquid fire</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The drumline</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A group of girls from Madrid dressed up as people from “Grease”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A clown who was the first to find all the words on my costume</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And there were a few groups of Spaniards that I actually followed around for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was with one of these groups where I lost Mark, or he lost me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can tell from my text log that this was at 4am, which means we actually stayed together pretty well, even though we did in the end violate the buddy system.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There was one group of young people I was hanging out with, and I don’t want to toot my own horn but I’m pretty sure one of the girls named Rosa was pretty into me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At least it seemed that way at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could understand her really well and she was very smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not sure how we got separated but it caused a wound that will probably take some time to heal.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha65x5TV1Y4kqt9EgGrbYJbkB3Ou8RzBnsYCFK4_a1IaoNe0BriXSnwXt35G0g9wqu40EvUvP9aiXOMWqticDWWzJCLPOh1u2nL7diTCX9fvZj9Bla0iBXaPJBttNT4vqHvukQ_FXzlWFK/s320/IMG_0626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438902455914451714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">That's Rosa in the center of the picture (blackest outfit)^</p><p class="MsoNormal">I was worried I wouldn’t have the energy to make it through the whole night beforehand, but to my surprise, the night passed much too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Towards the early morning, I literally just wandered around for a long time, and when I regained functional consciousness and realized that I was in charge of getting myself home, it was 8am, and I was informed by a very polite man at the ticket window that unfortunately I would be unable to board the train home…mostly because I was at the bus station…but also because my train home was scheduled to leave at 6:45am, a fact that I had absolutely no concern for until that moment at the bus station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Luckily, it turned out that the workers at the train station were eager to send me on my merry way, on the very next train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In hindsight, I bet everyone over the age of 40 who lives in Cadiz can’t wait for all the ridiculous adolescents to leave their beloved home.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As soon as I sat down on the train, I was asleep, and the kind of sleep that hurts burns your eyes to wake up from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However two girls, Claudia and Magdalena, must’ve been able to tell I was in the perfect mood to meet them, and they woke me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They turned out to be very nice and great company on the train, and the fact that they were so friendly can only make me believe that Spaniards really are just a generally nice and happy bunch, or…these girls were probably 16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But because they woke me up, I got to see the sun rise, which in my mind put the seal on an unforgettable night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip85I056Bf41yD7ipOS-Bh8cLtkne7NAqiEH5YJhpCpr6_BJdVlEtkrqg_2ad3DRgF1PznrQF0l7eiZgH-lAJwKanVXbleJmORZWTswjptbneeWNJYbQclJ4HLgITJsygq3X68toOwLSn7/s320/IMG_0629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438902660004429378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I did realize in the middle of conversation that Mark was not with me, and although he was fine, and actually left on the train before we were scheduled to leave, I could only play in my mind a million tragic situations that could have befallen my sudoku friend.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I got back to Sevilla at 10:40, and although I knew the station was a very long walk from home, I opted not to take a cab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This would prove to be a very bad decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First of all, I was disheveled, smelly, exhausted, and without a map; not a great foundation for wandering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But wander I did, and although there were moments were I’d see a landmark and think to myself, “I know exactly where I’m going”, after a half hour I looked up and saw that I was walking toward the train station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Naturally I turned back around and forged on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After another half hour I was back at the train station for the second time, and although this should have been a slap in the face saying, “Get a cab, you idiot”, I took it moreso as a challenge to my manhood, intelligence, and nationality, and I kept putting one foot in front of the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t say that my journey from there got much better.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At one point, I asked a man washing his car where my neighborhood Triana is, and he looked up at me and told me very clearly that I couldn’t get there on foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And when he realized that on foot it would be, he got that look in his eyes where I could see he’s deciding if he needs to bring me into his house to eat, shower, and get some water before my impending doom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He did point me in the right direction and wish me good luck, and after an hour and a half or so, largely spent trying to get a hold of Mark, I arrived at my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Towards the end of my journey, there was a marathon happening on the street, and I was passed by a man who wore the scars of double knee replacement, and so old he could probably tell me what Ferdinand and Isabella were like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was more than a little demoralizing, but I was motivated by the song “Eye of the Tiger”, which was playing in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Turns out after looking at a map, I had every right to be moving at a slow clip because by conservative estimates I walked at least 10 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My foray home took me around 3.5 hours, and it wasn’t until a little after 1:30 that I collapsed onto my bed. When I woke up, I went through my backpack and found this...half of my costume that I salvaged out of the haze and chaos of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXZ_Vss67DBomQyOebgEWUFEygKPPv9cvhrEOBKqGZE2tRhCwRs13gKcuyo16wUWCbGTWOzGPjar2AlFbDYuIMJSs7FoXKf7nHKO2qzz2M8La7T7N1IpJmMQxb16fFTNdhq5YXQ1XdyGe/s320/IMG_0637.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438902869201984002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Overall, Carnival was absolutely incredible and so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would love to do it again, but I think it would literally be dangerous to your health to do it more than one night a year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">PS- Since I wrote this on Valentine’s day, this post is dedicated to Rosa…</p><p class="MsoNormal">And sorry for typos.</p> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-57189681197323075302010-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:002010-02-16T09:53:17.991-08:00Aracena<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl8HO1jjuPABMmgWAF0t6I4wtc-AFRP9nnqDruqu5Bm_i0zDB6klIUAsSIan0SXPqCxTUb00oKN1C2OzTeypckdfIVbqnyEwDHa9G7GwyOGDIXaNuU874kFjtQfXbyu_FNo7Ymc0g5p81/s1600-h/gruta_maravillas_1.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday morning I went with on a program excursion to the town of Aracena in the province of Huelva.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there were murmurs of some very impressive caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First we stopped at an enormous mine that is also the headwaters of a river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The river is called “el riot into” because it is red with all the clay that’s stirred up from the mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This mine contains copper, sulfur, and something like “gozan”, which can supposedly be refined and used in commercial gold and silver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our guide said the people of the region thought the water to have healing powers and keep you young, but unfortunately now there is so many different particles dissolved in the water that if consumed now, it would kill you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But NASA did go to this very lake and do some tests to see if the water might be similar to water that could be on Mars, and see if it could support life.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSTNB87s2iArqACG9PJ_WEvXsPapus8aXhdPSRDQVRtJI2bpbrDhD23zJbTux7geSDU6M3WuzOW2PY4HxbPUqKu9z95yUQPMT6PcrSrQSS9LXMNLmkqO9DSwWDbxjwFiFAtoLX46xdBr/s1600-h/SDC10136.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSTNB87s2iArqACG9PJ_WEvXsPapus8aXhdPSRDQVRtJI2bpbrDhD23zJbTux7geSDU6M3WuzOW2PY4HxbPUqKu9z95yUQPMT6PcrSrQSS9LXMNLmkqO9DSwWDbxjwFiFAtoLX46xdBr/s320/SDC10136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438895219566132274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_znd_7f43-i0Ux95Bj9C0y5H8C21LgN49lDyZEspXnTeyzqcaI5aLT-Njw6ABrQUeGCHZqu_z7jYIFCzOXb-h1YjjcXy-X8imzMI29lPMMla2fTWmUxWr8Ka16zFK44TP0bixg7eknbhu/s1600-h/SDC10134.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_znd_7f43-i0Ux95Bj9C0y5H8C21LgN49lDyZEspXnTeyzqcaI5aLT-Njw6ABrQUeGCHZqu_z7jYIFCzOXb-h1YjjcXy-X8imzMI29lPMMla2fTWmUxWr8Ka16zFK44TP0bixg7eknbhu/s320/SDC10134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438894399906863234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz94HuJPNT58IsDcqMWv_9dtHd5Yj9xrdT2ZW21O_jxssYQTNalrlz7djx2WgAMSTNTRSGCapZmduwYkshXHilbCsno9Z2vo8cc3mF4BzvmCCB9KF6GN4UsYf_h0L4-twTNeyDtpgxOuPq/s1600-h/SDC10133.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz94HuJPNT58IsDcqMWv_9dtHd5Yj9xrdT2ZW21O_jxssYQTNalrlz7djx2WgAMSTNTRSGCapZmduwYkshXHilbCsno9Z2vo8cc3mF4BzvmCCB9KF6GN4UsYf_h0L4-twTNeyDtpgxOuPq/s320/SDC10133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438894168969498306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">After the mine, we headed to Aracena, and started off with a couple hours of free time to have lunch and explore the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Aracena is known for its pastries and ham, taken separately that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After hearing this, Mark and I decided it was a place for us and resolved to spend every minute of free time eating pastries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However a stroke of luck hit us and a couple guys (Joe and Tom) told us we should climb up the little mountain with them that sits above the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They said they saw something up there that “looked neat”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although I like pastries, I really like adventure, so we decided the sweets could wait. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t a very difficult or far way up the mountain, but once we got high enough we could see that on the top were ruins of something that I’m guessing were once a lookout for the town.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was an incredibly great idea to go up there because the views from the top were absolutely great, and we got to see the town’s first church, which also sits on top of the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>From the top, you can see that literally every building in the entire town is white with a red roof, making Aracena perfectly fit my preconceived images of Mediterranean cities. It’s great to have moments like this where you realize just how close you always are to something adventurous and out of the ordinary if you only look around.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoxuAm9fe7BwD4FhsxgutSbFW3yP6z9Sk3RTHB9rCirzxDZTFhD7xOXcBPoNSR4oPoxbVrsVw3-yfxLJYSrBtA5V6RzJpAByjfCnW9526RsQWvv0lsWk6wG28AToo28MqSfypt1N_83Df/s320/SDC10148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438895576197101666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17wJaoJPGdcNMvv0aFBxs3g6UjqIVVm9AJfy-AUwCSiRz2G9KI103ZnQmh8TEWfbzZJC3wrTmEhyJriyUvwMwMDkutzSdqOBj8rUAGyAVGjbWqchmV_TodUZJVsi9EVArrCBcgpOk7k1a/s1600-h/SDC10157.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17wJaoJPGdcNMvv0aFBxs3g6UjqIVVm9AJfy-AUwCSiRz2G9KI103ZnQmh8TEWfbzZJC3wrTmEhyJriyUvwMwMDkutzSdqOBj8rUAGyAVGjbWqchmV_TodUZJVsi9EVArrCBcgpOk7k1a/s320/SDC10157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438897251615802818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>It's not much of a feat considering the stones basically form a ladder, but I did climb up this fortress wall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWB1AB2kpCbkK-JSAe8EWo4u2JsR8HJ03jHpCXUU9O-RJIA8mdJMwmXu6Wc3sKxMpDmJ099Ggkpu7U2OTZLPOqOMHT9sFjP2A18yw8sa4Cf4Xr8zyrgFPCTSq4T4vCxhixEHu6hAC4zQc/s1600-h/SDC10154.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWB1AB2kpCbkK-JSAe8EWo4u2JsR8HJ03jHpCXUU9O-RJIA8mdJMwmXu6Wc3sKxMpDmJ099Ggkpu7U2OTZLPOqOMHT9sFjP2A18yw8sa4Cf4Xr8zyrgFPCTSq4T4vCxhixEHu6hAC4zQc/s320/SDC10154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438896941600122290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICFt6lzSr8-a8-ZydDdK5w_-koIgvvV3n4_jo7TLfct2V5LxlaVquZI0Y7FaYLE8uXRxv2szviFNClP6rZA0tRj7agAIxnLXPvqILSD5HshfWBIt-g1Km7FvjEv0lnPAyT3qtYFlLcIjy/s1600-h/SDC10153.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICFt6lzSr8-a8-ZydDdK5w_-koIgvvV3n4_jo7TLfct2V5LxlaVquZI0Y7FaYLE8uXRxv2szviFNClP6rZA0tRj7agAIxnLXPvqILSD5HshfWBIt-g1Km7FvjEv0lnPAyT3qtYFlLcIjy/s320/SDC10153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438896632978290994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3G-DJAIqkOegGuqvDKnhoth_tXIZkbUXngk-cUgoyZxPm7nlz1sP4UE_jR1c7fWoxUK1M0mVpk2rx9LgNSdn6y0GAth190gG3yoT1oZ3J3xl_ZVXnLZL-QGmXms8uc3b9FdKDjH_J3Nz/s1600-h/SDC10152.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3G-DJAIqkOegGuqvDKnhoth_tXIZkbUXngk-cUgoyZxPm7nlz1sP4UE_jR1c7fWoxUK1M0mVpk2rx9LgNSdn6y0GAth190gG3yoT1oZ3J3xl_ZVXnLZL-QGmXms8uc3b9FdKDjH_J3Nz/s320/SDC10152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438896313792850290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lgRRQVGgRixQFQZ6K-r6FtIvJimGFn8pfSjK4qhVd1Ex8SS6wJq5DBJfR4ZL7na_fpBeLL_e3Bis4HOU3j7mqg7QUCjokVPkhOmuXt4mpRh_Hl_Yj4SjuoUpKBdARBvFQYOMS-4XaFsl/s1600-h/SDC10149.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lgRRQVGgRixQFQZ6K-r6FtIvJimGFn8pfSjK4qhVd1Ex8SS6wJq5DBJfR4ZL7na_fpBeLL_e3Bis4HOU3j7mqg7QUCjokVPkhOmuXt4mpRh_Hl_Yj4SjuoUpKBdARBvFQYOMS-4XaFsl/s320/SDC10149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438895823248948386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">After we headed down the mountain, we deserved some pastries, and pastries we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I only took one (dark) picture, but I had a lot more than you can see, and we basically had to drag Mark out of this place. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Walking through the streets, it became evident that Aracena loves ham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are designs everywhere of a flag that is a strip of ham with fat in the middle, and they actually have a ham museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately, I didn’t try any ham, but did manage to get a photo that gives you an idea of the importance of ham in Aracena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This statue is right out in front of their town hall.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA-vtuFd1TKpyJwrn0BI6taggw4KytFZhNuEbzvfSx5dTOhhyphenhyphenIj7mzG-rXkFmv-BPkZ_DHB_KpvdvTqv53vc_sPyca73Is9GzrfqYCQoFGt_bym8EvHaOegmf_mQqS0N85qnpmp3Yr4Yx/s320/SDC10170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438897750500819010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRn-XWSpRWXe6GriMMwojkYUYGxSe_0ZWChzEeAennZvHv_bgkUJVY3hwlzs8WB2APbEjCAME8ITDmqDsUxo0xLMLri5T41wYw8MzgfLxo8khnTgeDeKK0QPTCVfDOW_-b1233RTCBBrN/s320/SDC10171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438898091507447650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">The Aracena town square^^^</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Although our trip up the mountain was great, what turned out to be underneath that mountain was breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Aracena has a cave system called “The Cave of Marvels,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the name could not be more accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I felt like I was a character in the caves edition of “Planet Earth”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are big caverns and enormous stalactites and stalagmites, and large pools of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would’ve taken a hundred pictures for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you (…me), but no photography is allowed in any area of the cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did pull a few pictures off google that will give you an idea.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl8HO1jjuPABMmgWAF0t6I4wtc-AFRP9nnqDruqu5Bm_i0zDB6klIUAsSIan0SXPqCxTUb00oKN1C2OzTeypckdfIVbqnyEwDHa9G7GwyOGDIXaNuU874kFjtQfXbyu_FNo7Ymc0g5p81/s1600-h/gruta_maravillas_1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl8HO1jjuPABMmgWAF0t6I4wtc-AFRP9nnqDruqu5Bm_i0zDB6klIUAsSIan0SXPqCxTUb00oKN1C2OzTeypckdfIVbqnyEwDHa9G7GwyOGDIXaNuU874kFjtQfXbyu_FNo7Ymc0g5p81/s320/gruta_maravillas_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438900796402931506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mAcZs_vfZT3FNe34EuSL8hnFMn4V56upOsxxqJILaYdmw9bZhMNv5kpRIma_eFQB4TeHlD6lTt3dUSKC4vJcDifiylb1Mdvm7WBbANplfzRnDjRK0jQGzAI_ha1gH-9b0WAPnL-KV2lL/s1600-h/aracena1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mAcZs_vfZT3FNe34EuSL8hnFMn4V56upOsxxqJILaYdmw9bZhMNv5kpRIma_eFQB4TeHlD6lTt3dUSKC4vJcDifiylb1Mdvm7WBbANplfzRnDjRK0jQGzAI_ha1gH-9b0WAPnL-KV2lL/s320/aracena1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438900720158826818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a>Aracena overall was great, and after a nap on the bus ride home, I was excited for the evening that lay ahead at the festival Carnival in Cadiz.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The night would not disappoint.</span></span><!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMFvTb7g4-ny0Wb-LT2kEAzVCPeP7RM-i54dI-Ajx6el7GgFpK07a_eUTtpzeg9OSIDyXD71IaEuri4hHeHmX-XzK8RqfNujlLn8awMx2eEHyR4EBkVoYyUqUFxRsesCS6X6FI8R0q6Zt/s320/SDC10173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438898456049060594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One last look at our mountain from town^</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n1T3f35oAZGdpTByg4E0O_ZtAWR4HT6hD0TU_R9HATjAjymFF1YCKE5dZHfH6JmHzSosdzoxJe_ORb-kNE4sngAgdpKwLf6VFxQcb6Axfn7HjCHIHQQ6G0-KLiMBIY_Jge8SLdAwoEhg/s320/SDC10174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438898779685426898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And a glimpse of the picturesque drainage Aracena boasts^</span></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-13910328997411653352010-02-15T12:30:00.000-08:002010-02-15T12:47:55.462-08:00Making Friends<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDwMh4JBxj6Ta8UUIa9gkQ-RPrr0kJ7f6TOkoOm_CbrFvX6fNx3zQe1eBg406VH80eY-hLvMRZilhqaH8nZaeOpJykn_V-GZwyjG2zCFtb4ljDo_wsgi87wsnGfGqz_Fv1LmyQn8TLt0a/s1600-h/SDC10128.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">I’ve wrapped up my first week of classes at the University of Sevilla and I already can’t believe how fast the time is going by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I really like all my classes and I think it will definitely be challenging, but not terribly hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My history class is really interesting but very hard to follow at times because the professor doesn’t use the chalkboard much and speaks the non-dumbed down version of spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think it was a little overwhelming for some because Monday the class had about 30 students and Wednesday we were down to 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My writing class is great and the professor pretty much just wants us to learn conversational spanish and eliminate the repetitive mistakes that he sees in our writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We start every day with a riddle.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Example: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every day when Manuelito comes home from school, he takes the elevator up to the fourth floor of his apartment building, where he gets off and takes the stairs up to the eighth floor, where he lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That is, unless it’s raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If it’s raining he always takes the elevator straight up all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Answer in the next post…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have no idea what to expect from my literature class because my professor literally writes out every word of our notes on the blackboard, and speaks very clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However our reading list is made up of 5 books of plays, stories, and two novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was a little daunting for me when I’ve never completed an entire book in spanish.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My anthropology class is my favorite because the professor finds a way to help us understand the big concepts that are often lost in the language barrier…and he uses powerpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Trivia:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did you know Ferdinand and Isabel were first cousins who decided to marry at a time when all royal marriages had to be given the Pope’s consent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thus, they forged his signature on their marriage document.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Even though I’m pleased with my classes, it’s a great feeling to walk out of class on a Thursday at 1pm knowing you won’t be back in class until 11am Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I’m not the only person who was in a great mood because as I was walking around taking pictures of the sunset there were hundreds of people just enjoying the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went to a little park where I randomly found my Mizzou friends, who were surprised to see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(You can see it from the picture I snapped.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyyitAGlYIu8C4HHSvjCzsn1SLEnIDtV6wVcYgoWznU5uzsUYnEIx8kw7pi9g7q_o5AMBYbGjnLYyb1GGM5x4FZ3xVtuwYDrBF3HlaGgngoKuNjbnBP2aAW5uI9VCb4MGeQi3YQ_Hu9vc/s320/SDC10118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438573403039244690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">And here are some sunset pictures that I think look great over the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think I’ll go to that spot many more times this semester.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwhiXemAdoLaPAG8CvYbPr1m_gv_qmNtf0s2YBl6QTWrxmR8QNZiGv-0oe_bpNd7vXxuECRK_ndzH4wklkvnqXZpi_6UZQcDvLUQjPs2VKwKnzJwpf_RtE_VG2Dto2wOGz7Uhtid8X3dx/s320/SDC10098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438571927993850098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDwMh4JBxj6Ta8UUIa9gkQ-RPrr0kJ7f6TOkoOm_CbrFvX6fNx3zQe1eBg406VH80eY-hLvMRZilhqaH8nZaeOpJykn_V-GZwyjG2zCFtb4ljDo_wsgi87wsnGfGqz_Fv1LmyQn8TLt0a/s1600-h/SDC10128.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDwMh4JBxj6Ta8UUIa9gkQ-RPrr0kJ7f6TOkoOm_CbrFvX6fNx3zQe1eBg406VH80eY-hLvMRZilhqaH8nZaeOpJykn_V-GZwyjG2zCFtb4ljDo_wsgi87wsnGfGqz_Fv1LmyQn8TLt0a/s320/SDC10128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438574431317458178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYh1YtcX58ogkPKcHA6rp7LGzmf6qRlqBEukXAkGOYhrS3FlJJA1eHvsI6XUdDFqqGovxzTZ5ZqRUPLaQeo8_4zET_hE83IiZphu-905ye5YL2btBkWfIt-j5_-eqHMMD1Z6cKq-MjUzw/s1600-h/SDC10126.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYh1YtcX58ogkPKcHA6rp7LGzmf6qRlqBEukXAkGOYhrS3FlJJA1eHvsI6XUdDFqqGovxzTZ5ZqRUPLaQeo8_4zET_hE83IiZphu-905ye5YL2btBkWfIt-j5_-eqHMMD1Z6cKq-MjUzw/s320/SDC10126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438573960503067858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyyitAGlYIu8C4HHSvjCzsn1SLEnIDtV6wVcYgoWznU5uzsUYnEIx8kw7pi9g7q_o5AMBYbGjnLYyb1GGM5x4FZ3xVtuwYDrBF3HlaGgngoKuNjbnBP2aAW5uI9VCb4MGeQi3YQ_Hu9vc/s1600-h/SDC10118.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3yaC-yT_YmuR5i-p6vRIrlGKFgf0pIubX0X0c1ZhsA3Ge6K0nCu4UqTJjPzXFeHHgdB05gsVRc0pHabEPkSahRN2VWp6ZmZ0dm8oQMUeliJTgYn8nkbdpXp83rpCf5TtAvkVT_rmya5A/s1600-h/SDC10108.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3yaC-yT_YmuR5i-p6vRIrlGKFgf0pIubX0X0c1ZhsA3Ge6K0nCu4UqTJjPzXFeHHgdB05gsVRc0pHabEPkSahRN2VWp6ZmZ0dm8oQMUeliJTgYn8nkbdpXp83rpCf5TtAvkVT_rmya5A/s320/SDC10108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438572947714934354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DL4lLVTRF0PHfekPN2hJfvEHKG02wxSx8-XdDoCavMeb1QqY9PKTglcG5Dj7JwqJ2P-SVgYsFkGSi-gw5Mtr1674iNevMXQX_knPfd4ev_LRDzaedkeqOCRZJ3zpPCNRGN7dE98yTfSE/s1600-h/SDC10103.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DL4lLVTRF0PHfekPN2hJfvEHKG02wxSx8-XdDoCavMeb1QqY9PKTglcG5Dj7JwqJ2P-SVgYsFkGSi-gw5Mtr1674iNevMXQX_knPfd4ev_LRDzaedkeqOCRZJ3zpPCNRGN7dE98yTfSE/s320/SDC10103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438572504554385970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Thursday night was spent down by the river hanging out, and I decided that although it was good to get to know some Americans over here, my friend Mark and I had an opportunity to cement a friendship with Spaniards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We met four guys studying engineering last week and they seemed really cool, and I got the vibe that our presence wasn’t terribly unbearable for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite the initial awkwardness of asking a guy for his number, I got Carlos’ phone number and told him I’d give him a call soon.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The initial thrill of meeting these guys eventually brought the realization that I needed to follow up on it and see if they might actually allow us to hang out with them again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So Thursday night I texted Carlos, and was very happy when he 1) responded, and 2) invited our group to join theirs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We walk everywhere here and by the time we corralled the troops and headed for Bar Alfalfa, Carlos, Alex, and Danny had gone to a plaza area called Alameda de Hercules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It ended up getting later in the night and after trying to convince some friends to go find these guys with me (I had and still have no idea where Alameda is), I started to worry that I had missed out on rare opportunity to make friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And then the unthinkable happened:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Carlos called me and asked if we were close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I told him we were still at Alfalfa and didn’t know how to get there, and we reached that key point in time where most people would give it the “Okay well let’s meet up another time”, which really means, “I’ve got a lot of friends so you’ve gotta make the effort here, buddy”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, Carlos asked where we were, and then 15 minutes later found us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They stayed for about an hour and then left because they had class at 9am the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This means that when they could have just gone home and slept for about 5 hours before class, they went out of their way to find us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It sounds weird typing this, and I’m sure some of you are wondering where this is going, but it was so awesome to see those guys walking up the street because it means that they actually <i>want</i><span style="font-style:normal"> to hang out with us, which in my book makes them my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They told me to call them Saturday night in Cadiz (a beachtown), when we go to the festival Carnival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to jump up and down because I’ve got my first spanish friends.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I should add that the night did take a bit of an unexpected and downward turn when we wandered into what became clear to be a gay/lesbian bar, but it was nothing that a little churros couldn’t cure.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Mark loves Churros too.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aH6OA4Pt49nGGO0iYTJSQyKURfnOdU0Ndo8Q8nBWwQwy42MgLmZAUcNrrMxENtQwU4UDtEuknJoYAlFENefgBB_Yb8_aM2OcTobUNSOaetq15Xnq8VVRLW7eOaISFR-S4YOAaqrS4F5W/s320/IMG_0598.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438571285191701426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MA8zNusXYiJeguVbrMRAHE_Bgp3USNN_uZMNEuBbhBcUlCyqJ3-Hqis5lStjsNBB2K_dmbzfSWnOfjazVHZbRsg4kChbPTdmKEJKuskae28XFJIgYqG0UElwdkutJ8kXhtfSsHrwc5mh/s320/IMG_0597.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438570962444024386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-17279844580417191962010-02-09T11:00:00.000-08:002010-02-09T11:11:01.213-08:00An actual update<div style="text-align: left;">It’s ironic that I haven’t been on the ball about updating this with the many things I’ve been doing, and now I’m updating you on nothing in particular, but I was walking home after my class today and stopped to sit in the Park of Princes, which is near my apartment, sat down on a bench and now I’m typing. Here's my view:</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFZAAUfbMOvAB9gTClqFrQFdnJMkk455bdceVuv_g7MPqVvAmcfWHePIczra8lms2JozHB39mr8Ta53C9624Gn_8FZ-rG3Zz-ajz3LSKBfT7I7bP_AF73FyzmmOj1y6EiiuAeCq0fgoJt/s1600-h/IMG_0583.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFZAAUfbMOvAB9gTClqFrQFdnJMkk455bdceVuv_g7MPqVvAmcfWHePIczra8lms2JozHB39mr8Ta53C9624Gn_8FZ-rG3Zz-ajz3LSKBfT7I7bP_AF73FyzmmOj1y6EiiuAeCq0fgoJt/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436322758497715090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Looking right</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu13ZAyhgDhagYNJna1-STAtoOqIvr8nDNV7YLdb0erRQ3hqNhV-pr9HN9SntnLDLLcpIGS6Bd4ftvPItaXjV7rxV_yu2oPzB5tdyaL6uxQw6hVdlMJNQ4X7VBAE2IKYVTuwZZXX_vdGCw/s1600-h/IMG_0582.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu13ZAyhgDhagYNJna1-STAtoOqIvr8nDNV7YLdb0erRQ3hqNhV-pr9HN9SntnLDLLcpIGS6Bd4ftvPItaXjV7rxV_yu2oPzB5tdyaL6uxQw6hVdlMJNQ4X7VBAE2IKYVTuwZZXX_vdGCw/s320/IMG_0582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436322323192408338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Looking left</p><p class="MsoNormal">I can’t help but think of a Jack Johnson song that says, “Love calls just like a wild bird, it’s just another day…spring wind blew my list of things to do away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not in love but I’ve definitely lost track of my to-do list.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My class this morning was Anthropology of Andalucia (the region of Spain where I reside), and the teacher was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was enthusiastic and used powerpoint, which was a major help in terms of my focus over the course of two hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Here's a couple pictures of my university:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH28PdAf9eag0QxQZXV74aCouY0wyVo9TiEtpO-6n2dLSOh5uXMb7vy7B3Nmrk-95fNbmv2HbdDV0dwY-I2G86fEPNbDKFCTXXWZpcbWEgV_tV7XPAzJqo-6VEdNMtKtJ-dnlnYnEgcxa/s1600-h/IMG_0581.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH28PdAf9eag0QxQZXV74aCouY0wyVo9TiEtpO-6n2dLSOh5uXMb7vy7B3Nmrk-95fNbmv2HbdDV0dwY-I2G86fEPNbDKFCTXXWZpcbWEgV_tV7XPAzJqo-6VEdNMtKtJ-dnlnYnEgcxa/s320/IMG_0581.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436321915767031122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kQsjV_42xjq4R42Yg98AUi8dtr9nTRuftOML5s3nB69fC6j1CdLJIZp_QRUKR-MvU-seBcUCjPe-qPXEaYlVFCpKW6dk0zCuzC-CTmtVKQZCGrgTmgYgMggHidJwdxKwHeHdQnxTJCy/s1600-h/IMG_0580.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kQsjV_42xjq4R42Yg98AUi8dtr9nTRuftOML5s3nB69fC6j1CdLJIZp_QRUKR-MvU-seBcUCjPe-qPXEaYlVFCpKW6dk0zCuzC-CTmtVKQZCGrgTmgYgMggHidJwdxKwHeHdQnxTJCy/s320/IMG_0580.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436321570740734802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Every Tuesday and Thursday I’ll be done with class at 1 and have the day to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want to try and either work or volunteer in a hospital but am a little worried that right now my language won’t quite be good enough to do much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So at least for today I’m just sitting in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My days are pretty busy here, but nowhere near the business of my previous American life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And so far that’s been really great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t remember the last time I went to a park in Columbia, or even just took a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There’s something to be said for the fact that almost 1/3<sup>rd</sup> of the workforce here is out of a job, but even before what they call “the crisis”, life moved slower and people make a point of taking walks and meeting with friends, which although I think a lot of us Americans like to think we do, we really don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are always a million people out on the patios and in restaurants here and there’s always a lot of conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s embarrassing to think about how many conversationless dinners I’ve spent with my own family, let alone friends at school and just the people around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t think the point of it all is to say that Spanish people have it right, and Americans have it wrong, but I do think we all need to see the value in investing in eachother’s lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trust me, Spaniards absolutely do not have “it” right (see my previous post on their library), but I hope I can remember here and at home to put more time into people than I put into things.</p> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-65850098504622119522010-02-09T10:46:00.000-08:002010-02-09T11:00:22.680-08:00This past week<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zYm79ZwU6-GLKrfZmg_Itz8dBVgeCRERe2H39k47Gu1ifxChwh9IreObcwjoYRUshtxtI8bR_Ymr8-JU3x_paULChgK_kJFpiEUAtp8cRHSl3epJ6IIFbOC2tMlm5pulrAdwCHM3MF6h/s1600-h/IMG_0573.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">This week was exciting but now that I haven’t kept track of things, I can barely remember what I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thursday I went to the Great Cathedral and up in to the tower, but I’m doing a separate post on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I took a lot of pictures of dogs, but there’ll be a post on that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I’ll try and remember what I can.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Monday was eventful because I had a paper due in class, and after using internet in El Centro, I had to bike home for lunch and then back for class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, I went the wrong way out of my study center, and found myself pedaling around thinking I knew what general direction I was heading.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember seeing a tapas bar called “Levies” and thinking to myself, “Why do I know that place?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The answer should’ve been a resounding, “That’s the last thing you remember from last week when you got lost and wandered for an hour”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately, I had no idea and forged ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After about 10 minutes on bike, I realized I needed to find a street sign, but that’s not terribly easy here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I biked on for a while and then saw a sign ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately the sign was for “Rhonda de Cappucinos”, which to my chagrin placed me about twice as far from my home as I was when I left the study center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m not sure how I did on that paper, but the miscalculation ended up being a blessing in disguise because although it was stressful biking all the way down to the river and following that for what would end up to be a half-hour sprint, I found the greatest bike/jogging trail so far, which rolls on right down at the riverfront through a park.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although in very different circumstances, I kind of felt like ****** with ET riding in the basket of his bike, that I was going to take off into the air at any moment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I literally have no idea what I did Tuesday, which is a little scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I think that means it’s likely I just played guitar all day except for when I went to class.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wednesday was a great day because I got a birthday package from my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was only just a little more exciting than the email I would receive a few days later giving me the details of my birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But here’s the contents of the package spread out on my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmQpHd6Or74IUNDJb1gQmyJ9S9ler4Vdt7EZ1nlQjcR8V9JnxtzC0W5uv97Xy0oGx8t0-_wHScmB20VVyx0Jg_tgy8XrTZz0nN7KyhMy0IHYPswYfXBp5lbgaI_ukSN_TwaSv4UuxAms3/s320/SDC10003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436318927851002738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">It contained a few good books (it got really painful not having good books…in English…over here), a box of chocolates, some candy, a LOT of fruit leather, and some birthday trinkets, my favorites of which are pictured below.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrWay6msiNtwyj3bXzkL7nOTcfcTq1dfJb2BaoVdimgvtaao30TfCbXCVe6xqhbS9xQ2zm0cGnNpM2wvxppKYRy4guRgNyqF6HP1YL8ymkCrYlwlS1TisesxduCX78G85-k_giApRhQvS/s320/IMG_0568.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436317782089113746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Also in the package was a new camera!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I must say I’ve been using it a lot and it’s incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m really glad I decided to ask for one and gladder my parents decided to send me one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It should make the pics much better.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Probably my favorite gift from the package was a cd of pictures my sister compiled for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t realize before I came that my laptop doesn’t have a whole lot of family pictures on it because it’s mostly pictures of landscapes of taken on trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s weird how quickly it affected me, but I love being able to browse through family pictures when I’m so far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I read one of the books, and the chocolates, candy, and a lot of fruit leather are gone, but I’ll always have those pictures.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As you saw from one of the pictures above, I hadn’t shaved for a while, so Thursday morning I gave in and must say as I took to the streets, I felt like a new man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My mom probably wants me to put up more pictures with me in them so here’s the proof…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7Z_PQFcTFYVwPfa8Oy5htHVBhKWQ2NUEEedzkvM1NQdAB05iS0G5UE1b8OfuMK0CogTqxEJcYPTRSWzluBZbDhc5yqSvTVwXOQ1OuRe1P6AKxC1J3Qw2czMxQSqiwFcCHyfd4xXys2qx/s1600-h/IMG_0569.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7Z_PQFcTFYVwPfa8Oy5htHVBhKWQ2NUEEedzkvM1NQdAB05iS0G5UE1b8OfuMK0CogTqxEJcYPTRSWzluBZbDhc5yqSvTVwXOQ1OuRe1P6AKxC1J3Qw2czMxQSqiwFcCHyfd4xXys2qx/s320/IMG_0569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436318010547196914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Much of Thursday and Friday was spent reading the book “Water for Elephants”, which I would highly recommend, but it is necessary to point out that Friday my professor, Jesus, wore one incredible Canadian tuxedo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to get a better picture of it but he seemed to be pretty fond of me and I didn’t want to ruin that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But here it is…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrqUeKnMyMOCEk5zXB1IcHcDduIbpPXPQGLQ2gqEm0D-44smcvlU9XyzE2w9VxR71sFcIo_xr7BkaapoI8voVc1NzV1NT155qBAR6ZWk6AwsX0rHhJDU0iLaDei5KsWzEbVQznBUTkg12/s320/IMG_0570.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436318539493226562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Saturday:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Studied all morning on the rooftop for my final, took the final, and then went home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Later that night I had what you could call my first real night on spanish time, which means that everything was shifted way later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was hanging out down by the river and an incredible thing happened:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I made my first spanish friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Four engineering students from the University:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Miguel, Carlos, Alex, and Daniel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were incredibly nice and although my friend Mark and I were skeptical at first, it seemed like they genuinely enjoyed talking to us, which is rare at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So we went with them to a bar called “Al Capone”, which to them doesn’t have a whole lot of significance other than the fact that “Capone” is a play on their word “copa”, which means “drink”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At “Al Capone” something almost as shocking as making friends occurred:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I first encountered the spanish elite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I came to spain with a picture of high fashion and very dark jeans, but what I found at this bar was basically a frat party.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would say 90% of the guys there were wearing a button-down shirt underneath a v-neck sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And nothing but the lightest of pastels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but regardless I was very disappointed that I didn’t have my camera or phone to capture it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moral of the story:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Conformity is not solely an American epidemic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the bar we went to a discoteca called “Elephunk”, which still had some of the v-neck crowd, but also blended in some of the dark jean/euro-mullet crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s probably hard for a lot of you to see why or how, but I did have fun at the place, even though I spent most of the time just people watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Around 4am, Mark and I were dead tired, and ready to leave, but the night was not yet complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The only way to end a night here is with churros, and that’s what we did. The most well-known churro stand is right by one of the bridges we use to cross the river and get to Triana (our neighborhood), so we figured why not?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I crawled into bed at a quarter to five, I was definitely ready for a long sleep.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">…Antonio woke me up at 9:30 to let me know that it was my birthday, which in hindsight was very endearing of him, and further illustrates why I love my family, but at the time wasn’t very pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But after I didn’t move he said to me, “Yas, we breakfast”, and I had no choice.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Here's a picture of Antonio holding his 4th grandchild, Noelia. The picture's blurry because he's dancing with her. He's not the most descriptive man but when I was watching them dance he said. "We're dancing. It's what I do with all my baby grandchildren". I love him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zYm79ZwU6-GLKrfZmg_Itz8dBVgeCRERe2H39k47Gu1ifxChwh9IreObcwjoYRUshtxtI8bR_Ymr8-JU3x_paULChgK_kJFpiEUAtp8cRHSl3epJ6IIFbOC2tMlm5pulrAdwCHM3MF6h/s320/IMG_0573.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436320286199344786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">I’m not much for birthdays and had a good time the night before, so Sunday I took our dog to the park and hung out by the river with my great Mizzou friends, talking about our families here and at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went to bed early to prepare for the first day of semester-long classes, and was very thankful to be alive, in Spain, but with people like you at home who care deeply for me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-85603940595633789582010-02-09T09:52:00.000-08:002010-02-09T10:40:55.783-08:00Cordoba last SundayHey gang. Thought I'd put up some pictures of the last Sunday I spent in Cordoba, Spain. Everything was very interesting but unfortunately our guide was not great for non-spanish speakers. Thus, I can't really tell you a whole lot about the sights, but I'll do my best.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd7nMQ4SKVlzxmHQ2wOrfZzBYSYKquqqJgmpCMsniA-U_v8d92TmsZQzmMdBQtMcf04ez8oEDXbKOjqcoJzsdRIGpYfr5a1XiT6GJX-xFTVR7M48rSZqvb978rx3yDfGRSsxoFg8cBUbu/s1600-h/IMG_0552.jpg"></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpBK2vwJWAW3qwzmqg65-fiFdoMhM54PZY_PvxLvSWzydY0ADbrATM6Mfmu9gVpxsC_5WRMbLlsVnF8ldekI38auxSkCFxOrb7XKcUtRu1OwRJK9_2edNoH0LhZE10NOCb4q0B6qtGw4r/s320/DSCN1312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436303949417477122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span>This is the welcome statue that guards the town from evil Arab invaders from Africa. After about 500 years of Arab occupation, I guess they thought the statue would bring them some luck for the next 500.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQQL0MdBvvAL9CGuiIthuk0xu6I3pNkusqKoB14WdP-Mh_nVFjjGkawV2c3NoJJXxPGAATJg4EzH-Mw9GU0gHpjje8s2F50v-_EOir_DGtSNsgSvt96eTWPrkcUGAonOsvqbUu2DwP8H/s1600-h/IMG_0545.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhhRj056Q2_XCSjlFP2s7CBIdUJonUUq7yQISP1Y5gQJLrN0qJlZSIwr7PEP1SxRX4fOzoObWUouMBZYaS_0ffvjWKZ6h5JkB-0HFd5HD22EF8_kDucx_ghMLH35ewrkWF88tBQDOnD34/s320/DSCN1316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436304471348792914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />T</a>hey have a "Giralda" of their own in Cordoba...and not surprisingly...more oranges.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gNbYvUoHPq_eVE3korW0rHHZIgtjLf-RzqzoQKjDN9xdeN2rVaVyk5onDjfPW3nnVN5dSYtPzxtU4SLuZ-CIfk41CaXOJa9xEEGNFxR76P4SmJKU2gW-_Jef_ZkTO6N0Ymdwf8S9bQ6F/s320/IMG_0516.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436307991581722866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Here's another view of the tower down one of their little streets. Would be postcard worthy if the sun had been out.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvpMLJ4c5ITyT9GU-s3qAOrIVNHEBhQmiVHMYcXs9f_bAzycqdtGmflc5J9f5XQ16axKOkUoqbiVx5WHcmB3CNZH_ESawgEp2IJtBoR979Mn7yRCg7MVMnq-hE0n34kokVOtEZC_rYpqY/s1600-h/IMG_0513.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvpMLJ4c5ITyT9GU-s3qAOrIVNHEBhQmiVHMYcXs9f_bAzycqdtGmflc5J9f5XQ16axKOkUoqbiVx5WHcmB3CNZH_ESawgEp2IJtBoR979Mn7yRCg7MVMnq-hE0n34kokVOtEZC_rYpqY/s320/IMG_0513.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436306415024618706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>This man allegedly performed the first surgery to remove a cataract. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a bunch of pictures from the Cordoba royal gardens. They were unbelievable, but I must say still pale in comparison to those of Sevilla. But nonetheless they had incredibly nice fountains and groomed trees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeVgIf5ZO1brCM1S46g8SFkgAb0P7zhIK8-7VZWy-Oer6QilPQM_m3III2oHJVxScAi33vOvAucbe_FMSu1WeI2Ly4HYZLZyPbK_Jzk3gfREv7OXMvwPC2OjI65RIu021L891wY8mSU0W/s1600-h/IMG_0497.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeVgIf5ZO1brCM1S46g8SFkgAb0P7zhIK8-7VZWy-Oer6QilPQM_m3III2oHJVxScAi33vOvAucbe_FMSu1WeI2Ly4HYZLZyPbK_Jzk3gfREv7OXMvwPC2OjI65RIu021L891wY8mSU0W/s320/IMG_0497.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436306143063940418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2spUrkH-zb9oYdBIFb7Sn72ZmEK7noJy4RDcAD5_Ehb0C7aLvlVEu1SoSV8YiqsruZVf7JgULyJK8p_IQeM1nkOmFm8XlSfJQe282_5CaRlvp29aSW23bgi1Bq1iYYmW3FuUb6MCA8nL/s1600-h/DSCN1333.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2spUrkH-zb9oYdBIFb7Sn72ZmEK7noJy4RDcAD5_Ehb0C7aLvlVEu1SoSV8YiqsruZVf7JgULyJK8p_IQeM1nkOmFm8XlSfJQe282_5CaRlvp29aSW23bgi1Bq1iYYmW3FuUb6MCA8nL/s320/DSCN1333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436305778860519938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaee9g6o_h0alaScomL9LxUtVUvZwVnMJDZGen7DTc64qWiOOMrxhoR4ts8FjW65I1oFqy3OY3USwiXeX_O5GwyhgkoaAzzkUCiZvwHOjlj_Zcezc4moIqAD8AqVXduejgUtT3I9zZSFn/s1600-h/DSCN1330.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaee9g6o_h0alaScomL9LxUtVUvZwVnMJDZGen7DTc64qWiOOMrxhoR4ts8FjW65I1oFqy3OY3USwiXeX_O5GwyhgkoaAzzkUCiZvwHOjlj_Zcezc4moIqAD8AqVXduejgUtT3I9zZSFn/s320/DSCN1330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436305444143899874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkjI3yKdZIIwERGEJ-X7PhiB5Q4IG5wiWjAB4lSlLi_SUdt3MWKhkqQwqKueEMUy7KrU7bCj7AcsWkw3Ek4adX_68rhNHiF9PjzwVUm-idPPFBQjS4iC5aMSPQu_OZ_6_Xa5_IiMpQRri/s1600-h/DSCN1326.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkjI3yKdZIIwERGEJ-X7PhiB5Q4IG5wiWjAB4lSlLi_SUdt3MWKhkqQwqKueEMUy7KrU7bCj7AcsWkw3Ek4adX_68rhNHiF9PjzwVUm-idPPFBQjS4iC5aMSPQu_OZ_6_Xa5_IiMpQRri/s320/DSCN1326.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436305117964143522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xFu7jSvxbcFI9zYhFclCX_tXM6VE6aJ9U2m51z_UblAEE06B91BTQehQeduWY1BeU1EmhbLRZvF4i30eJPpOdm1S3pbb04xCteBV6uIpemK_mY-lG-5WqTu5JyYlqZkaKJ9oxcza_o3A/s1600-h/DSCN1325.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xFu7jSvxbcFI9zYhFclCX_tXM6VE6aJ9U2m51z_UblAEE06B91BTQehQeduWY1BeU1EmhbLRZvF4i30eJPpOdm1S3pbb04xCteBV6uIpemK_mY-lG-5WqTu5JyYlqZkaKJ9oxcza_o3A/s320/DSCN1325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436304856735143010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>And now we shift attention to their Mosque. Interesting fact: This mosque is under controversy because it is a Catholic mosque. That's right. </div><div><br /></div><div>The story: Under the Arab rule, an enormous, intricate Mosque of arched columns of marble, granite, limestone, and alabaster was constructed. It's about the size of 2 football fields and at times would have around 40,000 people inside at a given time. The mosque was so well-known in the Iberian Peninsula and northern Africa that when Christians took back Spain and drove the Arabs out (largely into Africa, where they would go on to cause a few problems in numerous regions, most notably Darfur), instead of demolishing the mosque or leaving it as a historical fact, the Christians decided they would rather use it. So they built naves typical of gothic cathedrals at the time, and in the middle, built a grand cathedral for worship. So in the pictures below, the arched columns constitute the majority of the mosque, but the pictures of the cathedral are taken from the very middle of the edifice.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxv80u1ngGakQp-5Clx3JAt-aOSQBByjSMblaDNcPXODY-bpkdWyLMz8cEPs3fwDyT4rLoqfYwX6wiJbHJnMIaWD77DMXjNdU-Q-y_19kJ8rhzBxNYQP21_MHA3xkz-z4vGaj8FCuxuFL/s1600-h/IMG_0519.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxv80u1ngGakQp-5Clx3JAt-aOSQBByjSMblaDNcPXODY-bpkdWyLMz8cEPs3fwDyT4rLoqfYwX6wiJbHJnMIaWD77DMXjNdU-Q-y_19kJ8rhzBxNYQP21_MHA3xkz-z4vGaj8FCuxuFL/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436308581498458546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>It is absolutely impossible to take a picture of this place that has any sort of size perspective.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24f4fhpeJ0sOmNYZYVpsi_oB_febB-rGvhgCVWjRiXwhdGPDenQLTSAyRBZ8bcF4O_D1Z2-0rKFHl2_7gSiKOZ7ku8Y9qhDfCKCLd2I9VNNmi52Zg3Mu9V9LzgP3JRBmojF657lE-bRti/s1600-h/IMG_0518.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24f4fhpeJ0sOmNYZYVpsi_oB_febB-rGvhgCVWjRiXwhdGPDenQLTSAyRBZ8bcF4O_D1Z2-0rKFHl2_7gSiKOZ7ku8Y9qhDfCKCLd2I9VNNmi52Zg3Mu9V9LzgP3JRBmojF657lE-bRti/s320/IMG_0518.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436308391202647266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQQL0MdBvvAL9CGuiIthuk0xu6I3pNkusqKoB14WdP-Mh_nVFjjGkawV2c3NoJJXxPGAATJg4EzH-Mw9GU0gHpjje8s2F50v-_EOir_DGtSNsgSvt96eTWPrkcUGAonOsvqbUu2DwP8H/s1600-h/IMG_0545.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQQL0MdBvvAL9CGuiIthuk0xu6I3pNkusqKoB14WdP-Mh_nVFjjGkawV2c3NoJJXxPGAATJg4EzH-Mw9GU0gHpjje8s2F50v-_EOir_DGtSNsgSvt96eTWPrkcUGAonOsvqbUu2DwP8H/s320/IMG_0545.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436309810020567090" /></a>This picture above is of note because it is of the choir area where people the choir would sing. They sat when they weren't singing, and the back wall of each chair, so to speak, has a different scene from the life of Jesus Christ. Only the elite could read, and only priests had Bibles at the time this cathedral was constructed, so the pictures served to help the common people understand Jesus' teachings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3aqwOWbHwQvTw5nXq1t45q1C05ob-cUeETJSi7zu6z9OjkqJj7Vje9KJHROobkV_0lJTEwSh-JsnskfHpesVlacVH-B4Q7wsBWZbdonfjgkMnob-5MGaucH4xU8mlP8vVYXzWAmOm9um/s1600-h/IMG_0542.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3aqwOWbHwQvTw5nXq1t45q1C05ob-cUeETJSi7zu6z9OjkqJj7Vje9KJHROobkV_0lJTEwSh-JsnskfHpesVlacVH-B4Q7wsBWZbdonfjgkMnob-5MGaucH4xU8mlP8vVYXzWAmOm9um/s320/IMG_0542.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436309581120064050" /></a> The organ.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE97GhbFO4sfXnyzj6eRCegYnmzsePF-c3Ueyt0-CnEuvEVZ5IXpk3THRXT5C25OVv9DRlDqXdzhxBNRQlFkmea-UqGr_8xyRgKqLYKjvoy_GC2k0ZuLgAOM9qTSzpkV4ApScw9IFEtFXB/s1600-h/IMG_0541.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE97GhbFO4sfXnyzj6eRCegYnmzsePF-c3Ueyt0-CnEuvEVZ5IXpk3THRXT5C25OVv9DRlDqXdzhxBNRQlFkmea-UqGr_8xyRgKqLYKjvoy_GC2k0ZuLgAOM9qTSzpkV4ApScw9IFEtFXB/s320/IMG_0541.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436309300310791250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ZJcb_X99fdVXH20lJc89Y5QJl6hoi6Em_5BKFNmzJGGT6uFXeUSWFXo7gJk7g-R8EGjPq2E5Z21dJRTzZV_eZa8FRCBg-UQiwlMTK_jPywSv-33geh3TqdmjLR1QTu_DaZHLA0LXGv1/s1600-h/IMG_0526.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ZJcb_X99fdVXH20lJc89Y5QJl6hoi6Em_5BKFNmzJGGT6uFXeUSWFXo7gJk7g-R8EGjPq2E5Z21dJRTzZV_eZa8FRCBg-UQiwlMTK_jPywSv-33geh3TqdmjLR1QTu_DaZHLA0LXGv1/s320/IMG_0526.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436308982503070690" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gNbYvUoHPq_eVE3korW0rHHZIgtjLf-RzqzoQKjDN9xdeN2rVaVyk5onDjfPW3nnVN5dSYtPzxtU4SLuZ-CIfk41CaXOJa9xEEGNFxR76P4SmJKU2gW-_Jef_ZkTO6N0Ymdwf8S9bQ6F/s1600-h/IMG_0516.jpg">T</a>his last picture demonstrates that europeans can be tacky as well. America may have its share of Renaissance festivals, but pictured below is one that's nearly year-round, and may be the most cleverly devised tourist trap ever. Advice: Don't buy candy at the first booth you get to. Around the corner is a lot more vendors selling much more substance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhhRj056Q2_XCSjlFP2s7CBIdUJonUUq7yQISP1Y5gQJLrN0qJlZSIwr7PEP1SxRX4fOzoObWUouMBZYaS_0ffvjWKZ6h5JkB-0HFd5HD22EF8_kDucx_ghMLH35ewrkWF88tBQDOnD34/s1600-h/DSCN1316.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpBK2vwJWAW3qwzmqg65-fiFdoMhM54PZY_PvxLvSWzydY0ADbrATM6Mfmu9gVpxsC_5WRMbLlsVnF8ldekI38auxSkCFxOrb7XKcUtRu1OwRJK9_2edNoH0LhZE10NOCb4q0B6qtGw4r/s1600-h/DSCN1312.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd7nMQ4SKVlzxmHQ2wOrfZzBYSYKquqqJgmpCMsniA-U_v8d92TmsZQzmMdBQtMcf04ez8oEDXbKOjqcoJzsdRIGpYfr5a1XiT6GJX-xFTVR7M48rSZqvb978rx3yDfGRSsxoFg8cBUbu/s320/IMG_0552.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436310069747093842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I apologize for the probably large number of typo's so far in this blog. </div></div></div></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-5669390742748958552010-02-08T11:39:00.000-08:002010-02-08T11:40:47.820-08:00Urgent Post<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I haven’t completely given up hope of updating the blog, but for now I need to make a post detailing a situation that happened today. Today marked the first day of my semester-long classes at the University of Sevilla, which is an absolutely massive building that is school for over 80,000 students. I was happy to finally be starting “real” school, but around an hour ago I walked into the library for the first time, on the hunt for whatever I needed to obtain wifi. As soon as I walked into the room, a couple things happened. First, it felt like everyone was staring at me. Second, I realized that this library was about the size of one half of the computer area at Ellis Library, and it’s totally inadequate for a university of such magnitude. But the third and most troubling realization was that the entire library smelled absolutely horrible. Not the kind of horrible that makes you leave immediately out of nausea, but the kind of lingering, pervasive horrible that you know will make it impossible to spend more than a half-hour at a time in this room. I cannot believe students actually study in this room. In fact, the looks on their faces made it seem like unfortunately, this is normal.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Honestly, I should’ve seen it coming. The symptoms have been all around me this whole time:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Symptom 1: Stylish coats. Spaniards take great pride in stylish outerwear and I’ve gotta give it to them, they do look good. All ages, really. But something I’ve noticed is that pride goes before the fall, and it can feel like 90 degrees in a crowded café, and they refuse to take off their impressive coats. It’s no less than 60 here during the day so they need to downsize in the first place. I had thought that maybe their bodies are just used to the elevated Mediterranean temperatures during the summer months, and they really are cold here. What I learned in the library today is that their bodies have not adjusted. They may be able to hide sweat-stains with their jackets, but it takes a lot more to hide the smell. Which brings me to symptom 2.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Symptom 2: Lack of anti-perspirant deodorant. I was on the search last week for some degree/old spice deodorant and came up short. I simply could not find anything more than a “deodorant spray” or just cologne. I might as well just pretend the shower I take every morning will keep me fresh all day. Yeah right. How can they not have a plethora of anti-perspirant here? It’s over 100 fahrenheit for most of summer! With such a void in the economy, it’s no wonder their libraries smell.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Symptom 3: Lack of ventilation. Whenever my window is open, my senora knows, no matter what room she is in, because she says it’s windy. I haven’t seen one fan yet, and again, I have no idea how this can be in such a warm region. The library is on the 4</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> floor of the school, and its air is more stagnant than air in airplane cabins. They have an entire wall of windows that don’t open, and any students that sit by them probably walk out of the library feeling like a boiled egg, and likely smelling worse too.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">I know you all don’t read this blog to hear me complain about my adjustment issues, so I want to make it clear. This is not an adjustment issue. This is a hygiene issue, and one that I can only assume leads to many academic issues. No amount of fast wifi is worth the smell of this library, and it was very distressing to think I had just lost another viable option for internet as I walked out…but then the door closed behind me, air began to clear, and I was just glad to be breathing again.</span></span></p>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-30777922007241141432010-02-06T09:28:00.000-08:002010-02-06T10:07:46.803-08:00Last Saturday (Cont.)<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoqFwy5eODmVUA542AaBQVZZS80Ai9kcOjdYxFks_mUI3LKqw-OyOxDru0au207TELT7x4b0fKWNdEly817ZmhQYfp_CKB97H6k0Jz0Ie7us5qytIdNulFrxmWHhY_oMhJbWthpCkjFOO/s1600-h/IMG_0487.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After I got home from the Real Alcazar, I took a quick siesta before I awoke to really fast spanish. It was my Senora's birthday and her family was arriving. She has four total sons and 2 of them came, with their wives and children. Santiago stayed at his girlfriend's mother's house with their baby. One mother in law came, and a spanish woman of whom I missed the family connection was there too. Overall it turned out to be a lot of fun, but early on I was completely overwhelmed. I was basically like a clown sitting at the dining room table, holding everyone's attention (definitely not by choice), and mumbling out spanish in clips. I realized just how important it is for me to see people's lips move when they speak to me and there were easily 4 people talking to me at every moment. And when my answers didn't make sense, they would ask the same thing louder, which meant things escalated quickly.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The party settled down a little bit when we brought all the food out. We had a great layered cake, hot chocolate (which is basically like chocolate syrup), and a lot of random pastries. I was especially fond of the hot chocolate, partly because my senor Antonio had been preparing it all morning. I spent about 15 minutes before the party watching him stir the chocolate while he described his exact stirring method. I love the guy. So when the party settled down, Antonio and I were just sitting at the table, spooning hot chocolate, and every once in a while one of us would look over at the utter and quietly say, "Esta muy bien".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But first we had to sing. We sang 3 versions of happy birthday, only one of which I had heard before, and when the crowd got really into a tizzy, they decided that the children (who are learning english in school) and I should sing happy birthday in english. Probably not my favorite idea, and I have to say I didn't get a whole lot of help from the kids, but I'll tell you what I sang happy birthday like I was a 7 year old to the party's delight. Here's a picture of Dolores trying on her present.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvPf7AEEUS6w2aASqE8LdQhmfNksUKbSsScCzYTiyOzX1xIEK1fsBhqHGXOOeMzF7snn1bLUx9DLH89tCEiJ-Qyx-mni-uUDUE_Oi9tp4sZGQeQ_hNpDJC4xhDrmuybRj9H5GckKGYxn5/s320/IMG_0489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435192962452649634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's another note on why Antonio is the man. Antonio lights the candles and whispers to me, "Mira" ("Watch"). We count down Dolores to blow out her candles and when we get to one, Antonio leans over and blows them all out. He starts laughing to the point of tears and high-fiving me in a way that combines the awkwardness of being both foreign to the high-five, and pretty old. Most of the party didn't think it was quite as funny as we did but it was great. This is Antonio going after 3 of his grandchildren.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6pCFQJEG2WKP_f6V0N_m6rRdPAlBF5pcaPKtaE4v8AWlUMoICpwmifyYSlPQxGYxtv81hqKpz2lOGDsQ9TC8eizCHNka_orcUV6x_Nh-X9i8XpGf-6axavHsRTxgWHS3vDN07PoH8kz_/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435192742141366674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After things settled down, I had a real conversation with of of Antonio's daughter-in-laws and I found out she is a nurse. I told her I'm studying to be a doctor and we just started talking. She told me in pretty good detail about Socialist medicine here, and although I couldn't catch everything, I definitely understood that she thinks it's a disaster. She said there is a very long wait to have any sort of procedure done, and her quote was that they have "a million family doctors whose only job is really to tell people to stop smoking and lose weight". She was very aware of the healthcare system in America and probably knew more than I did about the proposed changes. It was very interesting to hear the perspective of someone who is both a patient and an employee in Spain's medical system, and to be honest made me a little worried about healthcare in America. I'm not trying to push any issue here, but the conversation was really great for me because it was the first conversation that wasn't just about where I'm from, and how I like Sevilla. It's hard to describe, but I've found myself wishing badly that I could find someone to talk about anything deep with, and for the most part I've come up short with Spaniards. Moral of the story, had a great convo last Saturday.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another picture of the family, and the woman in red is my nurse friend, Beatriz.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoqFwy5eODmVUA542AaBQVZZS80Ai9kcOjdYxFks_mUI3LKqw-OyOxDru0au207TELT7x4b0fKWNdEly817ZmhQYfp_CKB97H6k0Jz0Ie7us5qytIdNulFrxmWHhY_oMhJbWthpCkjFOO/s320/IMG_0487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435192357785581442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A great thing happened to me on Saturday night, I rented a bike for a week. I can't tell you how much better it is to be able to go to class and the center of the city in 20 minutes rather than 45. Unfortunately, the bike rental system where you drop the bike off at stations all over the city and pick one up when you need it, said to me Wednesday morning that I had a bike out already...meaning it indirectly thinks I'm either stealing, or lost a bike. Because of my 150 euro security deposit, this was very troubling. I'm happy to say that although I haven't had a bike these past few days, the problem is under control and I've decided to spend the 150 euros I thought I had lost on another guitar. Just kidding.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">More posts coming soon!</span></div>JackCampbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015812334955972173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861288796877242084.post-1605392002897148022010-02-02T05:45:00.000-08:002010-02-02T09:29:38.267-08:00Friday and Saturday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Friday at 3 I had my mid-term for my 2-week intensive Spanish class so I spent most of the morning studying on the roof of our study center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were a lot of people talking so I put in my headphones and started listening to some Andres Segovia, who is arguably the most famous classical guitar player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s like the Mozart of guitar you could say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There aren’t any words so I thought it would be good study music.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And it was, but somewhere along the lines I realized that Segovia was composing these songs no more than an hour away from where I sat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It wasn’t a life-changing moment by any means, but the music completely changed sitting under the Spanish sun on a balcony overlooking the steeples and narrow streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s where the music came from and because I think the greatest musicians put their lives in their music, it was incredibly peaceful to just listen to the music where it was meant to be heard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peace ended and I took the exam, which was much easier than expected, and then I headed home on the high you get when you’ve just put something behind you and seem to have nothing but freedom before you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I stopped and sat looking out at the Guadalquivir river that runs through town for a while and for the first time was truly happy to be in Sevilla and in Spain.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KpJ5UnWFtZOW7GIz-5zkdQJj_vrX7gbkr0TKGR1K-hxTYPL8TbjQlDvEgBTayskdBdw-OSzhZY7XZm4hm0pl2mjA2oLAJjfDlNBuD9n1aLidtYJH2T1BUq5ZOLwkflc8emm0CejvNn6T/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433642243313363746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">In the picture above you can see “El Torre de Oro” where soldiers would stand guard and monitor the ships coming in and leaving the harbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During the 16<sup>th</sup> and 17<sup>th</sup> century, Sevilla grew immensely in wealth and population because it was the major harbor for all ships heading to the West Indies and the New World.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On top of all this (and something I forgot to mention), when I got home I was told dinner was already on the stove and I could eat it whenever, but Antonio and Dolores were headed to the house of their son’s (Santiago) girlfriend’s house, to see their new baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking that the pregnancy was at least a few weeks away, but obviously was way off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a little girl named Noelia and they said she weighs 3 kilos (meaning kilograms), which is about 6.6 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a small picture of her they brought home.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_jkNCDlFpRiXAItb4sbbtAVXlr2voL1w1suMyrVeB1lkgCnYeXuR5dlthB-ovFaMmhD4FZ5hecFo5vOluSt5jWdnhyphenhyphenr8Js-OKTyd7zfuFkTr8yTP-RK2NjOajMjboEgV1flpqhE-i9Zm/s320/IMG_0560.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433699425976535330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Saturday morning I decided I needed to quit reading in my room and really see the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since I pass it every day to school, I headed first for El Torre de Oro, and climbed the narrow, spiral staircase up to the main terrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a view similar to that of a soldier standing guard in 1600.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl65MFFCVy0kHRvqH9ta_s0NFR9IfZ5p4fS_NIcwqAvxH4O5wPsgSGIh796p_itVJlisAiP9eerWbbYo8mKQTHgUf1oN-E_QAAHYMZ2k2wOv1mpswT81uKDtwTJ17rrgjYAIRHzZDYFK76/s1600-h/IMG_0448.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl65MFFCVy0kHRvqH9ta_s0NFR9IfZ5p4fS_NIcwqAvxH4O5wPsgSGIh796p_itVJlisAiP9eerWbbYo8mKQTHgUf1oN-E_QAAHYMZ2k2wOv1mpswT81uKDtwTJ17rrgjYAIRHzZDYFK76/s320/IMG_0448.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433642666498907618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">And here you see (if you look beyond the skyscraper) the Giralda<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and a good view of the roof of the city.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRwVd-DHSjgsLzZV-ybc7vJA4gouyKKZrKKIX_0hnzTeVFV_WW36gVT06sJW2yiPiUymicimACIVckE9oCxvyJDKTTwGEAVviddpz7NbrAGhi86dbmoCxbJMmceLPfVlGwDNYMjCl-GHp/s320/IMG_0451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433642943940599042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Next I headed to the Real Alcazar, which is the old Jewish quarter from before Sevilla was any sort of major city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Royalty and the elite lived here and at various times the palaces served as the seat of government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went in expecting some pretty views and a lot of placards that I half understand, but left completely amazed and sure that this place is going to get a blog post of its own when I take a full guided tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You walk in and after wandering around the entryways and early rooms, you get to the back gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The gardens are so beautiful and vast you could wander for days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ironically I spent the first half hour just sitting on a bench trying to catch everything; listening to doves singing in the forest of palm and pine trees, smelling the jasmine and orange blossoms that will emerge in a few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A peacock walked right by me as if I was just another statue or fountain in the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are hundreds of fountains making gurgling and dripping noises that contrast with the doves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I will say that the one downside of it is the labyrinth, which is a lot harder than it looks, and does not have an escape door of any kind. </span>Some day soon I’m going to spend my entire day there and try and capture more of it for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So for now, just enjoy the pictures and know that they can’t capture this place.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUyTZ7uMnZGC0OCnPvvoZHO2x-_tFEbPDLrddNbgJmTW0mI1oJMHiRKnPRXkIPsjZyE9TWK6qXe_EBn6ESPfQsFN0mLM1bLiLX1_D8vjzvZ_2KPf3BaozTDX9KB0k8dr1N-MjCU1i0xSG/s320/IMG_0453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433643349901347650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfy3INKJdL5oKpYsAQAtTUcLVU0xYcDZ7E7JCaAG26L2Or2opFVb0qUuUMmxZH0rzIRU-F5mwFIHcD-02IendFuWGoydbIVz0_riLNiTpUZzcYpW8WGNLZ1BFWVWCE-OX1IP2Xf4T8wWd/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433643607330933314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwURNiQCGP1J4on-0RxDnu4JHHofr0forscxPVvuhFjRzpBfS-F4gQ84FhiL0D95TSZiY8wnB_EJ3qEVi3g8p0iS8bk8MEIzK8-iEl_R2B8pvKMQBdbOQy9uzxjBVuGWMx9gLeRib2eMGA/s320/IMG_0467.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433643912635138466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kI-B843v0aGF5j7DUR9tGj0BeQtFHcgdQXa-xznixN5hTNUeuu_rGcRJJcQJtqX0HYWWNo4c_MHOWvfYb_oLlDpJqzsWrWRmUvlg2mBDTZnYSonNK-Dd3Yu6b03_eKj34atQVH48xrmF/s1600-h/IMG_0468.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kI-B843v0aGF5j7DUR9tGj0BeQtFHcgdQXa-xznixN5hTNUeuu_rGcRJJcQJtqX0HYWWNo4c_MHOWvfYb_oLlDpJqzsWrWRmUvlg2mBDTZnYSonNK-Dd3Yu6b03_eKj34atQVH48xrmF/s320/IMG_0468.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433696764287390002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfy3INKJdL5oKpYsAQAtTUcLVU0xYcDZ7E7JCaAG26L2Or2opFVb0qUuUMmxZH0rzIRU-F5mwFIHcD-02IendFuWGoydbIVz0_riLNiTpUZzcYpW8WGNLZ1BFWVWCE-OX1IP2Xf4T8wWd/s1600-h/IMG_0458.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ8zGrlMg0u_iKMg86iXMSVpgFPmF9xVhN2IZBnLn133fKnOjMSKYXqEYDwgtm5Zz46JYMYHq1UfxBPcMawVAhyeZOhOdvesRgz1Rfm71ehsB769ZtLMhPQGzXDTU0krsSueojumv5IMp/s1600-h/IMG_0469.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ8zGrlMg0u_iKMg86iXMSVpgFPmF9xVhN2IZBnLn133fKnOjMSKYXqEYDwgtm5Zz46JYMYHq1UfxBPcMawVAhyeZOhOdvesRgz1Rfm71ehsB769ZtLMhPQGzXDTU0krsSueojumv5IMp/s320/IMG_0469.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433697456362085650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; 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