Vamos a Valencia!

This previous weekend, my friends and I traveled to Valencia, Spain! It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect... sunny and 70! When we arrived, we ventured through the main plaza/city, taking many photos along the way. We visited the City of Arts and Sciences, which was simply spectacular! There was a planetarium, opera house, and a tennis center for very important matches! I wanted to see the tennis courts, but for some reason it was closed. This tourist attraction area reminded me a lot of Sydney, Australia, where the opera house is held. It was very modern and futuristic. The next day, we visited the beach (La Playa de la Malvarrosa) and walked along the shore. It was very warm out, but too cold to swim in the sea! We also enjoyed fresh seafood from the ocean...it was delicious!

La Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias (City of Art and Sciences)

The Plaza; Cathedral behind fountain

Izzy, Yau, and Me

Lovely sand sculpture at the beach

Interning Abroad...

Yesterday I officially began my internship course. Throughout my time in Toledo I will be interning at "Colegio E.P Ciudad de Nara," teaching Spanish children (ages 3-14) how to speak English. In addition to teaching the students English, I will be learning more about the Spanish school system and improving my Spanish vocabulary and skills while talking with the teachers. After only one day I fell in love with the students...their enthusiasm to learn brings me to pure joy and I cannot wait to see how my teachings impact them!

Nunca dejes de aprender! (Never stop learning!)

Spanish Sunsets

I think I've seen some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world...and they're right outside my window!

Que bonita! (How beautiful!)

Welcome to Madrid... (Art)

After settling into Toledo and beginning our classes, our school visited Madrid! The excursion for school only lasted a day, but my friends and I decided to stay in Madrid for the rest of the weekend. We visited two Art Museums: "El Museo Del Prado" and "El Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza".

Encantamos arte! (We love art!)

El Museo Del Prado has one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and unquestionably the best single collection of Spanish Art.

El Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza obtains a collection of over 1,600 magnificent paintings, dating from the 13th century to the late 20th century. The museum features many different styles of painting and movements, such as Fauvism, Impressionism, German Expressionism, Realism, and much more. My friend and I took our time comprehending and appreciating each piece. I really enjoyed both of the museums we visited. 

                  

Center of Madrid

Gran Vía (Shopping Center)

Trying New Things...

Taking in a different culture from your own isn't very easy at times, but trying new things can help us grow as individuals. I am always up for trying new things, especially when it comes to food! Here are some new foods that I came to love while in Toledo, Spain...

1. Spanish Olives
2. Spanish Red Wine (Vino Tinto)
3. Tapas y Pinchos
4. Sangria
5. Spanish Omelette (Tortilla de Patatas)
6. Paella
7. Chocolate con Churros

Vino Tinto con ensalada 

Tapas y Pinchos 

Paella

Chocolate con Churros

¡Qué deliciosa! (How delicious!)

Arriving in Toledo...

After flying overnight from Philadelphia to Madrid, then taking a short bus ride from the airport, my group finally arrived in Toledo, Spain! I still cannot believe I'm not dreaming...this all just doesn't seem real. Once we got to our home/school for the semester--La Fundación José Ortega Y Gasset--we received our room number, unpacked, ate lunch, and relaxed. I was fortunate enough to be put in my own room with a beautiful view!

View from my dorm

    La Fundación José Ortega y Gasset  

I share my bathroom with an awesome girl from Puerto Rico, named Yaureliz! We have already become very close. She helps me a lot with my Spanish, and I help her with English, it's a win-win situation! I am extremely happy to be abroad and still cannot believe my dreams have come true.

Yaureliz and Myself

Hasta luego! (Bye for now!)