Reflections.

Before coming to Spain, I had drawn a few conclusions as to what the culture in Spain would be like. Sometimes it's hard to see anything other than what you've already made up your mind about. But mostly, I feel like my expectations were right on key. And I received everything from the trip that I could have possibly hoped for.

The culture there is definitely something to experience. The people are loud, ... animated, ... and different. They embrace something else that I can't describe. It's definitely not money. And it's definitely not work. My American mind toils about what else could possibly be important. Or, at the very least, how could you not care about money? I admired this difference. They have something I can't apprehend. Their lives revolve around other things than cash and revenue.

I also loved their appreciation for art and music. From the very first days in Madrid, I noticed immediately how much they embrace art. It just seemed to be everywhere - from street performers to free concerts and constant advertisement for the many theaters in the city. I had read that Madrid, from the earliest of days, had a great appreciation for art but seeing it - made me think how much I miss at home. And the same goes for the history. It was very impacting - to realize how much older Spain and the other European countries are than from America. I think, above anything else, the history really opened my eyes.

I don't know that I'd ever want to spend another month in Spain, but I do have a huge desire to travel back to Europe and see more of the cities and sites. It's different to watch "world news" versus watching the local news at home. Traveling made me feel a lot smaller. And I liked it! There is a lot more to the world and I feel naive for not seeing everything more clearly before.

As for surprise and adventure, I definitely received both of those. My favorite surprise was Flamenco. I almost talked Trey out of going! But I was surprised at how powerful the dance was and how it moved me. If there is one thing that I would do again, it would be to go see Flamenco again. Even though there are a 100 other things that made the trip worth while. I will have many many stories to tell in the future. Ha, maybe not tell them in Spanish, but I’ll be able to tell them.
My Spanish improved tremendously while I was in Spain but I wish I could have stayed longer - to hang onto what I have learned. Even after just one day in Paris, I realized how much I had let slip through my brain. I still have a lot of practice to do!

I can’t say enough good things about the trip. I would recommend that any student should go. Even students that aren’t studying Spanish would be receive a lot of value from traveling overseas and by taking classes with FORSPRO. It was a great program and I hope to be able to do something similar again!

Capitulo Once: The Valley of the Fallen: The Franco Years

¡Mí capítulo final! Capítulo once en Madrid, Elizabeth Nash describe monumento de Franco, El Valle de los Caídos, y su gobierno como dictador. Visitado el Valle de los Caídos ayer y soy alegro leer más de la historia.

Sé que hay mucho desacuerdo acerca de Franco y su monumento. Cuando visité el Valle de los Caídos, que me tenga miedo. Es triste y muy grande. Yo prefiero el Escorial; se celebra muchas personas, no sólo Franco. Aprender and leer acerca de Franco es difícil. Sé que Franco hizo bueno para España. Sin embargo, mucho malos que pasó y no creo que vale. La gente fue, sin comida, fueron muertos, y sufrió de Franco loco ideales. Conocí a una mujer en Málaga recordó que cuando había playas separadas para hombres y mujeres. Elizabeth Nash confirma en su escrito.

Para mí, Franco es más interesante de aprender historia. Me alegro de que leído este capítulo, porque no teníamos una guía ayear. Pero no me gusta la forma en Elizabeth Nash escribe. Creo que es muy difícil mantener su pensar.

¡Mañana saliré a Paris!

Capitulo Tres: The Royal Palace: The World of Velazquez

Hoy Trey y yo visitamos el Museo del Prado y sacó de fotos en el centro de Madrid. Estabamos aquí por dos semanas y hay muchos que ver todavía.

Mi pintura favorito en el Museo del Prado (y también una de las más famosas obras de arte) fue "Las Menians" por Diego de Velázques. Elizabeth Nash pregunta el verdad sujeto de la pintura. Yo penso que es Magrgarita. Vi "Cristo en la Cruz" de Velázquez también. En el tercer capítulo de Madrid, Elizabeth Nash escribe una biografía de Velázquez.

Diego de Velázquez nació en 1599. Temprano en su viva, fue contratado por el monarca y pasó la mayor parte de su vida trabajando allí y ganar más dinero. Elizabeth Nash dice que Velázquez no fue realmente admirado hasta después de su muerte en 1660. Ahora, cuando pienso en el arte español, voy a pensar de Velázquez.

El Grecho me gusta mucho también. En Toledo, vi el "El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz." Hoy, vi a muchas otras pinturas de él. También vi un arte por Goya y Raphael. Yo esperaba ver el arte de Picasso, pero su trabajo movía del Museo Reina Sofía. Sin embargo, vi algunas pequeñas pinturas de Picasso cuando vistía Málaga la semana pasada. Picasso nació en Málaga.

Capitulo Dos: Puerta del Sol: Ruffians and Royals

En el segundo capítulo de Madrid, Elizabeth Nash describe la historia del corazón de la cuidad - Sol. Ella explica historia de Antonio Pérez que contrató picaros matar Juan de Escobedo y después, ella describe la vida de picaros en detalle. Picaros son bajos-vidas. Ellos tenían puesto en historia desde siglo diecisiete. Nash dice que similar características hoy en Madrid. Como la idea que es deshonroso trabajar y mejor importante mostrar que tú tienes dinero (basante que eres dueño de dinero.)

En mí opinión, la descriptión de Nasah es áspero. No hace el picaresque sociedad parece amablemente. Hay picaros, ladrónes, y burdeles y sólo dos tipos of gentes - "los tener y los no tener."

Sin embargo, los cuentos son muy intersante. Los cuentos historia describen que los monarcas, por el tiempo, son tan involucrados en la delincuencia y la pícaros como cualquier otra persona. Las pruebas se apoya en un gran número de libros. Yo quiero leer algunos de ellos, "La Vida del Buscon" por Quevedo, "Lazarillo de Tormes", "Don Quijote" por Sancho Panza. También estoy emocionado ver a "Cristo en la Cruz" por Diego de Velaquez en el Museo del Prado mañana.

Para este capítulo, veo el aumento de las artes y la literatura en España. Esto es algo más que me gusta mucho sobre España. Hay un mayor reconocimiento y la expectativa para el arte.

Capitulo Uno: Paseo del Prado: From Sieta to Fiesta

En el capítulo uno, “Paseo del Prado: From Siesta to Fiesta” Elizabeth Nash describe Madrid, España y su cultura y historia.

Nash escribe sobre el clima de Madrid y su geografía irregular. A veces hace mucho calor y otras veces hace frío. Pero en el verano, siempre hace mucho calor. Ya lo sé. Cerca de Madrid la geografía consiste en montañas y un río pequeño, el Manzanares. Yo vi el Manzanares ayer.

Elizabeth Nash describe el ritmo lento de Madrid. También lo veo. Conozco el arte de la siesta y del paseo. A los madrileños les gusta dormir por la tarde y pasear hasta muy tarde.

En cuanto a la historia, Felipe II se mudó en 1556 al Escorial. Fue muy poderoso e independiente. Felipe gastó mucho dinero que Madrid no tenía.

Expectations

I don't think I can manage an entire list of all my thoughts concerning my trip to Spain next month. I leave July 4th, and I am incredibly excited! And even more so because I will be able to see my husband, Trey, who I have not seen in several months. To say the very least, I can't contain or describe my anticipation!!! There is so much to look forward to! But in the interest of my grade and this blog, here are a few things that I expect for myself and to find in Spain:

For myself, I want adventure. I have never been a very spontaneous person. I wouldn't consider myself "stuck in the mud" or anything. Its simply that the things I enjoy in life - tend to be simple and average. But I don't consider anything that I will be doing next month - simple or average. I have never even been to an airport alone! I am excited that I truly have the chance to do something new every day and make every day an adventure. I hope to come home with a story or two that Trey and I will remember all our lives.

I want to be surprised. There are many things I have heard and read about Spanish culture. The laid-back atmosphere, siestas, their grand and exaggerated expressions and conversations, late nights, heavily family-oriented lifestyles, tapas, etc. But I don't expect any of these things to be the way I see them in my head. I want to be surprised by the reality. I hope that experiencing a different culture is 10x better than whats written in a book or from the way I have it pictured.

I want to learn Spanish! I will admit that I am not as ready as I would like to be, as far as being able to hold a conversation in Spanish. I am practicing vocabulary and looking over things in my Spanish book but it is hard to be as motivated when I am not in a Spanish class. I do have motivation though! I have a lifetime goal to be able to speak Spanish fluently. I hope to practice my Spanish conversation skills on a daily basis.

As for Spain and FORSPRO, it is hard to picture. I expect to find a city similar to ones here in the U.S., filled with similar people and buildings and traffic. I expect my room to look similar to my dorm-room in college. I expect it to be hot. The images in my head are limited! What I truly expect to be different are the people. And not really the way they look or dress or the type of occupation they have. (Even though, those things all might surprise me too.) But more any way that they express themselves - food, art, they way they hold conversations, etc. I think all of that will be very different. And I am honestly not sure how. Just different. And I'm excited to experience it!