Week four in Spain proved to be another fantastic time of learning, growth, and fun. I began my week in Madrid and got to experience the capital of Spain. I have loved visiting different cities around Spain and learning about their unique cultures and histories. Madrid was a very well kept and impressive city. I could tell that it was the business center of Spain and the political capital, as it felt important, professional, and powerful. Madrid also offered fantastic tourists? attractions like the Plaza Mayor, the Almudena Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Parque del Retiro, and so on. It was very impressive to see the elegance and grandeur of these landmarks. During my stay in Madrid, I also took a day trip to the town of Toledo, which was the capital of Spain during the Middle Ages. Toledo is a very old city, and it was great to learn about the Roman and medieval influence on the town and about its history as a cultural and educational hub during its prime years in the late medieval times. We also attended a Flamenco show and I was able to witness the talent of the dancers. It was an incredible show and an expression of Spanish culture. We also ate at one of the oldest restaurants in the word, Sobrino de Botin, and had an excellent Spanish dinner there.
After my return to Barcelona, we took a group day trip to the towns of Girona and Tossa de Mar. Each town had its own unique character, and it was exciting to see them and learn about their rich histories. Both were originally built in Roman times and were later fortified and built up in the medieval times. They were strategic locations in these times and played important roles in the warfare of city states and kingdoms. It was interesting to see this history preserved while these towns now function in the modern world.
Another great activity this week was participating in a cooking class. With the instruction of a chef, we cooked a traditional Spanish meal, and it was fantastic. This was such a cool time to learn about the process of creating the dishes that I have seen so much in Spain. It really brings these dishes to life and gives me context to better understand Spanish and Catalonian culture and cuisine.
Furthermore, during the last half of this past week, I took a trip to southern Spain and visited Granada and Seville with three fellow classmates. While the trip was brief, we got to experience a region of Spain that we have not yet seen, and it was a blast. In Granada, we toured Alhambra, an incredible plot of palaces and gardens on a hill overlooking the city. We learned about the city’s Islamic and Catholic influence and how these different people groups shaped the culture and architecture of the city. Furthermore, in Seville, we visited the cathedral and alcazar, a bullfighting ring, and the Plaza de Espana. Southern Spain allowed me to experience a completely different part of the country. This region felt like what I would imagine classic Spain to be. For lack of better words, it felt very ?Spanish? and I loved experiencing this relaxed and authentic environment.
While I really enjoyed my time in the classroom in Spain, this week without school allowed me to travel all over Spain and really take in the differences that each region of the country has to offer. I was able to further my understanding of Spain as a whole and was able to maximize this time. Looking ahead, I am excited to enjoy my last week in Barcelona and continue to explore the city.