Our final week in Valencia flew by, as most of us knew it would. I had a final exam in my Comparative Health Systems class Wednesday evening, after which our professor (César) thanked us profusely for making it such a wonderful experience for him this summer. He is such a genuinely nice person, and I wish all of the professors at UVA cared as much as he did about their students' opinions! Thursday morning I took my last exam and said goodbye to Mabel temporarily...she will be teaching at UVA in the fall semester, and she's promised to have a reunion with our class at Chipotle :D
Emily and I decided to expand our cultural horizons and took a short trip to the Museum of "Las Bellas Artes," which features predominantly religious works from primitive Valencian painters, but it also boasts works by more prominent painters like El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya. We also trekked through the Old City once more to see the beautiful architecture, especially en La Plaza de la Reina. Emily bought a sample of Spain's delicious olive oil (it is supposedly superior to US brands...I'm not a connoisseur of such things and can't tell the difference) while we visited the Spanish superstore El Corte Inglés. This store usually ranges from 5-7 stories tall and includes everything you might find in a Macy's, Nordstrom, Kohl's, Target, Home Depot, and Whole Foods combined. While we initially only saw the clothing merchandise, we were surprised while walking down the street to find several other extensions of the store that seemed to sell home goods, appliances, electronics, etc...it was crazy!
I took a quick nap when I got home and then Emily and I headed out to meet some other kids from school for the festival of San Juan. The tradition of San Juan dates back to pagan rituals, but it is now used as an excuse to welcome the Vernal Equinox and celebrate by having bonfires on the beach. The number of slobberingly drunk people in one place was appalling - it was like watching ants swarming on the beach - but there was also music for dancing and free wood for the bonfires, so it ended up being pretty fun. I participated in the tradition of "jumping" three waves at midnight and making a wish, and I also jumped over a small bonfire, which counted towards another wish! Valencian tradition says that if you jump a fire 7 times, you will have meet your significant other within the next year....I didn't have the guts to jump 7 times. I sadly learned the next day that a UVA student in another group burned her feet after jumping even once, so I'm glad that my judgment discouraged any further participation.
On Friday I spent most of the afternoon at the beach, soaking up the last of the Spanish sun before packing up my suitcase. The beach was remarkably clean, and I can't imagine how many crews of people were needed to erase the traces of the previous night's disaster area. As relaxing as it was, I can't say I regretted having to leave the beaches where the topless look is a norm, and where people wear swimsuits indescribably inappropriate for their size, age, and even gender. I said goodbye to Jaime, the doorman at Adela's condominium, with whom I frequently chatted about topics ranging from sports to MTV. I'm ashamed to say he knew surprisingly more about both topics than I. Later that night Adela, Emily, and I enjoyed one last quiet dinner together, and then I told Adela "Buenas noches" for the last time.
Saturday was full of goodbyes, and Adela and I promised to keep in touch by writing letters. Most of the program students were frantically scurrying at the airport trying to make their connecting flights, so the goodbyes were short and sweet when we arrived at JFK 11 hours after our initial departure. When we stepped off the plane the signs were in English, and the workers clearly spoke English - it was somewhat surreal knowing that we were back on American soil. My mom and dad, knowing how inexperienced a traveler I am, picked me up at the airport, and I was so happy to see them! My mom, I think, was even more excited, and started snapping pictures as I exited customs. That night for dinner I had a U.S. favorite: a cheeseburger.
I know this blog can't begin to describe some of the amazing experiences, feelings, and opportunities I've had on this trip. I'm so blessed to have been given the chance to visit Spain and experience the culture, learn the language, and meet so many wonderful people. I hope that you've enjoyed seeing what's been happening, and thank you so much if you've followed along! I know it hasn't been the most interesting, but I really appreciate your support! I might keep up with it as the year goes on, but we'll just have to see what happens. I hope that your summer is magical!
<3 Charlotte
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Barcelona!
Well hello there! I know it’s been over a week since my last post, so I thought I’d catch you up on what I’ve been doing so far!!
Friday June 10
I woke up bright and early and made it to the bus station for a trip to Barcelona with Emily, Ashley, and 5 other girls from Michigan State. It was a beautiful day in Valencia, so it came as a slight let-down when the legendarily sunny Barcelona greeted us with overcast skies and threats of rain. We navigated our way to through the metro, and as we left the doors, a flood of water came rushing down the stairs and into the station. The Michigan girls with the map led us through the pouring rain down several wrong turns, and about 30 minutes later we arrived at our hostel! I met a UVA 2009 alum who had been touring Spain with his sister…he recommended that we visit the water show at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Cataluny that night, so we shortly set off to the center of the Barcelona city.
I originally mistook the museum for a palace when we first arrived, and we unfortunately were too late to be able to tour it. We had a nice (though chilly!) walk around its grounds and exterior before we eventually sought out dinner. We ended up eating at a Tapas restaurant, where I tried calamari and another squid dish for the first time! The calamari was okay, but I didn’t care for the squid….too slimy.
The water show was spectacular. Spotlights lit up the Museum from behind, and the giant fountain released geysers illuminated by beautiful colors and designs. It was like a less deafening version of fireworks, and a great first night!
Saturday June 11
Saturday unfortunately got off to a slow start thanks to some of the lazier Michigan kids. Emily and I began to drag the others through the streets in our attempt to see as much of Barcelona as possible. We started out at Gaudi’s famed site of creativity, Parc Guell. The focal point of the park is the main terrace, shaped like a sea serpent. We also had time to dart around and see many of the mosaic creations, like the mythical “dragon” that guards the entrance.
We scooted out of the park and just made it in time to the free walking tour provided by our hostel. Our guide, Mattias, was a native of Switzerland, grew up in Germany, and recently moved to Spain. He was an outstanding guide, taking us through much of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. We started out near Las Ramblas, where he proceeded to explain that much of what we saw was actually brand new, built by the Catalunyans prior to the 1992 summer Olympics held in Barcelona. Such was the case for the “Face of Barcelona,” a tacky but fun sculpture where we started it all.
Several of our stops along the way included the Santa Maria del Pi, a beautiful though lesser-known church in the Gothic Quarter. It’s most remarkable feature is its large, sweeping arches (larger even than in the Barcelona Cathedral). Even more impressive, it was built in the 14th century and completed in just 50 years! We also went by the Catedral de Barcelona, which was simply beautiful. It is dedicated to Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona. Fun fact: a secluded cloister of the cathedral contains 13 white geese, as Eulalia was 13 when she was martyred. Another stop included the Placa del Rey, where Columbus was received by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella after his trip to Americas. Mattias spent a lot time delving into the trials we’ve learned Columbus caused in his trips here, and while I lamented the path of destruction he left in his wake, it was still amazing to visit that courtyard and think how different things could have been if not for him.
Later in the afternoon I was ecstatic that we were able to visit La Sagrada Familia. The church has been under construction for the last 125 years; it was originally designed by Gaudí, and his designs have been carried forth even after his death. The pope recently consecrated it as a minor basilica in November. The outside was purely magnicficent, with different facades depicting the stages in Christ’s life (most prominently the Nativity façade the Passion façade). I simply couldn’t believe my eyes, however, when I finally stepped inside. It was the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen in my life. Sweeping arches made of stone smooth as silk rose up into a lofty ceiling. Gaudi took much of his inspiration from nature, and the church is meant to feel like a canopy, with branching leaves at the top. The dome of light at the apse of the church was magnificent, with a triangle and circle illuminated to represent the eternal glory of God. It was overwhelming to face such a beautiful work, and I truly felt the power of God – in the work to inspire Guadi, who in turn has no doubt inspired millions of people. The visit was by far my favorite thing we did in Barcelona.
Emily, Ashley, and I continued to explore in the evening, and we saw the exterior of Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, a bizarre piece of architecture resembling more skull-and-crossbones style than anything. We unfortunately were too late to enter and see its more attractive features. We found a small Spanish restaurant off the beaten path and had a wonderful dinner with croquetas, fried flounder, and shrimp paella. I was starving at that point, so dinner was extraordinarily delicious, and we had the chance to converse with a few Barcelona natives at the table next to us!
In retrospect, the trip taught me a very important lesson about Karma. Several of the Michigan State girls, one in particular, seemed to have a difficult time enjoying any of the sites. Rather than visit Parc Guell they wanted to shop the store fronts and sit in cafes all day. They moped about walking to the park, about having to walk on the "walking" tour....it was quite annoying. Emily and Ashley luckily shared my desire to see as much of Barcelona as possible in our short stay, but the others...not so much. I was aghast when they sat down and moped after 15 minutes of being in La Sagrada Familia - one of THE most beautiful places in the world - but I thankfully didn't let them spoil my fun. The next day as we were taking the metro to the bus station, the one girl said, "At least we made it out of Barcelona without getting pickpocketed!" If that's not a jinx, I don't know what is. She later searched her baggy purse at the station and couldn't find her wallet. Even worse, she had locked her luggage, and the key was in her wallet. I felt sorry for her, I truly did, but the moral of the story is to be aware of your situation and your surroundings at all times, even if that means making the most of a stroll through a mosaic park or an unfinished basilica.
This week in Spain I’ve been trying to catch up on my homework. I have a 10 page paper due on Monday, so I’ve been researching/writing/spending free time on the beach. I’ve visited several museums this week, including L’Almoina. This museum features an underground look at the excavation site underground of the more ancient cities of Valencia. Valencia had been built and rebuilt two times previously, once in the 130 B.C. times, and once again by the Romans several centuries later. It was amazing to see the two tiers of stone that had been used by the different civilizations, and it was even more amazing that some human remains had still been preserved! (Photos unfortunately were not permitted). I also had the opportunity the other day to visit the Torres de Serranos with my roommate Emily. The towers are one of 12 gates that guarded the ancient walls of the city of Valencia. It also came with a beautiful view of the city!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Going Somewhere
Day 18 - Thursday, June 9
Today we took another trip to a hospital in Valencia, but our taxi driver got a little lost along the way. I therefore had a length discussion with my cab companions, Maxwell and Josh, about the foods we missed from the U.S. Maxwell went into detail about the Mississippi barbecue sandwich he would sink his teeth into, Josh had a mouthwatering description of the New York pizza he missed (in addition to Vermont maple syrup on a stack of "flapjacks"), and I.....well, I said I missed my peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate milk. Haha, it sounds absurd, but after basically being sustained for almost 20 years on peanut butter alone (until Honey Nut Cheerios walked into my life), I have really had several cravings while here in Valencia. Sure, they have peanut butter, bread, and milk....but the milk isn't refrigerated until it's opened, which I personally just find suspicious. The bread is decent, but the peanut butter looks like someone threw some water on clay and tried to call it food. I have, however, discovered a new love in life: Nutella. After years of hearing people rave about it in the O'Hill dining hall at UVA, two days ago I decided to finally give it a whole-hearted try. I slathered my piece of bread in the dark goo.....and I loved it. I can't even taste the hazelnut, so it basically tastes like I'm eating a chocolate-iced cupcake for breakfast in the mornings! Haha, I love that people call it a "nutritious" way to start the day: as Maxwell commented earlier today, "If it even remotely tastes good, it's probably bad for you."
My hopes of going to the beach today were dashed by cool breezes on top of cool temperatures, but it was still a beautiful day outside! In my Spanish for Medical Professionals class on Monday, we had to go around the room and say what we do for exercise. While I'm pretty active at home, I've been too overwhelmed with sight-seeing and homework and eating time-changes to get to much activity here (excuses, excuses, I know). I had to hang my head in shame as my Professor Richart (Mabel, as some like to call her) laughed at my laziness and scolded me to get out and stay healthy. Today I took Mabel's advice and went for a long-overdue run straight through the center of Valencia. "The River" is a dried-up riverbed that has been transformed into an expansive park miles long, equipped with children's playgrounds, fountains, ponds, everything.
I saw several fun sights, including Gulliver: a playground in the shape of a giant man - it's bizarre at first, but once you get over the shock, the idea of children Lilliputians is rather cute.
The up-close version of the City of Arts and Sciences. There is a vast, crystalline pool of water extending between all of the buildings, and up-close it was simply gorgeous. At that point in my run, it was also incredibly tempting to swim in it, but I restrained myself :D
Now, I'm home again and getting ready to pack. Tomorrow I'm leaving Valencia on a bus with Emily and Ashley. We're going to Barcelona!!!
Today we took another trip to a hospital in Valencia, but our taxi driver got a little lost along the way. I therefore had a length discussion with my cab companions, Maxwell and Josh, about the foods we missed from the U.S. Maxwell went into detail about the Mississippi barbecue sandwich he would sink his teeth into, Josh had a mouthwatering description of the New York pizza he missed (in addition to Vermont maple syrup on a stack of "flapjacks"), and I.....well, I said I missed my peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate milk. Haha, it sounds absurd, but after basically being sustained for almost 20 years on peanut butter alone (until Honey Nut Cheerios walked into my life), I have really had several cravings while here in Valencia. Sure, they have peanut butter, bread, and milk....but the milk isn't refrigerated until it's opened, which I personally just find suspicious. The bread is decent, but the peanut butter looks like someone threw some water on clay and tried to call it food. I have, however, discovered a new love in life: Nutella. After years of hearing people rave about it in the O'Hill dining hall at UVA, two days ago I decided to finally give it a whole-hearted try. I slathered my piece of bread in the dark goo.....and I loved it. I can't even taste the hazelnut, so it basically tastes like I'm eating a chocolate-iced cupcake for breakfast in the mornings! Haha, I love that people call it a "nutritious" way to start the day: as Maxwell commented earlier today, "If it even remotely tastes good, it's probably bad for you."
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| The amazing birthday HNC pyramid from my roommates. I think I'm about at the bottom tier now. |
My hopes of going to the beach today were dashed by cool breezes on top of cool temperatures, but it was still a beautiful day outside! In my Spanish for Medical Professionals class on Monday, we had to go around the room and say what we do for exercise. While I'm pretty active at home, I've been too overwhelmed with sight-seeing and homework and eating time-changes to get to much activity here (excuses, excuses, I know). I had to hang my head in shame as my Professor Richart (Mabel, as some like to call her) laughed at my laziness and scolded me to get out and stay healthy. Today I took Mabel's advice and went for a long-overdue run straight through the center of Valencia. "The River" is a dried-up riverbed that has been transformed into an expansive park miles long, equipped with children's playgrounds, fountains, ponds, everything.
I saw several fun sights, including Gulliver: a playground in the shape of a giant man - it's bizarre at first, but once you get over the shock, the idea of children Lilliputians is rather cute.
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| Photo from http://crookedhouse.typepad.com/crookedhouse/2009/11/a-gulliver-playground-and-a-terrific-new-blog.html |
Now, I'm home again and getting ready to pack. Tomorrow I'm leaving Valencia on a bus with Emily and Ashley. We're going to Barcelona!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Up to Date
It's been a week since my last post, and sadly not too much has happened since then! I've really been learning a lot in my classes. My 8 am class has been teaching me all sorts of Spanish medical vocabulary; our class sometimes jokes that we feel like we're in medical school since we've been learning about all sorts of diseases and exams I wouldn't even know about in English! I'm looking forward to going back to my scribing job at UVA and seeing how much of the terminology and new knowledge I can apply. My other class focuses much more on the healthcare policies and politics existent in numerous countries. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we take field trips to various medical facilities around Valencia and hear a little bit about what they do. I am sad to say that I was disappointed in our visit to the General Hospital last Thursday. In class we had talked briefly about how long people have to sit on a wait-list for radiological imaging, for consultations, etc., yet in the hospital not a single patient was in sight. The doctors even went on and on about their wait-lists too, yet we were shown nearly every single sector of their imaging center, and we had hordes of doctors escorting us around the hospital (something I know for a fact U.S. physicians would never have time to do). The waiting rooms were devoid of patients; the physicians clearly lacked the rigor I'm used to seeing in the States. The one person I saw at work was a lonely technician in their laboratory. The hospital's lawyer even had time to film us walking around....I'm sure we'll be their new promotional video.
I've been working in most of my spare time on schoolwork. My roommate Emily and I finished up our 50-minute presentation on cardiovascular diseases and delivered it to the class in Spanish this past Monday. We felt bad for essentially putting the class to sleep, but we hope it was satisfactory for our professor! I didn't feel so badly about being indoors during the past week. I've heard from several Valencian natives that the weather right now has been extremely uncharacteristic for Valencia this time of year. I've stepped out several mornings this week in my summer dresses and skirts and been met with blustery winds. The weather usually has continued to trick me, boasting clear skies right before lunch and then opening up in a downpour shortly after. Today I finished up a midterm in one of my classes and have decided to take advantage of the afternoon siesta to catch up on the blog!
Days 12 and 13 - Friday/Saturday June 3-4
Friday and Saturday were two wonderful days for me! On Friday I finished up class at 11 and came back to do a little work. Adela fixed us an early lunch, because we were signed up to go visit the City of Arts and Sciences' Oceanographic Museum! Valencia boasts enormous museums at its center ("The City"), and it ranges from art galleries to opera houses and natural history museums. It is also home to the largest aquarium in Europe, the Oceanographic Museum. My sister Emily has done a fabulous job of spreading her passion for marine life, so I absolutely loved touring here. The exhibits ranged from a pool of tropical fish to penguins, seals, sharks, walruses, and a beluga whale. The sharks were by far the favorite exhibit, as the room is built in a dome-like shape to allow observation from the sides and the underside of the sharks. They're truly magnificent, but I was sad to see that they seemed a little disinterested...I guess it's for the best that they didn't find us humans too appetizing!
We also had the opportunity to see the dolphin show. It was such a strange concept to me to hear a show's narration performed in Spanish over the loudspeaker, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much of what I heard I understood! There were some courageous divers in the show jumping into the pool from heights nearly 3 stories high, but the dolphins, of course, were the most talented. They clearly loved the attention they received (almost as much as their treats!), and things went off without a hitch. I loved watching the show, but I think I got even more excited by the prospect of one day watching Emily do something so similar!
Saturday was a lot of fun, and I went with about 10 other students on a hiking trip to a Xátiva, small city outside Valencia. We hiked up the mountain to see another castle similar to the one at Peñíscola, and it was a beautiful day to be outside!!
New Foods:
Since last week I've tried several different foods, though I can't recall them all.
Quiche - so gross. My first mistake was to believe it was a pizza. My second mistake was to try it.
Mushrooms - I still don't like them
Lamb - meh
Pizza with peppers - pretty good!
Paella - SO delicious! Adela made us a feast for Sunday lunch and slaved over a wonderful paella dish. I was wary at first given its green color, but it was really a tasty treat!
Fried egg - I couldn't bring myself to try the runny center, but the rest was good
Pisto - it's a bit like a homemade spaghetti sauce, only 100 times better. Adela served it with rice, and it was so delicious! I might have to find a recipe :)
I've been working in most of my spare time on schoolwork. My roommate Emily and I finished up our 50-minute presentation on cardiovascular diseases and delivered it to the class in Spanish this past Monday. We felt bad for essentially putting the class to sleep, but we hope it was satisfactory for our professor! I didn't feel so badly about being indoors during the past week. I've heard from several Valencian natives that the weather right now has been extremely uncharacteristic for Valencia this time of year. I've stepped out several mornings this week in my summer dresses and skirts and been met with blustery winds. The weather usually has continued to trick me, boasting clear skies right before lunch and then opening up in a downpour shortly after. Today I finished up a midterm in one of my classes and have decided to take advantage of the afternoon siesta to catch up on the blog!
Days 12 and 13 - Friday/Saturday June 3-4
Friday and Saturday were two wonderful days for me! On Friday I finished up class at 11 and came back to do a little work. Adela fixed us an early lunch, because we were signed up to go visit the City of Arts and Sciences' Oceanographic Museum! Valencia boasts enormous museums at its center ("The City"), and it ranges from art galleries to opera houses and natural history museums. It is also home to the largest aquarium in Europe, the Oceanographic Museum. My sister Emily has done a fabulous job of spreading her passion for marine life, so I absolutely loved touring here. The exhibits ranged from a pool of tropical fish to penguins, seals, sharks, walruses, and a beluga whale. The sharks were by far the favorite exhibit, as the room is built in a dome-like shape to allow observation from the sides and the underside of the sharks. They're truly magnificent, but I was sad to see that they seemed a little disinterested...I guess it's for the best that they didn't find us humans too appetizing!
We also had the opportunity to see the dolphin show. It was such a strange concept to me to hear a show's narration performed in Spanish over the loudspeaker, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much of what I heard I understood! There were some courageous divers in the show jumping into the pool from heights nearly 3 stories high, but the dolphins, of course, were the most talented. They clearly loved the attention they received (almost as much as their treats!), and things went off without a hitch. I loved watching the show, but I think I got even more excited by the prospect of one day watching Emily do something so similar!
Saturday was a lot of fun, and I went with about 10 other students on a hiking trip to a Xátiva, small city outside Valencia. We hiked up the mountain to see another castle similar to the one at Peñíscola, and it was a beautiful day to be outside!!
New Foods:
Since last week I've tried several different foods, though I can't recall them all.
Quiche - so gross. My first mistake was to believe it was a pizza. My second mistake was to try it.
Mushrooms - I still don't like them
Lamb - meh
Pizza with peppers - pretty good!
Paella - SO delicious! Adela made us a feast for Sunday lunch and slaved over a wonderful paella dish. I was wary at first given its green color, but it was really a tasty treat!
Fried egg - I couldn't bring myself to try the runny center, but the rest was good
Pisto - it's a bit like a homemade spaghetti sauce, only 100 times better. Adela served it with rice, and it was so delicious! I might have to find a recipe :)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Reality Check
Days 7, 8, and 9: Sunday-Tuesday, May 29-31
Sunday gave me a much-needed opportunity to sleep in and adjust my schedule! I'm clearly still on American time, but I'm doing my best not to fall asleep in classes. Today I took a lazy day and caught up on a little homework. Then I met up with Emily Forrestor, Emily Green, and one of their friends at la Plaza de la Reina, a central part of the historical city and home to some of the most beautiful architecture in Valencia. We strolled through the small market and surveyed the top restaurants and ice cream shops we planned to revisit :D We peeked inside the central cathedral and observed the Sunday afternoon service that was going on. I absolutely loved the sweeping arches and the altar decked in sparkling gold awnings, but even moreso I loved that I understood that during the service they were saying the Lord's Prayer and the Peace.
La Plaza de la Virgen is definitely my favorite, so far. It's the kind of classic terrace idealized in any film set in Europe. There is a great marble patio with a beautiful fountain. Little children run around, reaching for and screaming at the pigeons that litter the ground. People sit around the fountain eating ice cream and drinking espresso, and the bells of the cathedral chime on the hour. Strolling through the bustling streets, people watching, admiring the Old City - it was a perfect way to end my first week in Spain.
Monday unfortunately gave me my reality check as I began to get slammed with schoolwork. No beach today, as it was raining throughout the afternoon, and I learned that my big presentation would be given in only a short week.
Tuesday began to proceed in much the same way, but it was slightly more exciting. I have decided to switch into a class called Comparative Healthcare Systems. It pertains to my Human Bio major and looks at the setup of different country's systems, and it's really interesting so far! Our professor is a physician in Spain, so we took a field trip to his clinic today. Along the way we stopped at a nearby restaurant, where I got to try horchata, as Spanish drink that is juice-like, blending coconut milk with a fruit only grown in Valencia (or so I'm told). My favorite part was the fartón that comes with it - a croissant-like pastry with powdered sugar on top...yum!
Later in the afternoon I met up with two other girls in the program, Emily Thisdell and Ashley Robertson, and we explored Los Jardines Reales, the Royal Gardens incorporated as part of the Valencia Natural Sciences Museum. The site is built above an old royal palace; part of the palace has been excavated for viewing to the general public. The gardens extended almost endlessly and were beautifully designed; dozens of fountains and "labyrinth" hedges lay beyond every corner. I wouldn't recommend the museum, but we got our share of entertainment from the giant clams and sabretooth tiger models they displayed! It just went to show what diverse things you can find in a city if you look hard enough!
New foods that I tried:
Shrimp with rice and whitefish (cod?) - I approved
Arroz con leche - a common Valencia dessert....not for me
Roasted chicken with apricots and raisins
A vegetable dish that consisted of green beans and peppers with mashed zucchini, mixed in a sauce and then served in the peel of the zucchini...it was interesting to say the least!
Sunday gave me a much-needed opportunity to sleep in and adjust my schedule! I'm clearly still on American time, but I'm doing my best not to fall asleep in classes. Today I took a lazy day and caught up on a little homework. Then I met up with Emily Forrestor, Emily Green, and one of their friends at la Plaza de la Reina, a central part of the historical city and home to some of the most beautiful architecture in Valencia. We strolled through the small market and surveyed the top restaurants and ice cream shops we planned to revisit :D We peeked inside the central cathedral and observed the Sunday afternoon service that was going on. I absolutely loved the sweeping arches and the altar decked in sparkling gold awnings, but even moreso I loved that I understood that during the service they were saying the Lord's Prayer and the Peace.
La Plaza de la Virgen is definitely my favorite, so far. It's the kind of classic terrace idealized in any film set in Europe. There is a great marble patio with a beautiful fountain. Little children run around, reaching for and screaming at the pigeons that litter the ground. People sit around the fountain eating ice cream and drinking espresso, and the bells of the cathedral chime on the hour. Strolling through the bustling streets, people watching, admiring the Old City - it was a perfect way to end my first week in Spain.
Monday unfortunately gave me my reality check as I began to get slammed with schoolwork. No beach today, as it was raining throughout the afternoon, and I learned that my big presentation would be given in only a short week.
Tuesday began to proceed in much the same way, but it was slightly more exciting. I have decided to switch into a class called Comparative Healthcare Systems. It pertains to my Human Bio major and looks at the setup of different country's systems, and it's really interesting so far! Our professor is a physician in Spain, so we took a field trip to his clinic today. Along the way we stopped at a nearby restaurant, where I got to try horchata, as Spanish drink that is juice-like, blending coconut milk with a fruit only grown in Valencia (or so I'm told). My favorite part was the fartón that comes with it - a croissant-like pastry with powdered sugar on top...yum!
Later in the afternoon I met up with two other girls in the program, Emily Thisdell and Ashley Robertson, and we explored Los Jardines Reales, the Royal Gardens incorporated as part of the Valencia Natural Sciences Museum. The site is built above an old royal palace; part of the palace has been excavated for viewing to the general public. The gardens extended almost endlessly and were beautifully designed; dozens of fountains and "labyrinth" hedges lay beyond every corner. I wouldn't recommend the museum, but we got our share of entertainment from the giant clams and sabretooth tiger models they displayed! It just went to show what diverse things you can find in a city if you look hard enough!
Shrimp with rice and whitefish (cod?) - I approved
Arroz con leche - a common Valencia dessert....not for me
Roasted chicken with apricots and raisins
A vegetable dish that consisted of green beans and peppers with mashed zucchini, mixed in a sauce and then served in the peel of the zucchini...it was interesting to say the least!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
La Peñíscola
Day 6: Saturday, May 28
Today the program divided into two groups for day trips to destinations near Valencia. I was assigned to the group visiting Peñíscola, a beautiful beach centered around the Castle of Peñiscola. The castle was erected by the Knights Templar but is best known for being the residence of Benedict XIII during the schism of occident...he is known as the "Papa Luna" and is considered an "antipope," someone who opposes the Roman Catholic pope and makes a competing claim for the title of Pope. I don't know all the history of the place or situation, but there's a lot of interesting history behind it!
We started out with an overcast day, but the clouds soon parted and allowed some sun to stream forth. The sea immediately turned from the routine, blue-gray to which I've grown accustomed to the most turquoise, sparkling body that I've ever had the privilege to see. We had lunch on the beach and relaxed for a short time (I was one of the few to prevent skin cancer....clouds still mean UV exposure!).
We then headed up to the castle for a brief tour of the layout. The hill upon which it rested reminded me more of a Greek acropolis than a Spanish town. The houses on the hill are painted white with little red and blue roofs, and the streets are narrow and steep as can be.
The views from the castle were simply breathtaking! Every time I climbed up a set of stairs, I thought I'd found a view of the serene blue ocean that couldn't be beat....then there was always another set of stairs just around the corner!
When we returned to Valencia, Emily and I ate a quick dinner with Adela before she prodded us to go out and watch the Manchester United vs. Futból Club de Barcelona game. We met up with some people at a nearby restaurant called Las Gárgolas, named likely for the gargoyles that flank the bridge outside its doors. The owners of the place, Roberto and Manolo, are as charming as its decór. They both speak English well, but they are still eager to learn more. We talked to them in Spanish, receiving many corrections, and they in turn would talk to us in English - it was a wonderfully reciprocal arrangement, and I hope to return for more help and advice with the language!
P.S. While I normally would cheer for Manchester United, when in Spain.....it was terribly exciting to see Barcelona win and hear the eruptions in the street with each goal they scored!
Foods that I tried today:
Breakfast: Nothing new
Lunch: A stuffed croissant, a bocadillo (sandwich) with some orangey thing and cheese, sweet bread, and a Valencian orange
Dinner: Salad with some sort of dressing and croquetas, which was chicken and rice encased in breadcrumbs. Strawberries after dinner per usual.
Today the program divided into two groups for day trips to destinations near Valencia. I was assigned to the group visiting Peñíscola, a beautiful beach centered around the Castle of Peñiscola. The castle was erected by the Knights Templar but is best known for being the residence of Benedict XIII during the schism of occident...he is known as the "Papa Luna" and is considered an "antipope," someone who opposes the Roman Catholic pope and makes a competing claim for the title of Pope. I don't know all the history of the place or situation, but there's a lot of interesting history behind it!
We started out with an overcast day, but the clouds soon parted and allowed some sun to stream forth. The sea immediately turned from the routine, blue-gray to which I've grown accustomed to the most turquoise, sparkling body that I've ever had the privilege to see. We had lunch on the beach and relaxed for a short time (I was one of the few to prevent skin cancer....clouds still mean UV exposure!).
We then headed up to the castle for a brief tour of the layout. The hill upon which it rested reminded me more of a Greek acropolis than a Spanish town. The houses on the hill are painted white with little red and blue roofs, and the streets are narrow and steep as can be.
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| Left: my new friend Emily Green! |
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| The castle patio. |
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| The chapel in the castle. |
When we returned to Valencia, Emily and I ate a quick dinner with Adela before she prodded us to go out and watch the Manchester United vs. Futból Club de Barcelona game. We met up with some people at a nearby restaurant called Las Gárgolas, named likely for the gargoyles that flank the bridge outside its doors. The owners of the place, Roberto and Manolo, are as charming as its decór. They both speak English well, but they are still eager to learn more. We talked to them in Spanish, receiving many corrections, and they in turn would talk to us in English - it was a wonderfully reciprocal arrangement, and I hope to return for more help and advice with the language!
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| One of the gárgolas! |
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| The group with Roberto (far right) and a few of his regular customers. |
Foods that I tried today:
Breakfast: Nothing new
Lunch: A stuffed croissant, a bocadillo (sandwich) with some orangey thing and cheese, sweet bread, and a Valencian orange
Dinner: Salad with some sort of dressing and croquetas, which was chicken and rice encased in breadcrumbs. Strawberries after dinner per usual.
Friday, May 27, 2011
A la Playa!
Day 3: Wednesday, May 25
This morning was set as a day for orientation in the UVA Center. Adela walked Emily and me to school like kindergarteners on the first day of school, and then we stepped inside the Center. The Center is a bit daunting at first, because absolutely NO English may be spoken, at any time of any day. But, in my opinion, it’s remarkable how quickly we have become used to it. Of course, for the important/more in-depth conversations we still at this point step outside the doors and talk in English on the sidewalk, but more and more people have begun to sit in the lobby, eating snacks or waiting for class while chatting in Spanish.
Today was my first day with almuerzo (lunch), which in Spain is a very important time of day. Almost every shop closes around 2 or 2:30 so that people can return home and eat almuerzo with their families. Extended families often join – children who have moved out of the house etc. – and it is the largest meal of the day. Emily and I had a really nice conversation with Adela, and she instructed us on what we should do in order to spend a day basking in the Valencian sun. Valencia lies right on the Mediterranean east coast of Spain; Emily and I met up with two other students, Brooke and Christine, and headed down to the playa using the Tranvía, an above-ground metro that got us there in less than 10 minutes! I must say that I was caught off-guard when I realized that it was a topless beach, but more than half were clothed…I guess that’s just another aspect of the culture shock! The water was the perfect temperature: cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough that I wanted to get all the way in. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep on the beach because when we next checked the time, it was 7:30, and we decided to head back.
The night life in Valencia has been a little bit more quiet than normal custom, as the students at the University of Valencia are currently finishing their exams. Not wanting to tire ourselves out, Emily and I had a quiet dinner with Adela and retired early.
Foods that I ate:
Breakfast: Today I became a human being and had cereal (corn flakes) in a bowl with milk on top. There was also some sort of pastry thing that reminded me of pound cake to be eaten.
Lunch: I ate pasta with sauce on it. Big step for me. There has been a loaf of bread with every meal, and I finished off the meal with strawberries.
Dinner: Adela made potatoes and snap peas, and for Emily and me she also made mozzarella sticks and chicken nuggets :D She eats very little at dinner and usually finishes off with a yogurt; Emily and I are usually ravenous at 9:30 and eat more strawberries.
Day 4: Thursday, May 26
Today was the first day of classes! Wakeup time was 7:40, which for Adela was VERY early. Most people in Valencia apparently don’t even start work until 9 o’clock. I absolutely love the class that I have at 8:30, though! My teacher is so sweet and has a vibrant personality. She reminds me of my Spanish teacher in my first semester at UVA, Gladys, who always had a smile and was so eager to teach! I learned a lot already from the first class, especially as far as how to spell and pronounce different medical specialities!
Give it a try: Otorrinolaringologo
After class Emily and I toured one of the major streets for a little while until we were exhausted…this was the day where the eating time really messed me up! We had almuerzo, and I unfortunately had to return to the Center for my 5:00 class, Cultural Conversations. While the class has the major advantage of a small group of people for conversation (6 people max), the professor talked for the majority of the time, and I began to lament that I could not take a siesta. I’m trying to switch into another class that’s about health care systems in the world. The advantage: the switch would possibly allow me to gain credit for my Human Bio major. The disadvantage: the new class is taught in English, and my Spanish conversational skills could definitely use some work! I’m sure that either way it will work out!
Foods I tried today:
Breakfast: More cereal with milk in a bowl! This time I tried a granola-like cereal with chocolate chunks….it was sooo good. Sadly, it’s probably not at all nutritious. I ALSO tried nutella! I could barely taste the hazelnut, which made it delicious, but I also don’t know how I feel about spreading chocolate on bread.
Lunch: Today was not my favorite almuerzo….we had some sort of meatball dish (of course with bread) – I was in it for the strawberries :D
Dinner: I tried tomatoes with chunks of mozzarella cheese on them. No matter what my sister says, I still don’t like tomatoes, but I ate it! Adela also made us fried egg omelets, which were very good. More strawberries for dessert. Emily had flan for her dessert (I tried a bit…not bad!), and Adela lamented the fact that she accidentally used chocolate sauce instead of caramel…no wonder I liked it :D
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
It's Up to You, New York
Day 1: Monday May 23
My 5 am wakeup call didn't phase me a bit, and I quickly set to packing up the last few stray items before saying goodbye to my mom. My dad, knowing how easily I can get lost and how quickly I can get frazzled, made arrangements to escort me to New York for our departure from JFK Airport. Unfortunately, our bus ended up taking several detours, including the hour that the bus driver spent arguing with three passengers (the 3 claimed to have bought round-trip tickets, and the driver said they weren't valid....police were called. It was a mess). We were both exhausted by the time we stepped off 9 hours later. The metro rides went smoothly, however, and I was still early for my check-in time. My dad is the best and stayed with me through it all, even as I ran harried and barefoot (apparently I'm hiding things under my flip-flops) through the security check.
The day was also pretty foggy and not at all picture-worthy...I tried to get a good one of the Statue of Liberty on our way in and mostly got a grimy window in the photo....I promise to put some up of Spain soon!! I met some great people prior to the flight, and hopefully I'll see them all and get to know them better for the semester!
Day 2: Tuesday May 24
My mind was still in 3 a.m. mode as I sat in the dark plane with shades pulled over every window, but then someone behind me lifted their window shade ever so slightly and a blinding light practically filled the entire cabin. We were still several hours away from landing, but we had clearly crossed the boundary between night and day (I like to think of it as it was drawn in Alice and Wonderland: the sun and moon side by side and only a fine dividing line between the two).
Jet lag unfortunately began to catch up with me as I rode the bus from Madrid to Valencia. I'm pretty sure most of our bus dozed off for the 4 hour ride and caught up on some much-needed sleep! It was so nerve-wracking to step off the bus and jump from our mini-world of English speakers into the realm of Spanish! My host mom, Adela, was waiting for me and immediately swept me under her wing. Her home is only a short walk from the center where I'll be taking my classes, and a short bus ride from the beach!! I met my roommate, Emily, back at the apartment in addition to Adela's daughter Laura, who is in town for the week for her vacation from work and school in Madrid. I also met Galgo, Adela's dog, better known as a Greyhound...he is much more handsome than the miniature ones I saw walking around at the UVA graduation and a very well-behaved house dog.
Adela, Emily, and I ate dinner around 9:30 last night. For those of you who have lived with me, I was (and still am) a little skeptical of my acclimation to the eating times in Valencia - whereas at home I eat lunch at 11:30, dinner before 6, and Honey Nut Cheerios at all hours in between, the 2:30 lunch and 9:30 dinner might be a bit challenging. Last night was no problem, though, so I'm hoping to confuse my stomach to the point where it accepts it! Dinner was delicioso, with a really interesting salad. The entree was a pizza-like dish without the sauce (clearly the food I was missing during the part of my childhood when I couldn't stand pizza sauce) and dessert was some delicious fresh strawberries! I was exhausted by the end of dinner, so I went straight to bed, but not before I was able to hear some lovely Spanish music (with an accordian thrown in?) drifting through the window from the street below.
My 5 am wakeup call didn't phase me a bit, and I quickly set to packing up the last few stray items before saying goodbye to my mom. My dad, knowing how easily I can get lost and how quickly I can get frazzled, made arrangements to escort me to New York for our departure from JFK Airport. Unfortunately, our bus ended up taking several detours, including the hour that the bus driver spent arguing with three passengers (the 3 claimed to have bought round-trip tickets, and the driver said they weren't valid....police were called. It was a mess). We were both exhausted by the time we stepped off 9 hours later. The metro rides went smoothly, however, and I was still early for my check-in time. My dad is the best and stayed with me through it all, even as I ran harried and barefoot (apparently I'm hiding things under my flip-flops) through the security check.
The day was also pretty foggy and not at all picture-worthy...I tried to get a good one of the Statue of Liberty on our way in and mostly got a grimy window in the photo....I promise to put some up of Spain soon!! I met some great people prior to the flight, and hopefully I'll see them all and get to know them better for the semester!
Day 2: Tuesday May 24
My mind was still in 3 a.m. mode as I sat in the dark plane with shades pulled over every window, but then someone behind me lifted their window shade ever so slightly and a blinding light practically filled the entire cabin. We were still several hours away from landing, but we had clearly crossed the boundary between night and day (I like to think of it as it was drawn in Alice and Wonderland: the sun and moon side by side and only a fine dividing line between the two).
Jet lag unfortunately began to catch up with me as I rode the bus from Madrid to Valencia. I'm pretty sure most of our bus dozed off for the 4 hour ride and caught up on some much-needed sleep! It was so nerve-wracking to step off the bus and jump from our mini-world of English speakers into the realm of Spanish! My host mom, Adela, was waiting for me and immediately swept me under her wing. Her home is only a short walk from the center where I'll be taking my classes, and a short bus ride from the beach!! I met my roommate, Emily, back at the apartment in addition to Adela's daughter Laura, who is in town for the week for her vacation from work and school in Madrid. I also met Galgo, Adela's dog, better known as a Greyhound...he is much more handsome than the miniature ones I saw walking around at the UVA graduation and a very well-behaved house dog.
Adela, Emily, and I ate dinner around 9:30 last night. For those of you who have lived with me, I was (and still am) a little skeptical of my acclimation to the eating times in Valencia - whereas at home I eat lunch at 11:30, dinner before 6, and Honey Nut Cheerios at all hours in between, the 2:30 lunch and 9:30 dinner might be a bit challenging. Last night was no problem, though, so I'm hoping to confuse my stomach to the point where it accepts it! Dinner was delicioso, with a really interesting salad. The entree was a pizza-like dish without the sauce (clearly the food I was missing during the part of my childhood when I couldn't stand pizza sauce) and dessert was some delicious fresh strawberries! I was exhausted by the end of dinner, so I went straight to bed, but not before I was able to hear some lovely Spanish music (with an accordian thrown in?) drifting through the window from the street below.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Ready or Not
"With banner flip-flapping, once more you'll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you're that kind of a guy! Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!" - Oh The Places You'll Go, Dr. Seuss
Never one for relying on myself to keep a journal, I decided to start my blog as a way to keep note of my excursions this summer, particularly as I study abroad during the next month. I won't pretend that I'm not usually a boring person. But, if during this summer you find yourself sick of staring at the television, searching for a way to procrastinate going to the gym, or just plain curious about what may be happening on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, I would love for you to follow along :D
As I sit here writing this, I officially have two days until my departure for what is surely to be one of the scariest and most exciting adventures I will take in life. One week ago I just officially ended my second year at the University of Virginia, and this summer I will be studying abroad in Valencia, Spain. No, I'm not a Spanish major, but I have been lucky enough to keep up with my Spanish throughout college. Last semester, as part of an initiative to encourage Spanish-speaking in the UVA hospital, I was able to Skype with a Spanish tutor, Mónica, who lives in Guatemala. I learned so much from simply being able to converse with her, and the experience really turned me towards continuing with my Spanish so that hopefully one day I can speak it with my patients!
As luck would have it, the UVA in Valencia program actually offers a course called Spanish for Medical Professionals, and I'm signed up for it! (I hope). I'm so excited to not only be taking this course, but to be immersed in a completely different culture! The program involves homestay living, so I'll be staying with my Spanish "mom" Adela, and my housemate Emily...I can't wait to meet them!
Am I ready? I would like to think so, but as I look around at my messy room I see a packed duffel of unsorted clothes I brought home last week from school and an unpacked suitcase that I need to stuff and prepare for my flight on Monday. I'm worried that my Spanish is rusty and that I haven't prepared for the month-long goodbyes I will be saying. I have doubts that I'm ready. I guess that in any big step you always have these thoughts creeping in the forgotten corners of your mind, but I'm doing my best to focus on the bigger picture: the amazing opportunity I have ahead of me.
As I've prepared for May 23rd, I've also started thinking a lot about May 22nd. My sister Emily will be graduating this Sunday, and I couldn't be more proud of her. It was such a blessing to share the Grounds with her during the first half of my college career, and while I'm so excited to see the places she'll go, I will miss her like a phantom limb. I wish her the best of luck as she prepares for her internship at Dolphin Plus, pursuing her dream of becoming a marine mammal trainer and educating the world about the beauty and importance of dolphins in the marine ecosystem.
I've been listening to a lot of Jack's Mannequin lately (in preparation for this summer's concert tour! But more on that later...), and I've found a new special connection to their first album, Everything in Transit. While I'm sure the nerves will kick in as I double-check for my passport on Monday, I'm hoping that I'll simply blast that album again and be able to sing, I'm Ready.
Never one for relying on myself to keep a journal, I decided to start my blog as a way to keep note of my excursions this summer, particularly as I study abroad during the next month. I won't pretend that I'm not usually a boring person. But, if during this summer you find yourself sick of staring at the television, searching for a way to procrastinate going to the gym, or just plain curious about what may be happening on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, I would love for you to follow along :D
As I sit here writing this, I officially have two days until my departure for what is surely to be one of the scariest and most exciting adventures I will take in life. One week ago I just officially ended my second year at the University of Virginia, and this summer I will be studying abroad in Valencia, Spain. No, I'm not a Spanish major, but I have been lucky enough to keep up with my Spanish throughout college. Last semester, as part of an initiative to encourage Spanish-speaking in the UVA hospital, I was able to Skype with a Spanish tutor, Mónica, who lives in Guatemala. I learned so much from simply being able to converse with her, and the experience really turned me towards continuing with my Spanish so that hopefully one day I can speak it with my patients!
As luck would have it, the UVA in Valencia program actually offers a course called Spanish for Medical Professionals, and I'm signed up for it! (I hope). I'm so excited to not only be taking this course, but to be immersed in a completely different culture! The program involves homestay living, so I'll be staying with my Spanish "mom" Adela, and my housemate Emily...I can't wait to meet them!
Am I ready? I would like to think so, but as I look around at my messy room I see a packed duffel of unsorted clothes I brought home last week from school and an unpacked suitcase that I need to stuff and prepare for my flight on Monday. I'm worried that my Spanish is rusty and that I haven't prepared for the month-long goodbyes I will be saying. I have doubts that I'm ready. I guess that in any big step you always have these thoughts creeping in the forgotten corners of your mind, but I'm doing my best to focus on the bigger picture: the amazing opportunity I have ahead of me.
As I've prepared for May 23rd, I've also started thinking a lot about May 22nd. My sister Emily will be graduating this Sunday, and I couldn't be more proud of her. It was such a blessing to share the Grounds with her during the first half of my college career, and while I'm so excited to see the places she'll go, I will miss her like a phantom limb. I wish her the best of luck as she prepares for her internship at Dolphin Plus, pursuing her dream of becoming a marine mammal trainer and educating the world about the beauty and importance of dolphins in the marine ecosystem.
I've been listening to a lot of Jack's Mannequin lately (in preparation for this summer's concert tour! But more on that later...), and I've found a new special connection to their first album, Everything in Transit. While I'm sure the nerves will kick in as I double-check for my passport on Monday, I'm hoping that I'll simply blast that album again and be able to sing, I'm Ready.
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