Reflection

 Looking back on my trip, I am so happy I went - I met so many new people and really improved my spanish. Now in AP Spanish, I recognize some of the words I  learned on my trip from my family or in class. The staff were a great group who kept us laughing, gave us tips on adjusting to the Spanish lifestyle and getting along with our host families.

My favorite trip was Ronda, un pueblo blanco in the mountains, home to a bullfighting ring and a palace (which also had great gelato).

Overall, I had an amazing experience in Spain, and I would recommend this program to anyone willing to new things and leave their comfort zone.

Last Week Here

Earlier in the week we visited a lot of museums: museo de Cadiz, another near the beach La Caleta, and a third that housed Goya paintings.

Also I found my new favorite food here, my host dad made this for my roommate and I - garbanzos con acelgas y chorizo - a thick soup that I need the recipe for!

Today instead of visiting Gibraltar as originally planned, we went up into the mountains to a town (one of the pueblos blancos) called Ronda. There we saw a palace and a bullfighting ring. Later, we went to see a Flamenco show at La Cava. Tomorrow, we have free time to sleep in :)

Be sure to check out the photos below

Bus Ride

Incredible Views

Palace of the Moor King in Ronda

At the bottom of the Palace

Swimming in Ronda

Pancho's Selfie

Museum near La Caleta

La Caleta Beach

In the Museum of Cadiz

Goya Paintings!

Walk to the Beach

Tessa's Birthday

Outside the Bullfighters Museum

 The Oldest Ring in Spain

Bullfighters' Museum

Flamenco Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPUwsv-Yfzc

Time flies! Pictures

I can't believe we are already more than halfway done with this amazing program!

A religious festival

We went to see a flamenco music performance from a balcony.

There's a heladeria on every corner here, ice cream every day :)

We visited the Torre Tavira which has a camara oscura - we could see the whole city!

The view was definitely worth all those stairs

Ice Age 4 in spanish

outside the daycare

  Today we volunteered again at a daycare, and of course we had to stop for churros on the way

"I Am The Boss"

Week 2

So many activities! The other night we visited La Playa Victoria, then a flea market with performers, and last night pizza. Yesterday we went kayaking and biking in a beautiful natural park called Los Turonos, and today we went out to breakfast as a group for the traditional Spanish breakfast of churros and chocolate. After churros, I went to mass at the Cathedral - which was difficult to understand but relaxing. Now, I am home and about to eat paella and celebrate our "sister's"birthday.

Plaza Flores

 Sunset

Playa Victoria

Street Performers

 Cangreja in the park

Trying new food - Ham and Cheese flavored Ruffles

On the way to the flea market "El Rostrillo"

 Biking in the park Los Turonos - 9km!

 Kayaking in Los Turonos