Segovia

La Huelga - The Strike

Yesterday March 29th, the entire country went on strike in protest of a labor law that is being past Congress. Mrs. Graham and I went out to the streets and walked next to the people that were protesting to experience and better understand the political and social situation around this issue. It´s a complex one and explaining it here would only create more confusion amongst my readers.

The most important message that I want parents to know is that we witnessed a safe, nonviolent, and passionate strike in the city of Valladolid. We know that there were no cases of violence in the city and as a result all our kids are safe. I even spotted some of them in the plaza with their host families experiencing this event. 

There will be pictures and videos to come stay tuned.....

Family Stay

It was yesterday, after a great day spent in Segovia, that we finally made it to our main destination, Valladolid. As our bus was pulling to the meeting point, the students from the bus could see the families lined up on the sidewalk with big sings that read "Welcome (followed by the name of the student". The bus parked and they all got out and were immediately embraced by two kisses from each family member followed by hugs.  In a matter of minutes, they all were on their way to live out this new adventure. Good luck guys, Mrs. Graham and I had a blast with you these past few days. 

El Flamenco

On our way to the Flamenco we stopped infront of the Post Office. Yes, this magnificent building is the Post Office in Madrid. 

Great guitarist, and flamenco singers performed for a packed place from 10:30 till 1:00a.m. Their talented voices made us enjoy and be in ahhhh of this great Spanish tradition. 

A number of different dancers performed through out the night.  Men and women both put up a powerful performance that provoked emotions from the crowd. 

Enjoy a short video of this amazing Flamenco. 

Museo de arte Reina Sofía

       After enjoying our time at Parque del Retiro we walked back to our hotel and had a 20min break before heading to the Reina Sofia Art Museum.  The great thing about going to the Reina Sofia is that it was directly adjacent to our hotel. The difference between the Prado and the Reina Sofia is that the art at el Prado is from the 19th century and before. In contrast, at the Reina Sofia the art was from the 20th century (Cubism, Dada, Postmodern etc.). There we enjoyed El Guernica, one of Picasso´s master pieces that depicts some of the effect of the Spanish Civil War together with a lot of his other work. At the same time we saw some of Dali´s work amongst other great artists.

We were trying to blend in but....
 our big map gave it away. 

Paulina and the rest of the group getting ready
to enter the museum of Art
Reina Sofia. 

Picasso and Cubism 

More of Picasso´s cubism 

Dalí 

Lindsey, Mikaela, Katie, Kelly, Courtney, and Hannah at the Reina Sofia.  

   

Parque del Retiro

After El Prado we went to the parque El Retiro (park el Retiro). There the students had two hours to go explore, maybe rent a boat go rowing, grab a bocadillo, walk around the El Retiro, people watch or.... play frisbee. 

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Dan, Tim, Nate, Kelvin and I decided to play throw the frisbee around for one hour. 

Museo El Prado

 Our day started with some café con leche and cuernitos for breakfast at the hotel. Then we all gathered at the hotel lobby for a quick meeting where Mrs. Graham and I explained to them the days itinerary. We then left early in the morning and walked the streets of Madrid towards the great museum of El Prado.

There was a super long line at the entrance of El Prado upon our arrival but thanks to Mrs. Graham and her convincing skills we only waited for 45 minutes. Once inside, we were in a time machine that took us centuries back into worlds of Art. Paintings from the Goya, Velazquez, and el Greco, which we have been studying were finally infront of us. It´s hard to explain the feeling but trust me, it was surreal to be infront of these painting that mean so much. 

The great Spanish painter Goy.

Museo El Prado

Outside El Prado the students sat infront of a gothic style church enjoying the sun.