Summer Session 2

Summer Session 2 is well underway and there have already been a few adventures! After the weekly wednesday night Encuentro meeting at Iglesia Prosperidad we took our packed dinners to Parque de los Principes for a picnic. Sevilla gets a little hot in the summer when the sun is out, but once the sun goes down and it starts to cool off, you can't resist being outside to enjoy the city.

When we finished eating we hopped on the bus and headed over to the Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas, also known as Monasterio de la Cartuja. After the monestary was closed it was converted to a factory of ceramic tiles in 1840. (you can see one of the chimneys in the background of the picture) It continued to produce tiles until 1982 and now has been converted to a museum of contemporary art and ceramics.

What brought us there was the a free flamenco show in the courtyard of the monastery. The show involved a guitarist, singer, flautist, and two palmeras (clappers) and a dancer. The show truly was amazing and very impressive for being free. We were glad that we came early enough to get good seats.

A couple days later on friday we headed over to the beautiful city of Cádiz. Professors José Maria and Salva came along to be our tour guides for the day. Cádiz is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula and possible of all southwestern Europe so needless to say there is a lot of history to see. We started the tour near the old tobacco factory.

The cathedral was built on the sight of an older cathedral that burned down in 1596. It was rebuilt beginning in 1776 in the baroque style, but since it took so long to build it changed hands through different architects and also contains elements of rococo and neoclassical. You can clearly see the different stages of building by what materials were used over the 116 year period of being built.

Next we headed over to the Torre Tavira to get an amazing view of the entire city. It is the tallest remaining tower left in the city that was used by merchants to see the merchant ships coming into the harbor. It now contains a pinhole camera on top that projects images of the city to a room below. It is the only cámara oscura in all of Spain

After seeing the city through the camera than we were able to go up on the top of the tower and have a look for ourselves. It was really cool to be able to see the ocean on all sides of the peninsula. This picture is looking down at Calle Sacramento, the longest street in the city.

The group with the cathedral and ocean in the background.

San Antonio Church. The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed in this plaza.

Cádiz ends up being a lot of the students favorite city in Spain for good reason. We ended our day together near the beach. Some students decided to stay longer while others headed back on the bus.

Summer Session 1

Well we have already made it half way through the summer and to the end of Session 1. It seems to have passed so quickly! Summer in Seville is when the city truly comes alive and other than siesta time (about 2pm to 5pm). It seems that everyone spends their time outside either at their regular cafe/restaurant or relaxing by the river.

Summer students had the chance to see the Romería de El Rocío pass through the city twice. Over a million people make the pilgrimage to the nearby province of Huelva on foot. They use wagons pulled by oxen or horse drawn carriages to carry their supplies for the journey. The people sing and dance as they go on their way. It is quite the sight to see them and the giant oxen passing through the streets of Seville!

The students came ready to learn and to put their Spanish into use. After a quick orientation at the school we gave them a tour of the main sights of the city. The best part about Seville is that all of the major monuments are in short walking distances from each other.

We also took the students out to one of our favorite tapas bars to show them how Spaniards in the south eat when they go out. It is always fun to be able to try a little bit of everything from each of the small plates. Local Spaniards and friends of the school, Martín and Enrique came along to teach a little about the different plates.

The first excursion came quickly and the first friday we headed off in a bus together to explore the city of Cordoba. Cordoba is most famous for La Mezquita, which is actually now the cathedral of the area but still shows much of the Moorish influence. Professors Ana and Salva gave us a tour through the massive building which feels like a mosque until you discover the very tall Renaissance cathedral nave in the middle. This picture of the students is of one of the doors outside which clearly shows the Moorish architecture.

Crossing the old Roman bridge of the city leads you to the Calahorra Tower, that was once used to protect the bridge but is now home of a cultural museum. The museum focuses on how Christianity, Muslim, and Judaism were able to live side by side in the 10th Century.

The next week our destination was just a 3 minute walk from the school to the Cathedral of Seville. It is the largest gothic cathedral and the third largest church in the world. Professor Carmen gave the tour and explained all the fascinating pieces of art and treasures that could be found inside, including the grave of Christopher Columbus. At the end of the tour students were able to climb the Giralda, which is a minaret converted into a bell tower, and is the most famous symbol of Seville.

The next excursion was a short city bus ride out of Seville to the town of Santiponce. Found right beside the town is the roman ruins of the city of Italica. The most impressive sight is the remains of the amphitheater which used to seat 25,000 people. Remains of the homes can be found, some with their elaborate mosaic floors still in tact.

After exploring Italica we walked over to the Monasterio de San Isidoro del Campo. The monastery was once home of Casiodoro de Reina who later was a major part of translating the Bible into Spanish.

Another night we met up together at a famous flamenco bar called La Carboneria. One of the appealing parts of the place is how hard it is to find. Even if you are on the right street you will see no sign bearing its name. It is only recognized by its big red doors. Every night there is a least an hour of flamenco music and dancing with no cover charge. Students were only given vague directions to find the place on their own and in the end really enjoyed the search and their reward.

Like every semester students were given the opportunity to play Bingo with the residents of La Caridad. The older men always enjoy the visit and they really get into the game! Both residents and students can win little prizes as the game is played. It is also a good way for the students to practice their numbers in Spanish.

Another holiday that took place in Seville was Corpus Christi. It is a religious festival of the Catholic church commemorating the Eucharist. Processions rich in tradition could be found all day throughout the city.

Back at the school students painted their own abanicos or "fans" to fight the summer heat and to bring home as gifts or souvenirs.

To end the students time in Seville a little piece of America came to send them on their way back home. Actors Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz came back into town to promote the premiere of the movie Knight and Day, which has many scenes shot in the city center of the city. On thursday they re-inacted a couple of the actions scenes involving Tom Cruise on a motorcycle being chased by a couple cars around the fountain beside the cathedral.

On Friday was the world premiere of Knight and Day which took place in Seville's Teatro Lope de Vega. It was an interesting mix of Hollywood and some of Spain's celebrities. Those who pushed through to the fence got their chance to meet Tom and Cameron face to face.

Summer Session 1 flew by over our three and a half weeks together. It was hard to say goodbye to those who headed back home. We wish them the best on the rest of their journey. But we were happy for those who decided to stay for Session 2! We also have three new students joining us. We have a couple excursions coming up so stay tuned!

Flamenco Class

Every Fall and Spring semesters the Semester In Spain programs offers flamenco classes for the students. The classes are taught by Sylvia Santoro a professional dancer from Barcelona who now lives in Sevilla with her husband. Sylvia teaches the class a certain type of flamenco dance called sevillanas which just about anyone born in Sevilla grows up learning.

The classes take place on every Monday night in the library at the school and the semester of classes end with a Fiesta de Flamenco where the girls borrow flamenco dresses and the boys dress their best to put on a show for the rest of the school. This year the fiesta took place at La Caridad a convalescent home for elderly men.

Enjoy these videos of the two different groups of students!

Those who attend the Spring semester then get to then use their newly acquired skill to dance sevillanas with the locals at the annual Feria, a week long festival of eating, drinking, and dancing sevillanas.

Ronda

Last week Friday the school took a trip through the winding mountainous roads to the city of Ronda, found in the province of Malaga. Unfortunately, once because of the large amount of rain once again, we were unable to stop by the Roman ruins of Acinipo because the road had been washed out. But that meant that more time could be spent exploring Ronda.

The first stop in Ronda was the plaza de toros, which in fact is the oldest operating bull fighting ring in Spain. Ronda is also know for its horsemanship so students got to view a training session in la Escuela de Equitación next to the ring.

Random Fact: Madonna shot her music video for the song "Take a Bow" in this ring.

Profesora Cecilia came along as a tour guide on this excursion. She knows Ronda well because her husband Enrique was born there. Her mother-in-law or "suegra" met up with us to help show us around.

One of the most impressive structures in the city is the Puente Nuevo or the "New Bridge" built in 1751. The bridge took 42 years to build. The chamber underneath has been used for a variety of things, including a prison.

After crossing the bridge to explore the old part of the city, we found ourselves with beautiful views on all sides with many different lookout points available.

The last part of the day we entered into the old water mine below La Casa del Rey Morro. It was built to be an easy access to the Guadalevin River if the city was under siege. It actually ended up being the downfall of the Moors when that Catholic Monarchs captured the mine and were able to cut off the city's water supply.

The view from the bottom, about 300 ft. down. It feels like being in a different world.

The trip to Ronda from Sevilla is definitely worth the 2 1/2 hour bus ride. It is really a city like no other and is often found to be the favorite excursion of many students.

Los Molinos and Toledo

Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, "Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless."

"What giants?" asked Sancho Panza.

"Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length."

"Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone."

- from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Last week Thursday and Friday the school took at trip up to Toledo. On the way we stopped briefly at the windmills or "molinos" in Castile-La Mancha made famous in the book Don Quixote.

You can view more of our photos HERE

This is a view of the city of Toledo from "the mirador," a viewing spot on the other side of the river. This gives you an idea that the city was built in medieval times with protection in mind. Toledo was the original capital of Spain.

After we arrived and got settled into the the hotel we met up again at the church of Santo Tomé to view the most famous painting of Renaissance painter El Greco. No pictures were allowed of the painting but here is a image from the internet. I don't believe that any camera could capture the large size and color of real life. The story behind the painting is very interesting so if you would like, you can read more HERE.

Next we headed to the Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes.

This monastery was founded by the famous King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and has motifs and coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs everywhere. Students enjoyed the peacefulness of the small garden in the middle of the cloister. More info HERE

The rest of the day students had the opportunity to wander the small maze-like streets of the medieval city. It was easy to stumble upon stores filled to the brim with swords made by the famous smiths of Toledo.

The next day, after having seen only the tower stick out high above from the streets the day before, we finally found ourselves in front of the great cathedral of Toledo. This cathedral is considered to be the pinnacle of the Gothic style in Spain. Students explored the inside and took in all the beautiful architecture and history. Inside the vestry we found a great collection of paintings and artifacts, including more famous paintings by El Greco. Read more about the cathedral HERE.

After the cathedral some of us head back to Sevilla and others took advantage of their proximity to Madrid and headed to the current capital for the weekend. Madrid is a half an hour train ride from Toledo.

You can view more of our pictures from Toledo HERE

Serving at Los Naranjos

On Saturday, students had the opportunity to serve one of the local churches in the area by helping them fix up their retreat center. The church is called Prosperidad and each week they let us use their building for a service on Wednesday nights called Encuentro. The retreat center is called Los Naranjos and is a hour and a half train ride out of the city. Prosperidad, along with four other churches, bought the old military base years ago and have slowly been improving it and expanding it as a retreat center.

Our job for the day was to repaint and clean one of the apartments.

Emily, Kat, and Liz jumped on the chance to serve.

The owners treated us to a nice lunch, served camp style.

After lunch we enjoyed a nice walk along the river to the waterfall. The cool part about this was that normally it is not much of a waterfall, but because of all the recent rain, the river is stronger than ever.

The finished product!

The couple who ran the camp were very grateful for the help and the students enjoyed the change of scenery from the city for a day. They invited us back to come and help out or just enjoy the camp anytime.