Madrid a Zaragoza a Barcelona: El Sexto Día

Rise and shine! Students packed up and prepared to venture out on the roads of España to begin a SIX hour road trip, with a brief stop for lunch. Within ten minutes of the ride, students were already asleep and completing their final adjustment stage into the European time zone. Along the ride (especially for those who were awake) students passed various cities and a massive field of windmills.

Approaching Zaragoza, their brief lunch stop, students had the chance to explore the city and stretch their legs after being on the bus for three hours. Some students went into the city to have lunch and purchase a few trinkets, while others attended Mass within La Seo Cathedral. Gloría, their tour guide informed the students that La Seo has two main features that make it one special cathedral. It contains two bombs that were dropped upon the cathedral that never exploded (and are displayed within the church) and Nuestra Señora del Pilar, a wooden statue given to St. James. After their mini excursion, they loaded up and continued trucking on to Barcelona.

Finally in Barcelona, students checked into their hotel and washed up for dinner. They took a nice little stroll through the city to grab dinner and had their traditional three course meal. While eating, students were able to watch the local fútbol game between Barcelona and Madrid. Before the conclusion of dinner, Barcelona won the league title and other patrons in the restaurant went crazy. After leaving dinner, students decided to participate in the local celebration with fans, by celebrating in the streets and going to the local fountain to meet the players.

Madrid, España: El Quinto Día

Now midway through the trip, students took another hour long bus ride to the mountains, visiting El Escorial. Located within the heart of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (no coincidence by the name), Pedro the local tour guide (and popular man within the area…seriously) gave a brief description of the building and all that it entailed. It is a palace, monastery, church, school, and Royal Tomb, that was shaped like grill in honor of St. Lawrence, who was persecuted and burned. While touring the building a hot commodity was the two empty crypts located under the chapel, which caused students to debate over who could move in and the “Confession Room” or “The Secret Lovers Room” (better known by the students), where two individuals stand diagonally from one another facing the corner can have a complete and clear conversation. Upon the completion of the tour, Pedro informed the students that the so called “Lover’s Room” was used by lepers for confessions to the monks and advised that anyone who touched the wall should seek medical attention if there nose falls off.

On the way back to Madrid, students stopped to visit the controversial Valle de Los Caídos, which for some students brought a personal and emotional connection. The monument and burial site to and for the dead of the Spanish Civil War, was built deep inside the Guadarrama Mountains and houses both the republicans and nationalists. It also contains the remains of Francisco Franco and José Antonío, who was ordered to be executed by Franco.

Today’s dinner was a national favorite and for seafood lovers a mini smorgasbord. It was a traditional three course meal, that some students burned their mouth and (mainly) their tongues.

Toledo, España: El Cuarto Día

The students had an early morning hour drive to the local city of Toledo, where they were introduced to their guide Inmaculada, who lives locally within the older part of the city. Toledo is known as the “City of the Three Cultures”, due to the historical coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

The beginning of the tour started with a marvelous overview of the city that attracted numerous tourist and photo sessions from the students (local hotspot for selfies). Then a brief stop by Suarez Sword Factory, famous for the making of swords and blacked steeled objects filled with gold. The creation process of the steeled objects is called damasquinado, which involves gold threads being hammered into the steel, giving the black steel a presence of color and high value. Students were able to witness a brief demonstration of how both items were created and then given an opportunity to purchase them.

After climbing up the mountains (really riding multiple escalators), the students entered into a preserved era of time with historical heritage and meaning. The cobblestone streets were built by the Moors, to help massage your feet while walking, but for most students caused more discomfort and quick aging than relief. Arriving at la Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, students were given an in depth tour and explanation of the numerous artworks, architectural structure, and religious influences within the cathedral. A main focus by the students was El Transparente, which uses natural light from outside to illuminate the tabernacle and was said to be when heaven touches earth.

Students revisited pieces of artwork from El Greco within La Iglesia de Santo Tomé, which housed his most famous masterpiece, “El entierro del Conde de Orgaz”. Afterwards, the students walked down to the Synagogue de Santa Maria, where their guide informed them that the Muslims built this infrastructure to protect the Jews from the Christians and upon one pillar, they placed the Star of David in honor of the Jews.

Diner was located in La Sidra, which produces apple cider locally within the restaurant. Students had a three course meal, which included soup, chicken with potatoes, and dessert. Some students tried following the traditional way of pouring the sidra (cider) before drinking with their meal.

Madrid, España: El Tercer Día

To start the day off, students were introduced to their local guide of the day, Elena. With a full schedule of events and numerous stops to make, the students began their tour with Las Ventas, the third largest bullring in the world. During the visit, Elena briefly introduced the students into the bullfighting world and the matador lifestyle. The students were amazed to discover that one matador outfit takes about three months to make (all by hand) and the beginning cost starts at three thousands euros (which is approximately $3416.86 American).

Next stop on the Madrid tour was el Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum). This museo consisted of art pieces on various floors, but the students focused on El Greco, Velasquez, Goya, and Murillo. Some of these painters were royal painters and depicted the royal family, while others were well before their time in technique and style, causing them to be banned by the royal family. Within each painters gallery, they each depicted themselves within their most famous work, staring at the spectator of the painting. At the end, students were introduced to the "Mona Lisa de España", which was compared to the original one and was a unknown by the students.

A small group of students ventured off to view the most infamous painting by Picasso, "Guernica" depicting the effects of war upon civilians at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Besides Picasso's works of art, students were able to view cultural, everyday art in multiple medias from locals within the country.

For dinner students had a traditional tapas tasting, which was an offering of multiple selections for everyone to share. Gloría, their local guide gave a mini historía lesson into the meaning and tradition of tapas, which were used in ancient times to cover the drinks and prevent insects from entering. The tapas for the night included tortilla Española, eggplant, roasted peppers with shrimp, and pork with fries (originally identified by students as mystery meat) just to name a few.

Madrid, España: Segundo Día

The students arrived jet lagged and exhausted, but eager to hit the ground running. Stretching cramped and aching bones, sharing the good and bad stories from the flight, and debating to exchange currency they were greeted by their lovely guide Gloría!

Taken away to their hotel to stow and go, they were shown the city by a brief walk to allow their rooms to become prepped and ready for their long stay within the city. They were introduced to a statue of the infamous Don Qujiote and Sancho Panza, located in the Plaza de España. Then just a few kilometers (European adaption) away the group was fortunate enough to witness the Changing of the Guards in front of El Palacio Real, which I might add was not a planned event! Further down the strip was the El Cathedral de Madrid and the entrada (entrance) of El Palacio Real.

Dinner consisted of traditional Español food and a pig’s body parting, starting from the elbow to the shoulder. To top the night off they went to Puerta del Sol and La Plaza Mayor, with a brief cultural history from Gloría.

Pittsburgh to Newark to España: Day One

Fourteen bright eyed students geared up ready to embark on an international and bumpy ride to the Iberia Pennisula, with a breif stop inbetween at the Newark Airport in New Jersey.