The final week was the hardest week. During this time I spent most of my time working on my research papers and presentations that went along with them. I would make time every single day for an ice cream break. That Sunday I also saw my very first bull fight. It was a lot different from what I excepted. In my opinion it was not even a fight. In this fight there was one bullfighter and six different bulls. At the beginning they run around until a horse is brought out, which they attack, and are stabbed for. In the next event the bullfighter tries to jab two poles in the bull, three different times. Lastly the bull and bullfighter go around and around until a final sword is shoved through the back of the bull and it dies.  On Tuesday we visited Truijo and saw a bunch of beautiful sites, my favorite was the castle because of the walls they had and how we could walk on them. On Wednesday the entire group got to teach groups of Spanish students about things in the United States. I found this activity very interesting. We got to see were other students were in their journey of learning English and hopefully teach them some things they did not already know. On this day we had our final goodbye dinner with the entire group. We got to eat at a place I had been wanting to try and see our professors outside of the school setting. We ate a lot of food and afterwards explored the city of Cárceres one last time.

It finally came... the day everyone has been dreading. It's time to pack up our clothes and leave our temporary homes!This day has came so fast it's hard to even pin point certain activities  we accomplished because they all seem like yesterday! Our last group trip was to Trujillo which was absolutely beautiful! Reality kicked in when coming home from there because that was the our last group activity and the  we all have different plans after the program! Some of us our staying in Europe and traveling while the others are going back to the states. It wasn't just the places I visited and the sights that I saw that made my trip a once in a life time experience but the group had a great impact as well! Each and every person contributed their own uniqueness to our group and made every moment something to remember! From our own planned trip to Portugal to the nights we spent at the fair in Caceres there was never a dull moment! I came into the program having classmates but I left the program with some more spanish skills... Of course but also amazing friends who got to experience this unforgettable trip! I was also lucky with how awesome my host parents were too they were so understanding with everything and were willing to help me with any problem I had! In all I can't wait to share with students on how they can't pass this learning experience up because not only is it fun but I've never learned more spanish in my life!

Tours, studying, and quality time with friends have filled my last three weeks in Spain! This week the fair was held in Caceres and it was something I have never experienced before! Starting from the rides all the way to the fiestas there was never a dull moment. Music played from every direction, lights illuminating the sky overhead , and smiles across everyone's face! When I first arrived in Caceres as I said in the previous blogs my Spanish was non existent but as I noticed day by day my ear for more phrases and words was expanding! This is because not only was I listening to spanish in the household I was staying in but every step I took I was guaranteed to be immersed in the spanish language. We went three days to the fair and to say at the very least if was amazing! I can not believe that in one day it will be my final week here.  I'm sad for it to end but I'm excited with what each day will bring! 

Approaching my second week in Spain was to say at the very least incredible! I could not believe how fast time could be. Everyday felt like only hours had passed by. During this week we had accomplished so much including taking an overnight trip to Sevilla. When arriving there we hit the ground running with breathtaking views at the top of a bell tower to entering a vacation home for centuries of passed royalty! Before retreating back to our hotel that night we had the privilege of attending a Flamenco show! Even though I've never been so tired before the parts I did see were something I always will remember! The next morning we woke up had a huge breakfast and started another day that will always be reminisced upon. A lot of my friends decided to go on a boat tour but I was not feeling it so me and two others decided to take another route and invest our time in an experience not worth passing up. We took a three hour electric bike tour throughout Sevilla! The views seen that day had to be experienced in person to truly appreciate the beauty! When everyone was done with their tours we all met at the hotel went to eat and headed back to Caceres. For the remainder of the week we explored Caceres and spent more time with our host families. I learned a great deal of knowledge about my family and what they do for a living. From the first week to this week I saw how much vocabulary I had gained. Even though I still am completely petrified when someone talks to me I can pick out words that I understand and respond back with at least some sort of response. So far I am completely in love with España!

  Culture shock was a word that I knew the definition to but never truly had experienced until this summer. When I got off the bus in Caceres immediately I went into panic mode. My friends were finding their families and introducing themselves but the new part to this was it was all in Spanish! Of course I knew it would be this way but I guess reality caught up to me. I felt lost and knew this was going to be the biggest experience I've ever had in my life. When I finally found my family the conversation consisted of me breaking the news to them my Spanish speaking skills are very minimal! Dinner that night was intense but I made it through without breaking down. I just felt so bad that I couldn't say anything to them that had substance! They were very understanding and went out of their way to make sure I was settled in okay. As the days proceed though I feel my Spanish vocabulary is building into a longer list and becoming more complex. This weekend my friends and I took advantage of being so close to Portugal and decided to take a small adventure there. Portugal is beautiful and Spain is just breath taking! So far my week here has made me realize that being immersed in a new culture is the best way to learn a new language! I can't wait to see my improvements by the end of this trip!

The Past, The Present, The Future

Immersed in a beautiful place of timeless history and multiple cultural influences, it is easy to feel lost in the wonder of it all. To eat the food, to see the buildings and monuments, to hear the symphony of music and sounds, to smell the times and blends of history, to feel the textures of ancient roads and modern structures is to begin to understand a small portion of the totality that is Spain. Experiences such as this must be absorbed and pondered in order for them to become an influence and inspiration in the life of the one who experiences them.

When I first decided to come to Spain it was for the benefit of finishing my requirements and moving on in my chosen career. Little did I understand that the culture of Spain would seep into my very being and bring about an enduring change which will influence my life just as the Romans, Moors, Jews, and Christians influenced Spain. Immersed in the life and surroundings of this beautiful country is an epoch of extreme magnitude.

On a personal level the impact is profound, but the bearing my experience will have on my future students is also tremendous. When teaching writing I will be able to help them be descriptive because I have experienced the indescribable. When reading literature I will be able to bring life to the settings because I have walked the streets of ancient civilizations. When dealing with diversity I will be able to bridge the gap between one view and another because I have built my own bridge of understanding.

As in Spanish history, the past will influence the present and the future as I continue to grow and meld every experience of my life into a beautiful piece, a wondrous place of blended culture and history as I face what is to come.

Synergy

            As I sit to write about my time in Spain, I cannot stop the words of a favorite old song from running through my mind: “If a picture paints a thousand words / Then why can’t I paint you? The words will never show / The you I’ve come to know.” (Bread). Why this song at this time? The answer is simple. Just as the song expresses, there are no words to express the depth of my feelings about my experience and the wonder of Spain. Of course, I only have knowledge of a small piece of the country. My boundaries are limited by my time and my pocketbook.

            Nevertheless, if I were an artist, even if I could capture the beauty, I could not put the wonder on a canvas. I look at the pictures I have taken and am disappointed by the dull flatness of the image. Yes, the beauty is there. But the essence is missing. The essence I will try to carry home in my heart and bring out to wonder at again.

            This week, we visited Merida. Funny, I started to type that we had visited Rome – after all the footsteps of the Romans are still echoing in the streets. The history that defines the city is everywhere just waiting to be absorbed. When I think of the people who have walked there, bought and sold there, lived and died there, I am awed. The ruins tell the story of a people long past. I stood on the stage of an amphitheater built by King Agrippa. I walked in the dirt where the gladiators fought their beasts. I saw a coin engraved with the image of Caesar Augustus. Who knows? Maybe it was the one held in the hand of Jesus when He told the people to “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (New International Version, Mark 12:17).

            For me, Spain is more than just my studies, the places we’ve visited, and the people who make their home here. It is the synergism of it all: the people, the study, the beauty, and the places all joined together as one.

Works Cited

Bread. “If.” The Best of Bread. Hommes, Josh and David Gates, comps. Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Board Stiff Music, Warner Publishing Corp. CD.

New International Version Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1196. Print.

 

Solid as a Rock

When I look out of my bedroom window, I can see the highest hill of the ancient city. It is not only beautiful to look at, but for me it is symbolic. It is an ancient place standing proud upon the hill. It is the city that will not be hidden. And when I look at this place, I see my life. For too long I lived in a hole and let life go on without much participation from me. And now, when most people my age are considering retirement and slowing down, I am just beginning. I raised my children and have no regrets for the time that I spent with them. But now, I will be the ancient building on the hill. I will no longer be content to stay down but will rise to the top and live my life to the fullest. That is the main reason that I decided to come to Spain. It is a major step up for me. It is my beginning. Maybe the Romans and Moors built Cáceres, but I am rebuilding myself. And someday, my students may look at me and consider me as I consider the castle on the hill. They may wonder, “How did she get there? What lay at her foundation?” And I will be able to say that part of my foundation was built in Spain, in a beautiful city where I could only communicate slightly, but where my foundation helped give me wings to fly.

Blog #4

Los Toros

I want to start by telling a very famous Cherokee proverb. There are two wolves inside us all. One of them has good characteristics such as: love, compassion, forgiveness, peace, etc. The other one consists of jealousy, hate, anger, greed, etc. The proverb says that the wolf that wins is the one you feed. Keep in mind that the Cherokee people, and most indigenous people, thank the animals they kill for its sacrifice without torturing it. With that being said, it took me a while to comprehend European traditions...traditions such as bullfighting, that have been given to places Spain has influenced, like Mexico. There are two ways of looking at this tradition. It could be honorable, or it could be an atrocity. It looks bad how well the bulls are trained to go after the red cape and not the man holding it. They stand still unless the cape is being held up at them. Sometimes a bull is surrounded by 5 bull “fighters”. This is not really a fight. Maybe, they should call this tradition something else. Not only do they get tired by charging at the cape numerous times, but they get stabbed in the back (literally and figuratively) until they are too weary to stand. After they are no longer standing, they are stabbed repeatedly in the head until they die and are drug out of the stadium by horses while the crowd cheers. However, that means the bull won the “fight”. If the bull were to “lose” by getting it’s ear and tail cut off, it would be allowed to live. I cheered for the bull several times and was told not to by another spectator. Some might say a “bullfight” is honorable. How is it honorable if you always want the bull to lose?

I must say, when the band started to play while the bull was charging at the cape, it looked like the bull was having his last dance with the “bullfighter.” I had much respect and honor for the bull. That dance showed off all of the strength the bull had before it died. Ultimately, the bulls are food. The Cherokee believe that in order to cause the least amount of harm, the strength of the animal should be understood and not demonstrated. Here are a few interesting pictures for you to decide how you feel about Los Toros. What an awesome experience!!

Week 3

My third week consisted of a trip to Mérida, Spain, going to the fair in Cáceres, and watching a bullfight for the first time in my life. During our tour of Mérida, we got to see the Roman theatre, the Roman amphitheater, and the second longest Roman bridge in the world. My favorite of the three was definitely the Roman theatre because I have seen numerous pictures and videos of musicians performing in that theatre, but actually being there was so much more fulfilling. The way the Romans set up the entire theatre was brilliant. My second favorite would have to be the amphitheater because that was where men would fight beasts like lions and tigers. It was awesome to walk in and around where the gladiators would wait until it was time for them to attack. It is crazy to think people actually did that, but I was able to experience that somewhat when I went to my first bullfight at the Cáceres bullring, Plaza de Argel. The first initial stab to the first bull was pretty intense. Yes, I cried, but after that first stab, I was able to watch the rest of the show. We were extremely lucky to be able to see Julián López Escobar, one the best Spanish bullfighters of all time. That day, he was awarded the dead bulls' ears and tail for above-average bullfights. As much as I loved my experience, I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if the bulls would have lived. I know it is an extremely old tradition, but to each their own. Lastly, I was able to experience one of the most popular fairs in Cáceres that is held here every year. I absolutely loved it. It is similar to the fairs in the United States in the fact that there are rides, games, food, bands, and venders. However, the fairs in Spain are way more fun. A lot more people go to the fairs, there are nightclubs at the fairs that are open until 6-7 in the morning, young people bring their own alcohol to drink at the fair before going to the clubs, and last but not least, there are churros which are to die for.

Scavenger Hunt - Gynkana Cáceres Purdue 2015
1. Sube a la torre de Bujaco y haz una foto a la plaza desde la muralla.

2. Entra en la Catedral y visita el Cristo Negro. Toma Una foto del interior de la iglesia.

3. Sube al campanario de la catedral y toma una foto.

4. Sube por la cuesta junto a la iglesia de San Jorge, visita el Centro de Divulgación de la Semana Santa y toma 4 fotos. Dos con un nazareno, otra con el gorro de nazareno y otra en el aljibe. 

 5. Ve al Museo Municipal y visita el aljibe. Allí haz una foto del depósito de agua.

Blog #3

Roman Theatre

I had the opportunity to go to the Roman Theater in Mérida, Spain. I was able to see first hand the Roman architecture. In the Roman theatre I was able to see the bath houses, the garden, the temple, where the gladiators were kept, and where the animals were kept. Throughout the theatre I noticed some statues with out heads. I learned that when authorities changed, it was easier to only change the heads of the statues. It is said that there are hills of old heads from the statues piled on top of one another. Another thing that caught my eye due to missing pieces were the beautiful mosaic floors. The floors of temples and other buildings were not kept sacred until not too long ago, so people would take parts of the mosaic art. However, the museum that I went to in Mérida had full mosaic artworks on the walls. The museum taught me even more about the short Roman empire of Spain. The museum showcased weapons, pottery, and architecture. Right outside the museum was a restaurant. There was so many options on the menu of new things to try. I had a veal burger with goat cheese. Conveniently, I found out that that was typical of roman food along with wine and other things.. I would have loved to experience a meal at the Roman theatre while watching gladiators fight to the death. Don't get me wrong. I think it is inhumane to have slaves, let alone, make them fight to the death...and not to mention entertaining yourself with it. Unlike how I believe the Roman’s karma took place, I’m sure the food was good. When I was done at the restaurant, my friend gave me leftover food that she did not like and did not want to waste. As we were walking back to the train station, a man in need asked us for money. Instead, I offered him the leftovers of which he thanked us immensely. It encouraged my beliefs of how good things will come your way if you do good things for others. It made me think, “Maybe that’s why the Romans spent such little time controlling Spain.”

Blog #2

Portugal

Visiting Lisbon, Portugal was splendid! It is also called Lisboa. On my tour around a historical part of the city, the tour guide said that Lisboa rhymed with Pessoa both literally and figuratively. I had the opportunity to learn about important people like Fernando Pessoa, who was a prolific writer, and a Fado singer named Maria Severa. We learned how popular and important Fado music is to the Portuguese people. Especially in the neighborhood called Alfama. From what I understood, the tour guide said that the music became popular during a big change in Lisboa. The change happened when there was an earthquake that destroyed the higher class, religious, and traditional neighborhood. The earthquake did nothing to the “sinful” neighborhood; therefore there was a lot of animosity towards the people in the lower class neighborhood and God. I also was able to see the castle in which the tour guide said the Moores hid safely from the Christians...until they were promised safe evacuation by the Christians. However, the Christians decided to kill them anyway after the castle was opened. I like how Portugal has a lot of common history with Spain including the different cultures that inhabited the two countries. However, I noticed that almost all of the people that I talked to in Portugal could speak either English or Spanish as well as their native Portuguese language. Therefore, it was very easy for me to get around Lisbon. If someone didn’t understand a word I said in English, I could say that word in Spanish and they would understand completely what I had said. It really brings to life what my professor mentioned in class about Spanglish becoming another language. It reminds me of when the Iberos and Celtas of Spain mixed and were called Celtiberos. The language of Lisbon, Portugal is mixed with English, Spanish, Portuguese and I wonder if it will have a name in the future. It was easy to find the fun spots in Lisboa! Places like malls, aquariums, clubs, and tattoo shops were some of the fun spots that some of the people in our group experienced. The plaza by the ocean was so beautiful, too. The architecture next to the small beach was such an amazing sight. I felt in awe at creation with my feet in the sand and in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean’s crystal blue water from across the world!

Blog #1

So far, I have a lot learned from this trip. When I first arrived in Caceres, Spain, I was not confident in my Spanish Speaking skills. As time has progressed, I Began to talk to my host family more. My host family not only feeds me well, but they Also help me improve my Spanish. I have gotten to experience a lot of good food Consisting of: that asparagus soup is served cold, lots of bread, fresh juice, delicious rice, farmers cheese, potato cakes, baked meals, fried foods, and pastries. It's amazing how much we talked about during our meals. This is the time my Spanish speaking skills really improved.

We talked about things like cultural differences. One of the cultural differences is that saying "Hello" and "Goodbye" are very important. However, they rarely say "please" or "thank you." There is no "excuse me" when in crowded places, either. They just push past one another. Citizens Most speak only Spanish. Especially, the older people. What was really different for me Was That people will not take it easy or even give up Their seat on the bus for the elderly. What really surprised me is That the police are a lot nicer in Caceres than in the United States. They are very eager to help people, even if it is with friendly warnings. They have conversations caring for no reason and give people the benefit of the doubt. If I have learned anything so far, it would be that kindness goes a long way .

 translation

Week #3

Since I missed the trip to Seville, this weekend I made up for it by taking a shorter trip to Plasencia. Only about an hour train ride from Cáceres, I arrived at around 8:20 in the morning. Walking through town most restaurants and little shops were closed until ten. The group used this time to explore the buildings they had surrounding their plaza which included walls, the Cathedral of Plasencia, City Hall, the Arches of San Anton, Marqués de Mirabel Palace, and the House of Two Towers. Each one was really fascinating and beautiful. My favorite was the Cathedral because of all the little details that take up the entire front door of it. As we continued to explore the town we came across a large market which I found very interesting. A bunch of people had set up little stands and were selling fresh fruits and vegetables.  Another attraction I found really interesting is the “Abuelo Mayorga.” He stands next to the bell in the Plaza Mayor and was the first thing I noticed as we walked through. Looking around the Plasencia Plaza reminded me a lot of the Cáceres Plaza Mayor, they are both surrounded by restaurants and shops, then split off into two roads that lead to more restaurants and shops! Although Plasencia did not really have cars driving around there main plaza, there was still a few cars on the side streets that seemed to only be there to deliver to stores. Although it was a very short trip we managed to see a lot of great sites and really experience the atmosphere Plasencia!

Week #2

I did not have the best start to my weekend since I missed my train to Seville, but I was determined to not let that ruin my entire weekend. I set out to discover new parts of Cáceres I had yet to explore. Thursday I looked up possible options, while there was not any sites to see, I managed to find a mall close by. I found a lot of new shops and familiar ones. I experienced my first fast food meal from another country. As someone who is usually one-hundred percent against Burger King, the meal I had was not the worst. It was not as greasy and after eating I did not feel the same sluggish way I usually do. Friday I had to make a trip back to the mall, but it was crazy how fast I got there compared to the first time I went. It really made me realize how quickly I am learning the streets and the possible shortcuts. On the walk back I decided to experience a few more firsts in Spain: pizza and frozen yogurt! The pizza came covered in what I could only assume to be olive oil, but it was just as delicious! The frozen yogurt was less impressive. Saturday was made into a day of exploring! I walked the streets of old Cáceres and looked at the beautiful scenery it had to offer. Even though the streets were like mazes to me, I found it hard to get lost, and at the end of the day made it back to the plaza with relatively no problem. Even though my weekend was not filled with new stunning structures and sites, I was really glad to pick up souvenirs for my family and spend some personal time unwinding.

Week #1

Caceres is very beautiful. My first night I learned many things about the culture. My host mom took me to the music festival in the plaza. Before we even arrived I started to noticed things that were confirmed at the festival. When I first met my host mom she greeted me with two kisses on my cheeks. For me that was new and different. The next thing I noticed was that the cars that were on the street all looked the same and acted very different from drivers in America. Walkers would just walk across the crosswalks and cars would immediately stop for them. Cars would stop at yellow lights as soon as it changes, whereas in America drivers speed through yellow lights. As we walked to the plaza, everyone just bumping and hit each other, it was not uncommon to run into crowds of people or for people to just stop in the middle of walking. At the concert stages there was a lot more kids there than I have ever seen in an American music festival. The parents were a lot less strict and I never once saw a parent yelling at their children. The people were a lot more chill and friendly. I meet a lot of my host mom’s friends and had many conversations with them (as much as I could). Everyone was really understanding of my language barriers and tried their hardest to make sure I could understand them. At the festival I got to see all the beautiful buildings that surround the plaza and really enjoy them in another setting apart from the sunshine!

Week 2

The second week of the program was another eventful week for us. We had the privilege of visiting the authentic city of Sevilla. We visited the extraordinary cathedral, La Giralda. It is the largest gothic cathedral in all of Europe. My friends and I walked all thirty-five ramps and seventeen steps to reach the top and see the extraordinary view of the entire city. It was absolutely breathtaking. Soon after, we visited El Palacio del Rey Don Pedro. Every inch of the palace was covered in fine details, rich colors, and symmetrical designs. One of the best parts of our trip was going to the flamenco museum where we watched spectacular artists in their natural habitats; the musicians and dancers were incredible. I could see and feel how passionate each one of them were about flamenco. That night, we ate a savory meal and stayed in a nearby hotel. The next morning, some students and I went on a relaxing boat tour while the rest of the students went on an electric bike tour. On the boat tour, we saw the Torre del Oro which is where the gold from America was once stored. We also were fortunate enough to cruise underneath some of the oldest and newest bridges of the city. It was such a profound feeling to see where history meets modernism in Seville.

Week 1

As time moves along throughout this trip, my knowledge about the world continues to expand. I had a pretty good foundation of Spanish before flying out here, but everyday I learn a new Spanish word or phrase. In the United States, I learned about Spain's geography. I learned that the capital is Madrid and the "vosotros" form is utilized but I never learned about the culture. Being in Spain has given me the opportunity to be immersed in a new culture with different norms and style of living. Knowing the language is one thing, but fully being able to experience the culture is so much more fulfilling. Some activities that I have experienced so far would include Womad, visiting the local movie theater, trying new foods, taking a trip to Portugal, and visiting an aquarium. This first week in Spain has opened my eyes to the differences in how we live in America versus how Spaniards live out here. First and foremost, people do not have personal bubbles in Spain like they do in the states. People stand closer to one another when having conversations. People tend to be closer emotionally as well. Families and friends spend a lot more time together, talking to each other, and spending time together. I have seen this within my home. The family sits around the table or in front of the TV and talks for hours at a time. I am going to take some of these traditions and norms back to the United States and practice them there. Overall, I absolutely love Spain. It's beautiful out here. I have experienced so much in so little time and cannot wait to see what else this trip has in store for me.

Bienvenido Purdue 2015

Este año damos la bienvenida a 9 estudiantes de la Universidad de Purdue.