Walking around Madrid

Today was a travel day.  After the 3 hr train ride, we checked into our hotel and everybody had a rest. Hit the town in the late afternoon and enjoyed a beautiful walk through the Puerta Del Sol area.  Saw the outside of the Palacio Real, and then visited Madrid's Plaza Mayor.  The buildings are brilliant, but the charm is in the wide pedestrian-only streets and the endless spectacle of street performers, vendors and masses of people.

Everyone was thrilled to eat mexican food tonight -- La Morena set us up with deliciosos nachos and tacos.  A great afternoon and evening in Madrid.   Honorable mention goes to the street performer who goes by the name 'cabron' ... the photos tell the tale.

Last day in Salamanca

Yesterday was our last day in Salamanca.

The students had their final classes, and then in the early afternoon we met up for an excursion to Parque de los Jesuitas, a beautiful park.  Played some soccer, some Uno, some "Saboteur" and then walked to el Centro Comercial.  Everyone did some last minute shopping, then hopped on a bus back to the town Center.  

The students have really enjoyed their time here.  Thanks to the homestay experience, and the fact that we were here for a week, they have a good sense of what it is like to live in a Spanish town.   With the bridge that was built by the Romans in 100, the University that was founded in 1218, and the Plaza Mayor, which is reputed to be the finest plaza in all of Spain, Salamanca truly is a special place.

Spanish Classes at Dile

Today the students finished their Spanish studies at Dile.  During their 4 hrs daily of classes, they were in three distinct groups of 5 or more students.  Highlights in a nutshell:  creative speaking and writing activities and outings on the town where they had to put their Spanish to use.

Touring La Catedral de Salamanca

The charm of Salamanca continues to astound us.  Yesterday we toured the old and new cathedral of Salamanca.  ('old' meaning circa 1400, and 'new' meaning 1600).  The population of Salamanca grew rapidly as the University grew in size and prestige, so the old cathedral quickly became too small.  Since the new one took 200 years to build, in the end they left the two side by side.  Interesting to see the advances in architecture from Romanesque to Gothic styles-- the new cathedral towers above the old one.

March 10... An afternoon in Salamanca...

Daytrip to Avila and Segovia Photos...

We had a great day in Avila and Segovia.  Seve, our tour guide, did an amazing job of explaining everything in Spanish in such a way that the students were able to get the gist of it.  The weather has been cooperating beautifully :)   Got back to Salamanca in time to watch the Real Madrid game at a local restaurant.   We won 3-0.  

Salamanca March 08

Photos from our first day in Salamanca...