So today is my final final final day here in Salamanca. I have done everything I need to do, Packed 90% of my things, and I am still sad. I've said goodbye to most of my friends, which was harder to do than I thought. Things I have learned from Salamanca:
1) Spanish. Self-explanitory
2) Independance: It helps that I didn't have anything/anybody this semester. It helped me find myself and rely on my self. I can now say that I can move anywhere, and live anywhere, and not know anyone and be okay.
3) I've learned that you don't always have to plan every second of a trip to have fun. Sometimes the best times are just walking around for hours, or sitting in a really cool park.
4) Watch your stuff, someone might steal it.
5) Wine pretty much mixes with anything. Why they don't do this in the U.S., I am not sure.
So, I say "Adios" to you, Salamanca. La ciudad de oro y de mi vida.
Mi cielo y corazon,
Ashley
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Adios, Salamanca!
I am coming to the end of my spanish journey. Though I am sad to leave, I am getting excited to get back home. My finals are going well, 4/5 done! I'm sure I am passing all of my classes with mostly A's, which is a great feeling. I have my biggest and toughest test on Wednesday, so wish me luck! Tonight, my lovely Kappa Sister Erin and I had dinner at Cafe la luna, one of my favorite spots in Salamanca. Tomorrow I am going for coffee to say goodbye to some friends. I started packing tonight, too. I rationalized it with having to pack my suitcase too see all of my clean clothes for next week. Salamanca has been so good to me! I have learned Spanish, made some friends, and learned that I can be completely independant, characteristics that I will keep with me forever. After Wednesday, I will depart to Salamanca for an adventurous trip with my Aunt Jodi to Barcelona, Cordoba, and Madrid. Even though the weather has changed and it's suppose to rain basically the whole time, I know it's going to be an amazing end to my spanish adventure!
I am leaving you with a not-so-recent picture, but atleast it's something for y'all to look at!
Love you all!
Abrazos y besos,
Ashley
I am leaving you with a not-so-recent picture, but atleast it's something for y'all to look at!
Love you all!
Abrazos y besos,
Ashley
Saturday, April 24, 2010
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL!!!
In an effort to take a break from my studies, I have found time and internet to update about my trip to Portugal last weekend! Portugal is that part of what looks to be spain...but it actually is another country with a completely differnet language and culture.
Friday
On Friday we got up really early and went to Coimbra, an old famous university town with little winding cobblestone streets and a river. It was super cute!
After exploring Coimbra and being yelled at in Portuguese by a stranger...we ended up at Bathala Monestary, built because the portuguese won a battle against the spainiards and praised God for thanks!
After getting in a minor bus accident on the way to Lisbon, which was apparently the talk-of-the-town, we settled in and rested up for a BIG day of sight seeing.
Saturday
We woke up really early and headed to Sintra to see the old Royal Palace. The palace, not such a big deal. The character of the town, on the other hand, was prescious. It looked like it could have been plucked out of Busch Gardens Europe. So cute.
From Sintra, we went to Boca de Infierno, or the Mouth of Hell, which was in fact quite beautiful!
After spending some time near the beach, we all crammed back in the bus and headed back to the Monasteria de los Jeronimas in Lisboa.
Sunday
Our last day in Portugal, we packed up the bus and headed to Fatima, where the virgin mary showed three visions to three children in the campo. Well, it is no longer a campo, but it is still very pretty.
Lucky for us we were there just in time for the end of mass.
Everyone loves el Papa Juan Pablo II (Pope John Paul II)
All and all, portugal was amazing and fun. Even through the spotty rain, we all had a great time. Now I am wrestling with finals and saying good-bye to Salamanca. Only a week and a half left of Salamanca, then I take a great adventure to Barcelona with Aunt Jodi. I'll keep you updated as internet permits!
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
In an effort to take a break from my studies, I have found time and internet to update about my trip to Portugal last weekend! Portugal is that part of what looks to be spain...but it actually is another country with a completely differnet language and culture.
Friday
On Friday we got up really early and went to Coimbra, an old famous university town with little winding cobblestone streets and a river. It was super cute!
After exploring Coimbra and being yelled at in Portuguese by a stranger...we ended up at Bathala Monestary, built because the portuguese won a battle against the spainiards and praised God for thanks!
After getting in a minor bus accident on the way to Lisbon, which was apparently the talk-of-the-town, we settled in and rested up for a BIG day of sight seeing.
Saturday
We woke up really early and headed to Sintra to see the old Royal Palace. The palace, not such a big deal. The character of the town, on the other hand, was prescious. It looked like it could have been plucked out of Busch Gardens Europe. So cute.
From Sintra, we went to Boca de Infierno, or the Mouth of Hell, which was in fact quite beautiful!
After spending some time near the beach, we all crammed back in the bus and headed back to the Monasteria de los Jeronimas in Lisboa.
Sunday
Our last day in Portugal, we packed up the bus and headed to Fatima, where the virgin mary showed three visions to three children in the campo. Well, it is no longer a campo, but it is still very pretty.
Lucky for us we were there just in time for the end of mass.
Everyone loves el Papa Juan Pablo II (Pope John Paul II)
All and all, portugal was amazing and fun. Even through the spotty rain, we all had a great time. Now I am wrestling with finals and saying good-bye to Salamanca. Only a week and a half left of Salamanca, then I take a great adventure to Barcelona with Aunt Jodi. I'll keep you updated as internet permits!
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
Thursday, April 22, 2010
i'm baaaaaack
Hello to all!
It has been quite some time since I have updated, but that does NOT mean I have forgotten abou this! It just means that my internet access has changed to limited.
SO, I had a lovely Semana Santa with Mom and Amy. Mom and I went to Palma de Mallorca which was Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!! and watched the Semana Santa Festivities. After a lovely weekend in paradise, we made our way to fetch Amy at the airport in which we spent the rest of the week exploring Salamanca and Madrid. The weekend after that, I went to Portugal (pictures coming the next post) and explored Fatima, Coimbra, Boca del Infierno, Bathala, and Lisboa. Now, I have just finished my LAST DAY of IES courses. I still have my one UPSA course, but honestly, I'm on a roll and am NOT going to use that one to stop my good day. Tonight we have a great group dinner for three girls birthdays. I can't believe I will be home in less than three weeks! time surly has flown by..
Amor y Besos,
Ashley
Mom, Amy, and I in the Plaza Mayor
The "worlocks" of semana santa....wikipedia before judging guys...NOT THE KKK
Heading to Soller on the Island of Palma
Parque Retiro with Mom and Amy....thanks for taking one for the team amy and being the one to take the picture! ;)
It has been quite some time since I have updated, but that does NOT mean I have forgotten abou this! It just means that my internet access has changed to limited.
SO, I had a lovely Semana Santa with Mom and Amy. Mom and I went to Palma de Mallorca which was Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!! and watched the Semana Santa Festivities. After a lovely weekend in paradise, we made our way to fetch Amy at the airport in which we spent the rest of the week exploring Salamanca and Madrid. The weekend after that, I went to Portugal (pictures coming the next post) and explored Fatima, Coimbra, Boca del Infierno, Bathala, and Lisboa. Now, I have just finished my LAST DAY of IES courses. I still have my one UPSA course, but honestly, I'm on a roll and am NOT going to use that one to stop my good day. Tonight we have a great group dinner for three girls birthdays. I can't believe I will be home in less than three weeks! time surly has flown by..
Amor y Besos,
Ashley
Mom, Amy, and I in the Plaza Mayor
The "worlocks" of semana santa....wikipedia before judging guys...NOT THE KKK
Heading to Soller on the Island of Palma
Parque Retiro with Mom and Amy....thanks for taking one for the team amy and being the one to take the picture! ;)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Las Fallas
Well, I just got back from a celebration in Valencia comparative to 4th of July on crack..... What Valencians do is they build these elaborate statues and burn them at midnight..along with lots of fireworks for everyone..incluidng 2 year olds..why you would give your 2 year old explosives...i'm still trying to figure that out. Here are a few pics and videos from the night! Enjoy!!
A pretty cool Fallas
La Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias
The beginnig of the Fallas Parade
The ending of the Fallas Parade
The burning of the Fallas at midnight before
The burning of the Fallas after....
As you can see, it was a wonderful, SAFE, time.
I'm leaving you with a pic. of me and a Fallas.... Love to all!
A pretty cool Fallas
La Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias
The beginnig of the Fallas Parade
The ending of the Fallas Parade
The burning of the Fallas at midnight before
The burning of the Fallas after....
As you can see, it was a wonderful, SAFE, time.
I'm leaving you with a pic. of me and a Fallas.... Love to all!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
BIENVENIDOS PRIMAVERA!!!
So, it finally felt like spring today. I decided to walk around the city for 2 and 1/2 hours to take pictures of everything I missed taking pictures of during the winter. Enjoy! Welcome to spring and welcome to Salamanca!
Convent
Plaza Mayor
Unamuno
the Pontificia
University Facade
Cathedral
La Rana
Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
Convent
Plaza Mayor
Unamuno
the Pontificia
University Facade
Cathedral
La Rana
Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Madrid!
Hola a todos!
Ayer, fui a Madrid! Yesterday, I went to Madrid! The program took us on a cultural/educational day trip around the city and it was exactally what they said it was going to be: cultural and educational.
The Reina Sofia Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
Our first stop was the Reina Sofia, a world-renowned contemporary art museum. There, we saw the begininng of contemporary art (starting in 1881 with the birth of Picasso, as stated by the spaniards). We saw cubism, surrealism, and about 3 or 4 other -isms that I can't remeber the names of right now. The highlight of the trip was getting to see Picasso's Guernica...of which we couldn't take pictures, and it was HUGE, the size of a wall and all in black and white (because he was inspired by newspaper pictures). However, I will include a picture of the outside of the museum. Looking very modern-esque.
After the Reina Sofia we had a lunch break, where we grabbed some food and went to eat it in the Parque Retiro, a huge park (comparable to central park in NYC) complete with roller bladers, street venders, and a lake with row boats.
After some lunch, we hopped on our bus and went to the Palacio Royal, or the Palace of the Spanish government. The king does not actually live there, but still uses it for formal occasions such as weddings, meeting diplomats, apparently playing billard with the diplomats...and a variety of other activities. No pictures were allowed to be taken inside the palace, however, I snapped a few of the outside.
I know; it was bright. I should've brought my sunglasses, however when I returned to Salamanca it had started snowing and it rained and snowed all night. Well, that is a lovely resumen of my trip to Madrid. It is such a lovely city, I can't wait to go back again. As for school, I am actually doing well this semester. I got all A's (okay, one A-) on my midterms, and I have three papers and two books to read until SEMANA SANTA. So, I'm just going to keep trucking along. Needless to say I have fallen in love with Salamanca and Spain and I now consider myself a Salamantino.
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
Ayer, fui a Madrid! Yesterday, I went to Madrid! The program took us on a cultural/educational day trip around the city and it was exactally what they said it was going to be: cultural and educational.
The Reina Sofia Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
Our first stop was the Reina Sofia, a world-renowned contemporary art museum. There, we saw the begininng of contemporary art (starting in 1881 with the birth of Picasso, as stated by the spaniards). We saw cubism, surrealism, and about 3 or 4 other -isms that I can't remeber the names of right now. The highlight of the trip was getting to see Picasso's Guernica...of which we couldn't take pictures, and it was HUGE, the size of a wall and all in black and white (because he was inspired by newspaper pictures). However, I will include a picture of the outside of the museum. Looking very modern-esque.
After the Reina Sofia we had a lunch break, where we grabbed some food and went to eat it in the Parque Retiro, a huge park (comparable to central park in NYC) complete with roller bladers, street venders, and a lake with row boats.
After some lunch, we hopped on our bus and went to the Palacio Royal, or the Palace of the Spanish government. The king does not actually live there, but still uses it for formal occasions such as weddings, meeting diplomats, apparently playing billard with the diplomats...and a variety of other activities. No pictures were allowed to be taken inside the palace, however, I snapped a few of the outside.
I know; it was bright. I should've brought my sunglasses, however when I returned to Salamanca it had started snowing and it rained and snowed all night. Well, that is a lovely resumen of my trip to Madrid. It is such a lovely city, I can't wait to go back again. As for school, I am actually doing well this semester. I got all A's (okay, one A-) on my midterms, and I have three papers and two books to read until SEMANA SANTA. So, I'm just going to keep trucking along. Needless to say I have fallen in love with Salamanca and Spain and I now consider myself a Salamantino.
Besitos y Abrazos,
Ashley
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