Cordoba y futbol de americano

Whatever words I write will not do this weekend or my time here justice. I can simply say España es uno de los mejores lugares en el mundo. My weekend started out Friday morning with our second group excursion to Cordoba. A short hour and a half bus ride got us to our destination. On the way there I got a glimpse of how amazing the Spanish country side truly is. Rolling hills, fields of olive trees, and a few medieval castles made for an entertaining drive. 

Immediately after getting off the bus we crossed an ancient Roman bridge and made our way into the city. Our first stop was the Catedral-Mezquita aka a Mosque with a giant renaissance cathedral in it. The varying styles of architecture make this a truly unique building. Simple red and white arches on the outside edge reminded me that I was actually in a Mosque. However, as we moved closer to the building’s center Christian influences became more apparent. In the middle of the Mosque was a brightly lit cathedral complete with stain glass windows, pulpit, and choir hall. Although Dr. Ingles, the TTU center director, went on and on about how terrible it was to put the cathedral in the mosque it made for one of the most unique buildings I’ve ever seen. Yes, it would have been nice to see the mosque in it’s original state but this was just as good in my opinion.

After touring the Mosque we had some free time so some friends and I went and explored the city for a few hours. Cordoba reminded me of Seville in many ways. Just as in Seville, the shops surrounding the mosque were quite touristy. However, once we left that area the true feeling of Cordoba was revealed. From the 8^th century to 1492 it was the capital of the independent Muslim emirate of Al-Andalus. As I walked through the city remains of ancient Roman and Muslim architecture was evident. The city’s exterior wall from centuries ago, now near the center of town, was still intact for the most part.  A ten minute walk from the wall was a revamped necropolis. This twenty foot high circular structure was used as a burial room back in the day and was eerie to say the least.

Nothing worth noting happened Friday night or Saturday so I’ll just skip over them. My Sunday was spent cramming for a History of Spain exam. Yes, I actually do have to study over here it’s not all fun and games. As many of you know some exciting NFL games were played over the weekend. Near the cathedral there are several touristy bars that show American sports so I was able to watch the games. All I can say is that the Steelers are going to destroy the pack when they meet in Jones’ house.

Before leaving to come here people stressed that culture shock affects many students and I should prepare myself for it. I don’t quite see what could possibly make someone not like this place. Yes the food is a little different, the streets have dog poop on them, and very few people speak English, but who cares. Spain has treated me well thus far and I see no reason to complain. The only culture shock I foresee in my future is on the American side when I return to the Estados Unidos. The lack of siestas and laid back European attitude could be detrimental to my health.

Texas Tech was kind enough to give us Friday off this weekend so myself and several other people will be enjoying our three day break in Barcelona. Until then, hasta luego

Rundown of the first two weeks

So after nearly two weeks of living in Spain I am FINALLY starting my online blog. I’ve been keeping a written journal to keep up with everything that’s been going on; therefore, this information was fresh on my mind when I first wrote it. The first reason I’m blogging is to, well, blog my experience in Spain. The second reason is because it’s a requirement for a paper I’m writing when I return to Tech over Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through Spain and it’s Silent Past by Giles Tremlett and my time abroad. 

After close to a full day of traveling I arrived at hotel Fernando III in Seville, Spain. I spent the rest of the day eating tapas and exploring the city while getting to know my new peers. On Sunday we toured la Catedral de Sevilla, a massive gothic church, which was built on top of an old Muslim mosque after Christians kicked out the Moors during the reconquista of Spain. The people of Seville wanted to construct something so large that others would think they were crazy. They succeeded in their goal by building the largest Gothic cathedral ever constructed.

 Upon entering the cathedral I immediately looked upwards in awe at the towering ceiling. My reaction is exactly what gothic architectures had hoped people would do. Oversized pillars, walls of gold and silver brought from the “new world”, statues, paintings, and crucifixes lined the church. This was without a doubt the most spectacular cathedral I had ever stepped foot into. Along with amazing architecture, the supposed tomb of Christopher Columbus added even more prestige to this Gothic landmark.

After exploring the ground level of the Cathedral we climbed the 104.5M (343 Ft) la giralda, bell tower. The view of the city from that high up was tremendous. Narrow streets lined with orange trees and classic European buildings made up most of the view. A river cutting through the city and rolling hills in the background was far different from the landscape I had been used to in Lubbock.

After two days of living out of a suitcase at hotel Fernando III I met my host family. Manuel, a retired policeman, and his wife Maria are two native Sevillan grandparents who take very good care of my roommate Matt and I. They live in Gran Plaza, an area with a mall and the Estado de Sevilla, or soccer stadium. It is in a great location, minus the fact that it is over a half-hour walk to the TTU center. Therefore, I’ve been taking the bus to and from class everyday. Although my room is about the same size, if not smaller than a dorm room, I haven’t felt cramped in this house at all. 

So far class has been, well, normal class. Three hours of Spanish from nine to twelve everyday is a bit early but it leaves me the rest of the day to do whatever I please, like take siestas.  Every Monday from five to eight is History of Spain, which is interesting for the most part. In the short two weeks I’ve been here I feel like my Spanish has improved significantly, however, I still have a long way to go.

On Saturday 15/1/11 we took our first group excursion to Italica, a Roman ruin about nine kilometers outside the city. The ancient city was founded in 206 BC after a Roman army defeated the Carthaginians at the battle of Ilipa. Upon arriving we immediately stepped foot into the crumbling theatre or coliseum. It is amazing to think that such a huge structure was built using only bricks and stone without any modern day tools or cement. The Romans were excellent engineers and it shows quite well in the home of their famous gladiators. The disturbing fact about this area is that hundreds, if not thousands, of people died on the very sand I was walking while a crowd of Romans cheered.

After viewing the coliseum the group made it’s way into what remained of Italica. The bases of houses, their artistic tile floors honoring gods, and a few statues are all that remain of the once great city. It is strange to think a city that used to thrive has been reduced to almost nothing by the hands of time.

Well that pretty much sums up my first week here. The last couple days have consisted of class, siestas, climbing, and little else. Speaking of which it’s lunch / siesta time. I’ll be updating this more regularly now that I’m caught up.