Yesterday was really cool. We began the day somewhat early, with a walking tour of the city from a tour guide that seemed as though he spoke every language in Europe; both a help and a hindrance when considering that he had to repeat everything he said in more than one language to ensure that all the tourists he was catering to could understand exactly what they were seeing. We saw one of the first fortresses ever constructed in this city, which has stood since (I believe) 923, and a really cool multinational winery that was located --for the most part-- underground. It's interesting just how international the atmosphere is here, it seems like just about everyone who doesn't live in this city is a foreigner, and nearly every sign everywhere is in more than one language. They also have a lot of foreign restaurants simply called "Snack [insert foreign country name here]." So far, I've come across a Snack Brazil, Snack Portugal, Snack Istanbul, and Snack New York, and there's no doubt a number of others that I have yet to come across.
We also had our first opportunity to go out on our own last night, which was a lot of fun. We trekked down a gargantuan hill on a cobblestone street into a small neighborhood packed into a valley known as the Grund; we were advised that it was where the majority of European kids our age liked to hang out. We found a small place called Oscar Wilde's, which was awesome as well because it was run by English-speaking management, so we were able to actually converse fluently with our waitress, something that has become quite rare to us here in Europe.
We have a lot of pictures from the last three days, either today or tomorrow we will all sit down and get the good ones off each of our cameras, and post some up! Keep checking back.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
El Final
Our last night in Puerto Rico has come so fast. The time has seemed to just fly by while we were enjoying ourselves and learning down here. On Tuesday we had the opportunity to visit a local university, University Sagrado
Corazon. It was quite an adventure getting there and figuring out the public transportation system. We used our Spanish skills the previous night to ask some local university students directions and the correct buses to take. Luckily, they didn't steer us wrong and we made it there. This university reminded us all a lot of AU, especially since it was a small campus which gave it a similar atmosphere. The staff there was extremely welcoming and helpful and gave us a tour of the campus. We even had an opportunity to have a taste of student life and see the inside of the dorm rooms and eat in the cafeteria. After that, we ventured off to one of the larger shopping centers to converse with native speakers closer to our age. While walking around, we observed and compared the surroundings to those back home. It was a lot of fun and we were able to learn a lot about the people, language and culture.
Wednesday, we had class in the morning where we read the local newspaper, along with other materials, and continued in our pronunciation proficiency of the language. Afterw
ards, we began our adventure and long trek back to Old San Juan to visit the San Cristobal and do some souvenir shopping. The San Cristobal, like El Morro, was used to protect the island from the pirates..Arrg! This fort was set up much more like a museum with tons of replicas and explanations. We even had the chance to lock up Dr. Hatcher in a dungeon! :) Afterwards, we got something to rehydrate and were off to shop. While shopping, we had the opportunity to converse with the store owners and ask them about how life is in Puerto Rico. The true test of our language proficiency was using it to get directions back to our hotel. Luckily, we all made it back and even learned a lot while doing so.
Yesterday, was Mackenzie Kerby's birthday so we helped her celebrate it. We had some class time in the morning followed by the long walk back to the grocery store to stock up on some snacks for the plane ride back home on Saturday, as well as a delicious birthday cake! On our way back, we got caught in a dow
npour and had to wait it out for a little while. This gave us the opportunity to really observe the neighborhood and see all the differences in the houses and the beautiful vibrant colors they were painted. We learned that their houses have to be painted once a year due to all the wear and tear from the salt water. We had a really fun excursion planned for Mackenzie's birthday to the bioluminescent bay, where the organisms glow when the water is disturbed. This would have involved kayaking, in the dark, out to the bay. Unfortunately, it got canceled because of a thunderstorm and lightening. :( We were all pretty sad about it, but we made the most of it.
Our last day here we adventured off to the Camuy Caves in the west side of the islan
d. The bus ride there was quite lengthy, but it was amazing to see a different area than where we are staying. The land here was hilly, mountainous and very green. There were cows, horses and chickens everywhere! The cave system was so unbelievable and slightly treacherous in rain. Our guide was able to call the bats out of the bat cave and we even saw some ginormous spiders. Next, we went to the Arecibo Observatory, which is the world's largest radio telescope. They use this to gather radio signals from the atmosphere, far off galaxies, planets and stars. In order to help us all remember this trip, we even got matching glow in the dark Einstein t-shirts. We can't wait to wear them!!
For tonight, we are going to eat some authentic food for the last time as a family. We are all sad to have to leave this beautiful island tomorrow filled with amazing, extremely kind people. The information and experiences we have had will never be forgotten. As a group, we have grown together and become more proficient in the Spanish language we all love so much. Adios! :)
Corazon. It was quite an adventure getting there and figuring out the public transportation system. We used our Spanish skills the previous night to ask some local university students directions and the correct buses to take. Luckily, they didn't steer us wrong and we made it there. This university reminded us all a lot of AU, especially since it was a small campus which gave it a similar atmosphere. The staff there was extremely welcoming and helpful and gave us a tour of the campus. We even had an opportunity to have a taste of student life and see the inside of the dorm rooms and eat in the cafeteria. After that, we ventured off to one of the larger shopping centers to converse with native speakers closer to our age. While walking around, we observed and compared the surroundings to those back home. It was a lot of fun and we were able to learn a lot about the people, language and culture.Wednesday, we had class in the morning where we read the local newspaper, along with other materials, and continued in our pronunciation proficiency of the language. Afterw
ards, we began our adventure and long trek back to Old San Juan to visit the San Cristobal and do some souvenir shopping. The San Cristobal, like El Morro, was used to protect the island from the pirates..Arrg! This fort was set up much more like a museum with tons of replicas and explanations. We even had the chance to lock up Dr. Hatcher in a dungeon! :) Afterwards, we got something to rehydrate and were off to shop. While shopping, we had the opportunity to converse with the store owners and ask them about how life is in Puerto Rico. The true test of our language proficiency was using it to get directions back to our hotel. Luckily, we all made it back and even learned a lot while doing so.Yesterday, was Mackenzie Kerby's birthday so we helped her celebrate it. We had some class time in the morning followed by the long walk back to the grocery store to stock up on some snacks for the plane ride back home on Saturday, as well as a delicious birthday cake! On our way back, we got caught in a dow
npour and had to wait it out for a little while. This gave us the opportunity to really observe the neighborhood and see all the differences in the houses and the beautiful vibrant colors they were painted. We learned that their houses have to be painted once a year due to all the wear and tear from the salt water. We had a really fun excursion planned for Mackenzie's birthday to the bioluminescent bay, where the organisms glow when the water is disturbed. This would have involved kayaking, in the dark, out to the bay. Unfortunately, it got canceled because of a thunderstorm and lightening. :( We were all pretty sad about it, but we made the most of it.Our last day here we adventured off to the Camuy Caves in the west side of the islan
d. The bus ride there was quite lengthy, but it was amazing to see a different area than where we are staying. The land here was hilly, mountainous and very green. There were cows, horses and chickens everywhere! The cave system was so unbelievable and slightly treacherous in rain. Our guide was able to call the bats out of the bat cave and we even saw some ginormous spiders. Next, we went to the Arecibo Observatory, which is the world's largest radio telescope. They use this to gather radio signals from the atmosphere, far off galaxies, planets and stars. In order to help us all remember this trip, we even got matching glow in the dark Einstein t-shirts. We can't wait to wear them!!For tonight, we are going to eat some authentic food for the last time as a family. We are all sad to have to leave this beautiful island tomorrow filled with amazing, extremely kind people. The information and experiences we have had will never be forgotten. As a group, we have grown together and become more proficient in the Spanish language we all love so much. Adios! :)
Our LAST DAY!! :-(
So this is officially our last day in Paris... we leave Saturday morning!! and you have no idea how sad I am... I really really love Paris!!!! I have come to the conclusion that I will move to Paris one day! I have to cause it really is amazing!!! With us leaving there is sooo much things we still have to do... today is a busy day for sure!! First we just finished our final test and well lets just say that a little more studying would have helped.
Yesterday the girls and I were sooooo tired after our long day at Montmartre ( a part of Paris). We were to meet our professor at a metro stop in Montmartre at 3 pm but omg!! when we were on our way the Metro people made everyone get out in one station that was about 4 stops from where we had to meet Dr. Sawyer. We are still not to sure why we all had to get off I think it had to do with an "accident" but anyways you could just imagine how not fun it was...there we were in the middle of Paris and not exactly sure where to go to or how to get to Dr. Sawyer. I am so glad that Noheli is a genius in terms of map reading!!! She figure out where we were and how to get to our destination... but it was not easy we had to walk like a lot!!!!! We found a pay phone and called the professor just to let him know and then started our long journey!!! By the time we got to Montmartre it was like 4 pm. We were very tired but we had to keep going.
Montmartre is located at the highest point of the city which means that there are sooo many hills and yup we had to get up there!! Let me tell you guys that it was the first day that my feet really did hurt!! ;-(. The walk was crazy but Montmartre is a beautiful place. I love the way it has a village feel and it is very relaxing. Noheli and I had to do our presentation on the Sacre Coeur Cathedral and I think we did great well hopefully!!!
Well this is the last post that I will be able to write from Paris!!! ;-( IT'S SOOOOOOO SAD!!!!!
As soon as I get home I promise I will upload some pics!!!
but for now bye!!!! Au revoir!!!!
Yesterday the girls and I were sooooo tired after our long day at Montmartre ( a part of Paris). We were to meet our professor at a metro stop in Montmartre at 3 pm but omg!! when we were on our way the Metro people made everyone get out in one station that was about 4 stops from where we had to meet Dr. Sawyer. We are still not to sure why we all had to get off I think it had to do with an "accident" but anyways you could just imagine how not fun it was...there we were in the middle of Paris and not exactly sure where to go to or how to get to Dr. Sawyer. I am so glad that Noheli is a genius in terms of map reading!!! She figure out where we were and how to get to our destination... but it was not easy we had to walk like a lot!!!!! We found a pay phone and called the professor just to let him know and then started our long journey!!! By the time we got to Montmartre it was like 4 pm. We were very tired but we had to keep going.
Montmartre is located at the highest point of the city which means that there are sooo many hills and yup we had to get up there!! Let me tell you guys that it was the first day that my feet really did hurt!! ;-(. The walk was crazy but Montmartre is a beautiful place. I love the way it has a village feel and it is very relaxing. Noheli and I had to do our presentation on the Sacre Coeur Cathedral and I think we did great well hopefully!!!
Well this is the last post that I will be able to write from Paris!!! ;-( IT'S SOOOOOOO SAD!!!!!
As soon as I get home I promise I will upload some pics!!!
but for now bye!!!! Au revoir!!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
We're Here
Well, the day has finally come, and we're in Luxembourg. After an extended (and probably unhealthy) stint of not sleeping, it's safe to say we're all exhausted. The hop across the pond to Heathrow wasn't bad, we flew Virgin Atlantic and although I've never flown before, I'm under the impression it was a particularly nice airplane. In the back of each seat was a small television screen that played a wide selection of newly released movies and television shows, from some outrageous film entitled Lesbian Vampire Killers to Seven Pounds with Will Smith to the newest episodes of Family Guy. The food, however, was unfortunately not up to the same standards as the airplane, and I think it's safe to say that airline food is not my cup of tea.
The rest of the day was interesting as well; we had a three-hour layover at Heathrow where we were stuck in an area that really seemed to be a kind of international holding area for foreigners waiting for a connecting flight. Luckily for us, they accepted all major forms of currency and we were able to get some breakfast at a pretty cool restaurant, and grab a beer at a small pub. After killing some time, we boarded our next flight on BMI to Brussels, which was extremely turbulent at the beginning and much more relaxed as our altitude increased and over in less than an hour. From there, we boarded a train from the Brussels Airport to the Brussels North train station (and were yelled at in Dutch for putting our feet on the seats), and then switched and hopped another almost immediately to Luxembourg. Unfortunately, because 24 hours of unbroken conciousness is incredibly taxing, I wasn't fully awake to enjoy the beauty of the European countryside during the ride.
At the moment, it's about 8:15PM here, making it around 1:15 back home, which means it's been over 24 hours since any of us have really had a nights worth of sleep, save for short napping on either flight and the three hour train ride to Luxembourg, and I think everyone is probably equally exhausted. I will update this tomorrow, as we spend our first day out doing things that don't involve simply getting from point A to point B.
Check back soon!
The rest of the day was interesting as well; we had a three-hour layover at Heathrow where we were stuck in an area that really seemed to be a kind of international holding area for foreigners waiting for a connecting flight. Luckily for us, they accepted all major forms of currency and we were able to get some breakfast at a pretty cool restaurant, and grab a beer at a small pub. After killing some time, we boarded our next flight on BMI to Brussels, which was extremely turbulent at the beginning and much more relaxed as our altitude increased and over in less than an hour. From there, we boarded a train from the Brussels Airport to the Brussels North train station (and were yelled at in Dutch for putting our feet on the seats), and then switched and hopped another almost immediately to Luxembourg. Unfortunately, because 24 hours of unbroken conciousness is incredibly taxing, I wasn't fully awake to enjoy the beauty of the European countryside during the ride.
At the moment, it's about 8:15PM here, making it around 1:15 back home, which means it's been over 24 hours since any of us have really had a nights worth of sleep, save for short napping on either flight and the three hour train ride to Luxembourg, and I think everyone is probably equally exhausted. I will update this tomorrow, as we spend our first day out doing things that don't involve simply getting from point A to point B.
Check back soon!
what? what do you mean only one more day in PARIS????
We only have one more day in Paris... :-( I feel like I waited so long to come and the 2 weeks have passed by sooooooo fast!!!!
I really wish we could stay a few more days!!!!!
I really wish we could stay a few more days!!!!!
The real Van Gogh, Monet, and Manet!!!!
OMG I love the Musee D' Orsay!!!! There are so many paintings that I recognized from my Art Appreciation class that I took at AU. I new that I liked impressionist painters but actually being there and seeing the really thing its amazing!!! Van Gogh, Monet, and Manet were definitely my favorites!!!
After the great time at the Musee Me and the girls when up to see the Sacre Coeur Cathedral. Let me just say that its soooooo beautiful. We went up because Noheli and I have a presentation about the cathedral today so we wanted to go see it before the presentation. The church is built on the highest point of the city. From up there we had a perfect view of Paris!!!
After the great time at the Musee Me and the girls when up to see the Sacre Coeur Cathedral. Let me just say that its soooooo beautiful. We went up because Noheli and I have a presentation about the cathedral today so we wanted to go see it before the presentation. The church is built on the highest point of the city. From up there we had a perfect view of Paris!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Class, shop, food!!!!!
Yesterday we went to visit the History of Paris Museum, it was very interesting and I think that Professor Sawyer does such a great job keeping us interested. We got to see some paintings that really helped describe some of the history of Paris during the first Revolution.
After the museum our assignment was to look at the hotel des Invalides and see the tomb of Napoleon. Let me tell you that the tomb is huge and the Hotel' des Invalides is beautiful.
Me and the girls like always wanted to continue our shopping so we went to the little vendor shops by Notre-Dame. I got a few more things and I think that I am finally getting close to getting things for everyone back home.
We had dinner at a very cute place called le Petit Pont. I order what I have order in all the places we have been CHICKEN!!!! as I tell the girls you can never go wrong with chicken. And i was right the food there is really good. But not only the food was great just the atmosphere was great. There was a man playing the piano right behind us and we ended up staying there for a few hours. We all agree that we want to go back before we leave!!!
When we got back to the rooms we all called home. I talked to my Mami and she can't wait till I get back. As I said yesterday I miss my family soooooo much!!!!!!! But I kind of wish we could stay a few more weeks!!!
oh today we got our test back and I am happy to say that we all did really well, i guess studying all night pays off ehhh??? lol!!!
Today Musee D'Orsay!!!
After the museum our assignment was to look at the hotel des Invalides and see the tomb of Napoleon. Let me tell you that the tomb is huge and the Hotel' des Invalides is beautiful.
Me and the girls like always wanted to continue our shopping so we went to the little vendor shops by Notre-Dame. I got a few more things and I think that I am finally getting close to getting things for everyone back home.
We had dinner at a very cute place called le Petit Pont. I order what I have order in all the places we have been CHICKEN!!!! as I tell the girls you can never go wrong with chicken. And i was right the food there is really good. But not only the food was great just the atmosphere was great. There was a man playing the piano right behind us and we ended up staying there for a few hours. We all agree that we want to go back before we leave!!!
When we got back to the rooms we all called home. I talked to my Mami and she can't wait till I get back. As I said yesterday I miss my family soooooo much!!!!!!! But I kind of wish we could stay a few more weeks!!!
oh today we got our test back and I am happy to say that we all did really well, i guess studying all night pays off ehhh??? lol!!!
Today Musee D'Orsay!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)