Monica and I in the courtyard of the Mosque of Cordoba
Me at the Alhambra in Granada
Aerial shot of Toledo
Hola chicos y chicas!
This afternoon I finally made it to the city of Madrid. Sixty-two of us on the Azahar program with Syracuse University have spent almost the entirety of the past two weeks traveling around Spain. We went to Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. We learned about the Hispano-Arab culture of the South of Spain and about the cohesiveness of Jews, Christians and Muslims from the 600's to 1400's A.D. and the unique culture they created here. There is too much to tell you all in one post! It would have been much easier if I were to have internet access during Azahar. But what I can tell you is that each day was so extremely different from the last. There were parts that I had difficulty adjusting to (Spanish cuisine), and parts that I fell in love with (the great Mosque of Cordoba, watching gypsies flamenco dance, seeing the supposed tomb of Christopher Columbus in Sevilla's Cathedral and the Alhambra of Granada).
I have met some wonderful students and professors as well, and am looking forward to the next four months with them. Tonight my roommate Monica and I settled into our apartment in Madrid. We are close to a very famous shopping district (uh-oh), and have quick access to the Metro. Our host Senora is wonderful. She barely speaks any English so it has been quite entertaining trying to explain things to one another. Her son is wonderful as well. He speaks some English but would prefer us to speak Spanish so we can improve. This all just means we will have more reason to improve quickly! Monica and I are very lucky to be welcomed into such a home.
Tomorrow is orientation for the Azahar students on the Syracuse University campus in Madrid. Can't wait to get my classes...and hopefully sign up for some flamenco dancing lessons!
Hasta luego mis amigos,
Emily
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