Sunday, August 10, 2008

Spain; a reflection

HELLO!

Wow, we are all home. I hate to say it but I don't want to be here. Not at all. I loved Spain. I made friends over there that I find myself missing terrible now. I fell in love with the city, the country, the people, the music, and the food. There was something about the way that everything functioned so in sync with everything else. I found that the city just kind of...flows. It definitely marches to a different beat than the one we are all accustomed too.
There were many days where I just set off on my own little adventures all over Madrid. I walked the streets, I sat in restaurants and observed the people, I rode the cramped subways and ease dropped into conversations, and I even went to parks and watched the local children kick around the futbol.
Here in the United States I study architecture and I continuously found myself in a state of awe at the grand structures erected so many years past. The history of that city emits from the edifices like a beautiful sent from roses. Every turned seemed to want to tell of a story from long ago. Because the buildings have been so beautifully restored and kept you can sometimes get the mental image of the lower classes from years ago in a bustle of hectic life or even picture the wealthy strut down the Prado in all their grandeur. It all seems so unreal, like a story or a dream.
Then there was the food. At first I was not impressed. Then after I made some Spanish friends I quickly found out that I wasn't the food the was bad, it was where I had been getting the food. They took me out to a restaurant in the center of the city and ordered three bottles of what they called "Sidre". It was an alcoholic apple cider. They then showed me how it was supposed to be poured. Apparently, you can not just pour this cider like any other beverage. you have to pour it from two to two and a half feet above the glass. They told me that the drink mixes with oxygen this way and you get a better taste. Then they ordered food. They got what looked like and egg and potato omelet that was surprisingly tasty, some sausage links, chicken soaked in butter and herbs, and warm delicious bread. It was all about location. However, one night they took me out and ordered me octopus. I did NOT like that...but that's for personal taste reasons.
But of all the wonderful things that Spain had to offer me, its people were the what won me over. They were never rude and always kind. They were patient with my language barrier. They were helpful and hopeful. They were all I could have hoped for. I even made friends that, to this day, I talk with and miss terribly. The only thing that threw me off with the people of Madrid were the mannerisms of some of the men. It was an adjustment for me to be openly checked out or pursued. However, once I realized it was a culture thing and not a personal violation I was able to relax and accept it.
But the friends I made will last forever. Not only were they good practice then, but even now they write to me and challenge my understanding of the language. This benefits them too. They are all learning English so I help them and they help me. We teach each other new word and their meanings, even tidbits on each other cultures.
All in all, this trip changed my life. I know that it will not be the last time I see my friends and city they call home.

Spain ’08: Viva la Vida

Having departed Spain almost two weeks ago, I have finally assimilated back into the “Southern” Culture of the United States. As in our society, the Spanish have many sayings or “refranes españoles.” Specifically, two aphorisms come to mind that convey the effects of Spanish culture on a foreigner.

No hay mal que por bien no venga.
(There is not bad from which good doesn’t come, or in every unpleasant situation look for the silver lining.)

Lo que en los libros no está, la vida te enseñará.
(That which isn’t in books, life will teach you, or life is the best teacher.)

When one compares the culture of the Southern United States with that of Spain or European society generally, one will find the two almost incompatible. Having lived in the Southeastern United States all my life, especially Atlanta, I have been raised in a society where time is money and every second of the day should be utilized to its maximum potential. Therefore, when I boarded an international flight destined for Madrid, I expected the same of Europeans. I was totally amiss! Spanish culture especially exemplifies leisure, not necessarily laziness, so that Spaniards will enjoy all aspects of life on a day-to-day basis. For example, in the States, we flourish on speed and efficiency, so when we dine, if you can call it that, it usually involves fast food or feasting in less than an hour. In contrast, Spanish meals involve cuisine, culture, and conversation. Almost everywhere we dined, we were given the opportunity to eat outside and enjoy life. While service was impeccable, I was never rushed and had time to fully digest my meal. Therefore, I tried to look at everything optimistically. In reference to the second quote, the university experience is one that will last a lifetime; however, one is limited in amount of information that can obtain from textbooks and even professors. At some point in one’s life, one must actually decide to experience what one is taught. Having finally experienced the Spanish language in its origin, I have concluded that it is extremely easier to learn a foreign language as a foreigner in a foreign country. Overall, the trip was a memorable lifetime experience. I can’t wait until I return.

(Valle de los caídos)

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Trip Evaluation

I honestly do not know where to start in describing how much of a great experience I received from staying in Madrid for a month. From the second we landed in Madrid I was in shock from how different everything was. I knew before traveling overseas that it was going to be that way but it is a whole different story when you are able to experience it firsthand.
I think that the place where we were staying was in a great location northwest of the center of Madrid. Before going I figured that it was going to be very hot in Spain and my prediction was one hundred percent correct. No air condition is hard to adapt to but after 3 showers a day and constant pool visits you learn the different methods of how to avoid the heat. There is, however, air condition in almost all of the stores and restaurants which makes those useful for short visits while adventuring through the blazing streets of Madrid. Although I expected the heat to be one of the problems while in Spain I never would have guessed that the food would be one of them also. The food in Spain didn’t live up to my expectations which was a shame considering I was looking forward to eating delicious food as I have in other hispanic countries.
Other than the food and the air condition I think I can seriously say that taking a trip to Spain was one of the greatest experiences in my life so far. For me it was so much fun just talking to different people that live in Madrid and being able to practice a language that I have come to love. For a month I learned how to slow my life down a little and learned to respect things such as the siesta and taking a paseo in the evening. Almost all of the people that live in Madrid are very friendly and sociable. It seemed to me while in Spain that everyone has no worries on their minds and never seem to be overworked or extremely busy as in the United States. All of the buildings in Madrid are absolutely amazing with incredible arquitecture around every turn. From walking the streets of Madrid and realizing that I was in an area more than 3000 miles from my home was absolutely amazing and somewhat of a culture shock for me during the trip.
It is so difficult to evaluate a whole month of adventure in a beautiful country such as Spain but if I could say one thing to someone given the opportunity to go as I was I would not allow them not to go. I am so glad that I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Spain and meet so many different people from all over the world. I can say now in all seriousness that if given the chance to do it all over again I would do all over in a heartbeat.

Friday, August 1, 2008

buenavista


El capítulo final que leí era "Goya and the Dutchess". éste es mi favorito debido a el triángulo de amor complicado y el paisaje bonita del Buena Vista.
La plaza está en el centro del " viejo madrid". Divide la sección de los intelectuales de la ciudad de la sección de la gente pobre de la ciudad. Es el lugar en donde una rebelión ocurrió en 1766. Era porque el gobierno aprobó una ley que prohibió los cabos y los sombreros (chambergo) españoles. El propósito de la ley era prevenir crimen. Dijeron que esos sombreros era típico de criminales. Dijeron que las armas se podrían ocultar en el cabo y las identidades se podrían ocultar por los sombreros. La apariencia en inglés se llama "capote y dagger", pero en español se llama "embozado". Piensan que este traje se desarrolló de un estilo romano de la manera. La rebelión era afortunada y la ley fue rechazada.
Era popular para los ricos vistan el en el estilo de las clases más bajas. La palabra "maja" significa bonita en español, era también lo que llamaron este estilo del vestido. Había una mujer rica, una de la nobleza, que tuvo gusto del este estilo del vestido. Su nombre era Cayetana. Ella amó usar el traje del "maja". Mucha gente piensa que ella es el modelo en muchas de pinturas de Goya. Se rumorea que ella y el goya pudieron haber sido amantes.
Nació en 1762 y fue (raised) por su abuelo. Cuando ella tenía dieciséis años ella casó a un hombre que sus padres eligieron para ella. No había amor en esa unión. Ella nunca tenía hijos pero fue rumoreada que había tenido muchos abortos. Ella disfrutó de la vida fácil de la nobleza y cuando ella heredó el Palacio Bueavista ella tenía las fiestas magníficos que duraron durante toda la noche.
Goya fue pedido para pintar una pintura sobre vida en el país. cayetana vestida como maja para esta pintura. Se rumorea que aquí es donde su romance comenzó. Cayetana era buena a la familia de Goyas. Pasaron mucha sus tiempo en el Palacio Buenavista. El pintor se enamoro con ella. Alguna gente piensa que las depresiones de la artista fueron causadas por la falta del interés del Cayetana. Ella poso para muchas de sus pinturas pero no se saben si ella poso en sus retratos desnudos titulados "la maja desnuda" y "la maja vestida". Estos retratos causaron mucha controversia durante ese tiempo. Ambas pinturas ahora cuelgan en el Museo del Prado.
El palacio es muy grande y magnífico. El grande de la fuente en el frente es la adición perfecta a su grandeza. Las dos pinturas que se asumen para ser cayetana son una distancia corta lejos, en el otro extremo del paseo del prado, en el Museo del Prado. Esas pinturas son pequeñas en tamaño pero tienen un impacto grande. Es obvio que este hermoso, encantadora y rica mujer dejo una impresión duradera en este famoso y talentoso artista.

royal palace and Velazquez



Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázques nació en 1599. Quiso ser recordado como un buen pintor y buen hombre. él intentó ser misterioso en su vida. él quiso poder controlar su leyenda. Cuando tenía doce años, le enviaron para ser una aprendiz a otro pintor y él se casó con la hija de su maestro. Le pidieron pintar un retrato del rey de España. La pintura era tan buena que el rey pidió vivir en el palacio y para ser su pintor personal. Velazquez capturó en sus cuadros la cúspide de la dominación y expansión
Española en el mundo, justo en el momento de su declive. En los años siguientes, pintó retrato tras retrato del rey, la sucesivas imagenes del monarca mostraban su rostro progresvamente más viejo, preocupado, desilusionado, por las derrotas en el mar y las revueltas en el país. El tenía ambos talentos, realismo y respeto. El Palacio del Buen Retiro fue construido como lugar de vacaciones para el rey. Hoy, solamente permanecen dos edificios; El Casón del Buen Retiro (el salón de baile) y El Salón de Reinos (una ala).
En el este de la ciudad está el Palacio Real. En el exterior hay una estatua del rey Felipe IV. La estatua esta basada en los bocetos de Velázquez. La estua esta en el centro de una fuente rodeada por jardines y otras estatuas de reyes y reinas. Estas jardinas son muy bonita. Pienso que mucha gente no saben el talento, y no lo aprecian.
En la colina situada a pocas yardas al sur esta la Plaza Remales donde Velazquez fue enterrado. Sin embargo no se sabe la localización exacta de la tumba de Velázquez. Cuando Velázquez murió el rey concedió el título de caballero, el había trabajado por ese título durante toda su vida, por su honor. Su cuadro más famoso es "Las Meninas", en este cuadro Velázquez pitó a la infanta de España junto con otras damas, también aparece en el cuadro el propio Velázquez con el simbolo honorario que todavía no tenIa, es un ejemplo de su ambición. Velázquez pinto los bufones, las mascotas de la corte, con el mismo respeto como con el rey. El tenía tanto talento, que era capaz de pintar incluso perros con sentido comUn.
Porque El era judío y no nació en una familia noble por lo que el rey no podía darle honores. Sus trabajos no fueron populares durante siglos. A partir del siglo XIX fue cuando su trabajo fue reconocido por los críticos. En Las Meninas, Velázquez viste la cruz de Santigao en sus ropas. Se especula que el rey mandó pintar la cruz de Santiago después de la muerte de Velázquez, pero los expertos no encuentran evidencias a esta teoría.
En el distrito de Salamanca hay una estatua de Velázquez. El se muestra pintando un precioso atardecer en madrid.
Por lo que aparece en este capítulo Velázque consiguió ocultar su verdad sobre el mundo.