Hadley's headed to Dallas ❤
Monday, April 29, 2013
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The final excursion
This weeks excursion was the best yet! We finally got to go canoeing. Every saturday it some how manages to rain. It can be glorious weather all week long and then come saturday it's pouring rain. I actually don't mind the rain it's a nice break from the scathing heat but every Saturday?! It's almost ruined our excursions a few times and this week was no different but lucky for us it worked out just fine!
We first met up at a church with everyone to decide if we were still going. Every single student voted yes but there was new professor who said no and she almost killed it for us all! Despite the fact that besides her it was unanimous. Ridiculous! But we won :)
So we took a bus an hour to the river. Normally there is a bathroom on the bus that as much as I would despise to use is nice to know its there. After we took off I really had to go! But guess what no bathroom on this bus ha it was a long hour but I survived haha
It had stopped raining when we first arrived at our destination. The weather was actually pretty close to perfect. Liv and I squeezed into some wet suites just in case and hit the river! We were one of the firsts one in which was sketchy but we managed. We went in circles for a good five minutes trying to prevent ourselves from being the leader (having me and Liv lead down a river would not be for everyone's benefit) once we were headed down the river it was amazing. So perfect. The scenery was amazing I can't even describe it. And it was so fun to be canoeing.. In Spain! Half way down the river we stopped to eat our lunch in shore rocks before heading back and ohhhh was the second half epic.
Two minutes after we left the rocks, POURING rain. Cats and dogs! We got soaked to the core! But so fun! It was just perfect. We didn't care how wet we got after all we were already drenched! We raced at some parts took our time at others and even saw some cute little baby ducks. We witnessed our friends frustration as they totally toppled over in the river and happened to catch a fish in their conoe when they flipped it back over it was great. And when we got to the end since we wre already wet we just dove in. Freezing!! Like jumping in ice I swear! But was the ice cream on the cake. This excursion was amazing I just had a blast! I had never really been canoeing before and to canoe for the first time in spain was a blessing! I love it here I can't believe it's almost over!
We first met up at a church with everyone to decide if we were still going. Every single student voted yes but there was new professor who said no and she almost killed it for us all! Despite the fact that besides her it was unanimous. Ridiculous! But we won :)
So we took a bus an hour to the river. Normally there is a bathroom on the bus that as much as I would despise to use is nice to know its there. After we took off I really had to go! But guess what no bathroom on this bus ha it was a long hour but I survived haha
It had stopped raining when we first arrived at our destination. The weather was actually pretty close to perfect. Liv and I squeezed into some wet suites just in case and hit the river! We were one of the firsts one in which was sketchy but we managed. We went in circles for a good five minutes trying to prevent ourselves from being the leader (having me and Liv lead down a river would not be for everyone's benefit) once we were headed down the river it was amazing. So perfect. The scenery was amazing I can't even describe it. And it was so fun to be canoeing.. In Spain! Half way down the river we stopped to eat our lunch in shore rocks before heading back and ohhhh was the second half epic.
Two minutes after we left the rocks, POURING rain. Cats and dogs! We got soaked to the core! But so fun! It was just perfect. We didn't care how wet we got after all we were already drenched! We raced at some parts took our time at others and even saw some cute little baby ducks. We witnessed our friends frustration as they totally toppled over in the river and happened to catch a fish in their conoe when they flipped it back over it was great. And when we got to the end since we wre already wet we just dove in. Freezing!! Like jumping in ice I swear! But was the ice cream on the cake. This excursion was amazing I just had a blast! I had never really been canoeing before and to canoe for the first time in spain was a blessing! I love it here I can't believe it's almost over!
Monday, June 11, 2012
The epic weekend:)
My free weekend was a success! SO much fun. For starters, the bus strike was still going on Thursday when we were leaving. They turn off all the signs at the platforms and only have one information window so the line wraps around the station just to prove what a pain it would be if the bus station wasn't functioning. They sure get their point across but they couldn't rain on our parade! Our bus was still running (thank goodness) and we got on and hit the road just fine. It was quite the long bus ride, about 6 hours. But lucky for me my host mom is a saint. The first couple days I was here I bought a bottle of pineapple juice for breakfast and kept it in my room. I bought it since I didn't drink coffee breakfast was rough (this was pre sunnyD days). When I ran home before catching the bus my host mom not only had tortilla for me to scarf down before leaving but she had packed me a huge dinner! Delicious sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit. Annnnnnd drumroll pineapple juice box drinks. What a sweetheart! She must have seen the bottle in my room while she was cleaning one day. She is SO nice. Bless her heart! Then the bus ride went smoothly I sat and watched Alice in Wonderland, or in Spanish Alicia. It was actually really fun I understood basically the entire movie which felt awesome.
We arrived in San Sabastián around 10:30 and walked down the beautiful river in the center of town straight to our hostel. First off, there were so many people our age. Just everywhere. And English as well! It was nuts. We got to our hostel and there was a note on the outside of the door that said "be back at 11 -Amy" ha so weird so we just went on a little walk and got amazing gelato. Yum! Although they were closing in5 minutes and the lady was not nice! She snapped at me when I asked to try a flavor and told me to hurry up. That would never happen back home it was interesting. But once again, can't rain in my parade! Walking back through the old town where we were staying was an adventure in and of itself. So many drunk creeps! People would literally just stare at us and follow us with their head not just their eyes it was creepy. People would shout things and come up to us yuck! Like a gross meat market. Nothing dangerous though and we were smart but just creepy. It is a gorgeous town tough absolute paradise! Once we finally got out stuff settled in our cute little hostel that no joke could have been an add for Ikea we hit the beach and explored a little before bed. The beach at night was magical! The tide was gorgeous and their were boats docked all around it's a shame the pictures at night just don't do it justice.
Both mornings we woke up early and went in a walk which is me and Liv's favorite activity. It's so nice in the mornings. Nice and clean, not too crowded and usually the perfect lighting for pictures of the city. We walked along the beach and up around the town. The perfect way to start the day I mist say then back to our hostel for an average breakfast before a hike. Spaniards just don't do breakfast which to me is a tragedy. I love. Real fast. Favorite meal but far that's definitely been a challenge to get used to.
San Sabastian has two beaches separated by a huge mountain with a Christ statue on top and boy is it an amazing hike. Liv and I turned an hour hike into a two and half one with all of our exploring, picturing taking, and gazing. Amazing views!! Tucked away in the mountain was a number of little castles, ruins, and marvelous gardens. Up on top there is a big church with a museum, dungeon, and stairs up to the very top. The views were incredible I hope my pictures somewhat do it justice.
Liv and I have learned lots in our travels which led us to the best and cheapest food in San Sabastain. And gelato. We searched out this little family owned frutaría and went there every day to get our specially made sandwiches chips and fruit. So tasty! We finally seem to be finding our way around... Knock on wood!
Bilbao as well was an adventure. We took an hour and a half bus there which was Christmas. I not only had the very first seat, but the whole row to myself. It was a glorious day. Oh the little things in life. Our hostel there seemed like it was attempting to be modern... Heavy on attempting. Definitely failing. Not the nicest of hostels but we lived and had a pretty sweet view. Liv and i woke up early to be first in line at the Guggenheim (shocker I know. People think we're ridiculous) we thought we could get breakfast on the way there since it wasn't offered at our hostel but boy were we mistaken. Nothing in Spain is open for breakfast or at least not before ten. Some things are outside of Bilbao but Bilbao itself is a disaster. I can't believe the Gugg is there. It's covered in trash! All the time! We walked past a children's playground that literally looked like a city dump. We had to go all the way back to the bus station and eat at their dirty diner and then go back to the Gugg. Don't fret we were up early enough and treated their tram like we do trax in Utah to still be first in line. But my goodness I miss a hardy breakfast! Definitely am so grateful for the cost and convince of food in America. Spain has amazing food don't get me wrong but it's just pricy and a marathon to find.
The Guggenheim made this entire weekend worth it. My favorite museum by far. It was AMAZING!! There's only three floors yet we spent 5 hours there. Could have been the longer, not to mention nothing on the outside of those walls was worth seeing. Currently there is a David Hockney exhibit taking place. My favorite artist. An inspiration. He is just so talented. He's 70 something years old right now and embracing the technology of the iPad. He has actual work done entirely with an iPad. This guy is a genius! My hero. If you don't know his work, google it! Just incredible. Especially his work of the Grand canyon. Made me feel right at home. One day I aspire to go to the Guggenheim in New York. It's such a great place.
After the Gugg we searched for some food, got snacks for the ride (which was nearly impossible seeing as how everything is closed on a sunday but our persistence prevailed), and waited for our bus. The ride home was smooth I watched alice in wonderland again and I must say I quite enjoy it in Spanish, I wasn't super impressed in English. Favorite hobby of mine though, watching movies in Spanish. It's fun. I'm so grateful for this weekend and the experiences I was able to have. It was incredible. Especially the Guggenheim. And I am so grateful we were blessed with safety. I heard some pretty sketchy stories from our friends that went to Barcelona. That's all for now. Less than two weeks left in Oviedo. My heart is torn I will miss it here and my host family so much! When my host mom gave me a glorious goodbye on thursday it hit me how much I'm going to miss her. She's become my friend and you can't help but care about someone who takes such good care of you. And then at the same time I am just so excited for the rest of my adventure. Just gotta enjoy the ride. Audios :)
And p.s. hostel number one looked straight out of an add for Ikea. Thought that only happened in America. And two, yes that is a giant perro made out of flowers. It was in front of the Guggenheim. The Spaniards love their perros.
We arrived in San Sabastián around 10:30 and walked down the beautiful river in the center of town straight to our hostel. First off, there were so many people our age. Just everywhere. And English as well! It was nuts. We got to our hostel and there was a note on the outside of the door that said "be back at 11 -Amy" ha so weird so we just went on a little walk and got amazing gelato. Yum! Although they were closing in5 minutes and the lady was not nice! She snapped at me when I asked to try a flavor and told me to hurry up. That would never happen back home it was interesting. But once again, can't rain in my parade! Walking back through the old town where we were staying was an adventure in and of itself. So many drunk creeps! People would literally just stare at us and follow us with their head not just their eyes it was creepy. People would shout things and come up to us yuck! Like a gross meat market. Nothing dangerous though and we were smart but just creepy. It is a gorgeous town tough absolute paradise! Once we finally got out stuff settled in our cute little hostel that no joke could have been an add for Ikea we hit the beach and explored a little before bed. The beach at night was magical! The tide was gorgeous and their were boats docked all around it's a shame the pictures at night just don't do it justice.
Both mornings we woke up early and went in a walk which is me and Liv's favorite activity. It's so nice in the mornings. Nice and clean, not too crowded and usually the perfect lighting for pictures of the city. We walked along the beach and up around the town. The perfect way to start the day I mist say then back to our hostel for an average breakfast before a hike. Spaniards just don't do breakfast which to me is a tragedy. I love. Real fast. Favorite meal but far that's definitely been a challenge to get used to.
San Sabastian has two beaches separated by a huge mountain with a Christ statue on top and boy is it an amazing hike. Liv and I turned an hour hike into a two and half one with all of our exploring, picturing taking, and gazing. Amazing views!! Tucked away in the mountain was a number of little castles, ruins, and marvelous gardens. Up on top there is a big church with a museum, dungeon, and stairs up to the very top. The views were incredible I hope my pictures somewhat do it justice.
Liv and I have learned lots in our travels which led us to the best and cheapest food in San Sabastain. And gelato. We searched out this little family owned frutaría and went there every day to get our specially made sandwiches chips and fruit. So tasty! We finally seem to be finding our way around... Knock on wood!
Bilbao as well was an adventure. We took an hour and a half bus there which was Christmas. I not only had the very first seat, but the whole row to myself. It was a glorious day. Oh the little things in life. Our hostel there seemed like it was attempting to be modern... Heavy on attempting. Definitely failing. Not the nicest of hostels but we lived and had a pretty sweet view. Liv and i woke up early to be first in line at the Guggenheim (shocker I know. People think we're ridiculous) we thought we could get breakfast on the way there since it wasn't offered at our hostel but boy were we mistaken. Nothing in Spain is open for breakfast or at least not before ten. Some things are outside of Bilbao but Bilbao itself is a disaster. I can't believe the Gugg is there. It's covered in trash! All the time! We walked past a children's playground that literally looked like a city dump. We had to go all the way back to the bus station and eat at their dirty diner and then go back to the Gugg. Don't fret we were up early enough and treated their tram like we do trax in Utah to still be first in line. But my goodness I miss a hardy breakfast! Definitely am so grateful for the cost and convince of food in America. Spain has amazing food don't get me wrong but it's just pricy and a marathon to find.
The Guggenheim made this entire weekend worth it. My favorite museum by far. It was AMAZING!! There's only three floors yet we spent 5 hours there. Could have been the longer, not to mention nothing on the outside of those walls was worth seeing. Currently there is a David Hockney exhibit taking place. My favorite artist. An inspiration. He is just so talented. He's 70 something years old right now and embracing the technology of the iPad. He has actual work done entirely with an iPad. This guy is a genius! My hero. If you don't know his work, google it! Just incredible. Especially his work of the Grand canyon. Made me feel right at home. One day I aspire to go to the Guggenheim in New York. It's such a great place.
After the Gugg we searched for some food, got snacks for the ride (which was nearly impossible seeing as how everything is closed on a sunday but our persistence prevailed), and waited for our bus. The ride home was smooth I watched alice in wonderland again and I must say I quite enjoy it in Spanish, I wasn't super impressed in English. Favorite hobby of mine though, watching movies in Spanish. It's fun. I'm so grateful for this weekend and the experiences I was able to have. It was incredible. Especially the Guggenheim. And I am so grateful we were blessed with safety. I heard some pretty sketchy stories from our friends that went to Barcelona. That's all for now. Less than two weeks left in Oviedo. My heart is torn I will miss it here and my host family so much! When my host mom gave me a glorious goodbye on thursday it hit me how much I'm going to miss her. She's become my friend and you can't help but care about someone who takes such good care of you. And then at the same time I am just so excited for the rest of my adventure. Just gotta enjoy the ride. Audios :)
And p.s. hostel number one looked straight out of an add for Ikea. Thought that only happened in America. And two, yes that is a giant perro made out of flowers. It was in front of the Guggenheim. The Spaniards love their perros.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The great outdoors:)
I love to hike! sometimes it's exhausting. Scratch that, most the time it's exhausting, but the journey itself is beautiful and getting to the top makes it all worth it. And today in Spain I finally got to hike, oh boy was this a hike of all hikes! We went up Mount Naranco to the Cristo statue similar to the famous one in Rio De Janeiro Brazil. For starters, picturing Spain before I came, green wasn't really what came to mind but Oviedo is SO green and so was this hike! So gorgeous! It was like walking through a jungle once we got to the trail. There's a church at the bottom of the trail that was constructed in 848 called "Santa María del Naranco" its a Roman Catholic Asturian pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture church absolutely gorgeous and a little farther up one called the church of "San Miguel de Lillo." pictures below. Amazing historic buildings. And then the hike began...
The start of the trail is a BEAST!! Such an incline!! I'm not sure I've ever been on a hike with that big of incline for that long and I've been on many a hikes!! You had to lean forward the whole way otherwise one slight lean back and you'd topple down for sure. Goner! It was nearly vertical I kid you not and it lasted a while! The hike overall wasn't super long. Probably around an hour but wicked steep. Reaching the Christ Statue was totally worth it. It is so beautiful! I didn't realize it but I can see it up on top the mountain from lots of places in Oviedo. Guess that's kind of the point!! It's ginormous. From down below it looks teeny but up top you realize you are the tiny one! Ironic? Nope. Kind of a great reminder though. The hike back was of course as usual, short but hard on the knees! It rained too but we had no complaints. Totally refreshing. One awesome day hope you like the pictures :)
Also, side note! As I'm sure you've heard Europe, especially Spain is struggling economically. As is everyone else. But here in Spain there's been lots of strikes. For the most part they haven't affected us but one is coming mighty close! There's a bus strike going on right now. Still trying to learn all the details. It's kind of scary though yesterday we bought our tickets for the free weekend and there were all these cops and at first I was a little confused but then just shrugged it off like I used to at my apartment in salt lake, just extra security right? I should feel safer... Despite the fact that their presence means a possibility of danger but that's what I always used to tell myself back home to not worry. But turns out today there's been lots of people slashing tires of the buses out of protest and all this crazy stuff! So that's why the cops! Um scary! But looks like at least for now our buses are still on schedule for the weekend they didn't get cancelled with some. Hopefully it will all be safe! I'm sure it will be! Still leaving Thursday so I'll write before then. Audios!
The start of the trail is a BEAST!! Such an incline!! I'm not sure I've ever been on a hike with that big of incline for that long and I've been on many a hikes!! You had to lean forward the whole way otherwise one slight lean back and you'd topple down for sure. Goner! It was nearly vertical I kid you not and it lasted a while! The hike overall wasn't super long. Probably around an hour but wicked steep. Reaching the Christ Statue was totally worth it. It is so beautiful! I didn't realize it but I can see it up on top the mountain from lots of places in Oviedo. Guess that's kind of the point!! It's ginormous. From down below it looks teeny but up top you realize you are the tiny one! Ironic? Nope. Kind of a great reminder though. The hike back was of course as usual, short but hard on the knees! It rained too but we had no complaints. Totally refreshing. One awesome day hope you like the pictures :)
Also, side note! As I'm sure you've heard Europe, especially Spain is struggling economically. As is everyone else. But here in Spain there's been lots of strikes. For the most part they haven't affected us but one is coming mighty close! There's a bus strike going on right now. Still trying to learn all the details. It's kind of scary though yesterday we bought our tickets for the free weekend and there were all these cops and at first I was a little confused but then just shrugged it off like I used to at my apartment in salt lake, just extra security right? I should feel safer... Despite the fact that their presence means a possibility of danger but that's what I always used to tell myself back home to not worry. But turns out today there's been lots of people slashing tires of the buses out of protest and all this crazy stuff! So that's why the cops! Um scary! But looks like at least for now our buses are still on schedule for the weekend they didn't get cancelled with some. Hopefully it will all be safe! I'm sure it will be! Still leaving Thursday so I'll write before then. Audios!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Gijón :)
Yesterday we went to Gijón to the beach. Its only about 20 minutes from Oviedo by bus and about 5 euros round trip. Not bad! There's actually an advanced program from the U that live in Gijón and let me tell ya.... Boy am I glad I live in Oviedo! Gijón is a fun one day trip but Oviedo tops it in just about every way possible. And I probably wouldn't pay to go back. Oviedo is so clean! Gijón just seemed dirty in comparison. We had a lot of fun at the beach I hadn't been to a beach since October so it was really nice but i'm so blessed to be where I am! We laid out for a little while and enjoyed our pack lunches again soaking up the sun. It was cloudy but still warm and somehow I managed to get a little sunburned. Never would have guessed! Afterwords we explored the city and found a great huge grassy hill the overlooked the ocean and the city. It was breathtaking. Before we left we made sure to roll down the hill like we were ten years old again. It was epic and steep! You get some serious speed! A great way to relax before starting another week of school.
Plans are finalized for the free weekend, which is this coming Thursday night through Sunday. I didn't really want to spend extra money but we have done all we can to make this trip cheap but still amazing. After all, we're here! We take a bus to San Sabastian Thursday when we get out of school get there around 10 pm. Supposedly it's a gorgeous ride. Time will tell. I don't see how 5 hours could be too much more than just surviving a 5 hour drive. Spend Friday and Saturday in the beach town. Supposedly one of the worlds most gorgeous beaches. Can't wait!! Saturday night we take a bus to Bilbao go to bed and ... Drumroll!!! Go to the Guggenheim museum in the morning. I am so excited!! I have always wanted to see the Guggenheim museum, well, at least one of them. It's going to be amazing just like all the other artwork I have seen so far this trip I feel so lucky and grateful to be here I never thought in a million years that I would be! Then return to Oviedo Sunday night. It's going to be amazing so stay posted for details :)
Plans are finalized for the free weekend, which is this coming Thursday night through Sunday. I didn't really want to spend extra money but we have done all we can to make this trip cheap but still amazing. After all, we're here! We take a bus to San Sabastian Thursday when we get out of school get there around 10 pm. Supposedly it's a gorgeous ride. Time will tell. I don't see how 5 hours could be too much more than just surviving a 5 hour drive. Spend Friday and Saturday in the beach town. Supposedly one of the worlds most gorgeous beaches. Can't wait!! Saturday night we take a bus to Bilbao go to bed and ... Drumroll!!! Go to the Guggenheim museum in the morning. I am so excited!! I have always wanted to see the Guggenheim museum, well, at least one of them. It's going to be amazing just like all the other artwork I have seen so far this trip I feel so lucky and grateful to be here I never thought in a million years that I would be! Then return to Oviedo Sunday night. It's going to be amazing so stay posted for details :)
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The best yet:)
Excursion number two... AMAZING.
If you remember our first excursion... It was fun, but a little disappointing. Our original plan got canceled and plan B turned out to be expensive and not the funnest. BUT it made the excursion this week that much more amazing! Excursion number two was FANTASTIC! The perfect day. This was el Plano: Covadonga, Las Lagos (Picos de Europa), y Ribadesella.
COVADONGA: has so much history. It's incredible. The drive up the mountain is green beyond belief. Reminded me a little of Norther California but better! and once you reach our stop, a beautiful church appears amongst the peaks. It's in the pictures below and is called "Basilica of Santa María la Real of Covadonga" it was built between 1877 and 1901 entirely of pink limestone! The pictures don't due it justice. Down below the church is the famous holy grotto that sits in a small cave in a mountain face at Covadonga. It holds the remains of King Pelayo and a likeness of "our lady". You can enter this tiny open chapel and actually see a mass taking place like we did. It's pretty amazing and the view is as well. Down below the gotta is a huge pond where you take a euro and throw it over your head and make a wish that is just destined to come true :) we'll see! Up in the pond is also a fountain called "7 spouts fountain" where supposedly if you drink from all 7 spouts you'll get married in a year? Interesting ha very fresh water though. The best in Europe but ya get soaked! Check out the pictures below.
LAS LAGOS: every Saturday that we have an excursion planned it seems to be less than perfect weather. It will be scathing hot all week and then Saturday rolls around and surprise! rain! But thank goodness this week we enjoyed it anyways but our trip to las lagos almost didn't happen and here is why! The Picos de Europa are a super famous mountain range in Europe I have written numerous reports on them and finally dream came true I got to see them! Butttttt we had to go about a mile or more straight up this mountain in the thickest fog known to man! On a teeny narrow street only big enough for one car... Our a giant bus! Bus drivers must work towards this their whole lives cuz let me tell ya our driver had to pull some crazy maneuvers. First off you almost could not see out the windows. Most the time on the sides not at all just looked like clouds. Second we were going like straight up hill and whenever another car or bus was coming the other way it was an epic battle of how to pass each other. At one point, we had to pass a bus just as big as us and it took forever but good thing they knew just what to do but it was some risky business. Right next to us on either side was just a straight drop for miles. Not to mention the many cows scattered throughout the mountains that find their way to the road whenever they please. But the cows in europe are so much cuter than back home! See pictures for proof :) anyways it was so nuts and scary and windy our poor driver deserves some kind of reward for that. Once we reached the area where the lakes were we had to hike up to them and the fog was so bad we had to have one teacher up front one in the middle and one in back to make sure nobody got left behind. You couldn't see a whole ton which was a bummer but the fog made it really eerie and it was still gorgeous. If you've ever seen lord of the rings that is what Picos de Europa reminds me of! It's NUTS! It's so incredible I didn't think that could exist in real life or that I'd ever get to see it but I live to tell the tell it totally does and of course the fog made it that much better. Totally going to watch lord of the rings the week I get home. But it was incredible and so much fun I love to hike!
RIBADESELLA: beach time!! And actually perfect weather. We arrived in the small town, walked over to the beach and just sat and ate lunch. A little picnic with my friends on the beach so cute. We all shared our various interesting lunches packed by our host moms and enjoyed the scenery. It was far too cold to actually get in the water today but sitting in pants and a jacket it was just right. We played in the sand a little, walked all along the shore line and where they dock all their ships, def made me wish I was on a boat! Then we ended up hiking to this little old temple up on the viewpoint. It was amazing!!! Every turn of the trail was a breathtaking view of the Atlantic surrounded but the greenest greens and gorgeous flowers and cliffs. Lots of pictures! Don't know what the temple was for but it was awesome along with some cannons! And it offered an incredible view of the city.
Excursion number two was a success. I had so much fun today Spain is amazing and these places we get to see are a lot of places that are awesome but often passed by on a normal vacation so it's been really fun. I've learned so much about Spanish culture and history. It's incredible here! so beautiful, like nothing you've seen before! I wish I could just record it all in my mind so I would never forget every little detail! There are incredible things in the US as well but how historic all of this is is just amazing to me and the artwork is incredible I take pictures of everything to try and draw later its great I love it. That's all for now time to get ready to go see my first movie all in Spanish should be lots of fun :) sorry there are so many pictures believe it or not I narrowed it down a ton!
If you remember our first excursion... It was fun, but a little disappointing. Our original plan got canceled and plan B turned out to be expensive and not the funnest. BUT it made the excursion this week that much more amazing! Excursion number two was FANTASTIC! The perfect day. This was el Plano: Covadonga, Las Lagos (Picos de Europa), y Ribadesella.
COVADONGA: has so much history. It's incredible. The drive up the mountain is green beyond belief. Reminded me a little of Norther California but better! and once you reach our stop, a beautiful church appears amongst the peaks. It's in the pictures below and is called "Basilica of Santa María la Real of Covadonga" it was built between 1877 and 1901 entirely of pink limestone! The pictures don't due it justice. Down below the church is the famous holy grotto that sits in a small cave in a mountain face at Covadonga. It holds the remains of King Pelayo and a likeness of "our lady". You can enter this tiny open chapel and actually see a mass taking place like we did. It's pretty amazing and the view is as well. Down below the gotta is a huge pond where you take a euro and throw it over your head and make a wish that is just destined to come true :) we'll see! Up in the pond is also a fountain called "7 spouts fountain" where supposedly if you drink from all 7 spouts you'll get married in a year? Interesting ha very fresh water though. The best in Europe but ya get soaked! Check out the pictures below.
LAS LAGOS: every Saturday that we have an excursion planned it seems to be less than perfect weather. It will be scathing hot all week and then Saturday rolls around and surprise! rain! But thank goodness this week we enjoyed it anyways but our trip to las lagos almost didn't happen and here is why! The Picos de Europa are a super famous mountain range in Europe I have written numerous reports on them and finally dream came true I got to see them! Butttttt we had to go about a mile or more straight up this mountain in the thickest fog known to man! On a teeny narrow street only big enough for one car... Our a giant bus! Bus drivers must work towards this their whole lives cuz let me tell ya our driver had to pull some crazy maneuvers. First off you almost could not see out the windows. Most the time on the sides not at all just looked like clouds. Second we were going like straight up hill and whenever another car or bus was coming the other way it was an epic battle of how to pass each other. At one point, we had to pass a bus just as big as us and it took forever but good thing they knew just what to do but it was some risky business. Right next to us on either side was just a straight drop for miles. Not to mention the many cows scattered throughout the mountains that find their way to the road whenever they please. But the cows in europe are so much cuter than back home! See pictures for proof :) anyways it was so nuts and scary and windy our poor driver deserves some kind of reward for that. Once we reached the area where the lakes were we had to hike up to them and the fog was so bad we had to have one teacher up front one in the middle and one in back to make sure nobody got left behind. You couldn't see a whole ton which was a bummer but the fog made it really eerie and it was still gorgeous. If you've ever seen lord of the rings that is what Picos de Europa reminds me of! It's NUTS! It's so incredible I didn't think that could exist in real life or that I'd ever get to see it but I live to tell the tell it totally does and of course the fog made it that much better. Totally going to watch lord of the rings the week I get home. But it was incredible and so much fun I love to hike!
RIBADESELLA: beach time!! And actually perfect weather. We arrived in the small town, walked over to the beach and just sat and ate lunch. A little picnic with my friends on the beach so cute. We all shared our various interesting lunches packed by our host moms and enjoyed the scenery. It was far too cold to actually get in the water today but sitting in pants and a jacket it was just right. We played in the sand a little, walked all along the shore line and where they dock all their ships, def made me wish I was on a boat! Then we ended up hiking to this little old temple up on the viewpoint. It was amazing!!! Every turn of the trail was a breathtaking view of the Atlantic surrounded but the greenest greens and gorgeous flowers and cliffs. Lots of pictures! Don't know what the temple was for but it was awesome along with some cannons! And it offered an incredible view of the city.
Excursion number two was a success. I had so much fun today Spain is amazing and these places we get to see are a lot of places that are awesome but often passed by on a normal vacation so it's been really fun. I've learned so much about Spanish culture and history. It's incredible here! so beautiful, like nothing you've seen before! I wish I could just record it all in my mind so I would never forget every little detail! There are incredible things in the US as well but how historic all of this is is just amazing to me and the artwork is incredible I take pictures of everything to try and draw later its great I love it. That's all for now time to get ready to go see my first movie all in Spanish should be lots of fun :) sorry there are so many pictures believe it or not I narrowed it down a ton!
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