Spain 2015 PHS Trip Day 1/2

Bienvenido! Saturday March 21 we left Port Columbus for JFK Airport in New York. We did leave a bit late and we had a gate change but all went rather smoothly.
Spain blog

Bienvenido! Saturday March 21 we left Port Columbus for JFK Airport in New York. We did leave a bit late and we had a gate change but all went rather smoothly.

After a 4 1/2 hr layover in JFK we finally left New York at 7:50 pm Sunday March 22 and officially began our journey to Spain. The flight took roughly 6 hrs and 34 minutes. The food was decent. I think everyone was surprised by that.

The sunrise was gorgeous as we entered Spain and began our descent to Madrid. We landed around 7:45 am local time and made our way to the Customs/passport area, which included a tram to another section of the terminal. After passing the passport area we headed to the baggagage claim and then met our guide, Hugo. We promptly boarded the bus and headed into the city. We soon discovered there was a marathon being run in the city. We circled once then found a traffic cop and were allowed to make our way to our hotel, El Regente, located off The Gran Via in the city center. Some of our rooms were ready some were not. Those rooms that were ready we used for storing the bags.

We met back in the lobby and were on our way to The Royal Palace of Madrid a short walk from our hotel. We had an appointed time for our tour at 11 am. After a short wait and passing security we entered the courtyard to the Palace and made our way to the entrance. We retrieved our headphones to better hear our guide and the. Began at the Staircase of the Palace where we learned about the frescos on the ceiling, took a few photos and then began the tour of the Palace. Now all the rooms are open and some were open this time that were not previously (at least that was the general consensus). Two of my favorite rooms was the Stradivarius violins rooms and The Thrown room. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We then had free time to explore the courtyard. Some of the students took pictures of the courtyard and the front of the Palace, visited the Palace gift shop, the park area and the Cathedral opposite to the Palace, Almudena Cathedral. We met with our director, Hugo around 1pm and made our inside the Almudena Cathedral.

After a short visit to the cathedral we visited Plaza de La Villa, then stopped for lunch near Mercado de San Miguel (this is a modern market popular for lunch) near Plaza Mayor. The student split up in groups and explored the market and surrounding area. A short walk was Plaza Mayor where street performers entertain the crowds. There are shops and restaurants also in Plaza Mayor. Once our hour was up we headed into Plaza Mayor with Hugo and learned some interesting facts about the plaza’s history and famous entry ways. We proceeded to Puerta Del Sol. This plaza has the famous Bear and strawberry statue, shops and 0 KM. This is very similar to 0 mile in Florida. All point in Spain start here and branch out.

We returned to the hotel at this point for a small break and to determine what we should do since it was raining. After and hour, it was still raining but it did slack off and stop. We decided to walk to the Chueca quarter. This area is known for shopping and mostly shoes. This area is also known for its modernista building designs.

We broke for some free time along the shopping area and met back at Mercado In the area. After our free time we walked back to Puerta del Sol area to our restaurant, La Catedral. This is a sit down place we had ate at in the past. The food was excellen as well as the atmosphere. During our dinner the Madrid and FC Barcelona futbol game started and when we left many tapas bars and places were watching El Clasico as it is affectionately called. Some of the students stopped for ice cream on our way back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we will see a bull fighting ring, The Retiro Park and The Prado Art Museum.

After a 4 1/2 hr layover in JFK we finally left New York at 7:50 pm Sunday March 22 and officially began our journey to Spain. The flight took roughly 6 hrs and 34 minutes. The food was decent. I think everyone was surprised by that.

The sunrise was gorgeous as we entered Spain and began our descent to Madrid. We landed around 7:45 am local time and made our way to the Customs/passport area, which included a tram to another section of the terminal. After passing the passport area we headed to the baggage claim and then met our guide, Hugo. We promptly boarded the bus and headed into the city. We soon discovered there was a marathon being run in the city. We circled once then found a traffic cop and were allowed to make our way to our hotel, El Regente, located off The Gran Via in the city center. Some of our rooms were ready some were not. Those rooms that were ready we used for storing the bags.

We met back in the lobby and were on our way to The Royal Palace of Madrid a short walk from our hotel. We had an appointed time for our tour at 11 am. After a short wait and passing security we entered the courtyard to the Palace and made our way to the entrance. We retrieved our headphones to better hear our guide and the. Began at the Staircase of the Palace where we learned about the frescos on the ceiling, took a few photos and then began the tour of the Palace. Now all the rooms are open and some were open this time that were not previously (at least that was the general consensus). Two of my favorite rooms was the Stradivarius violins rooms and The Thrown room. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We then had free time to explore the courtyard. Some of the students took pictures of the courtyard and the front of the Palace, visited the Palace gift shop, the park area and the Cathedral opposite to the Palace, Almudena Cathedral. We met with our director, Hugo around 1pm and made our inside the Almudena Cathedral.

After a short visit to the cathedral we visited Plaza de La Villa, then stopped for lunch near Mercado de San Miguel (this is a modern market popular for lunch) near Plaza Mayor. The student split up in groups and explored the market and surrounding area. A short walk was Plaza Mayor where street performers entertain the crowds. There are shops and restaurants also in Plaza Mayor. Once our hour was up we headed into Plaza Mayor with Hugo and learned some interesting facts about the plaza’s history and famous entry ways. We proceeded to Puerta Del Sol. This plaza has the famous Bear and strawberry statue, shops and 0 KM. This is very similar to 0 mile in Florida. All point in Spain start here and branch out.

We returned to the hotel at this point for a small break and to determine what we should do since it was raining. After and hour, it was still raining but it did slack off and stop. We decided to walk to the Chueca quarter. This area is known for shopping and mostly shoes. This area is also known for its modernista building designs.

We broke for some free time along the shopping area and met back at Mercado In the area. After our free time we walked back to Puerta del Sol area to our restaurant, La Catedral. This is a sit down place we had ate at in the past. The food was excellent as well as the atmosphere. During our dinner the Madrid and FC Barcelona futbol game started and when we left many tapas bars and places were watching El Clasico as it is affectionately called. Some of the students stopped for ice cream on our way back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we will see a bull fighting ring, The Retiro Park and The Prado Art Museum.

Travel Memories /Barcelona Spain

Ah travel memories. They are wonderful are they not? I have been privileged to have many travel memories and experiences. Photos, momentos, souvenirs, clothing, cars, people, sights, sounds and even food can remind us of times gone by while traveling.

As I changed my Facebook profile this morning I was searching through pictures from my first trip to Spain 2009. I spent quality time with my mom and I won’t forget that time. What a lovely time it was! That trip was the trip of a lifetime. I had never been to Europe and planned the trip with my good friend Stef. She was well traveled, even then. I had always hoped I would make it to Spain one day but I had resolved that it wouldn’t happen and if or when I did make a big trip I would have to settle for England. I know, right? Imagine someone saying they would settle for England. Don’t get me wrong, I would absolutely love to see England. But for a woman who has the Spanish in her blood I guess it was natural. Though I was not raised to speak Spanish, I always had an interest in learning the language and learning the culture and rich history. The dream of some day being able to visit a wonderful place was at that point out of the question, or so I thought.

Stef and I had discussed places to plan a trip to and she mentioned it. When we got serious about it I was so excited. I remember thinking, “my lord, is it really going to happen? Will I really get to goto this place?” Once things were finalized and booked I was thrilled. I would finally be able to use what little Spanish I knew and see the sites of Spain.

When I stepped off that plane on Spanish soil it was amazing. Though Stef and my mom knew basics, Donna, Stef’s mom knew practically nothing of the language. I was expected to read and navigate. I think even if they didn’t expect that, it would have happened. Everywhere we went the people looked to me to translate or reply. Hmm, dark hair and eyes and the Spanish look in general must be why. (Laughs)

My true “OMG” moment was when I saw La Sagrada Familia Catedral (Sacred Family Cathedral) in Barcelona. If you are not familiar with this Cathedral let me enlighten you.

This is Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral. Construction began in 1882 (Gaudi joined in 1883) but was slowed considerably for many years after his unfortunate death in 1926. The construction relied on private donations which were slowed by the Spanish Civil War in the 1950’s and General Franco’s dislike for the Catalan area. It wasn’t until 2010 that the project passed a midpoint in construction with an estimated completion year of 2026.

For more facts about this go here to Wikipedia.

Now back to my wow moment. We had gotten on the “Hop on Hop Off” tourist bus and was headed to this site. I could see it of course before we arrived. My first glimpse of it was through a break in the buildings and trees turning a corner. I felt giddy. I believe I even stood up and gasped.
I was snapped pictures when I was able through the buildings.

We arrived at the bus stop and exited the bus. You had to walk through a little grove of trees and sand to get to the front of the building. It was like the sun poking out of a dreary sky after a storm. The trees gave way and then BOOM! There it stood before me like a giant in a fairy tale story. I snapped pictures of course. Haha, from all sorts of angles. Then I just stood there. I wasn’t aware of what my party was doing to be honest. They all knew this was what I came here to see. I stood and said [to my mom, I think], “OMG I’m really here, in Spain, standing in front of La Sagrada Familia!” I was totally amazed. Eventually we moved on and found the end of the long line to tour it. I did not mind. I was able to stand and take additional photos and hear the bells chime at the noon hour.

Here is one of my favorite shots from when we were standing in line.
Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain 10/4/09

So we paid our 21€ ($25 or so) and entered the Cathedral. Again I was awestruck!

The ceiling is incredible. The natural light flowing into this place is extraordinary!

Checkout my Flickr Spain album

I mostly kept quiet while inside. Construction, though not currently being done, was evident all around inside. I snapped pics and just looked around everywhere I could. The stained glass reflected colorful rays around the place. Just stunning to stand there.We wandered around the crowds at a slow pace and made our way to the other facade. One totally different that the first. The original facade, old, blackened and very gothic. Again, the wonderment I felt seeing this mammoth structure.

Eventually we had to leave, having not the chance to goto the top of the towers because mom wasn’t up to it, the elevators, and the line. I’d have gone alone had it not been for mom. I told her next time I will do it.

A funny story about this time was after we left we wanted a drink so we stopped at a little place across the street. We never fail to have people come up to us, especially Stef. LOL. This time it was mom. A short, heavy set old lady approached us and made a gesture (at her mouth like she was eating) with her hands and said, ” pobre.” She repeated it over and over. I knew she meant, “poor”. I laughed and told them what she said. Anytime you travel you have to beware of this and pick pockets so we just ignored her but it was a funny experience.

Hopefully, next year when I return to Barcelona in the Spring, I will have the chance to goto the top of the towers. I hear the scaffolding and cranes are no longer there! :).

❤️ ¡Ten cuidado Barcelona volveré! I miss you!