Last night, an amazing and filling meal of pizza. This morning, a lovely breakfast of chocolate and churros. What a start to the day!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Kayaking and Such
We have been rather busy, so I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, but all is well here in Cadiz. Since our last installment of the Cadiz blog, we've had the chance to visit el rastrillo (flea market) and Playa Victoria. At the Victoria beach, the students got to see a bit of the street life of new Cadiz, mingle with locals, see a gorgeous sunset, and check out some of the beach-side shops and attractions (including an absolutely incredible sand sculpture, which you can see a picture of below).
Tonight is our second group meal out, and we'll be eating at a local pizzeria that features thin-crust Italian style (as in Italy, not New York-style) pizzas.
Tomorrow being a Sunday, we have a very relaxed day planned, with a trip out for churros y chocolate, an optional visit to the mass at the cathedral, and an evening visit up the Cathedral tower. Monday, of course, we'll be back in class again and continuing with our normal rhythm.
Today, we visited los Toruños, a state-owned parque natural (natural park) just outside of Cadiz. The park is beautiful, and features a number of natural marshes (both saltwater and fresh water), tons of local birds, and an absolutely ridiculous number of little crabs with one huge claw. Some of us went for a bike ride around the park, and then nearly all of us took out sea kayaks and messed around in the tidal river for a while.
Tomorrow being a Sunday, we have a very relaxed day planned, with a trip out for churros y chocolate, an optional visit to the mass at the cathedral, and an evening visit up the Cathedral tower. Monday, of course, we'll be back in class again and continuing with our normal rhythm.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Flamenco?
Our first plan that didn't quite work out as planned....Last night we headed to the Castillo de Santa Catalina to enjoy some music within the castle walls, bathed by the final rays of the day's sun. A large crowd had gathered and waited expectantly, while a young Spaniard spun records of loud dance music. Perhaps many of them too were looking at the stage, wondering how the music, advertised as flamenco, could possibly be played on those modern-looking instruments. Not a flamenco guitar nor a rickety chair in sight. Only a Gibson electric guitar, drum kit, and modern keyboard synthesizer.
Well, the answer to this doubt and concern is easy. The fellows who came up on stage just didn't play flamenco at all, and I think that they probably learned a valuable lesson in marketing, which probably set in just as everyone was leaving -- Lying about your "product" may attract plenty of audience, but once they all realize that they've been had, they'll revolt. In this case, the revolt consisted of all of us (and many others) leaving within fifteen minutes of the music's beginning. Let me be the first to tell you that elevator jazz is not flamenco. Enjoy the last photo below--it'll give you a feel for what the music sounded like.
Still, we did all very much enjoy the sunset, and the castle and ambiance were beautiful, so not all was lost. We'll just hope for better music next time.
Well, the answer to this doubt and concern is easy. The fellows who came up on stage just didn't play flamenco at all, and I think that they probably learned a valuable lesson in marketing, which probably set in just as everyone was leaving -- Lying about your "product" may attract plenty of audience, but once they all realize that they've been had, they'll revolt. In this case, the revolt consisted of all of us (and many others) leaving within fifteen minutes of the music's beginning. Let me be the first to tell you that elevator jazz is not flamenco. Enjoy the last photo below--it'll give you a feel for what the music sounded like.
Still, we did all very much enjoy the sunset, and the castle and ambiance were beautiful, so not all was lost. We'll just hope for better music next time.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Class Videos
An example of one of the videos that the students in Intermediate Spanish have made, showing the "typical day" of a Spaniard.
Andalusian Civilization
Busy as bees, we are! Yesterday was a great day, filled with Andalusian-themed activities. We split the group into two smaller groups--Patos y Elefantes (Ducks and Elephants) -- so as to make some visits and activities more easily organized. While the Elephants tromped through the Cathedral, the Patos spent some time decorating abanicos (typical Spanish fans). Afterwards, everyone participated in a flamenco dance lesson.
In the evening, the students had free time, though most took our advice and headed over the Teatro Manuel de Falla for the free flamenco show, in which a woman sang from the theater balcony, which overlooked a square filled with flamenco enthusiasts.
Tonight we have another flamenco-related group activity, this time at the Castillo de Santa Catalina. We'll be watching the sun set as we listen to live flamenco at the castle.
The days are flying by, and everyone seems to be feeling more and more comfortable with their Spanish host families and also taking advantage of all of the other culinary, cultural, and musical opportunities that the city of Cadiz offers.
I've included some photos below of yesterday's activities. There is also a short video at the bottom of the flamenco performance from last night. The sound is terrible-ish, but I think the video gives a nice vision of what the night looked like. Enjoy!
In the evening, the students had free time, though most took our advice and headed over the Teatro Manuel de Falla for the free flamenco show, in which a woman sang from the theater balcony, which overlooked a square filled with flamenco enthusiasts.
Tonight we have another flamenco-related group activity, this time at the Castillo de Santa Catalina. We'll be watching the sun set as we listen to live flamenco at the castle.
The days are flying by, and everyone seems to be feeling more and more comfortable with their Spanish host families and also taking advantage of all of the other culinary, cultural, and musical opportunities that the city of Cadiz offers.
I've included some photos below of yesterday's activities. There is also a short video at the bottom of the flamenco performance from last night. The sound is terrible-ish, but I think the video gives a nice vision of what the night looked like. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Crayloa Ludoteca
Well, the students should now be quite familiar with the sights and sounds of the streets of Cadiz. Last night they participated in our annual Photographic Scavenger Hunt, searching the city of Cadiz for such things as couples holding hands, a Smart car, someone wearing green, yellow or red pants, the European Union flag, incorrect English spelling, and graffiti in English. All the teams performed wonderfully and nearly all came back with perfect or near perfect scores.
Today the students had their second day of classes, and all is progressing quite well. Javier's class (advanced) visited the Crayola Ludoteca, a state and privately-funded daycare that helps to take care of the children of working parents in a low-income area of downtown Cadiz. Our volunteers were incredibly appreciated, and had a great time, and all complained when we had to leave.
In the weeks that come, all of our students will have the opportunity to visit Crayola and help out the very skilled and incredibly overworked staff there.
This evening, we've got a free night and we've recommended that the students take advantage of the free offering of flamenco that the city offers tonight in the Plaza del Teatro de Falla.
More to come soon as life moves along here in Cadiz.
Today the students had their second day of classes, and all is progressing quite well. Javier's class (advanced) visited the Crayola Ludoteca, a state and privately-funded daycare that helps to take care of the children of working parents in a low-income area of downtown Cadiz. Our volunteers were incredibly appreciated, and had a great time, and all complained when we had to leave.
In the weeks that come, all of our students will have the opportunity to visit Crayola and help out the very skilled and incredibly overworked staff there.
This evening, we've got a free night and we've recommended that the students take advantage of the free offering of flamenco that the city offers tonight in the Plaza del Teatro de Falla.
More to come soon as life moves along here in Cadiz.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Ice Cream and Such
Some pictures follow below of our recent activities, including -- a short trip to Plaza Mina for some delicious Italian-style ice cream, a night walk on La Caleta Beach, and our afternoon elective classes.
Today was our first official day of classes, in which the students took a placement test and were placed into one of our three levels of Spanish classes. This afternoon (right now) they are in their elective classes (Digital Photography, Culture and Conversation, or
Flamenco Dance).
This evening, we'll have our annual Photographic Scavenger Hunt, after which all of the students should have a much better understanding of the layout of Cadiz. Check back for more soon!
Today was our first official day of classes, in which the students took a placement test and were placed into one of our three levels of Spanish classes. This afternoon (right now) they are in their elective classes (Digital Photography, Culture and Conversation, or
Flamenco Dance).
This evening, we'll have our annual Photographic Scavenger Hunt, after which all of the students should have a much better understanding of the layout of Cadiz. Check back for more soon!
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