Spain, Unit A: Language Learning

Granada to Capileira to Almuñecar

2009-07-24T09:18:00.001-04:00

Saludos!

Since we last wrote, we´ve left Granada behind for the Alpujarra mountains. Capileira, a small, whitewashed village, was our home for three days. From Capileira we were able to conquer the highest peak in the entire Iberian Penninsula - Mulhacen! Mulhacen is the name of the second to last sultan of the Moorish rein in Spain. Supposedly this sultan wanted to be buried where he would forever look out over his kingdom, and what better place than the highest peak on the peninsula? From the top of Mulhacen on a clear day one can see across the Mediterranean to Africa . While it was beautiful and sunny for our hike, strong winds blowing dust from the Sahara blocked the view of Africa. We all made it to the top, though, for a great Spanish picnic lunch of bocadillos, fruta, yogurt, y galletas before making the steep descent back into town.

Yesterday we arrived in Almuñecar, a great little town on the Costa del Sol, and we´re spending as much time as possible in the sun and waves.

It´s been a great month here in Spain! None of us can believe we´ll be flying back to the states so soon. If we´re not able to write again before taking off, thanks to everyone in our group for such a amazing aventura!

Un abrazo muy fuerte,
Jota y Bea

Segovia, Granada and muchas fotos!

2009-07-19T13:26:00.024-04:00

Blog from Segovia:

The week that we´ve all been nevously awaiting is here - homestay in Segovia! We arrived in Segovia around 1:30 in the afternoon and were greeted by our homestay families who were ready to welcome each one of us with a tasty Spanish lunch. Each of our families is unique, and so students tried everything from gazpacho to tuna salad to lasagna to cochinillo - roasted suckling pig, a Segovian specialty. Some students visited pueblos, others visited Segovia´s sights, and we all spoke a lot of Spanish!

Summer time in Segovia is very tranquilo, and so all Segovians do their best to stay cool with visits to the pool and lots of granizados (lemon ice). We went on excursions as a group some mornings, had the chance to learn some Sevillanas before heading south to Andalucia, and found yet another cueva espanola (Spanish cave). We´ll be sad to leave our home for the last week, but know that more crazy adventures await us in Andalucia.

Hasta pronto,
Jota y Bea

Blog from Granada:

Gitano, fuente, olivo, arcilla - estos y mas en Andalucia. Back together again as a group, we´re exploring Granada and working hard to remember all of the new vocabulary we´ve come across here in southern Spain. Andalucia feels like a different country compared to the green hills of Asturias and Cantabria, and the castles and ancient roman structures of Castilla y Leon.

The arabic influence is strong in Granada with different architecture, food, clothing and music. After visiting the mesmorizing Alhambra palace we created our own version of the history of La Alhambra using props purchsed in the moroccan street markets. Some of us visited Federico Garcia Lorca´s birth place and read this influential author´s poetry. Yesterday some of the guys wrote and performed a rap about Juana la Loca, the crazy daughter of Spain´s Catholic Monarchs, Fernando y Isabella. Last night we attended a Flamenco show in one of Sacramonte´s cave restaurants, and were blown away by the intense beauty and strength of the dancers and musicians.

That´s all for now! Time to get ready for tapas and then a soak in the arabic baths!

We hope you enjoy the fotos below!

Jota y Bea

Sevillanas dance lessons

hiking to a hidden cave

the cave!

Stories from the Alhambra - grupo uno

Grupo Dos - los ganadores!

and Grupo Tres, con el nuevo rey de Espana - Jota!

the group at La Alhambra

Real Madrid

2009-07-09T12:07:00.004-04:00

It's hard to believe that our time in Madrid has already come and gone! Everyone enjoyed visiting the famous Madrileño cultural spots, including the Prado, where we attempted our best sketches of some of the classic artists, and the Reina Sophia Museum of Modern Art, where we successfully completed a short painting scavenger hunt.

Tops on the Madrid list for many students was a visit to the soccer stadium of Madrid's most famous team, Real Madrid. Our group loved learning about the history of the team and getting to walk into the locker rooms and press box of the huge stadium. Many left dressed in tons of Real Madrid apparel, attracting a national television station, which taped us as we left! As one student said, "We've been canyoning, we've hiked the Picos de Europa, we've eaten tapas, and now we've seen the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and been taped by a news team...it can't get much better than this!"

We also took advantage of Madrid's central location to visit some of the surrounding cities. We visited El Escorial, the summer home of many madrileños and the site of a huge palace dating back Felipe II. We also took a day to tour Toledo, a city filled with history. These were nice ways to escape the busy streets of Madrid for a day and experience more of Spanish culture.

We're off to Segovia now for our week of homestays. Our students are all excited to meet their homestay families and to get to know yet another great Spanish city!

Hasta pronto,
Jota y Bea

Mucha Aventura en España

2009-07-03T09:39:00.001-04:00

What an exciting last few days! After arriving in the coastal town of Llanes, the students quickly felt at home in the cozy atmosphere of our great hotel. The students made the most of the opportunities to talk to the local people, and truly enjoyed the scavenger hunt, which had them asking about local songs and dishes. Two of our students dressed up in typical Llanes attire.

Although we were sad to say goodbye, the towering Picos de Europa were awaiting us in Potes. The hikes and outdoor adventures, like canyoning, allowed us all to enjoy the beautiful weather and clean air in this great town. One hike included a ride in the gondola, which took us over 1,800 meters high within a matter of minutes. We still had plenty of time for relaxing at the pool of our hotel. The owners of our hotel were so welcoming that they threw us a barbque at the pool on our last night.

We arrived in Madrid at 9pm, just in time for a traditionally late Spanish dinner. After all the outdoor activity, it´s time for a good night's sleep. Hasta la próxima!

Jota y Bea

Photos from the Picos de Europa

2009-07-02T10:21:00.001-04:00

Hola, Todos!

2009-06-26T11:14:00.003-04:00

We arrived in Madrid, sleepy but excited, and quickly made our way north to the beautiful coastal town of Llanes in Asturias. After a bit of orientation, the clouds cleared and we were able to explore the town in small groups. One of the groups picked a great restaurant for our first true Spanish dinner! The students set up a ¨Menu¨ for us with many options. Two boys accidentally ordered ¨callos¨, or tripe, and wondered why the Spanish liked such fatty meat. They were very surprised to find out that it was cow stomach! Brave souls!

Today is beautiful, sunny, and perfect for the beach, frisbee, and a dip in the cool, clear-blue waves. We have a lot to see in the next few days here in Llanes, so adios for now. We´re off to meet some fishermen at a fish auction!

Abrazos muy fuertes de Espana,
Jeremy y Britt (Jota y Bea)

the playa in Llanes

a group shot

eating callos!

The group has arrived

2009-06-24T09:05:00.002-04:00

We've received word from the leaders that the group has arrived in Madrid.

Meet the trip leaders

2009-06-16T14:46:00.001-04:00

2009 Spain leaders: Jeremy Snyder and Britt Doran

BRITT DORAN: Brown University, B.A., International Development. What began as a quick trip to Spain in high school to visit a family friend, has turned into a life of travel for Britt. While at Brown, she studied abroad in Ecuador and volunteered with an adolescent health education project. Her travels continued with the Brown University Chorus, touring to Costa Rica, Finland, and Russia. Britt moved to Costa Rica upon graduation where she worked as a dorm supervisor and music teacher at the Country Day School in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. She then moved to Segovia, Spain, for two years and worked as a co-director of Proctor Academy's high school study abroad program where she could be found preparing paella, dancing sevillanas, and hiking the rolling hills of the Spanish countryside. Britt currently works as an Associate Director at Putney Student Travel, coordinating programs in Costa Rica and Spain. When not traveling, Britt enjoys spending time near the water in her home state of Rhode Island. This will be Britt’s fourth summer with Putney. She has led a Language Learning program in Costa Rica and co-directed Putney’s Costa Rica Foundations program. Last year she led Putney's Community Service program in the Dominican Republic. Britt is fluent in Spanish.

JEREMY SNYDER: Davidson College, B.A., Spanish, pre-medical concentration. Jeremy took full advantage of study abroad opportunities during his undergraduate experience. He traveled to Venezuela in 2006, where he participated in various service learning projects. Later he traveled to Kenya with a pre-medical program through Davidson College, where he shadowed physicians and observed surgeries at two Nairobi hospitals. Jeremy has spent time in Nicaragua, learning about developing non-profit organizations and humanitarian programs. Jeremy spent four months studying at the Universidad de Sevilla. He traveled extensively throughout the country, making excursions through Andalucía, Galicia, País Vasco, and Cataluña. Jeremy has worked as a summer camp counselor, leading students through rappelling, climbing, and high ropes challenge courses. He directed a service organization that taught swim lessons to Spanish-speaking children. Jeremy has also worked at a local free clinic, translating for Spanish-speaking patients. He is fluent in Spanish.

Welcome!

2009-06-03T10:18:00.001-04:00

In order to keep parents updated on the progress of their child's Putney program, from time to time over the course of the program, the trip leaders will post an update on this blog. We hope that the occasional updates will keep you informed about the activities, projects and successes of the summer, as well as comfort the usual worries in sending a son or daughter to a far-away place.

You should expect leaders to post blogs no more than once per week during the program. We feel strongly that the leaders' first priority is the students and the program. The reasons for infrequent updates will be the very busy schedules of our program leaders as well as inconsistent internet access at Putney's various destinations throughout the world. Please know that any important issues on the program will be discussed and resolved with leaders and parents by phone, not through the blog.

We suggest that you subscribe to the blog during your first visit so that you will receive e-mail notifications at the end of the day whenever a new update is posted. To subscribe, enter your email address under 'Subscribe via e-mail' on the right-hand column of the blog.

Have a fantastic summer!