First day in Sevilla-- Traveling Day

Waking up and getting to Sevilla was the difficult part. We had to be waiting for the bus by 9am; which would already be a feat. That is, after we woke up, showered, finished packing, ate breakfast, and carried our near 50 lb suitcases down 3 stories... simply getting to the bus was hard. To make matters even better the bus we ordered was simply too small. For a near 5 hour venture; an 18 person bus was ordered to seat exactly 18 people-- very tightly. We could have done it if our suitcases had fit, I guess 18 people with 3 weeks of suitcases on a small bus was not figured into the bus booking. So, after waiting over an hour for a larger bus, we were finally on the road to Sevilla. We stopped a long the way in Cordoba to view a Mosque, (once the largest in the world). It was enormous and had both Catholic and Islamic influences because of numerous takeovers over a thousand years ago. It was too big and we were too tired so most of our group just ended up sitting and waiting to leave. Once back on the bus I got a little sleep before finally arriving in Sevilla around 5pm. We unpacked and got our rooming assignments, and Merritt and I were assigned to share a 2 person room! Finally some space! We were very excited about rooming together which quickly died when we realized our room had no air conditioning... but that problem would have to be resolved later. We then went out for a quick dinner and a walk around to get our bearings in Sevilla. After some gelato we were ready for bed, and all happily in bed by midnight! 

Last day in Granada!

The last day in Granada is still one of my favorite days of the trip.... not for the reason that we were LEAVING Granada; because truly it has been my favorite town. We were allowed to wake up whenever we chose (which was nice) and then had free time until one. Around 9am Allison Jamie and I headed out to shop. I was able to go into a few stores I had been dying to check out, along with the street vendors who sold small trinkets that were  necessary to purchase. My favorite purchase of the day is about half a pound of homemade tea called "te de granada". It smells like heaven. Just a whiff and I felt like I was in the tropics on the beach.... I can't wait to try it out when I get home! At 1:30 we met back at the Hostel for a late lunch and to celebrate one of our group members birthdays (his would be the next day and we would be traveling all that day). After lunch and cake we had a short siesta, worked on some shutter speed fountain pictures; and then were released back into Granada for a little farewell free time and shopping. Once back at the Hostel again, we got ready for a nice dinner (finally a chance to dress up!) We walked to an amazing restaurant, that overlooked The Alhombra at sunset. The meal was exquisite. 5 courses of mouthwatering foods... some more interesting than others. I will never forget my first (and last) bite of blood sausage. It's aftertaste stayed with me all night... around 11 it was back to the Hostel, to finish packing and sleep! Tomorrow we would leave bright and early for Sevilla! 

The hike!

On tuesday our guides thought it would be a great idea to take a hike. So, we were on the bus around 9am for a 2 hour drive towards our destination, where we would then enter a small town and make our way into the mountains. Around 11ish we had reached the town, unloaded; and strapped with backpacks and water bottles made our way towards the path. Somehow in the course of 100 feet our group was then separated. Davin (one of our guides) was in the front and led about 6 kids down one path.... when our group caught up with Meghan (our other guide) there was a fork in the road... and ofcourse we chose the OTHER path. So for the next 3 hours our two groups were separated, wandering the mountains of Spain... The original plan was to wear your swimsuits so that at the middle of one trail there was a swimming hole and waterfall; but that was the path Davin's group took. I was in Meghans group with the other 10 students from our school, and ofcourse Davin had the map and his cell phone was dead... so it was a very interesting 3 hours. Regardless of the situation, our group had a lot of fun wandering the mountains (sarcasm) but really it wasn't that bad. I was tired and didn't want to be there... personally I have nothing against hiking or nature and I really do like it it's just that I wasn't really in the mood or shape to be doing this kind of walking. (Picture steep incline of a tread mill in 100+ heat for 3 hours). But our group made it fun and after reaching the next town that lunch was the most rejuvenating one I have ever had.... It really was a challenging, frustrating, exciting, entertaining and interesting day. 

Jun 27th- Sunny Mondays and Horse Shows

On monday we took a 9am bus ride out to training stables to watch horse lessons. Originally the plan was to view the traditional Spanish style "training of horses", but it turned out to just watching the upper Granada elite take riding lessons. Regardless, it was great to get some action shots of the horses, get to interact with the horses in the stables, and capture the early morning lighting. The stables were attached to a country club; so instead of the normal "country clubs" in Houston featuring tennis or golf; this one was dedicated to riding. All the riders were learning English, which reminded me of the days that I used to ride when I was younger. Sometimes I really do still miss riding, and it was fun to live vicariously through these riders because I understood the difficulties and skills of jumping large quarter horses. After the stables we went to a lunch at a chinese buffet, it was probably my favorite meal yet. Just the word buffet gave me excitement but the excess of fruits and vegetables, all meats and desserts gave me all the protein and nutrition I was craving. It was a very relaxing day! 

Ancestry in Architecture

Spain is famous for its beautiful cathedrals, synagogues and mosques. The south of Spain is very religiously diverse, (and being so close to Morocco) holds beautiful centers of worship for differing religions. While in Spain we have gotten the chance to tour a few cathedrals and one synagogue; and we will be visiting our first mosque tomorrow. While here in Granada; we have visited the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the King and Queen of Spain who sent Christopher Columbus to the Americas some centuries ago... It was amazing and very historically enlightening to see the tombs, but also a little disturbing. They were buried in the Holy Royal Cathedral; and to see the graves you walk down to an underground basement, past their tombs (along with 3 other unmarked-- probably children) and then up to the cathedral again. After viewing the graves we continued on to The Cathedral de la Granada, a beautiful old church near the center of old town. It was beautiful-- high ceilings, marble floors, gold incrusted everywhere-- doors that looked as if they led to Narnia. Simply amazing. A third world nation could have been fed with a portion of the riches found in the cathedral. After visiting Notre Dame in Paris, I can honestly say that I found this cathedral more beautiful. 

The Bull Fights

On Friday we were in for a unique treat of traditional Spanish culture. A bull fight. Unknown to myself however there are 3 stages of bull fights... the last one with the matador is the only typically known of. First the bull is let loose into the arena; A man with a spear on a horse provokes the bull to charge the horse and then stabs the bull every time the bull comes near. After a certain amount of time young matadors who have not yet made a name for themselves enter the ring and take their chance with the bull; last the valiant head matador enters the ring and slays the bull. 

What we watched on Friday was a different sort of bull fight. Our group took a 30 minute bus ride out to a ranch where the bulls and cattle are bred and raised. On this particular day the ranchers were testing out 4 different cows (female bulls?) to see the ferocity of their nature. The ones that had the right strength, anger, and endurance would be kept to breed with the head bull. A stallion of the cow world. The others would be slaughtered for meat. It was inhumane disgusting and I am no longer eating red meat. You could tell that the cows ( bulls?) did not want to be in the ring, they were tired angry bleeding and probably just wanted to go back to their pasture instead of being injured for sport. I know that it is a part of culture and should be appreciated but the way women are treated in Saudi Arabia is also "culture", and yet that doesn't make it any more right. These breeders argued that it was a classic case of "man vs. beast" yes I do not agree. In "man vs. beast" one lives, the other dies; it is a fair game. This was simply provoking an innocent animal and giving it pain for sport. Obviously I will never be a hunter... regardless I got some great shots and they are included above. 

Adios! 

Much needed Relaxation-- Saturday

Yesterday I woke up sick. I think it was a combination of dehydration, fatigue, lack of nutrition (etc.) Although they say it is good to drink I am scared of the tap water here in Spain, are guide swears that it is fine but I don't trust it. Also, there is very little tap water available.... so that must be a sign. I have been gulping an average of 6 bottles of water a day (with euros that is defiantly adding up) and still am ALWAYS thirsty. We are always on the go here, its miserably hot outside and even with our siestas I feel very drained; and I am convinced Spain does not believe in fruits and vegetables. Even with my dislike of salads I feel myself craving them... I never realized how lucky I was for the diversity of food in Houston. Vegetables here are very dry and bland and fruit is hard to come across (except for as a dessert). With that all said I was very sick in the morning and refused to move. I literally felt like my veins had a fever; my mouth was drier than the Sahara and everything ached. I was allowed to stay in bed for the morning and I slept a good 5 hours strait. When I woke up I had a light lunch and then joined the group to head to beautiful cathedral near the middle of the old part of Granada. I have some amazing pictures (which are still on my camera) but I will upload soon! We saw the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (the Spanish monarchy which sent Christopher Columbus to America!) It was incredibly interesting and somewhat disturbing to view their caskets... but very educational! Later that night we had the most amazing surprise ever!! A traditional Indian bath. I'll admit at first we were all skeptical of the authenticity of a place like this... and how hygienic it would be. A public bath? It sounded disgusting.  We complained to our guide the whole 15 minute walk there... but in our defense it was saturday night in Granada and we were walking through crowds (of kids our age heading to clubs) wearing our flip flops swimsuits and carrying towels; definitely a spectacle. Anyways when we entered the bath it was well worth the trip. The bath had low ceilings, dark lighting, gorgeous fountains, beautiful mosaics and looked as if it was an ancient Roman bath (only indian designs). There were three pools; hot, warm, and cool, a steaming sauna, complimentary 15 minute massages and wonderful hot teas. I was in spa heaven. We stayed there until around 1am and then trooped back to the hotel, soaking wet but relaxed and content. It was the best sleep I've had in weeks...

Baile- To dance

Thursday June 25th-- Dancing in Spain. Its the essence and culture of the land; and the epitome of this is The Flaminko dancing... On Thursday our guide Tino took us to photograph a dance practice with some of the most amazing dancers of Granada. These women were amazing; their agility, speed, grace and love of the dance was evident through their dancing. We spent the entire morning photographing these women and witnessing their art; later in the day we returned back to the hostel and had our final lesson with Tino... he was returning back to his village to see his family for a few days before Saturday for Turkey. Tino has been recently filming a documentary in Turkey about the culture and poverty of the Muslim women around Istanbul. Some of his stories were remarkable. Tino says that Turkey is a beautiful and safe country, with areas very similar to that of the Southern Coast of Spain. However poverty has greatly impressed itself upon many Muslim women in the area. Out of every 100 illiterate women in Turkey, 75 our women. These women are sometimes persecuted by ruthless husbands and distraught by religious tradition. Yet Tino is focussing on the hope in the eyes of the young muslim women... It will be very interesting to watch the documentary. 

The day ahead...

Not much to report from today in Granada-- that is, So far. We left the hostel around 9 this morning and had a lesson from Tino from arond 930 to 2. It was very interesting as he reviewed our work and then showed slideshows of examples of color, texture, shadowing, foreground versus background, etcetera. Then we headed to lunch around 3, and now a little past 5 I am back in the hostel for our daily siesta. But it probably the excitement of what will follow later today that has kept me from my annual nap. Around 6 we will have one of our last lessons from Tino, for unfortunately he will be leaving us tomorrow night. Then we will have a quick picnic dinner and then head to a local bar to watch the US versus Spain "football" (soccer) match. In European nations, as well as worldwide, Soccer is the sport of choice and I have only heard how into the games the fans get. It surely will be an experience. Ofcourse I want the United States to win, but being an American in such a situation could be considered "unsafe", whatever the outcome it surely will be exciting! I hope to get some great people in the bars expressions as they watch the match. Earlier, while still in Madrid, I visited the Real Madrid stadium, one of the most famous football stadiums in the world. The stadium was enormous, and our tour group actually got to go down on the field and sit in the players chairs... it was truly incredible. With that said I am very excited to watch this match! After the match will will head back once again to Alhombra ( I am still not sure of it's spelling) to take tripod night shots.  Although lugging equipment and a tripod up to the lookout point may be annoying, it's benefits are worth it. With with availability of a tripod, there is no need to worry about shutter speed (which must be fast if you are holding the camera). So therefore, with a slow shutter speed...I will be able to let more light into the lens and more accurately capture the sunset behind this beautiful castle. The mountains behind Alhombra are just as magnificent, even with the hundred degree weather the peaks still have snow at the top! I look forward to sharing with you the pictures of today! 

I have attached a picture taken previously when we visited the Real Madrid stadium of girls in the group, just in the spirit of the day! 

Buenos Tardes from Granada!

The day at the Museum

Yesterday was a LONG day.

We spent the entire morning at Granada's science museum, how exciting.

Tino had been told that there would be some great shots of architecture, which there were I'm just not as excited by architecture. However, we did see an amazing bird show with hawks and owls- of course everything was in spanish but it was pretty self explanatory. The museum featured a butterfly exhibit in a tropical climate... and the "tropical" part was no lie. I stepped into a 98 degree moist greenhouse and the flashbacks of Houston summers began, by the time we all left the "sauna" we were literally drenched in sweat...at least our pores were cleaned. The photo I have attached is a moth that I found in the exhibit, the largest moth in the world. To put it's size in perspective each wing was about the size of my hand! We then had a quick lunch at the museum around 2 and then went through a very exciting (sarcasm) exhibit on Muslim Science in early Spain. We went merely out of respect to our museum guides, who were very excited about the exhibit and would have felt offended if we had declined. Our guide only spoke spanish; and those who know me well will know that Spanish and Science are too things I do not really understand, but I made an honest effort to stay awake and they had a small showing on the origins of chess which was interesting. After the museum we were all fatigued  by the heat, it was probably 102 degrees outside. Granada is full of cobblestone streets which heat quickly with barely any shade or cloud cover... So our group headed back to the hostel for a 4 hour siesta, which I slept the entire time. Around 8 we headed out to dinner in small groups... the 3 kids that I ate with and I did not know that gratuity is included in spain, and tipped our waiter 7 extra euros, so about a 12 dollar extra tip on a 50 dollar meal. No wonder he liked us so much! After dinner we had another lesson with Tino, he instructed us from about 930 to midnight.... he really can talk a lot but it's all very interesting! Then it was off to bed and the closure of my 7th day in Espana! 

"Stealing Shots"

Sorry I have not updated this in a while, the time spent in Granada with Tino has been very hectic, we are constantly on the go and the time we are not I am resting... but now I am in a 3 hour siesta period and will be able to give updates on the last three days.

Two days ago was our first day with Tino--

We spent the morning divided into three groups, and my group worked with Tino on "stealing shots", In broken english Tino explained to us the art of "stealing a photo" or more commonly known as creeping. Basically we spent the morning acting as paparazzi, taking pictures of people without them knowing. It was very exciting! We spent the morning hiking around Granada and walked probably about 10 miles, then went to a lunch and siesta, and then later retraced the same steps to get similar photos with the light change. We watched a beautiful sunset at Ahlombra (castle city) before heading back for a lesson and then we were all in bed by 1am. Talk about a long day. Later in the afternoon we worked out making interaction with the people we were photographing, asking for a photo in spanish, then perfecting lighting foreground and background. The second shot Im uploading is my first "stolen" shot of the day. Obviously the couple knew I was taking the shot, I guess I'm not as sneaky as I hoped. The first shot I've uploaded is a slightly more interesting story.... I spotted the guitarist from across the plaza and decided to go for the shot, yet he was walking too fast. So naturally I chased him down and in broken spanish asked for a picture... "Socar tocar el photographia por favor?" I don't think that is even the correct participles but that Is what I asked, at first he resisted but with further pressuring and a puppy dog face I got my shot. The man was drunk and smelly and had nasty teeth but the picture turned out well... It was quite the eventful day! 

The art of Photography

Today was our first lesson with Tino, the National Geographic expert who will be staying in Granada with us for the next 5 days. After dinner, he gave a lesson (ending now at 1230) that was beautifully inspiring and enlightening. 

His main photography advice:

"If the people are dancing the photographer must dance"...

Tomorrow will be our first day with Tino; and I am excited to put those immortal words to use as I try to form a connection with my photography subject. 

Above is my favorite photograph so far on the trip-- I captured this in the Kings Gardens in Madrid, a beautiful park comparable to New York's Central Park. The little spanish girl was enjoying the park with her family, and showing her mother the ducks on the lake (to her left).

Tino taught us that a main aspect of photography is to tell a story,

to leave interpretation up to the viewer to try to discover the meaning behind the photograph.

I love this photo because it captures the beauty of the moment, the innocence of the child, and the question of her amusement. 

Adios from my 6th day in Espana!

First day in Granada!

We have finally arrived in Granada. After a long, VERY long flight due to the non ceasing turbulence, flight from Houston to Paris then Paris to Madrid; our group made its way to the Hostel we would be staying at for the next 4 days. While in Madrid I learned some vital photography skills, and enjoyed the culture and ambiance of City life. No internet was available in Madrid, hence the lack of previous blogging; but now I will be able to talk about daily events.  Our group had some interesting encounters with the more colorful inhabitants of Madrid, but all turned out to be funny stories rather than anything threatening... the nightlife lasts until morning in Madrid, and It was hard to go to bed before two because of the noise on the streets. The atmosphere of Madrid is very comparable to New York City.

Yesterday, we traveled by train to Toledo for the day; an older Spanish town full of beautiful cathedrals and Spanish History. 

Today, we woke up at 6 am and by 730 were on our way across town towards the train station that would take us to Granada. And now, after a 5 hour train ride we have arrived at the Hostel, had a late lunch, and are back in our rooms for some rest. It is almost 7pm in Granada, so around noon in the states. I'll admit it is was initially hard getting used to the time difference, but the Spanish morning typically starts around 10 am ending with dinner at 10 pm, so that is making it a little easier. I'm freshening up on my Spanish, it is much easier to speak the language in context rather than in a classroom. Its time for a little siesta....

Adios! 

The day before Spain!

I believe photography is a vital part of life. It enables anyone to capture and preserve a moment, which would otherwise be lost. Personally, I don't know too much about photography; but of course that is what this trip is for. As a class, the 16 students going on this trip have spent the last week trying out our new cameras and learning their functions. Although I know more than I did initially, I still have a long way to go until I master how to work mine. Over the next 21 days, I will update this blog daily, and post recent pictures of Spain.