Marrakech, Morocco

Hola.

My last trip of the semester was this last weekend to Marrakech, Morocco in Northern Africa. It was absolutely incredible. It is a completely different world than that of the U.S. and Europe.

Most of the city of Marrakech centers around the Place Djemaa el Fna, the largest plaza on the African continent. This square is filled with snake charmers, story tellers, henna artists, monkeys on leashes, and much more during the day. At sunset, the square is transformed into a giant eatery, with various food stalls set up. Hungry for snails?

Just off of the Place Djemaa el Fna are the Souks. The Souks comprise of a maze like pattern of shops. The shops are literally overflowing with Moroccan goods such as leather bags, shoes, ottomans, etc. All shopping is done through bargaining and each store owner is very ambitious about making sales.

Friday and much of Sunday were spent exploring the city of Marrakech including the Place Djemaa el Fna, the Souks, the Saadian Tombs, etc.

Saturday, however, we went on a day excursion outside of the city into the desert. The day started off with a hot air balloon ride at sunset over the city and surrounding desert. We then rode in a land rover through the desert to a Berber home, where we were served a traditional Berber breakfast of various flat cakes, honey, olive oil, olives, and mint tea. After the breakfast, we set out for a camel ride through the Palmerie, the forest of palm trees that surrounds Marrakech.

All in all, it was an extremely successful trip with lots of shopping.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

love.
ry.



Place Djemaa el Fna by night.


Part of Place Djemaa el Fna by day.


The Palmerie, palm tree forest.


Outside the Saadian Tombs.


Inside the Saadian Tombs.


Entrance into the old city.


The Koutoubia Mosque.


Dawn in the desert of Morocco.


Setting up the hot air balloon.


Sunrise over Atlas mountains.


Sunrise over Atlas mountains.


Traditional Moroccan garb.


Outside of Berber home.


Camels in the desert.


Me and my camel.

Hiking and Calcotada

Bon dia (Catalan for hello).

It has been some time since I have written! Last weekend our program took us for a hike up to Tibidado, one of the mountains around Barcelona. The hike was about two hours to the top, from which you could see all of Barcelona.

At the top, we were treated to a true Catalan meal. This meal known as the Calcotada is usually found in the southern region of Catalan, Lleida. The meal consists of "pan con tomate" (of course!) or bread with tomato and oil, steamed onion like vegetables, a parron of wine, and lamb.

Bibs were worn due to the messiness of the calcots or steamed onion like vegetables. In order to eat them, one must take out the inside, dip it into romesco sauce, then hang it over your mouth and eat away! The wine is just as much fun to drink from a parron, which is a container with a spout through which everyone drinks. The spout is never supposed to touch your mouth and contests to see how far you can pull the parron away from your mouth are encouraged.

Seriously, this was a blast. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. Thus the pictures provided below were taken from my friend Alysse Valenzuela's camera.

Enjoy!
Adeu (Catalan for goodbye)

Girls & me at the top.


Lilly and Alysse eating the calcots.


Drinking from the parron. I was definitely the best!


The calcots.


It is an extremely messy meal.

Modernisme

Buenos Dias,

My Hisory of Catalunya and Spain through the arts we recently went on an excursion to two of architect Antonio Gauid's most famous works: Casa Batllo and La Pededra. Both of these were designed by Gaudi for the bourgeoisie of Barcelona. The style of architecture known as Modernisme (1890-1910) was a response to the urbanization and industrialization experienced by Barcelona in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore the architecture consists of whimsical, curved lines along with themes of nature.

Antonio Gaudi is by far the most famous Modernisme architects. In the first house Casa Batllo the story of Saint George and the dragon is illustrated. The roof looks like green/blue scales of the dragon. The balconies better seen in the second picture look like eyes representing the princesses the dragon has already eaten.

The second house is known as La Pededra or "The Rock" because of the material used which makes it look just like a big rock. On the top of the house the words Maria Llena de Gracia, "Mary Full of Grace" is engraved in the stone.

Enjoy the pics!
besos.
ry


Up-close at Casa Batllo.


Outside shot of Casa Batllo.


La Pededra.


Inside the center of La Pededra.


Rooftop of La Pededra.


Chimneys on roof of La Pededra.
Rumor has it that George Lucas used these as inspiration for Star Wars stormtroopers.

Madrid

Buenos Dias.

This past weekend my program took all 70 of us to Madrid. It was very nice having flights, hotels, food, and tours all paid for!

In Madrid we visited the art museums El Prado and La Reina Sofia. El Prado has many works by El Greco, Velazquez, and Goya, including the famous "Las Meninas" by Velazquez. The Reina Sofia has more modern works by artists such as Dali and Picasso, including the famous "La Guernica" by Picasso. Unfortunately, El Prado did not allow for photographs.

We also visited El Palacio Real, the royal palace of Madrid. Although the royal family does not live there today, some state business still takes place. Also, twenty or some odd rooms are on display with furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Once again, pictures were not permitted.

Other sites visited included La Plaza Mayor, La Catedral, and La Puerta del Sol.

Besos.
ry


Madrid is one of the greenest capitals in the world.


the art museum El Prado.


La Plaza Mayor.


The Cathedral.


the colorful ceiling of The Cathedral.


The Cathedral (just completed in 1993).


me inside the gates at El Palacio Real.


outside of El Palacio Real or "The Royal Palace".


La Guernica by Picasso at The Reina Sofia.

Roman Holiday

Bongiorno,

This past weekend two Fordham friends and I spent the weekend in Rome meeting up with some other Fordham students studying in Rome. There was much gelato, pasta, Roman ruins, churches, and vespas.

Once again, the world proved to be smaller than originally thought. I ran into yet another MSJA alum in Rome.

Besos.



ready to go!

Day 1: Rome by Metro

My first day in Rome was spent wandering. Rome is completely filled with monuments and ancient ruins. Just by wandering through the streets and from stop to stop on the metro, you will come across some pretty amazing things.

Day 2: Vespa tour of Rome

My second day in Rome was spent on the back of a vespa. My friends and I rented them for 24 hours (I, of course, opted NOT to drive in order to spare lives). From the vespas I saw almost everything in Rome (once, twice, or three times). We got lost ... alot. Getting lost, however, was probably the most fun and the best way to see the city!


vespa-ing.


Trevi Fountain.


Spanish Steps.


Tiber River.


Colosseum.


Me & The Colosseum.


Inside Colosseum.


Inside Colosseum.


Roman Forum. The very first palace.


Vespa-ing the streets of Rome.


Pantheon.


I'm so Euro.