Wrapping up in Spain

Wow, how time flys! It has been almost an entire month since I posted something, and that indicates how busy and time-crunched I have been! Let me give you a quick recap of my travels so far.

After my classes finished on July 31, my friend and I headed for Segovia, where we saw the Roman Aqueducts and the Alcazar. Then onto Madrid. We spent a week there, taking in the metropolitan atmosphere. We eat on the Plaza Mayor, made friends with a local artist, shopped in the Puerta del Sol, saw Picasso's Guernica, Dalis, Mirós and other artisits. We went to a musical on GranVia(similar to our Broadway) and spent plenty of time taking in la vida madrileña (the lifestyle of Madrid)!

Then we took a nine day bus tour that gave us a quick over view of the entire Iberian Peninsula! We left from Madrid, and visited Ávila, Salamanca, and Cuidad Rodrigo. Then we entered Portugal, where we went to Coimbra, Fatima, Obidos, Lisbon, Cascais, Estoril and Sintra. Then it was back to Spain, entering through Rosal de la Frontera, then onto Sevilla, and Cordoba, then back to Madrid.

After the bus tour ended, Gabe and I headed back to Toledo, where it happens to be the thrid most important festival of the year! It is Patron Saint week, there are people everywhere, and singing and music and everything! There was a huge mass this morning that was presided over by the Archbishop of Spain, one of the contenders in this last papal contendancy! I also got to see my host family again and they took me to a very traditional ceremony inToledo, that most tourist miss out on.

Tonight, to avoid having to pay for a hotel, we are taking a night bus to Barcelona, which will be the last major stop on our trip. After Barcelona, we will return to Madrid for a couple of days to relax before heading home!

I am sad to think that in a week, I have to leave Spain. I am anxious to see family and friends, as they have been some of the few things that I have missed about the States. However, I am sad to leave behind the culture that I have started to feel comfortable in and have started to be confident in! This trip has made me realize that I can live in a foreign country, and I can express myself ina foreign language. This confidence is something that will help me adjust more quickly to Panama, now that I know I can do it!

Well, more insights later. There is only so much philisophical waxing one can do in an internet cafe! I look forward to sharing my stories with you in person!
Blessings,
Chris