|
|
Santander SU1 - Cooper School
June 2
Everybody has arrived in Madrid safely and we are off exploring the works of Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, and El Greco in the Prado Museum. Before visiting the museum we stopped off near the Royal Palace to enjoy a 3 course meal near the Opera Theater where all the students got their first taste of the Spanish cuisine.
After a short break, we then enjoyed the evening hours walking around the Madrid´s Plaza Mayor. After showing the kids what Spanish ´tapas´were at the Museo de Jamón (Museum of Spanish Ham) - we enjoyed a beautiful evening dinner at an outdoor café in the Plaza Mayor. Although tired, the kids enjoyed a wonderful time in Madrid and we called it an early night to rest up for Segovia and Burgos the following day.
June 3
Segovia & Burgos
We arrived into the fascinating city of Segovia this morning where we visited the Roman Acqueduct - was still in use til the 1960s! We also spent the afternoon exploring the Alcazar de Segovia (Segovia´s Castle) which is said to be the model for Cinderella´s castle in Disney World.
The kids all enjoyed learning about the history of the castle as this was the place where Christopher Columbus asked Queen Isabel for the money to ´discover the Americas.´ The stairs up to the look out tower always surprise even the fittest of travelers - but we made it up to the top and took a wonderful group picture with a view of the Sierra´s in the background.
We got lucky as the weather was nice - in the high 70s - and as we passed by the Cathedral, we saw a newly wed couple exciting the church. Rice was everywhere and the kids really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the Spanish traditions of wedding ceremonies.
After a great meal in Segovia, we continued north to Burgos - where we arrived at our incredible 4 star palacial hotel overlooking the cathedral. That evening we strolled around Burgos, and soaked up the traditional Castiallian culture - the home of El Cid.
June 4
Santillana del Mar and Santander
Everyone enjoyed relaxing the second night in Burgos, and some students attended mass on Sunday morning and Mrs. Martin. We then took off for Santillana del Mar - a picturesque Cantabrian village near Santander.
Since we still were having AMAZING weather, we all found a wonderful, quaint restaurant in Santillana where we all ate a wonderful meal. The students all sat in mini-groups and all managed to order their food with much success ALL IN SPANISH! We then visited the Torture Museum of the Christian Inquisition in Spain. Scary stuff here.
Finally we arrived around 7:00 PM into Santander to meet the homestay families. All the students, were of course nervous, but all handled meeting their families with much ease and confidence! Everyone went home to clean, up and enjoy their first dinner with their homestay family.
June 5
First Day of Classes!
Again we continue with phenomenal weather in Spain!
Everyone had their first day of class today with their teachers at the University of Cantabria. The gave the students a short orientation to the school - and in the afternoon we all met to go to the beach and walk around the city.
The teachers helped all the students get to know how to get to school and around the city today. All the students - bright kids - all figured out Santander with confidence!
June 7
Today we are headed for a visit to the town and beaches of Pedreña. We are taking the ferry, which has wonderful views of Santander´s beaches, palace, and city.
The students are using more and more Spanish and really getting settled in to their homestay families. Pictures to come!!!!
|
|
|
