Thursday, September 30, 2010

Ola amigos!

     Well, here I am in Spain. The weather is hot, the sun is shining, and it seems as if I have just entered another world. The short mountain range called the apennines cuts off Spain from the rest of Europe. The city I am currently in is called Barcelona. Though Madrid is larger, I am going to spend the rest of the day here in Barcelona. The city is amazing! red tiled roofs and archways, a bustling port and crowded, cobblestoned streets. But undoubtedly, the best landmark in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Wow. Thats a mouthful. Lets just call it "Big Church"


     See the cranes? This Cathedral is still under construction. But get this- it was started in the late 1800s and is slated to open in 2026! Talk about a slow construction job. I think those guys need to pick up the pace a little bit, don't ya think?

     The entire first day was spent touring the city of Barcelona. But I decided that I should see Madrid, the other major city in Spain. so I rented a car and drove off.

     I arrived in Madrid just in time to check in to my hotel. After driving around and seeing the sights, I met an older man who I got into a very interesting conversation with. He told me about Spanish traditions. I learned a lot about bull fighting, which we Americans know is a very Spanish sport. But have you ever heard of bull running? The most famous bull run is in early July, before a big bull fight. A narrow, half-mile long street in Madrid is packed with people, all wearing red scarves. Then, as a rocket sounds, a gate opens and a pack of angry bulls runs into the street! They chase the entire crowd down the street, and the goal of the people in the street is to feel the bull's breath but not get gored by it's horns. Talk about incentive not to lose.


     Every year somebody gets gored. Now this is an extreme sport, borderline suicidal. I am quite glad I am not here in July,  because I would be tempted to try it out. That would probably end badly.

     Madrid was certainly an experience, and I spent the next day on long strolls through the broad city boulevards. If you ever wanted to travel to or learn about Madrid, go here:

     After that, I had to return to Frankfurt and caught my plane back to the states. This was certainly a fun-filled and glorious trip to Europe, but I think it will be good to get back home.

    
    


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