the VanGuarD
Notes From AbroAd
aPrIl 15, 2010
PaGe 19
Question: What has
been your favorite trip so far? Why? By Alfred Amasanti rome, Italy
most american students in europe go on a week-long party for Spring Break, usually on a “cruise” along the sublime Greek Islands. If you’re looking to get wasted, it’s a great idea, but you can do that back home, too. I decided to go to Spain for the first time in my life, and tour across madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. needless to say, it was by far my best trip to date. madrid was majestic in every sense of the word. Whether you were just strolling along the streets or visiting the royal Palace, you really felt that this was the city of the Spanish kings. I still cannot comprehend how the kings could live with so much glamour around them, as I spent my whole visit of the palace in a state of complete awe. one curious thing about madrid is that everything in it is preceded by the adjective “royal;” even the football team is named “royal” real madrid. after doing some rather intense sightseeing - we pretty much did everything there is to do in madrid in two days - we would always get some bocadillo, or ham, which you simply cannot leave madrid without trying. If you believe the locals, it’s the best in the world. Valencia was a nice change of pace from madrid’s chaos. I n ma d rid , t he st reet s would be flooded with tourists, whereas life in Valencia seemed more laid back.
By Allison Shimp Florence, Italy
this question is actually kind of hard because I have loved so many of the trips I’ve been on. But if I had to choose, I would say that the weekend I spent in Barcelona was my favorite so far. even though we stayed in a really sketchy hostel in a bad part of town - with drug dealers and such - the city was beautiful! We met up with some friends from Bentley who are also studying abroad in other parts of europe, which made things even more fun. For sights, we went to the Park Guell, las ramblas, and the Sagrada Familia, which was amazing. We also attended a
the city itself was incredibly beautiful and harmonic. Valencia is home of paella, a must-try rice dish. Sadly, we arrived one day too late, and the festival Fallas had just ended. During this festival, one of the largest in europe, families dress up in medieval clothing and celebrate for a period of four days. each of them produces a whimsical wooden construction that is burnt down on the 19th and is the main event of the festival. maybe it was because I saw the sun for the first time in a week, or maybe it was because I rented a bike and took a ride down the beach, or perhaps I was just mesmerized by Gaudi’s incredibly surreal buildings, but Barcelona was my favorite. Participating in tip-based tours is a great way to get to know a city and earn a lot of the locals-only knowledge. For example, I saw where Picasso lost his virginity and where the executions were carried out during Franco’s regime; you simply don’t find that in a guidebook. If you ever go, try to find a single straight line or a right angle in the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s idiosyncratic cathedral. I can guarantee you will fail. lastly, I wanted to mention just how great hostels are at networking. While I was in madrid, I met some kids from Bryant studying abroad at Barcelona. When I arrived at Barcelona, I looked them up and they cooked me dinner and pointed out everywhere I needed to go.
Notes from Abroad
During the festival Fallas, people dress in medieval clothing and make wooden structures, which they later burn.
Courtesy of valenciavalencia.com
Barcelona basketball game, and it was cool to see the differences between american and european professional basketball. We found that the food there was amazing and the nightlife was wildly fun! there was so much to see just on the streets, and the city had a great atmosphere. If I had to pick another place to study besides Florence, it would probably be in Barcelona.
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The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic church and is a major tourist atraction in Barclona.
Courtesy ofiki.fi