Running with the Bulls: Kings, Gaudi, and Fabio (Part 2)

A friend invited me to come stay with her as she worked in Barcelona mid-September. The beautiful thing about Europe is it is easy, cheap and conducive for last min trips. So... why not? Thus a weekend trip to Barcelona... 

Crazy architecture was everywhere

I walked up from a random metro stop and found this statue in the middle of a round about...

Found a cute dessert shop in the middle of all the stores and enjoyed some fudge-like dessert... it was delicious.

Running with the bulls: Kings, Gaudi and Fabio (Part 1)

I've been fortunate enough to travel around Spain in the weeks that I have been here. Travel along with me.

Segovia

As a program we went to a small town outside of Madrid, Segovia. The name encapsels all that you would think it would be. Quaint, charming, and full of character. After the bustling city of Madrid it was nice to experience something so beautiful. We went to a castle first, then to an amazing cathedral, enjoyed a fancy dinner of 'suckling pig', admired a Roman aqueduct and finally strode through the royal gardens.

 This place is BEAUTIFUL. This is where the King and Queen used to live... what a rough life.

Tiffani, me, Olivia and Hannah

The Patronato del Alcazar de Segovia. This is where royalty used to live... it was created during the mid-evil times so it has a 'knight and shining armor' flair

Madrid: And So It Begins...

Grafiti writers of Madrid were rooting me on...

Go get 'em tiger

Play time is now over... it is time to go to school and learn. I've been in Madrid for over two weeks ...

*let me just take a second to tell you eeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkk. I love that last sentence.

Madrid is a booming city. It is so full of life. Classic and modern art is everywhere. Intricate gardens and parks come out of no where in this concrete jungle. Men and women are always around, walking in their finest. No sweats or work out clothes allowed. The clink of dishes at tapas bars as well as American pop music seep out the the little shops and into the streets combining with spanish chatter and speeding cars. Spaniards are always out until all hours of the night! It is quite a change in pace from the suburb city of Arvada in which I grew up.

Museo del Prado- home to some of the most classic pieces of art

A Lucky, Lucky Irish Experience

Hasta Lluego Slane

Well friends and family, the farming part of this trip has now ended. It wasn't exactly what I imagined it to be, but it was an experience I will never forget.The Mount Charles family were incredible hosts and co-farmers. Watching Olivia debate... er help design the goat shed with two Italians who barely spoke English as well as Irish dancing on top of the dirt in the pig trough were moments I will take with me. I will miss the communal lunches and warm Irish sun. I'd like to say that I had some great revelation about organic farming and the importance of sustainable farming for the health of the world, but unfortunately I have none. At least from this adventure. It was simply a great experience.

*Aha the fact that we took pictures shows how 'farmy' we really are