Friday, April 18, 2008

Cordoba

On Friday I flew to Sevillia and caught a train to Cordoba to visit Keziah, one of my closest friends form the Academy. She’s been living in Cordoba, Spain since last September. I experienced her life for three days. She lives close to the center of town and as you walk though the maze like streets you can feel Spain start to crawl on your skin. The yellow and white buildings, the palm trees, the smells, the shopkeepers outside their stalls, and the sun hitting your face at all the right moments. It was nice simply to enjoy being with Keziah and her friends for a few days. Most of the women she hangs out with are from Smith and Wellesley. It was empowering to hang out with a group of ten powerful, confident, and strong women. I rarely interact with women like her friends do. It was a nice change and I can understand her dynamic at Smith a little better. It also made me realize how much we’ve grown up and created our own paths since May of 2005. Living and growing into what we will become……

Cordoba itself has a lengthy history between Islam and Christian conquerors. The massive Mosque still exists in the middle of the city but odd Christian influences have changed it’s integrity. A giant cathedral was built flat in the middle of the arches and red and white simplicity of the Islamic place of worship. It made me realize that globalization is not a new phenomenon and we live with a legacy of clashing civilizations.

Over all Cordoba was relaxing and filled with cooking, sipping wine, clubbing, going to the market, eating, laughing, smiling, contemplating, and reconnecting with a friend I’ve been separated from for far too long.

We've grown up some, but still love to make ridiculous self portraits



Christopher Columbus asking the queen to explore what would later become the Americas.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Barcelona

What can I say about Barcelona?

This city is good for your soul. For three days I wondered the streets, parks, harbors, and hills of Barcelona. Two friends met me on the fourth day and two more on the fifth. Beauty, every minute was filled with some kind of beauty. I even found beauty in my hostel bunk as I laid down for 5pm siestas. I got a needed dose of the sun. Had a relaxing three hour lunch on the beach. People watched on Easter Sunday as Spainish and tourists walked along the streets.Took my friends to Guell Par, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, for a day long picnic. I fell asleep in botanical gardens and city parks. I talked politics with rowdy Australians over breakfast. I danced with Swiss boys to throbbing house music until 5 in the morning. I made friends with Elizabeth, a funk artist from Norway. Watched tango and sipped sangria. I climbed hills and sat in taking in the Mediterranean. I sat on Las Ramblas sipping CafĂ© con leche. I ate tappas too beautiful to eat and drank ice cold beer. Was dorphed by the massive Olympic tourch. Sat in the middle square eating bre and bread. Watched 50 African men with everything they owned on their backs be round up by the police like sheep. I climbed around a castle. Put the sand between my toes and wrote for an hour. I explored Guadi and got lost in the twists and turns of his buildings. I dared walk North away from the tourists and was memorized by every little street and secret. Memorized by school children flooding into the streets eating sandwiches. Memorized by mopeds, gorgeous women with flowing hair, skateboarders, and street musicians. I enjoyed being alone and loved meeting new and random people. At times I thought my head would explode from so much beauty, but it survived and now returns to memories of Barcelona.



The beach, someone told be it's man made, but still made me feel whole.

One of the Gaudi houses down the street from my Hostle.
Napping in the sun in the massive city park


Dancing in the sun ( brought to you by my ipod, the greatest invention ever)

My house mates, Garreet, James, and I on top of Par Guell. You could see every part of the city from the top of this hill.
The enterance to Guell Parc

My first day in Barcelona, I fell in love with this spot.
A very impressive Olympic torch and some more views.

LinkMore Barcelona Photos

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Spring Break Recap

I'm back in Brussels. Completely relaxed and in love with Spain. I went on so many adventures on during the past 2 weeks. I'll slowly share some of them here........