Well this week much of the group is starting to feel like Denia is our new home. Each of us has our own separate routine that keeps us busy all week long with our host families, our jobs from ethnographic studies, our conversation partners (friends) from a local high school, our acquaintances from the UNED, etc. We still have that American love of a routine engrained in us, and most of us have our routine down pat. For me, and many others, a major part of that routine is the afternoon siesta which we’ll have a hard time leaving behind when we leave Spain!
Along with getting our routine set we are also starting to notice how busy our lives are! The fact that our time in Denia has a definite end adds a little pressure to our schedules. Because each day we are one day closer to leaving Denia and returning home, we have this sense of having to do as much as we possibly can each day.
My favorite slogan has become - ¡Aprovecha! – direct translation = take advantage! This week the group as a whole has had many opportunities to take advantage of. During the middle of the week we had 3 days of straight sunlight. One day it got up to 23 degrees Celsius which is about 73 degrees Fahrenheit. You could spot out a Calvin student from a mile away – we were the only people in Denia walking around in short-sleeved shirts and flip-flops…but we don’t care if we look foreign…we like the sun!
Another opportunity we had to take advantage of was an optional excursion to Benimaurell. Benimaurell is a pueblo (small town) in the mountains. Our bus driver, Ricardo and his family have lived in Benimaurell for many years. Ricardo provided us bus transportation to and from Benimaurell for free – which made for a fantastic, cheap excursion to take advantage of.
Benimaurell was founded a muslum town in the eight century and remain that way until the Christians kicked the moriscos out during the inquisition and repopulated the city with people from Mallorca. Ricardo shared with us the rich history of his pueblo and we had the chance to apply some of what we’ve learned in our classes.
On Saturday we spent the whole day hiking through the “cañón del infierno” – canyon of hell. This was a good workout for all of us. The paths were the paths designed by the arabs since many hundreds of years. The paths wound up and down the mountain like serpents. We arrived at the bottom of the canyon two times before coming all the way back up again to Benimaurell. 300m below the canyon is the subterranean river “Río de Lucifero” – River of Lucifer. The water from this river is siphoned up naturally through the ground and was available for us to drink at various fountains along the way. It is some of the purest water in all of Spain.
On Sunday we had the opportunity to attend mass at the church. Calvin students made up nearly 2/3 of the congregation. The priest was very welcoming. Maria Elena even played guitar with the rest of the worship band. After mass we were on our own and everyone made their own adventure. Some students climbed the “caballo verde” – the green horse. This mountain is called the green horse because its two tall humps make it look like the saddle of a horse. When the Christians came to expulse the moriscos they all gathered around the base of the mountain because according to legend their “caballero” was going to come sit on the saddle to lead them to victory over the Christians. Needless to say, their legened leader never came and they lost the battle. Also at this time other students returned to the cañón del infierno to explore on their own and revisit the waterfall that we came across the day before. Some students also decided to stay at our hostel and relax around the fireplace.
While not everyone went on the trip to Benimaurell some folks stayed home. It is always nice to spend time with our host families. These students keep busy doing church activities, soaking up the sun on Denia’s beach, catching up on homework, etc.
As a whole this past weekend was a great time to take advantage of. The group bonded more than ever. We’re coming to realize that we would have never known each other if it weren’t for this trip and that would have been a shame. More and more I am realizing how many opportunities I have here in Spain and I find myself saying at the end of each weekend – I am the luckiest girl in the world.
--Written by Sarah Orndorff
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Photos from the past week
Some of our students singing in the choir at a local Baptist church.
Most of us at a reception in the city hall with the mayoress.
A great view of Denia.
News from the United States
Of course every member of our groups is always recieving lots of new from friends and family back home in the U.S. , but this week we've received some extra special news. Our professor Maria Elena and her husband Neal (who is also here in Denia with us) have been blessed with a new granddaugter. Natalia Shalom was born last Friday. We are very thankful that despite lots of family events back home Maria Elena and Neal are willing to spend their time here with us.
7 going on 8
Week 7 is complete! I cannot even believe we have been here for 7 weeks already. As many people have mentioned already, Denia is starting to feel more and more like home. We're finally starting to get involved with activities in the community or with people from Denia that we're realizing that we are going to have a hard time saying goodbye in May...
But let's not talk about that now! Let's talk about this week...This week was quite eventful. To kick it off, Sunday was a holiday--Valentine's Day. Different people did various things, but the majority of the group stayed after church (the Baptist church) for a Valentine's Day potluck. It was also supposed to go along with the sermon series on love that they have been doing since we've arrived. There was lots of good food, including food made by our very own, and lots of good friends. We are truly blessed to have found such caring people and such a wonderful place to receive spiritual support.
A lot of us had yet another test, this time in history. I think after two tests, we might finally know what to expect from the Spanish professors. We're still adjusting to the difference in education styles here in Spain (well Europe in general)...
On a more fun note, this weekend was our second long weekend. Some ventured to Marruecos, Africa and others to Sevilla. A lot of us just chose to stay in Denia however, and have a relaxing weekend. For those who stayed in Denia, Friday night consisted of the usual--going to cafes or restaurants in Denia. On Saturday, a group of us went to Calpe, a town about 40 minutes south of Denia, for the day to climb the mountain (rock) there, enjoy the beach, and walk around the old town. I'm pretty sure everyone who went said they would love to return, especially when the weather is warm enough to lay out on the beach. However, even though it is February, most of the group has sunburned faces, thanks to the strong Mediterranean sun! Saturday evening was capped off by watching the movie 17 Again at our professor (Maria Elena)'s house, while eating some homemade salsa (with chips of course) and brownies.
Week 7? CHECK. Week 8 here we come!
--Written by Carissa Ten Hoeve
Group of girls on the beach in Calpe with some German friends from the Alpha y Omega church.
But let's not talk about that now! Let's talk about this week...This week was quite eventful. To kick it off, Sunday was a holiday--Valentine's Day. Different people did various things, but the majority of the group stayed after church (the Baptist church) for a Valentine's Day potluck. It was also supposed to go along with the sermon series on love that they have been doing since we've arrived. There was lots of good food, including food made by our very own, and lots of good friends. We are truly blessed to have found such caring people and such a wonderful place to receive spiritual support.
A lot of us had yet another test, this time in history. I think after two tests, we might finally know what to expect from the Spanish professors. We're still adjusting to the difference in education styles here in Spain (well Europe in general)...
On a more fun note, this weekend was our second long weekend. Some ventured to Marruecos, Africa and others to Sevilla. A lot of us just chose to stay in Denia however, and have a relaxing weekend. For those who stayed in Denia, Friday night consisted of the usual--going to cafes or restaurants in Denia. On Saturday, a group of us went to Calpe, a town about 40 minutes south of Denia, for the day to climb the mountain (rock) there, enjoy the beach, and walk around the old town. I'm pretty sure everyone who went said they would love to return, especially when the weather is warm enough to lay out on the beach. However, even though it is February, most of the group has sunburned faces, thanks to the strong Mediterranean sun! Saturday evening was capped off by watching the movie 17 Again at our professor (Maria Elena)'s house, while eating some homemade salsa (with chips of course) and brownies.
Week 7? CHECK. Week 8 here we come!
--Written by Carissa Ten Hoeve
Group of girls on the beach in Calpe with some German friends from the Alpha y Omega church.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Carnaval
We had heard stories from other students, and we were all excited. We were going to Carnival: an all-night party which is the Spanish equivalent of Mardi Gras. We all had costumes and masks to become an army of pirates, hippies, gypsies, ninjas, and traditional Andalusians. Prof. Bierling had reserved a bus to get us to Pego (the city with the biggest celebration in the area) at just before midnight, the time when the parade was supposed to start. We knew it was going to be cold, but we hadn’t counted on the rain. All day Saturday it poured, and a few hours before we were going to leave, Prof. Bierling called the city of Pego and confirmed that the festival had been canceled. So, instead of having some crazy pictures and even crazier stories, we have water-logged shoes, cold fingers, well-used umbrellas, and rested bodies. We are still waiting to find out if the celebration will be rescheduled for this coming Saturday.
But this makes it sound like the week was terrible, which is far from the truth. Over the past week, most of our small groups (studying either Acts or Cold Tangerines) have started up. The Spanish 308 class had their first literature exam (two essays, one short answer, two hours: go!). We have continued meeting with our conversation partners from the local high school. A group of students visited Denia’s cemetery to learn about how the Spanish Civil War affected this community. Friday night, the group went out to celebrate Kyria’s birthday, and Sunday afternoon, the Baptist church had a potluck in honor of Valentine’s Day and their current sermon series about being a community of love. Despite the abnormally chilly and wet weather, this past week fit the normal rhythm of life in Spain: laid back and full of people.
-Written by Cheri Ackermen
"SIS 2010"--can you read it?!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Transition
If I had to sum this past week up in one word it would be transition. We are now in the regular semester and not in interim. Last week was our first week of real classes and the start to a new semester. Most of us were trying this week to get used to a new rhythm and schedule. All students are being taught by two Native Spanards, G and Alfonzo. Everyone is finished before the main meal of the day by 1:30.
And we are all starting to find the things outside of class to become involved in. Several students are in small Bible studies through the Baptist church. Others are in the choir at the same church. Also some students are starting their ethno -graphic studies in different organizations around Denia. Some students will be keeping up their new friendships with the Chavas students (who went to Barcelona with us) and be conversation partners with them. Some students are even learning how to dance true spanish dances.
The best part of our week for almost everyone was probably our weekend. We had our first long weekend of the semester this weekend as well! So some students took advantage to explore around Spain, Europe, and even Denia. Some brave students went on a long trek of the mountain here for the entire day. Some stayed and hung out with the locals here in Denia. We even had one of our students, Sarah, run in a 10k. Others explored the providence in the south of us, Murcia, and experienced the nature of the country in the mountains. I had the opportunity to travel across the country to Seville and I was able to get a taste of the south of the country. Others students traveled to London and were able to see all the famous landmarks that London has to offer.
I think in the past month I have learned far more about Spain and culture than I ever imagined I would. The Spanish culture is so rich and diverse and the history is so old and interesting.
And after being in Barcelona and Seville, to me Denia is starting to feel more like home. It has definitely been comforting to come back to something familiar after being away (even just for 3 days), and get some good Mediterranean cooking from our mamás : )
-Written by Annie Nicholson
And we are all starting to find the things outside of class to become involved in. Several students are in small Bible studies through the Baptist church. Others are in the choir at the same church. Also some students are starting their ethno -graphic studies in different organizations around Denia. Some students will be keeping up their new friendships with the Chavas students (who went to Barcelona with us) and be conversation partners with them. Some students are even learning how to dance true spanish dances.
The best part of our week for almost everyone was probably our weekend. We had our first long weekend of the semester this weekend as well! So some students took advantage to explore around Spain, Europe, and even Denia. Some brave students went on a long trek of the mountain here for the entire day. Some stayed and hung out with the locals here in Denia. We even had one of our students, Sarah, run in a 10k. Others explored the providence in the south of us, Murcia, and experienced the nature of the country in the mountains. I had the opportunity to travel across the country to Seville and I was able to get a taste of the south of the country. Others students traveled to London and were able to see all the famous landmarks that London has to offer.
I think in the past month I have learned far more about Spain and culture than I ever imagined I would. The Spanish culture is so rich and diverse and the history is so old and interesting.
And after being in Barcelona and Seville, to me Denia is starting to feel more like home. It has definitely been comforting to come back to something familiar after being away (even just for 3 days), and get some good Mediterranean cooking from our mamás : )
-Written by Annie Nicholson
Monday, February 1, 2010
Busy week with new friends
This last week we wrapped up our interim class studying the regions of Spain and literature from certain regions as well. On Wednesday morning we finished our exams for both parts of the class – regions/history and literature – and left for Barcelona for a group excursion in the afternoon. This was somewhat of a stressful time for us students because they were our first exams in Spain! Despite some nervousness we got through it and set off for Barcelona excited for our first weekend excursion with the group and our last weekend with Professor Diana Zandstra. We got the chance to go with a group of about 25 seniors from the local high school here in Denia. Some Calvin students got to meet and get to know their partners for conversation groups for the semester. Others of us just got to make some new Spanish friends! Getting to know the students and learning what life is like for high school students in Spain was quite the experience. We found we had much in common with many of them and got along well. Also, meeting the students challenged our speaking skills as they were the fastest and most colloquial speakers most of us had encountered! Also, we became more aware of cultural differences like volume of speech and even the hours Spanish teenagers usually stay out!
Overall getting to know the Chabas students was extremely helpful for pushing our language skills and our abilities to adapt culturally. It was tough when our Spanish friends were used to staying up until 5 in the morning and then we had to get up around 7:30 or 8:00am to make it to breakfast and out to museums and sites all day! I personally got to spend a lot of time with a lot of different students from Chabas and got the chance to learn lots of new things from colloquial phrases to how to say bobby-pin in Spanish! Overall, spending time with the Spanish students really opened our eyes to Spanish culture from the point of view of people that are closer in age than our Spanish parents or professors. I know that because I spent time with Spanish students I got the chance to see Barcelona through a different set of eyes than my own. When you’re with Spaniards you don’t seem as much like a tourist and people DO treat you differently when they know that you can speak their language suddenly, we were able to appear more like Spaniards than like American tourists! Experiencing Spain and Barcelona in particular with the Chabas students was a window into a whole different cultural world. We are so grateful we got to know them and we had a blast in Barcelona seeing everything from Gaudi’s works, art museums, to the well know tourist street of Las Ramblas!
-Written by Rebecca Larson
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