Day Trip to Cordoba

After sleeping over in Toledo for the night, we left for Córdoba just a few hours outside of Seville. The picture to the right is the Roman Bridge which was built in the 1st Century B.C. and spans the same river that flows through Seville-The Guadalquivir. Córdoba is known for many things but one of the most famous world wide is Mezquita or the Grand Mosque. After the Christians reconquered Córdoba they converted the mosque into a Christian cathedral so there is influences from both cultures, and is absolutely stunning. We didn't stay for too long however because we still had about a 2 hour bus ride to Sevilla!

A Day in Toledo

On January 18 after El Escorial, we arrived in Toledo. The representatives from API-Juan, Marta, and Alvaro- told all of us that we would have free time to do what we wanted there for the day. They arranged a tour to the Cathedral of Toledo, it wasn't mandatory. Instead I went out for a typical Spanish lunch of lomo which is like a pork loin, with potatoes and bread. Afterwards we walked around the city looking at the history, architecture, and views that Toledo had to offer. Toledo itself was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since Christians, Jews, and Muslims all lived there in peace with strong influences from each culture. The river below is called Tajo and is the longest river in all of the Iberian peninsula, and it flows right around the hill on which Toledo is built on.

Later that night my friends and I went out to a sports bar to watch a soccer match. Life here is already much different than it is back home. For example at night, people don't hang out at home with friends. It seems as if the entire city is out at night eating, drinking, and having fun. Everything you could possibly want to do is within walking distance.

Reception in Madrid

On January 16, 2017 I landed in Madrid-Barajas Airport where I met other students and representatives from API Study Abroad. From there we went to the Hotel Regina which was centrally located between all of Madrid's main tourist attractions, all within walking distance. It seemed unreal at the time that I had actually started such an influential chapter not only in my educational career but also in my life. 

This picture to the left was taken in Plaza Mayor, one of Europe's most famous plazas. It was absolutely gorgeous, I still couldn't believe that I was actually there!

After a couple of days of sightseeing, meetings, and safety seminars in Madrid we left for our next stop Toledo! Along the way, about 30 minutes outside Madrid, we stopped at El Escorial. El Escorial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as the Royal Palace and necropolis for Spanish royalty for over 500 years. The views from the buildings were breathtaking and its a shame we only got to spend a few hours there.