A month ago, I was half way through a journey that definitely changed my life. Although I am very happy to be back home, as I sit here today in the comfort of my room, with my own bed, desk, English television set, working WiFi network and blasting air condition, I miss my hostel room, annoying internet connection and sketchy continental breakfast. I miss my new friends, my professors, my roommates… I miss the locals, the gypsies, and the horse and carriage drivers who loved yelling “guapa!” I miss trying to walk on cobblestone streets in heels, and tracking down cabs at 3 a.m. when my feet hurt too much to walk home.

I miss the cuisine: the croquetas de jamon, the manchego cheese, the papas con aioli, all served with a glass of vino blanco. I miss being the only non-Spanish speaker in the group and laughing with my friends at my attempts to mingle with the locals. I miss being on my own, responsible for myself and feeling like an adult. I miss the history, the culture, the cathedral and my beautiful walk to school every morning as opposed to my I-95 commute full of traffic to Biscayne Bay. But most importantly, I miss the fact that my amazing experience is now an unbelievable memory, one that I will surely never forget.

Words and pictures alone cannot describe the experience of my study abroad trip to Spain. I had imagined that it would be incredible, but I didn’t realize it would this incredible. In my past few weeks being home, I have shared stories and pictures with my friends and family back home. I even invited my closest friends over for a tapas night, where I attempted to make croquetas de jamon, papas con alioli, and manchego with pestos and fresh bread, all from scratch. Everything came out delicious if I do say so myself, but nothing like the local tapas bars from Sevilla.

I’ve been shopping at my local mall, and swimming at the Florida beaches, but nothing compares to the shops down narrow alleys and cobblestone roads, or the coastline of the Mediterranean with mountains on one side and the white homes that line the freezing cold water on the other. I am beyond happy that I decided to embark on this amazing journey. Thanks to my professors and my amazing fellow FIU Communication classmates, it is these memories that already have me planning my next study abroad trip to Europe. =]

The Spanish Monarchy After Franco

Two days after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, on November 22, 1975, Juan Carlos was designated King according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. The king chose to skip a generation and name Prince Juan Carlos as his successor. Franco wanted the young Prince to be trained to take over the nation and maintain the current nature of his regime. Although Juan Carlos publicly supported Franco's rule, as time went on he began meeting with political opposition leaders and exiles, who were fighting to bring liberal reform to the country.

After Franco's death, King Juan Carlos I quickly instituted reforms changing the government from a once dictatorship to the current parliamentary democracy. The Spanish Constitution (Title II: the Crown, Article 56, Subsection 1) acknowledges the role of the Spanish monarch as the “personification and embodiment of the Spanish nation, a symbol of Spain's enduring unity and permanence; and as such, the monarch is the head-of-state and commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces in a system known in Spanish as ‘monarquía parlamentaria’ or constitutional monarchy.” Some of the King’s many reforms included appointing Adolfo Suárez, as Prime Minister of Spain, instituting the “Ruta Quetzal” in 1979 to promote cultural exchange between students from Spain and Latin America, and legalizing gay marriage on July 1, 2005.

Juan Carlos’s popularity grew among the years. In a poll from November, 2005 in the newspaper El Mundo, 77.5% of Spaniards thought Juan Carlos was "good or very good," 15.4% "not so good," and only 7.1% "bad or very bad." According to the Spanish Constitution, the monarch is “instrumental in promoting Ibero-American relations, the "nations of its historical community." The King of Spain serves as the president of the Ibero-American States Organization, representing over 700,000,000 people in twenty-four member nations worldwide.” In 2008 Carlos was even considered the most popular leader in Ibero-America.

Thanks to Juan Carlos’s reforms and the institution of a monarchy, today the King of Spain exercises minimal power over the country's politics, but is still regarded as a vital symbol of the country's unity. The constitution states that the King has immunity from prosecution in issues concerning his official duties. In addition, offences against the honor of the Royal Family are specifically protected by the Spanish Penal Code. It is current tradition for the King to give an annual speech to the nation on Christmas Eve. The King also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Spanish armed forces. He is Patron of the Royal Academies and maintains close links with cultural circles and especially with universities. He supports the creation and development of new technology in Spain, promotes initiatives in the areas of economics, business, research, and social advances, as well as encourages solidarity at all levels of society in Spain.

Gunther, Richard. "Spain after Franco: the Making of a ..." Google Books. Web. 29 June 2010. <http://books.google.com/books>.

"The Royal Household of His Majesty the King_ Welcome." Casa De Su Majestad El Rey De España. Web. 29 June 2010. .

Andalucía: The Birth Place of Flamenco

The history of Andalucía is a time line composed of different religious and cultural inhabitants which all had an impact on the region today. It all started around 1000 or 900 BC, when Andalucía’s agricultural and mining wealth attracted Phoenician trading colonies to the coastal sites like Cádiz, Huelva, and Málaga. Then, at approximately the 3rd century BC, the Romans took over and governed Cordoba. During their reign, they turned it into one of the most civilized and wealthiest areas of the Roman Empire.

In 711, Andalucía was the base for Muslim invaders who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula from Africa under the Arab rule. From this point on the power shifted between Cordoba, Seville, and Granada as the leading cities of Islamic Spain. In the 10th century, Cordoba was even recognized as the largest and most stunning cultured city in Western Europe known by its “three culture coexistence” between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. As the Emirate of Granada fell to the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel in 1492, Columbus’s landing in the Americas brought extreme wealth to Seville, Cadiz, and the Andalucian ports that enabled trade with the Americas.

However unfortunately by the 19th century and the period of the civil war, Andalucía went through what was referred to as “the hungry years.” During this time period approximately 1.5 million natives left to find jobs in the industrialized cities of northern Spain as well as other European countries. Luckily, tourism along with industrial growth and the boom of agriculture had a positive impact on the economy of Andalucía since the 1960s. Today, the ethnic influence can be seen all across Andalucía with the arrival of not only northern Europeans but also economic migrants from places such as Latin America, Morocco, Africa and Eastern Europe.

The history of Andalusia and its diverse mix of cultures have had a great impact on its native Flamenco dance form. Flamenco is said to be the music of Andalucian Gypsies that started within their social community. It all began with the Islamic invasion in 711 which contributed to the main musical influences when the conquerors brought their music and mixed it with the native Spanish style. The essence of the dance comes from the Moors, the Jews, the Catholics and the Gypsies equally. It is said that when Spain occupied the New World, they brought the influence of Latin American music and dance. Gypsy’s started to pick up these dance steps that were seen as inappropriate to European tastes, yet they became a permanent part of Flamenco and were recorded in literary and musical works from the 1500s on. From 1780 to 1850, the dance was done secretly in Gypsy homes in the Seville and Cadiz region. This became known as “The Hermetic Period.”

But the real Golden Age of Flamenco was between 1869 and 1910 when Flamenco became popular in “cafes cantanes,” a venue that offered ticketed public performances. This made the dance a public attraction in which guitar players gained a reputation for having a true artistic talent. The romantic aspect of Flamenco was born in the 19th century when the Gypsies became popular throughout Europe. It was at this time that a Flamenco show became a necessary activity for any trip to Spain, especially Andalusia. Today people from all over visit the region to experience Flamenco in its native country. Today, Flamenco can be found in three settings: the traditional “juerga,” an informal gypsy gathering; a professional concert; or a theatrical presentation. It is also very common for artists to be professionally trained unlike many years ago. On our trip we got the privilege to visit one of these schools in Seville and receive dancing and percussion lessons from two very talented Flamenco artists. It was an experience I will never forget, and I am so happy I got to learn Flamenco in the place of its birth.

"History of Andalucía - Lonely Planet Travel Information." Lonely Planet Travel Guides and Travel Information. Web. 28 June 2010. .


"Flamenco Dance History." Central Home Learn to Dance Videos, Exercise Videos, Fitness Videos and Sports Videos DVD Books. Web. 28 June 2010. .

Advocacy Journalism in Spain and Western Europe

Advocacy journalism is a genre of journalism that is fact-based, but supports a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are likely to report on stories dealing with corporate business practices, government policies, political corruption, and social issues. These journalists are said to serve the public interest in a similar way to “muckrakers or whistle-blowers.”


Advocacy journalists may reject objectivity in their work for several different reasons. First, many believe that there is no such thing as objective reporting, that there will always be some form of “implicit bias, whether political, personal, or metaphysical, whether intentional or subconscious.” This statement serves to acknowledge their belief of inability to report on a matter in a value-free way. Second, they argue that media sources claiming to be free of bias often secretly advance certain disguised political ideas presented in a so-called "objective" viewpoint. Advocacy journalists also frequently assume that their audiences will share their biases or be conscious of them while evaluating what are supposed to be “well-researched and persuasive arguments.” The journalists claim that they can discard objectivity while holding on to the values of fairness and accuracy, and state that corporate journalists often lack both.

In Western Europe, some newspapers have been associated with a political position, even though journalists from these papers are considered professionals that are somewhat engaged in advocacy. However, newspapers in Spain in particular have their share of issues. Like much of the European press, Spanish newspapers tend to be partisan and showcase a tradition of advocacy journalism. In fact, in news and commentary in Spain, it is common for Spanish journalists to frame events through the lens of their personal bias. Some favor the ruling Socialists, the conservative People’s Party, or the regional Separatist movements and these belief’s come out in their pieces making them fall under the category of advocacy journalism.

There are many concerns related to this type of journalism. Many people apprehend that the activity of advocacy journalists will be harmful to the standing of the mainstream press as an “objective, reliable source of information.” Another fear is that uneducated readers will accept the facts and opinions presented in advocacy papers as if they were reliable. This in turn will create many misinformed readers, and contribute to a society full of bias beliefs and opinions.

"Advocacy Journalism : The International Encyclopedia of Communication : International Encyclopedia of Communication Online." International Encyclopedia of Communication Online: Home. Web. 29 June 2010. http://www.communicationencyclopedia.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405131995_chunk_g97814051319956_ss29-1.
 
Peter, Roy. "Refrain in Spain." Poynter Online. Web. 29 June 2010. .

Marbella in Transit !

11 am, 1 cab, 2 girls, 2 duffles and 2 bus tickets to Marbella for the weekend. The past 2 weeks have been full of amazing experiences and valuable lessons but I am beyond excited to escape from all the hustle bustle to a relaxing gettaway for the weekend. This is the first time I am traveling alone with a friend for the weekend, let alone out of the country. Part of me feels so grown up and mature, yet the other half of me is crossing my fingers that everything goes according to plan. As a matter of fact, within the first 15 minutes of sitting at the bus station, the attendent informed us that we were waiting for the wrong bus. But its all good. Thank god for Natalie, my fluent friend, if it weren't for her I definitely would not be attempting this adventure. 1bench, 2 girls, 2 duffles, bus slot 15, and 30 more minutes till boarding... Here we go!

Week 2 Update =]

2 weeks down, 1 more to go. I am having such an amazing time that words can not even describe it. I will admit that back in January I was a little apprehensive to participate in this program but now I can honestly say that I made the right choice. I feel that I have learned so much, and that each day I grow as a person becoming more mature, responsible and worldly. The time seems to be flying by but I'm sure after next week I will be ready to reunite with my friends and family that I miss so dearly.

Toe, Heel, Toe... Toe, Heel, Toe

When I was a little girl I was always curious about Flamenco dancing. I took tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and step but never got around to taking flamenco lessons. 19 years later and in its city of origin, I can now say that I have flamencoed! At first I was a little nervous about being the only Italian in a room of Hispanics shaking my hips and flowing to the rhythm, but within no time I was able to pick it up and fit in just fine. Even though the directions were in Spanish, I had a blast with my friends experiencing a new culture and taking a unique dance class in a foreign country. I was actually quite the natural if I do say so myself. :) After the dance lesson we went up stairs for a rhythm class. In Flamenco, the music is composed of guitars, drums, hands and feet to clap and stomp. I had so much fun learning the beats and creating a tune with my fellow classmates. I even got a chance to play the drum which was a first for me so I was pretty excited. The evening ended with a traditional Flamenco show featuring my teachers for the afternoon. Overall it was quite the cultural experience with a hands on approach that I am so lucky to have participated in.

Museo Nacional del Prado

DIEGO VELAZQUEZ was born in Seville and baptized at the church of St Peter on Sunday, June 6, 1599. He was a Spanish painter and the main artist in the court of King Philip IV. He studied under Francisco Pacheco, an artist from Seville who taught him proportion and perspective as well as the artistic trends present in Seville. Some experts say that Velazquez produced the most masterful pieces of art. His work dates back to the contemporary Baroque period, and he is famous for his portraits. He is sometimes referred to as “the painter of the truth.” Velazquez is well known for his paintings of the royal Spanish family including his masterpiece, Las Meninas, done in 1656. His works exhibit much attention to detail, and showcase the characters true personalities through visual techniques. Velazquez continued to produce beautiful pieces until his death in 1660.

My favorite piece from Velazquez in the Prado museum was El Cristo Crucificado, or The Crucified Christ. Painted around 1632, this painting of Christ on the Cross really caught my attention. The intense black background brings about a feeling of drama and sadness. Velazquez once studied the art of nude paintings, and this piece showcases his skills with much detail put into the frontal view of Jesus Christ. I could really sense the depression and fear in Christ’s eyes and the tension in his muscles. I am a religious person and have seen the image of Christ on the Cross numerous times however; Velazquez’s painting portrayed the sight in such a real and passionate manner.

 
FRANCISCO DE ZURBARAN was a Spanish painter born on November 7, 1598 in Fuente de Cantos, Spain. In 1614 his father sent him to Seville to study under Pedro Diaz de Villanueva for three years where he started his painting career at only 15 years of age. He is best known for his religious paintings and still life’s of monks, nuns, and martyrs. As a matter of fact, almost all of his works were of a religious nature, up until his death in 1664. He is sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Caravaggio” due to his skill in the realistic use of chiaroscuro, and his extreme sensibility to detail.

My favorite piece from Zurbaran at the Prado was the Apparition of the Apostle St. Peter to St. Peter Nolasco, or the Aparición del Apostol San Pedro a San Pedro Nolasco which was painted in 1629. I felt that this work was so unique. It showcases a man upside down on the cross, and an apostle bent down diagonally across from him. Zurbaran used light to add a sense of realism and to highlight the essence of the supernatural. It is said that the painting’s intent was to teach the faithful and show them the truth of faith. My interpretation is somewhat similar but I feel that Zurbaran tried to emphasize the fact that God is not as distant as we may think and that we need to stay true to our faith and recognize him in our everyday lives.

BARTOLOME ESTEBAN MURILLO was born in Seville, Spain in 1617 where he resided until his death in 1682. Murillo is considered to be one of the most important figures of Baroque painting in Spain. Most of his paintings are done in a religious manner and hold a sacred theme. However, he is also known for his detailed paintings of women and children. His works can be described as a lively and realistic portrayal of the everyday life of his time. In 1660, Murillo founded a painting academy which soon became regarded as a prestigious place of study. Over the years, Murillo held great influence in Spanish painting, and today is considered to be a great universal master.

My favorite piece from Murillo showcased at the Prado Museum was La Immaculada, or the Immaculate Conception, painted in 1678. This amazing piece shows the Virgin Mary surrounded by cherubs and angels migrating towards her. This was one of Murillo’s later works and is considered to be one of his most successful pieces. Murillo portrays her as a young girl about to enter womanhood, in a pure white robe, wearing a girdle with three knots to represent poverty, chastity and obedience. Her hands are folded in prayer giving her sweet and motherly characteristics. It is said that his intent was to bring before our eyes a vision of this holy woman existing from all eternity, floating in an infinite abyss of time and space. I believe that this goal was succeeded. I loved the detail put into the numerous angels to make them each unique, as well as the genuine look of love in Mary’s eyes.

References:
http://www.spanisharts.com/history/barroco/imagenes/zurbaran/nolasco.html

http://www.museodelprado.es/coleccion/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/advent/feature-2002-12-day9.html
http://idlespeculations-terryprest.blogspot.com/2007/04/murillo-and-immaculate-conception.html

Cordoba =]

Hola Cordoba! Tucked away in beautiful narrow streets paved with cobblestone and crazy motorcycle drivers, we unloaded the bus to embark on a 15 minute walk to our hostile. Carrying two extremely heavy suitcases up and down bumpy streets and uneven pavement was the last thing I wanted to do at 9 a.m, however to my surprise, I survived. Note to self for next time: PACK LIGHT. Out of all the cities I’ve been to in Spain thus far, Cordoba definitely felt the most traditional and historic. It had traces of Muslim, Jewish and Christian architecture and culture all throughout the city. My favorite part of our visit was the tour of the beautiful Mesquita (my first tour of a European cathedral), and our dinner at an Arab restaurant with belly dancers. I have found a new love for hummus, veal, and cous cous. Cordoba was also the first place where I really started to connect with my fellow classmates and realize the friendly and talented group of people I am so lucky to travel with. After one long and jam packed day, I was satisfied with what Cordoba had to offer and was ready to hit the pillow for our next day in Granada.

Madrid: Day Uno =]

Saturday May 16th, 8:00 a.m. landing was a success. An early morning full of sleep deprivation and excitement marks day one of my first day outside of the United States and away from my family and friends for more than 2 days. The Madrid airport was beautiful but I thanked God that we flew with Professor Figueredo or I would have definitely been lost. From the moment I stepped off the plane I experienced the culture shock, starting with the language barrier. Being the only one of thirty students who isn’t fluent in Spanish has definitely been interesting and continues to bring laughs every day. Running on 2 hours of sleep and uno cortodito, I visited the beautiful Prado Museum, explored the amazing streets of Madrid, and consumed extremely fattening yet delicious tapas y vino blanco. My favorite was the papas con alioli and the croquetas de jamon (which I would never touch in Miami). The hustle and bustle atmosphere of Madrid reminded me so much of New York City with an elegant flare. My jaw dropped at the gorgeous architecture and the colorful landscape. One of my favorite parts of the visit was the private tour of the city from my high school friend Andrew, who had been studying there for the past 6 months with the University of Florida. In a matter of 3 hours I saw the cathedrals, the palace, the plazas, the markets, and much much more. My short yet memorable visit to Madrid will last with me forever. Now on to the next one!

Week 1 Complete!

From Madrid...

To Cordoba...

And Granada...

And lastly SEVILLA! I am finally able to call a place home for the last 2 weeks.  We have seen amazing sights and learned so much already about history and different cultures that I can only imagine what these last 2 weeks will have in store. I apologize for the lack of posts this past week, but traveling from hostile to hostile and town to town has consumed the majority of our time.  I am so excited to put the knowledge I have gained to use and begin working on our campaign projects! Stay tuned as more posts and pictures will be on the way. =]

Sevilla

Since the beginning of time Sevilla’s fate has been determined due to its role as a river port. Its origins, somewhat unclear, are most likely traced to the Iberians. The city later became a Greek, Phoenician, and Carthaginian colony which was then taken over by the Romans in 205 BC. The influence from these diverse cultures is what makes Sevilla the beautiful and unique city it is today.

ROMANS AND VISIGOTHS- Dating back to 42 BC, Julius Caesar seized Sevilla and shortly transformed it into one of the main cities of Baetica. In the fifth century, the Vandals invaded the region but were expelled by the Visigoths who then made Sevilla their capital until the court was transferred to Toledo.

THE MOORS- The year 712 was the start of a long period of Arab control beginning with the Moorish conquest. Under the power of Al Mutamid, Sevilla underwent vast cultural development. But due to difficult relations with the Christian king, Alfonso VI, Al Mutamid was forced to get help from the Almoravids who in return seized the kingdom in 1091. However in the twelfth century, the Almohads gained control back from the Almoravids and started a time of urban renovation including the construction of the Giralda and the mezquita (now the site of the cathedral).

In November 1248, Fernando III (the Saint) conquered Sevilla and set up his court. Following his reign was Alfonso X the Wise and Pedro I, who restored the Alcazar and made it his dwelling.

During the Golden Age after the discovery of America in 1492, Sevilla dominated trade with the New World and became the departure and arrival point for nearly every expedition. Many sailed from Sevilla including, Amerigo Vespucci, and Magellan, who set out in 1519 and was the first to circumnavigate the globe. In 1503, the Casa de Contratacion was founded to encourage, inspect and control trade with the Americas. During this time, Sevilla began to encounter great wealth. Palaces were built, new industries were sparking and the wave of money and hectic activity attracted a diverse crowd. As a matter of fact, in the sixteenth century Seville’s population almost doubled reaching approximately 200,000 people.

After the plague of 1649, the city sadly entered a period of decline. During the twentieth century however, Sevilla hosted two major international exhibitions. The first, in 1929, was the Ibero-American Exhibition followed by Expo ’92. Each had a major impact on the layout of the city. The Expo ’92 started a number of large projects including the Isla de la Cartuja, where the fair was held. Today, the Isla Magica theme park and the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo are located on this site.

Some of the city’s most important monuments are the Giralda, the Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar Palace located in the center of the city.

GIRALDA. The Giralda is the symbol of Sevilla. It was built in the late twelfth century as part of the mosque (mezquita) and displayed three gilded spheres, which were destroyed by an earthquake in the fourteenth century. The belfry, three superimposed stages, and balconies are sixteenth century additions by Cordoban architect Hernan Ruiz. These had an enormous weather vane called the statue of Faith or the Giraldillo, from which the tower’s name came about. The Giralda is a masterpiece of Almohad art. The decoration on each side is organized into three bertical registers with sebka panels. (http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/25/7c/8e/giralda-sevilla-spain.jpg)

CATHEDRAL. The Cathedral is considered to be the third largest in floor space in the Christian world after St. Peter’s in the Vatican, and St. Paul’s in London. It is one of the last Gothic cathedrals in Spain and is famous for its Renaissance influence. Its exterior consists of the Cristobal, Asuncion and Concepcion, the Puerta del Nacimiento, and the Puerta del Bautismo which open out onto the beautiful Avenida de la Constitucion. The rounded Chapel Royal is found at the east end, and is decorated with coats of arms. The inside of the Cathedral is marked with impressive stone, stained glass, a mirrored floor and grilles that strike in size and richness. It’s high altar (capilla mayor) is the largest in Spain. (http://www.wallpaperpimper.com/wallpaper/Places/Cathedrals/Sevilla,-Spain,-Cathedral-1-1GOYU154VH-1024x768.jpg)

ROYAL ALCAZAR PALACE. This extraordinary palace resulted from phases of construction starting in the tenth century onwards, and showcases a variety of architectural styles. All that remains of the original Alcazar of the Almohads are the Patio del Yeso and the arches separating the Patio de las Monteria from the Patio del Leon. In the thirteenth century, Alfonso X (the wise) built the Gothic-style apartments known as the Salones de Carlos V. The center of the palace is credited to Pedro I (the cruel) in 1362. This Mudejar creation was built by masons from Granada, and portrays Alhambran influence. Modifications were later made by Juan II, the Catholic Monarchs, Charles V and Felipe II. The palace houses numerous patios, including the Palacio de Pedro el Cruel, the Palacio Gotico (Salones de Carlos V), and the Patio de Banderas. The Alcazar is full of extensive gardens that were created over many different time periods and also showcases Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque styles. (http://www.sevillaonline.es/images/sevilla/monuments/alcazar/alcazar_giardini780x585.jpg)

Michelin Green Guide Andalucia. Michelin Travel Pubns, 2008. Print.