Hola bloggers!
So I have some new ideas, topics, general stuff to blog on regarding my stay here in Spain. First, I would like to say how excited I am to have been chosen to represent the United States in the Third Annual Intercultural Students Conference in Morrocco Africa. This is an event that was created by students, will be hosted by students, and will be participated in by students. One of my responsibilities of being able to go is to host one of the discussion sessions. So I have not chosen which one yet ( Not the one on the middle east conflict that's for sure!) but when I do my bloggers will be the first to know.
So a little about the structure of this conference. There will be students from the U.S. (obviously), China, Morrocco, Spain, and I'm not sure where else. Accroding to my coordinator for this trip we will be discussing how each country percieves certain aspects of another country. For example, one of the questions that the host may ask me is "As an American, what is your perception of Israel and their politics, culture, etc. Que interesante! Needless to say I am very excited and will definately have a report when I get back.
So a few days ago I realized that my patience is running thin with the people of Spain. I'm guessing that this is what it feels like when your "honeymoon" phase dissolves. My patience is almost tapped out because of their ignorance on certain issues. For example, the men here are extremely disrespectful to the american girls ( including me.) They grunt and growl at us as we walk by and make lude comments. Its really embarrasing at times. It is also frustrating because it shows their lack of respect. I don't understand what we did to deserve this disgusting attention. The problem, we can't say anything about it.
So we arrive to another difference in Spain. The judicial system here is somewhat of a joke. Even if we did complain about the construction workers that make comments every single day at us, nothing will happen. I could understand their obnoxiousness if it was something they did to all females but you don't see the men talking to the spanish women that way. Only the Americans girls have the privelidge of knowing what a man's grunt sounds like.
Also, last night I went to a party at a club where everyone got in free at first. Then after a certain time they began to charge ten euros. Except, this charge was for the americans guys only. The spanish men were able to walk in without paying a dime! And when I asked why my colleagues had to pay and the five guys that just walked in don't the bouncer began to mumble to himself and proceeded to tell me that they need to pay. So I dunno, they do some really petty things here that I just have a hard time understanding and dealing with. Maybe it's just club catedral that I don't like. Everytime I party there I dislike that place when I leave.
So, lets change the subject a bit, shall we? No travel plans for this weekend. I am determined to explore Sevilla as if there are no boundaries. Tomorrow, I plan on visiting a local spa for some me time. Then, I plan on finding these outlet stores that have discounted clothing, yay!
So I have a hard time keeping up with the news here. This is because the media here is mostly about the celebrities that are from Spain, live in Spain, or are visiting Spain. Importnant information like the stock markets, financial sectors, etc. don't really make it on to prime time news. However, the "boy in the balloon" hoax made it on the news! I don't understand how the people here don't demand to be more informed. The major newspaper here that reports business information and world wide news is the NY Times. Go figure!
Anyway, that's all of the thoughts that I have for today.
Hast luego!

Mone G.
Hasta Luego!

Hola todos!

I apologize for not updating my blog sooner. I have had the busiest schedule anyone could handle. So I wanted to talk about what I have been doing, experienced, seen, etc. this past week.
My classes are going well. I have four classes. They are Spanish language, European Union in the 21st Century, International Marketing, and International Finance. My classes are very interesting and for once I don't have an urge to skip any of them ( just keeping it honest here.)

My spanish language class has been very helpful. Mi profesora habla muy despacio y ella habla en espanol solo. This benefits me because I can actually mentally process the words that she says in Spanish. I have to say that this class is definitely better to take in a Spanish speaking country because when I learn something new I can practice my lesson as soon as I leave my class with other Spanish speakers. It's great!

My European Union in the 21st century class in muy interesante! We are currently learning the history of Europe and why they decided to create this " voluntary membership club" known as the European union. I am learning about historical events that I was unaware of. I mean I knew that Europe had a few wars, but I didn't fully realize the devastation that these countries went through during those wars. Some countries, such as Germany, are still scarred by those wars today.

My international marketing and international finance courses are taught by the same professor. The content is not the most interesting but my professor is an interesting character by nature, so we tend to have fun in that class. Professor Boyle is originally from Scotland. he married a Spanish woman and has permanently resided in Spain for over 20 years. He is pretty cool, probably it is easier to relate to other English people when in a foreign country.
Anyway, before I took this class I didn't realize how much different international business could be from "domestic" business. There are a whole new set of rules, regulations, and business jargon. Plus, you have to deal with totally new and possibly culturally diverse markets. It is a very interesting course.

I have to say that I am very pleased with the classes that I have chosen.

So, lets change the subject of this conversation to what extra activities I have participated in.
On Saturday I went to the ancient Roman city of Italica. it was extremely interesting. a little background information first is in order. My professor informed us that the city of Sevilla was constructed on top of a Roman city that was destroyed during war. Apparently, when Sevilla was building their subway station there were many delays because of the artifacts that seemed to keep appearing. So I am sitting on Roman ruins as I type this blog.
But anyway, Italica is on the outskirts of the city. When you pay your one euro to enter the site, there are Roman statues with missing limbs on each side of the walkway. Straight ahead is the amphitheatre.

That was my favorite artifact to see. Standing in the middle of this stadium and imagining the thousand of people that sat in the stands years ago and the gladiators that battled in this place was amazing. I totally zoned out imagining these things for about five minutes. (we are gladiators in the ring, lol)

There were many other artifacts to see such as the ancient aqueduct, the public bathing tubs, and the palace bedrooms. It was really nice. Also, there were ruins of Roman statues placed in various gardens around the site. There were women statues, columns that once held up Roman architecure, etc.
Afterwards, my friends and I traveled across the street to a restaurant called Ventorrillo Canario. This place was upscale but not too pricy and the wait staff were extremely friendly. Plus the food was very tasty. My dish for lunch was huevos con jamon con papas fritas. The fries were theses chunky lightly fried potatoes that tasted delicious!

Afterwards, as you can imagine my friends and I returned home and crashed, lol.

So, until my next adventure. Hasta luego todos!

Hola or Bon Dia as they say in Portugal.

This past weekend I went to Portugal and experienced some of the Portugese culture. It was an extremely fun vacation from my busy school life in Spain. We stayed at a beautiful hotel called AquaLuz. It was an amazing hotel with a waterfront view.
I visited a few local beaches where I was able to work on my tan. The beaches here allow swimmers to go topless and there were a few ladies out there. It was funny to watch some of the boys in our group stop dead in their tracks because of boobs.
I have an interesting story about some of the other foreigners that visit Portugal. I was waiting with my friend to sit down for lunch at a little restaurant on the beach and I could over here a group of men talking about me. They were speaking english but I could not recognize there accent. Anywa, they kept saying " My she has an interesting skin color. It is very beautiful. It is so interesting."
This is not the first time someone has been enfatuated with my skin color here. A week before my trip I was walking home one night with my rommate. As we passed these guys drinking at an outside bar. One leans over to speak to us as we pass by to say " I like... Brrrown Giurrrls." I thought it was funny and flattering at the time, but it also made me think, "What is this enfatuation with my skin color?"
I came over here to see what it is like to live in a country that I thought didn't really recognize ones skin color. Even though I receive positive recognition it is still interesting how my skin color is still what people notice first.
Anywho, that was a subject that has been on my mind for a while. So, I thought I would blog about it. Thanks for listening.

Oh yes, back to Portugal. SO, I decided to go on a sailboat ride that included swimming, visiting the caves along the beach, and Sangria (hence why we called it the booz cruise.) It was a great adventure and it could not have been amore perfect day. The water was a bright blue and was so clear that you could see the ocean floor. I have not seen ocean water like that since my trip to Bermuda ten years ago.
(By the way, pictures and videos of my adventures can be found on my facebook page. )
Portugese food is okay, it is very similar to American food in many ways. Burgers, fries, etc. I heard the seafood is very tasty but since I am not a fan of seafood I can neither deny or confirm that information. Of course they had sea food dishes, but as I mentioned earlier seafood is not my type of dish.

Lagos, the city itself, is a place that I would consider suitable for couples, families, and senior citizens who are looking to travel. There is a great bar called the nah nah bah, that has wonderful food with a jamaican atmoshpere ( I felt right at home.)
it was a great time and I was able to get gifts for my family there so I am satisfied. thanks for reading until next time.

Obragada (Adios)!