Spain

Your Stories From Abroad
Spain
How Jesus Delayed My Bus (And Helped Me See The Light)
I squint out the window of the bus. The main roads and narrow side streets of Málaga are completely clogged, and our bus sits motionless amidst a sea of ... read more
by Lauren Moloney
28 Jan 2009
Spain
Flaming Mermaids And Old People Cavorting in Diapers: Yet Another Crazy Spanish Celebration
I am standing in front of a woman with flowing mermaid hair. She’s holding puppies, deer, and a little leopard cub. Her expression is similar to that of the ... read more
by Mary Catharine Martin
15 Jun 2004
Spain
The Three Rules Of Spanish Courtship (For American Women)
RULE #1: DON’T ACT INTERESTED Perplexed. No, perhaps “disgusted” is a more apt description of the look on the face of the billboard-ad-attractive, Spanish man I will name Se ... read more
by Lauren Moloney
04 Feb 2009
Spain
The Tunnel In Madrid Where I Serve Coffee
The air is thick with tobacco and crack smoke and the stench of urine. Gingerly stepping over bare feet, tattered shoes, and boxes, I carry cups of coffee and hot ... read more
by Laura Martin
21 May 2003
Morocco
Spain
Dreaming Of Rebuilding A Moroccan Town
After the earthquake, I knew what I wanted to do,” Tarik tells me as he stands on the steps of ... read more
by Mike Mian
24 May 2010
Spain
SLIDESHOW: Scenes From Granada And Barcelona
A young girl plays in a fountain in Plaza Nueva. The plaza is nestled just below the famed Alhambra, the ... read more
by Mike Mian
23 Jul 2009
Tips
Spain
Get lost
One of my most rewarding experiences was finally finding my destination using my map and the help of locals when I got lost on the narrow cobblestone streets of Sevilla ... read more
by Nicole Karlis
10 Feb 2009
Spain
When frogs grow hair
I was trying to explain what I meant to my Spaniard friend when I dismissed an idea with, "Yeah, when pigs fly." He pondered this puzzle for a moment, and ... read more
by Joanne Kramb
19 Mar 2009
Spain
Cool, dude.
In Spain, there are many popular slang sayings; however, most are a bit too inappropriate to post here. One that is used frequently is, "Que guay!" meaning, "Sweet!" or "Awesome ... read more
by Ellen Burkhardt
19 Mar 2009
Blog Posts
Spain
Mi nueva vida. (My new life).
After my first experience in Madrid, Spain was over, I knew from then on this was the place I wanted to be. Now, during the past 5 years I have made it a point to return here as often as possible. So now, this is my 5th time and I've ... read more
by Jessica Felix
25 Aug 2010
Spain
Does the Rain in Spain Stay Mostly on the Plains?
This has been an año muy raro, just ask any Spaniard. And in a land so famous for its sunshine that it is named after it, rain and cold are not very common. Up until November it rained about three times and the weather was still hovering in the 70s. And then in ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Spanish Fashion
Spain is known for many things. The Alhambra, bull fights, Penelope Cruz.But behind the glitz and glamour, there are a few others things this country is famous for, even though they don’t advertise it, like the Spanish Mullet.That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I live in the land of the Spanish Mullet. ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Feria de Abril
The Feria de Abril is probably one of the most important holidays in Andalucia. Forget Christmas and Easter with their biblical backgrounds and mass. Every town has one, but Sevilla’s is the most famous. The Spaniards prefer a much less complicated festival: La Feria. And what is La Feria, you ask…it is a weeklong ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Dia de Andalucia
In Andalucía, there is a special day set aside every year to recognize the greatness of Andalucía, because in case you didn’t get the memo, Andalucía is awesome. It’s actually the best place in the world, just ask anybody who lives there. Now, Andalucía Day is on a Sunday, but ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
El Parque
There is a strange phenomenon in Spain called a botellón. It is basically a massive party that takes place in the street. You see, in Spain, people do not have parties in their houses. You do not invite friends over for a drink or go over to someone’s home for dinner. It just isn’t ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
And You Thought You Knew How To Party
Spanish teachers put American college students to shame when it comes to throwing a fiesta. Four years at Lynchburg did not prepare me in the least for the annual Christmas celebration in La Palma. Spanish Christmas parties are not like their American counterparts. There are no office Secret Santas, pizza ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Food, Family, Pilgrims, Pie
“Who knows what Thanksgiving is?” I ask my students slowly as I write the word on the chalk board in big letters and turn to meet their blank faces. Nothing. I was being too optimistic. “Quien sabe que es Thanksgiving.” Still nothing. I give up. “¿La día de la acción ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Field Trip! Excursion to the Rio Tinto
This past Monday I was invited to go on a chemistry fieldtrip to the Rio Tinto.The field trip consisted of a three minute train ride and about a two hour walk to the river. During this time, I chatted with various professors and students about the weather (About 60°F, que frio!) politics ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Weekend in El Rompido
This past weekend I was invited to stay at one of my teacher’s beach house with her and her family. Elena is a math teacher who I work with twice a week.I help her with her English and she helps me with my Spanish. She has two young children, Francisco, 6, and ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
No Pasa Nada
should be the slogan of Andalucía. It basically translates to “Don’t worry about it” or “that’s OK.” I hear it about fifty times a day and it is the regional answer to almost any situation in the south of Spain. I forgot to make the photocopies…No pasa nada. I overslept and missed my first ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
That Could Have Been Embarrassing #1
So today, when I was talking to my coordinator, she asked me to prepare something for “guay fulks day.” Gay Folks Day? I think. “I’ve never heard of it,” I tell her innocently. “Never?” she responds, “it is very popular in Britain.”Now, those of you who don’t have about fifty euros worth of vodka ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Maria José and José Maria
In Spain, the only reason I can’t pronounce my students’ names is due to my horrible American accent and not because I’m coming across a name I’ve never seen before. If you though having two Sarah’s or three Jennifer’s in one class was bad, just go to Spain where at least ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Escuela Española
Now, Spanish schools are run slightly different than their American counterparts. First, the school is divided into three parts (similar to the US) which consist of primario (elementary) which has six levels. This is followed by ESO (escuela secondaria obligatoria/ obligatory secondary school) which is like middle school and high school and has four years. At ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Arriving in La Palma
La Feria is an important and unique tradition in Spain. It is a week long holiday where everything normal stops, and the people flood into the streets to party with food, flamenco, and fireworks. Sevilla’s is perhaps the most famous, taking place in April, but every town has its own, and if ... read more
by Carolyn Nelson
12 Aug 2010
Spain
Getting Out of Barthalonaaa! Part 5
We step onto a platform. Not a train station, but an empty wooden platform. The only sign of human life is a hotel about a five-minute walk away. We head for the hotel to see if that’s where we buy tickets for the next train. The valet tells us we ... read more
by Cassi Landrus
08 Jun 2010
Spain
Getting Out of Barthalonaaa! Part 4
Day two in Barcelona I give in and buy what I hope will be a Alka-Seltzer-like, miracle, Spanish cold medicine. I convince myself it makes me feel better as I play follow the leader with Leslie around Barthalonaaa! In the evening, I am happy to stay in and chat with ... read more
by Cassi Landrus
08 Jun 2010
Spain
Getting Out of Barthalonaaa! Part 3
I am dead asleep when I hear Leslie’s alarm go off. She crawls out of bed with her phone. I wake up again as she climbs back into bed after her call. Everything must be taken care of. We both wake up about an hour later. “So what did ... read more
by Cassi Landrus
08 Jun 2010
Spain
Getting Out of Barthalonaaa! Part 2
I want to lie down and die right here in front of the plastic seats filled with weary travelers in the ticketing area of the Barcelona train station. We take a number, and Leslie, graciously carrying one my bags, as she will do all over Europe, finds an empty seat. ... read more
by Cassi Landrus
08 Jun 2010
Austria
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Romania
Spain
Sri Lanka
Turkey
United Kingdom
Vatican City (Holy See)
Lying in Church: The Backpacker's Religion
My friend Jade likes to lie in church. On the ground. It gets tricky in a house of worship; sometimes she has to settle for kneeling. In the Hagia Sofia, she had barely a minute to soak in the 6th-century dome before a security guard dragged her up. But ... read more













