Modern Art in Spain

... is similar to Modern Art in any country. But let's be honest, it's in Spain. So our challenge given to us by Professor Madden was to try to understand what the artist was saying. Not going to lie, Modern Art is not my thing. Sometimes I can get it but other times I don't know why a picture that looks like my 6 year old nephew could draw it would be sold for 1,000 Euros. Anyways, being allowed to take pictures at the gallery, I took the chance to create my Modern Art out of their Modern Art. Enjoy!

 This one is my own modern art. It was a panel of glass with the design in it. I had Val stand behind it and made it my own. This is how I see modern art!

But really, Darth Vader on a Horse. Something political in that. There has to be.

For all you Introverts out there... is this how it feels?

 This piece is children toys on the floor. Maybe it reflects the complex nature of childhood. Or maybe its one of those moments where you don't know to be proud of your kids or frustrated at the mess they made all over your floor. Guess it depends on your prespective

                                                                                                           The Environmental area.... very interesting. Although the dirt was moving so that adds more to it than just pots of dirt.

Toledo

Quite possible one of my favorite places because of the views! There were several comments of "It looks like a green screen!" The winding little "callejons" around the ancient part of the city are prime area for getting lost. The Cathedral is called "the Jewel" of Spanish Cathedrals and there is good reason for that. The time that it took to build this Cathedral was over a period of 500 years. Well worth it though.

 The Panorama is a must! If that is the only thing that you do in Toledo then you can continue on with life. Everything else....

 We were waiting outside the Cathedral when a troupe of performers celebrating the 500th Anniversary of El Greco's death came and did a show of old style costumes and dancing complete with a ginormous puppet of El Greco him self.

The Cathedral of Toledo. It truly lives up to its name in the grand, ornate nature that it has. The details from the stone collumns to the ornate carvings of the bottom of the choir seats is... mind blowing.                                                                                                                This Madonna is one of the few statues in history that has Mary smiling.

 I am not the worlds biggest fan of hights but I'm proud to say that I hiked down to this part of the cliff and took a picture. It was an amazing view and I have no regrets! Thanks Tyson (in the next picture with the bridge) for the photo.

Madrid

 This Cathedral is right next to the Palace Real The Pope dedicated it himself which is apparently rare outside of Italy. Nice stuff going on. Really big. I want to see older ones.

This is Long Overdue!

Things have been busy and Wifi gets patchy! So here is the catch up! I love the pictures that I get to take but I take way too many. I have several great models and they seem to be willing to accept free pictures so it works out great! Enjoy and send me feedback!

We went to Andalusia for a week and it rained all but one day there!! Besides the rain it was just like California. Every one was so excited to see the oranges on trees and palms. It just looked like home to me. Merida was incredible! Looking back the Romans seemed advanced with their hot watered baths and toilets. Not so sure I'd want to live then and watch the gladiators take on a lion or the like but its fun to learn about!

This was a Cistern. To be sure, Roman plumbing was way ahead of it's time. How did Rome ever burn?

All Right, It's Official....

... I LOVE SPAIN!!! I've bee here for 3 days and I love it!! Everything. Even the winter. I told one of the girls while we were walking around Alcala just exploring, that I'm pretty sure that I could be hit by a train here and still be happy and excited to be in Spain.
Where to start. Not the Plane ride. Anyone who's been on a plane ride either long or short, you get it. I kept comparing it to the one I took to Japan. There are some big differences. 1) I could read the signs getting off and 2) I wasn't as scared and confused when I got off (luckily Sarah found me in the Narita airport just in time).
The Host Family:
Love them! They are amazing! Encarna and her son Roberto. They don't speak a lick of English. Which is fantastic! They correct me, which I really appreciate, and Encarna cooks great food. I've noticed some similarities in my family that I think are Spanish orientated. a) Our sweet tooth. We have a postre after pretty much every meal. b) we eat and then we sit and talk for a long time. The apartment that we are in is tiny. But I guess that is really all you need. Pic: Kelsie (in the group) and I with the others at a panadería.

My Roomie: Love her! Mckall Morris. Mckall speaks no Spanish. So Encarna takes the time to make her talk and practice. Its been really good for the both of us. Personality wise, she is a free spirit and super easy going. I love that about her and I am super lucky to have her as a roommate!! Pic: Mckall drinking chocolate. Literally it's not hot chocolate. Its more like fondu.

The group: 2 guys, a married couple, and 8 girls. We get along super well. I'm one of the older ones. One of the guys and one of the girls put in their mission papers and will be getting their call in about a month and are going to open it here! I'm super excited for them! We all seem to get along really well. All pretty mellow and easy going.

 We got chocolate y churros at the Famous Chocolate place in Madrid, San Gines. Incredible!

We (the girls) went exploring around Alcala de Hernares. I didn't take the picture. Some nice women in the street did. That's why it is kind of off. :)

The beginning.....

Since coming back from my mission, I've made it a goal to try new things. It's been a great journey. Running a 5k, really trying to put myself out there and meet people, and just do things because I get this opportunity and hey, when will I get it again? So one day at BYU, I used my handy little app on my new smart phone, and found out where the free food was on campus. There was an international study abroad fair that had free snow cones. Well, how can I say no? So waiting in line for 10 minutes, I saw some of the booths. There is the crowd pleaser of Jerusalem (that one is next) and the other cool ones like India, china, and Italy. And then I saw Spain. Honestly, I don't believe in that fairy tale of "love at first sight" "knew the minute I saw them" but when I saw the Spain booth, I just knew!! It was love at first realization that I could!
I went up to the professor with my Hawaiian snow cone and asked some questions, how long, when, where, how much? Obviously he was selling me on the trip. Not hard for someone who was already sold. I of course consulted with the magi before the final decision and we had some go around of if we were going to get enough people to go but signed, sealed, delivered, I'm here. Sitting in the airport. Hardly believing that in an hour I'll be on a plane on my first leg of the journey to probably one of the best adventures of my life!!!! It's taken its sweet time coming and now I plan to savor every moment!!! Here's to trying something new!!! Hasta luego Estados Unidos!!! Voy al Pais de mis Padres!! I'm so stinking excited!

Michelle and Jason
At Balboa Park!!