There are a million things I should be doing right now. Well, probably not a million, but at least 5 or 6 which is more than I can usually say for Spain. However, I'm full of energy right now and I don't feel as though I can successfully channel that energy into writing the oh-so-elusive perfect cover letter for a summer internship possibility or an error-free page of description in Spanish. I'm just not feeling it.
So instead, let me tell you that I've been busy. And I love it. Some of my more interesting (not too mention impressive sounding) adventures are the result of my Art History class. I've never taken Art History before and in fact once shuddered at the idea of looking a endless slides in a dark room for hours. However, I am in Madrid and all of my professors (seriously, even the grammar one) told me last semester that the city has, arguably, the finest collection of paintings in the Europe. We've got the Prado (maybe you've heard of it??), the Reina Sofia (modern Spanish Art), and the Thyssen Bornemisza (an incredible private collection of European paintings). Last semester I made it to each of these museums exactly once. And in the Reina Sofia I only looked at Picasso's El Guernica.
When I went to pick classes for this semester I decided that if I really wanted to have the full study abroad experience I had to take Art History. And so I did. I was doubtful the first class. The lights went down, the slides came up, and I almost fell asleep. But, little by little, the class has been growing on me. There are a few reasons for this:
1. We only spend one day a week in the dark. The other day we go to the museums and actually see the works en vivo. This is very, very cool. I thought perhaps it would be boring or tiring standing around staring at painted pieces of cloth, but it's not.
2. The professor, Linda, is fabulous. She looks just as you would imagine an Art History professor to look (yes, I am stereotyping) with red lipstick and outrageous earrings. Her knowledge of the works and their artists is vast and her passion for art impossible to ignore. With her as I my guide I am able to appreciate the works in a way I wouldn't be able to do on my own. Art can certainly be enjoyed without any background or technical knowledge, but I know I have a more rich, engaging experience with the class. Plus, now I know what to look for and will be able to use it in on other works in other museums. Linda is also fabulous because she gives us suggestions for what to do in Madrid. I have been to both a churreria (a shop that sell a fried dough that you dip in chocolate) and a jazz club she recommended. Finally, she reminds us to aprovechar - or take advantage - of the experience we're having right here, right now. This should be a no-brainer, but sometimes it gets hard or scary and it's good to have someone there to remind you.
3. We go on field trips! Sometimes, on Fridays, the whole class meets in the morning and we go to a different place to look at art. Last week we went to the Ermita de San Antonio de la Gloria. It's a church right near where I live and the ceilings inside were painted by Goya! It's a beautiful fresco and I probably never would have seen it if I hadn't taken Art History.
Alright, I might actually go try to write that cover letter now.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Madrid: Take 2
So, I'm really horrible about updating this blog, but I can say in my defense that, rather than stay in my room and write in English, I am trying to get out and do things this semester. I mean, I saw and did a lot last semester, but I want to keep the momentum going. And then there is the problem that when I do get some free time www.surfthechannel.com (a site that hosts American television) keeps calling out to me. It's a real problem...
Anyway, this is semester two and I just wanted to reflect (as much for myself as for whoever may be reading this) on what's different the second time around.
1. A totally new group of students. Last semester there were 35 students. This semester we've got 45 and only 7 of us are staying the year. It's a very different dynamic because while last semester groups seemed to form pretty quickly, this semester's groupings - even after a month - still feel pretty fluid. I certainly miss the new friends I made, but it is exciting to have so many friends from Hamilton here. Sometimes I still can't believe that the people I can only picture on the Hill are with me drinking cafes con leche and going to the discotecas. WEIRD, but cool.
2. My Spanish is better. A lot better. There was a time in the middle of the fall when I was certain my Spanish was exactly the same as the day I arrived. It's not that I never knew what was going on, but just that I didn't seem to be improving at all. There were still so many words I didn't know and so many grammar structures I understood in theory but couldn't use in everyday conversation. I'm no expert yet, but arrival of so many new Americans has made me realize that I learned quite a bit last semester. Often, when asked how to say a certain vocabulary word, I know the answer! For my literature class I can read the books and, while the subtleties still escape me, I always know what's going on. I’m even in the advanced grammar class this semester.
3. I know Madrid. I can walk from the Prado to my house. I can quickly orient myself on a city map. There are places that I know and like and have frequented more than once. In fact, there is one bar I go to where the bouncer knows my name and I know his. (I really am not sure how this happened, since I’ve only been 3 times, but it’s still cool). My knowledge is, in fact, so extensive that when I met up with a friend not from Madrid I was able to take us to a hip neighborhood, find a “typical” restaurant, and order “typical” food for us to enjoy. I think, maybe, finally, I’m falling a little bit in love with the city.
4. I have a housemate! It’s thrilling. It would be awkward to write a lot about her since she could very well be reading this, but her name is Sarah and she goes to Bates. We go out and get coffee/coca-cola on a regular basis.
So, there you have it: my first thoughts on the second chapter of this epic adventure.
Anyway, this is semester two and I just wanted to reflect (as much for myself as for whoever may be reading this) on what's different the second time around.
1. A totally new group of students. Last semester there were 35 students. This semester we've got 45 and only 7 of us are staying the year. It's a very different dynamic because while last semester groups seemed to form pretty quickly, this semester's groupings - even after a month - still feel pretty fluid. I certainly miss the new friends I made, but it is exciting to have so many friends from Hamilton here. Sometimes I still can't believe that the people I can only picture on the Hill are with me drinking cafes con leche and going to the discotecas. WEIRD, but cool.
2. My Spanish is better. A lot better. There was a time in the middle of the fall when I was certain my Spanish was exactly the same as the day I arrived. It's not that I never knew what was going on, but just that I didn't seem to be improving at all. There were still so many words I didn't know and so many grammar structures I understood in theory but couldn't use in everyday conversation. I'm no expert yet, but arrival of so many new Americans has made me realize that I learned quite a bit last semester. Often, when asked how to say a certain vocabulary word, I know the answer! For my literature class I can read the books and, while the subtleties still escape me, I always know what's going on. I’m even in the advanced grammar class this semester.
3. I know Madrid. I can walk from the Prado to my house. I can quickly orient myself on a city map. There are places that I know and like and have frequented more than once. In fact, there is one bar I go to where the bouncer knows my name and I know his. (I really am not sure how this happened, since I’ve only been 3 times, but it’s still cool). My knowledge is, in fact, so extensive that when I met up with a friend not from Madrid I was able to take us to a hip neighborhood, find a “typical” restaurant, and order “typical” food for us to enjoy. I think, maybe, finally, I’m falling a little bit in love with the city.
4. I have a housemate! It’s thrilling. It would be awkward to write a lot about her since she could very well be reading this, but her name is Sarah and she goes to Bates. We go out and get coffee/coca-cola on a regular basis.
So, there you have it: my first thoughts on the second chapter of this epic adventure.
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