2008 Woodie Awards
Salutations from Salamanca: Tales From Abroad
Beginning Of My Adventure Abroad
Greg Mooney
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Life
- Page 1 of 1
My study abroad adventure began just before 11 a.m. as I arrived at LAX in a blue Super Shuttle van. I am not exaggerating when I say that I stood in four different lines before I found the correct one at which to check in.
I finally found someone with the name tag from my airline who helped me to the correct line. Had I possessed better foresight I would have read the check-in procedures on the internet before I arrived at the airport. I'll never make that mistake again.
The 12-hour flight to our layover in Frankfurt, Germany, was not that bad. However, when we finally reached Madrid, for our three day excursion before settling in Salamanca, I was almost delirious with jet lag. My long legs had prevented me from being comfortable enough to sleep on the airplane, and for the first time I regretted being tall.
That night at dinner I felt like the walking dead as I had been awake for more than 24 hours, but the stunning magnificence of the city of Madrid overshadowed all discomfort.
Picture in your mind the best architecture you have ever seen in Los Angeles. Now multiply that by a thousand. There seems to be that many buildings that are just as beautiful in Madrid.
When we were given a sight seeing tour of the "Palacio Real," or "Royal Palace," it occurred to me: the Spanish construct their very own streets and buildings with the pride and elegance with which they constructed their Royal Palace.
The Prado Museum had the largest collection of masterpieces I had ever seen. It is filled with works by greats such as Goya and El Greco, so I broke away from the group and stayed there for an extra few hours.
Luckily, in Madrid everything seems within walking distance, so I made it back in plenty of time for our second dinner in Spain.
I was a bit disappointed that I did not make it the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Museum to see their Picasso and Dali collection, but it gives me a good reason to go back.
Madrid is fun at night. There are cafés, bars and restaurants everywhere. Whether you are looking to dance, listen to a local rock band or pensively discuss politics or art with a friend, you will find your niche after hours in Madrid. Everything is within walking distance from your hotel! I was left wishing for more hours in the day to experience everything.
At home I was worried that I would have a hard time communicating here because my Spanish speaking skills are limited, but many Spaniards are bilingual. I could probably get through the whole trip without speaking any Spanish at all if I wanted, but where's the fun in that? Part of the adventure in a foreign country is speaking a foreign language.
I was sad to leave Madrid, but also excited to see the city where I would be living for the next three months. Salamanca was only about a two hour bus ride from Madrid, and it too was aesthetically stunning.
The apartment I am staying in is nicely furnished and impeccably clean. The lady of the house is a great cook and is very accommodating to my vegetarian diet.
Please look for my next article where I will describe Salamancan city and nightlife in more detail and further elaborate on my adventures abroad.
I finally found someone with the name tag from my airline who helped me to the correct line. Had I possessed better foresight I would have read the check-in procedures on the internet before I arrived at the airport. I'll never make that mistake again.
The 12-hour flight to our layover in Frankfurt, Germany, was not that bad. However, when we finally reached Madrid, for our three day excursion before settling in Salamanca, I was almost delirious with jet lag. My long legs had prevented me from being comfortable enough to sleep on the airplane, and for the first time I regretted being tall.
That night at dinner I felt like the walking dead as I had been awake for more than 24 hours, but the stunning magnificence of the city of Madrid overshadowed all discomfort.
Picture in your mind the best architecture you have ever seen in Los Angeles. Now multiply that by a thousand. There seems to be that many buildings that are just as beautiful in Madrid.
When we were given a sight seeing tour of the "Palacio Real," or "Royal Palace," it occurred to me: the Spanish construct their very own streets and buildings with the pride and elegance with which they constructed their Royal Palace.
The Prado Museum had the largest collection of masterpieces I had ever seen. It is filled with works by greats such as Goya and El Greco, so I broke away from the group and stayed there for an extra few hours.
Luckily, in Madrid everything seems within walking distance, so I made it back in plenty of time for our second dinner in Spain.
I was a bit disappointed that I did not make it the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia Museum to see their Picasso and Dali collection, but it gives me a good reason to go back.
Madrid is fun at night. There are cafés, bars and restaurants everywhere. Whether you are looking to dance, listen to a local rock band or pensively discuss politics or art with a friend, you will find your niche after hours in Madrid. Everything is within walking distance from your hotel! I was left wishing for more hours in the day to experience everything.
At home I was worried that I would have a hard time communicating here because my Spanish speaking skills are limited, but many Spaniards are bilingual. I could probably get through the whole trip without speaking any Spanish at all if I wanted, but where's the fun in that? Part of the adventure in a foreign country is speaking a foreign language.
I was sad to leave Madrid, but also excited to see the city where I would be living for the next three months. Salamanca was only about a two hour bus ride from Madrid, and it too was aesthetically stunning.
The apartment I am staying in is nicely furnished and impeccably clean. The lady of the house is a great cook and is very accommodating to my vegetarian diet.
Please look for my next article where I will describe Salamancan city and nightlife in more detail and further elaborate on my adventures abroad.