¡La Fiesta y Flamenco!

What an amazing end to our journey we had on Sunday evening. We dressed up, ate some tapas (chorizo, queso, ¡paella!) and then we had an opportunity to see an experienced flamenco dancer and listen to her lovely Spanish guitar players.  We gave out the Middle School diplomas and had some tearful goodbyes! This was an unforgettable trip and I can't imagine spending it with any other 8 unique students.  Haley, Giulia, John, Thobias, Jacob, Marco, André and Richard, it has been a pleasure teaching you and living with you in Salamanca this past month.  I'll miss our time together.  You are more than ready for your next school year and I hope to hear from you.

Email me!  elizabethkellogg@gmail.com

The TASIS faculty

John got on the dance floor with Mrs. Snyders!

LA UNIVERSIDAD


On our final local tour of Salamanca, the students learned what it was like to be a student at the University of Salamanca hundreds of years ago. We first made our way through the Casa de Conchas and realized the symbol of the shell is for the famous pilgrimage to Santiago Compostela.  (It was one of the few tools needed in the trip for spooning water and food).

The students were able to sit in some newer classrooms and we also saw old classrooms where subjects such as theology, grammar, and law were taught.  Tonight is our final Fiesta Española where we will see authentic Flamenco dancing and guitar.  I can't wait for the tapas dinner!

Toby and John as professors! 

Beautiful patio in the old University of Salamanca

The famous University facade.  Can you find the frog for good luck on your exams??

El Escorial y Ávila

Our lastest and final excursion today was to El Escorial and Ávila. It was a two part day where we enjoyed an informative tour through the monastery and palace of El Escorial and the walled city of Ávila.  Click HERE for El Escorial information and HERE for an Ávila overview.  Of course click on the photos for a better look.
We've certainly had our fill of ice cream and bus rides for a few days. The kids were great and we are happy to be back home in Salamanca.

por fín... CHURROS con CHOCOLATE.

We held out long enough! Lengua y Vida today was definitely a highlight of the trip.  We visited the world renowned chocolatería "Valor" near the city center of Salamanca for some churros and cups of chocolate to dip them in.  Quite a special treat for the kids and a true cultural experience.  While the teachers enjoyed their "café con leche" the kids were dipping away and reminiscing about their memories thus far.  ¡Qué rico!  

El Mercado y La Torre

During yesterday's "Lengua y Vida" the students had an opportunity to practice asking real locals questions and many ordered some fresh fruit and snacks from vendors.  Downstairs is where we found any and all varieties of meat, fish and pork.

Our journey today took us to "La Torre" of the new section of La Catedral.  What a view!  It doesn't quite reach the breathtaking bell tower but we walked along what seemed to be the highest point along the wall of the inside of the building.

With the temperature rising today and tomorrow we will happy to jump in the pool during sports!

¡La Capea y Tapas!

Hello to our viewers from all around the globe.
Yesterday was an amazing day! We drove to a small pueblo where nearby there was a bullfight demonstration (not a violent as the real thing...)  There was a rambunctious young bull who gave the novice matador all the energy he had.  Afterwards, we enjoyed some typical Spanish tapas- see photos below!

San Esteban- (with a staircase inside that looks like Hogwart's!)

Sábado. Segovia y La Granja de San Ildefonso

What an amazing day of discovery, sightseeing, cultural experiences, and (of course) ¡Plazas, Palacios y Catedrales!
We started our day viewing the three main monuments in Segovia: the aqueduct, the cathedral and the Alcázar.  From Roman works of architecture and engineering to spectacular views, Segovia is a precious gem in Castilla y León.  We were even able to catch some local and international dancers in the Plaza Mayor in the city center.  What a treat! (Remember to click on any photos in the posts to view a bigger size.)

     

Casa Lis y El Museo Taurino

Hello friends and families!

We're happy to have been visitors at both the Casa Lis (art-nouveau museum: http://www.museocasalis.org/nuevaweb/) and El Museo Taurino (bullfighting history museum) in the last two days here in Salamanca.  Casa Lis was an eye-opening introduction to the art-deco variety but the most beautiful part was actually the stained glass building itself. El Museo Taurino offered insight into historic details and specific legendary figures in the bullfighting world.  One of the most famous with the most wins in Madrid actually hails from here in Salamanca. ¡Increíble!

Our tour guide through the bullfighting memorabilia 

After a "good" fight, the matador wins the ears of the bull...
a GREAT one wins both the ears and the tail!!

Casa Lis (Art Nouveau/Art Deco)

Ir de compras por Salamanca :-)

Hola amigos y familias,
Hoy durante lengua y vida nosotros exploramos la ciudad para regalos de Salamanca.

You can expect some lovely gifts when the students return!

¡Cuenta Cuentos!

Every evening we have a cultural activity to enhance what we do during the day.  Last night, Ángel told us some legends from the "Cuevas de Salamanca" (caves) and also a brief introduction to Cervantes and some of his masterpieces.  Did you know Miguel de Cervantes studied at La Universidad de Salamanca for two years?!

Actividades Culturales

This evening we had our first of three singing classes with "Los Tunos," a traditional group of student musicians who played songs for money years ago to pay for their studies at the university.  They have patches on their capes from all over the world from their travels, and they even have ribbons from their female fans! 

 

Arts and Crafts NEW blog

http://tsspartsandcrafts.blogspot.com/

Click above to check out some activities from the art room from TASIS Salamanca Middle School.  There you can see photos of compositions and craft activities they do together each day.  Their work reflects adventures we have and new experiences with Spanish.

La Alberca

Today we visited a medieval town called La Alberca.  Best known for its mascot (el cerdo = pig) La Alberca is a wonderful village to see tiny streets, old restaurants and fun shops.

Aquí tenéis las fotos.

With the famous pig...

Our hike down to La Alberca

The whole group- high school and middle school!

¡Oficina de Turismo y Madrid!

El viernes visitamos la oficina de turismo en la Plaza Mayor.  Con los mapas nuestras, encontramos el puente Romano.  En Madrid, fuimos al Museo Prado y el Museo Reina Sofia con arte más moderno.  Vimos arte por Picasso, Dalí, El Greco, Goya y Velazquez.  The art was amazing and the city, although quite warm, was clean and beautiful.

¡En el Prado!

En la Reina SofíaLas chicas :-)

Enfrente del Palacio Real en Madrid