Filmmaking and Spanish Immersion Program in Spain (Cadiz)
Posted on July 16th, 2008 by Pete!Saludos desde Cádiz!
This post was entered by Marta, one of our chaperones and instructors on our summer Spanish immersion program for teens. Please have fun reading through this post, and check back often to see more posts of the students’ journeys. Also, don’t forget to click on www.internaldrive.com/photos for many more photos. Don’t forget, we’ll be blogging more and posting more pictures frequently. Travel with us!
It was quite the journey to Spain, but everyone made it safe and sound and we’re well into the swing of things here in our home away from home, Cádiz. The students are becoming close friends and enjoying the opportunity to see such a beautiful country, with many historical aspects to it.
For most of us in the iD Spain group, we started our journey together at the JFK airport.
Everyone arrived on time, which I was grateful for because it helped us out so much since we had a few things that had the potential to hold us up. Other than a short half hour or so delay from JFK, everything went smoothly on the plane ride to Madrid.
Things got a little hectic in Madrid. Since our plane had been slightly delayed and we needed to wait in line for customs, we ended up just barely making it to our connecting plane to Jerez. Kevin, being the great guy that he is, actually ended up staying back since two of our students met us at Madrid and didn’t have time to meet us and check-in before the plane took off. While the rest of us took off, Kevin was able to get the two other students onto another flight and the three of them made it down to Jerez safely to join up with the rest of the group. That is why we always have a back-up plan!
After the rest of us made it to the Jerez airport, we were taken care of and we were all able to board our charter bus and relax for a bit on the hour long bus ride to Cádiz, which passed through scenic olive groves and wine country. We finally arrived at the coast and beautiful Cádiz.
As we entered the magnificent city of Cádiz, we were in awe of the scenery surrounding us, as Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe. Our first stop in the city was at a cafe area so that all of our students could meet their host families.
Soon every student had been introduced and led of in pairs to their new home for the next two weeks by their welcoming Spanish families. Despite our long hours of traveling and being tired from it, it was amazing to see each student with a smile on their face and anticipation in their eyes. What would tomorrow bring? What an adventure!
On Saturday, everyone was able to sleep in a bit and then it was off to our meeting place of the Cathedral so we could take a short tour of Cádiz and get acquainted with the city. We learned some of the history of our new, temporary home, which was really interesting. By mid-afternoon, everyone was free to go explore the city in groups. Everyone really got a feel for Cádiz living!
On Sunday we boarded another bus and we were off to Sevilla!
Quaint streets of Sevilla
La Torre del Oro on the Guadalquivir River, a gorgeous strolling promenade
Guadalquivir Fisherman
Hannah taking footage in Sevilla
The Cathedral–One of the largest in the world and home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus
A top the Giralda
A top the Giralda. Many gorgeous views of the city. What climb!
A top the Giralda, Robbie and Andrew with a 34-story climb to the top.
Plaza de Espana
More of the Plaza de Espana
It was a busy, fast-paced day of touring, but the views and the old world charm were unlike anything we have back in the U.S.
Now with the week in full swing, we’re simply getting used to being in a new city and beginning to adjust to a set weekly schedule. For this week especially, we have a lot of fun cultural activities. Already we’ve made an authentic Spanish meal of paella (which was delicious, your children are all great cooks!) and we’ve learned a traditional dance of southern Spain.
Gambas para paella
Cooking!
Peppers for paella
Cooking with Yaye, one of the professors
Start cooking
Chop it!
Let’s eat!
Kevin and his Spanish Girlfriend, Yaye! (Just Kidding, but I had to do it!)
All of our adventures will make for some excellent documentaries and everyone has already dived into shooting footage and bringing it into Apple Final Cut Pro.
Kevin and I have activated our phones so the students and parents can always be in contact with us in an emergency or crucial situation.
Also, be sure to check out our camp photos at www.internaldrive.com/photos. There are a lot more photos, with cool captions, so everyone is famous! Note: Click on University of Cádiz (Spain) and you’ll see the photographic result of our travels. More will be posted throughout the next two weeks, so check back for new photos of our adventures.
So far our iD Spain excursion is awesome, so I’m excited to see what the rest of our stay here will bring!
Take care!
Marta
