Sep. 15, 2009
Madrid Webcam
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How fun! Click here for a live webcam view of Madrid. This is an HD Webcam, so the image is large and sharp. The owner includes some info on what you are looking at, weather conditions, and the date in Spanish and English. Right now I am gazing at Spain's highest skyscraper there in the background... |
Sep. 11, 2009
Himno Nacional de Costa Rica
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Slap on some sunscreen, and let's head to Costa Rica! This video plays the Himno Nacional (National Anthem) of this lovely Central American nation, and shares scenes of nature and typical sights that distinguish this country. Costa Rica is definitely on my list of places that I have yet to visit.... At one point in the video this text appears: ¡Viva Costa Rica! Pura Vida. That means: Long live Costa Rica! That's really living. |
Apr. 2, 2009
El Museo del Oro, Bogotแ
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 ¡Hoy, vamos a visitar el Museo del Oro en Bogotá, Colombia!
Today, let's visit the Gold Museum in Bogota, Colombia!  El museo se estableció en 1939.
The museum was established in 1939.  El museo contiene más que 50,000 artefactos. The museum contains more than 50,000 artefacts.  Los artefactos son de todas partes del país. The artefacts are from all parts of the country.  Representan la época precolombina. They represent the Pre-Columbian era.  Estos son pendientes. These are earrings.  Este es un collar. This is a necklace.  ¡Vale la pena visitar este museo espléndido! It is worth it to visit this fantastic museum!  Está ubicado en la capital de Colombia, Bogotá. It is located in Colombia's capital, Bogotá. Este es el sitio web del Museo del Oro. This is the web site of the Gold Museum. En este enlace, se puede ver muchas fotos de Bogotá. In this link, you can see a lot of photos of Bogota. Es una ciudad grande, y a la vez, encantador. It is a large city, but charming nonetheless. |
Feb. 24, 2009
Field Trip! The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
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 Pack your sunscreen, some Claratin (those orange and olive blooms will get you every time), and leave your umbrella at home: we're going to Granada, Spain!
  In the faithful year of 1492, a centuries-old war came to an end in Spain. It was La Reconquista - the long struggle to regain Spain for the Moors. Katherine was only a child when her parents celebrated this victory, and she grew up in the luxury and beauty of La Alhambra. As portrayed in the book I read, The Constant Princess, Catalina must have surely missed this beautiful palace as she adjusted to life in England.  Above: The Court of the Myrtles   Above: The Court of the Lions A few tangential notes: Please pronounce Alhambra without the H: Al-ahm-brah Granada is situated in the Spanish province of Andalucia. It was first named by the Vandals who invaded at the fall of the Roman Empire. They called Andalucia "Vandalous". When the Moors invaded in the year 711, they changed the name to Al Andalus. The terror group Al Qaeda has added Andalucia to their terror wishlist. Many members of the group have added Al Andalus to their names. One must wonder that if they get their wish, if they will revive the practice of convivencia that their ancestors honored. Convivencia refers to the peaceful coexistence of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, with respect for religious freedom. Here is an article that mentions this wish by Al Qaeda; scroll down to the section labeled "Historical Roots". Here is a Homeland Security terror alert from last year concerning a Morrocan terror group called "Fath al-Andalous" - meaning "Conquest of Andalucia". Curious to learn more about the Alhambra? Check out the Alhambra home page! Don't miss the lovely photo gallery. Here are translations of some of the poetry carved into walls of the Alhambra. Keep in mind that much of the beauty is lost in translation. For more pictures and history, check out this site. Here is a site featuring the city of Granada. It has a section about the Alhambra, but it is quickly clear to see that there are numerous sights to see in the area. Here is a flickr photo sharing page with numerous Alhambra photos that people have taken. Last but not least, here is a lovely BBC video tour of the Alhambra. Despite the fact that the narrator insists on calling it the Al-HAM-bra, I'll forgive him.  |
Jan. 21, 2009
Field Trip! El Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
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 Founded in 1819, the Prado Museum proudly stands among the finest art museums in the world. Featuring Spanish Masters such as El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, it also boasts an impressive collections of Italian painters such as Titian, Raphael, and Caravaggio - and this is only the beginning of a lengthy list of great names you will find presented in this museum. This is a must-see for any visitor to Madrid, and not a place you can do justice to in one day.
Here is the home page of the museum. Select the word "Welcome" in the language of your choice (this page features the languages of the Iberian peninsula: Spanish, Basque, Catalan, and Portuguese, in addition to others such as Russian, Japanese, and fortunately, English). Enter and explore, see special exhibits, and browse the permanent collection. As you would in any fine art museum, use your discretion as to what you wish to show your children. Probably the most famous piece in this museum is a Velázquez painting entitled "The Family of Felipe IV", more commonly known as "Las Meninas." It is a brilliant study in light and perspective, and an uncommon portrayal of a royal family. Notice that Velázquez put himself in the far left of the painting, while the King and Queen appear as a reflected image in the mirror at the back of the room. Follow the link to read more about it. Mercedes León has a great blog and a podcast that I listen to. I recommend her helpful and educational podcast to any intermediate or advanced student of Spanish. Her blog also offers amazing photo collections. Join her at El Prado, and enjoy this beautiful virtual tour. FYI, click on "siguiente" to go to the next picture, "anterior" to go to the previous, and "íncdice" to look at an index of Prado photos. Thanks Mercedes for posting this! For additional interesting historical info and links to great works, check out this Wikipedia article. |
Jan. 2, 2009
Field trip! Arequipa, Per๚
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Today, we are going to visit a beautiful city and a fascinating blog! Arequipa, Perú is situated in the south of Peru, inland from the sea. It's nickname is La Ciudad Blanca - "The White City" for it's stunning white stone architecture. It is the most European of Perú's cities, and a treasure from the colonial era. Just as an example, this is the Santa Catalina Monistary, founded in 1580: Not to be missed is a blog that I follow called Canela y Comino - Cinnamon and Cumin. This English-language blog is written by an American woman living in Perú. I originally found this blog when googling for beloved Peruvian recipes. Reading her blog is like taking a visit to Perú, and being fed well while you are there. One weekend, the author went to Arequipa, and she shares her journey in an entry entitled A to Z in Arequipa. Don't miss her beautiful photos, and the chance to tour this gem of a city in an Andian valley. Can't get enough? Wikipedia has a great article about the city, with lots of factual information and some great pictures. |
Nov. 14, 2008
Field Trip! El Supermercado
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 I can't wait to take the kids on a real field trip to the new supermercado in town! Their ad showed up in my mailbox yesterday, and I immediately feasted my eyes on the wonderful opportunity to learn some new Spanish vocab in context.
A market or grocery in Spanish is called a mercado. You may hear marketa sometimes, but that is more of a Spanglish rendering of the English word, and not correct Spanish. A supermercado is of course, a supermarket. It is often shortened to "El Super", and it is not uncommon to hear, "voy al super" (I'm going to the supermarket). When I look at the ad, one of the first things that greets me is the cheerful word ¡Ahorre! It means "Save!". Cool, I like to save, let's see what they have... Pork Roast "para tamales", yummm. They roast the pork until it is fork tender, and then shred it for tamales. Of course, if you want to make tamales, you need to pick up Masa Harina, prepared corn meal flour, and corn husks/hojas para tamales. There is a section of the store called La Tiendita. That means "little shop", and in this case seems to be a grab and go deli. There are sandwiches called tortas served with a variety of meats. A featured special is Mexican seafood cocktail, made with your choice of seafood, pico de gallo, cucumbers, and avacado. Did you know that cocktail is one of the few words we have in English from Aztec? An Aztec physician created a medicinal compound for a princess whose name was Coct'l, and the word became synonymous with any constitutional beverage. Our next stop is the section called Frutas y Verduras, fruits and vegetables. Mangoes are on sale this week. You can also find manzanas, platanos, cebollas, ajo, cilantro, chayote,yuca, and other essential produce. (That would be apples, plantains, onions, garlic, cilantro, chayote squash, and yucca). Then there's the amazing selection of chili peppers! Don't forget that if you de-seed and de-vein those peppers you get more flavor and less heat.
There is a section called La Cocina - the Kitchen. Don't you know it smells good! They are making hot to-order dinners. You can get tamales, chalupas burritos, pollo asado (roast chicken) or tripas. I have tried a lot of things in my travels and adventures, but tripas is one thing I don't want to touch. I'm told it's good, but I'll just have to trust those who say that entrails make a good dinner. Just give me a beef tamale, thank you. La Carniceria is the meat counter. Falda, skirt steak, is a popular cut. You will also see some cuts that are unusual for us, such as cheek meat, chivo (goat), and various roasts and more familiar cuts. Hog or Beef heads are 49 cents per pound. The head has many uses. The cheeks and glands are often ground for chorizo sausage. Meat cooked off the head can be used in most any dish. The water it is simmered in makes for a tasty broth.  In the tortilleria you can get fresh made tortillas. ¡Qué ricos son! - they are delicious! I don't know what it is about something so simple as a fresh tortilla, but maybe it is the comfort food factor. Most Mexicans want fresh tortillas daily. Leftover tortillas can be used in soups and fried into chips, but fresh tortillas are preferred for enchiladas, burritos, and soft tacos. The Panderia feature all kinds of breads. Mexicans have a variety of rolls and breads unique to their country, as they were influenced in that by the French occupation of their country in the mid 1800s. In other areas of the store you will find the Farmacia where you can get your prescriptions/recetas medicas filled, and pick up other remedios (over the counter medications). In the aisles you can pick up comida enlatada / canned food, galletas / cookies and crackers, and comida congelada/ frozen food. A quick pass through the lechería/ dairy section, and you can pick up your leche, queso, and crema (milk, cheese, and cream). For the Mexican food lover (that is about everyone in Texas), this place is a dream. For the Mexican family craving quality ingredients for home cooking, it is essential. I do know of other non-Mexican Latinos in our community who will find special ingredients here. If this were a Cuban or Argentine grocery, you'd see a different variety of foods and condiments. But I know that my Venezuelan friend can still find just the right prepared white corn tortilla flour for his arepas, and my Puerto Rican friends can pick up plantains for their beloved tostones, and a bottle of mojo criollo to marinate a roast. My Peruvian friend would still be in the produce section trying to decide if those luscious yellow chili peppers are really ají amarillo peppers so essential to Peruvian cuisine. We'll just have to buy some and find out... ¡Buen Provecho everyone! Enjoy your food! |
Sep. 24, 2008
The power of a good book
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As homeschoolers, we have learned the power of good book to make a lesson sink in and stick. A homeschool friend shared this great site that coordinates book selections with countries around the world. Not only are you given a book selection, there is information about that country, including culture, foods, and regions. There are some links to commercial travel packages to the selected country. Those have educational value too! Not only do they tend to have great pictures, but they show travel itineraries that you can plot out on a map. You could really make a mini country unit using this page! Let's try.... Costa Rica!     That's it... I'm packing my bags, I want to go see all this stuff..... |
Aug. 25, 2008
Field Trip! Morelia, Michoacแn
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Pack up your sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and convert those dollars to pesos... we're heading to Morelia, Michoacán! Michoacán is one of Mexico's 31 states, and the name comes from the native Nahuatl word for "place of the fisherman". It is situated in a mountain valley in south central Mexico. Morelia is famous for it's colonial architecture. Walking its well-preserved streets is like stepping back in time to the 1500's, when this was a great Spanish city. Because of its beauty and well preserved state, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This photo shows the beautiful historic town center of Morelia:  This is Morelia's baroque cathedral:
 The Governor's Palace was completed in the 1700's:
 Morelia's top university, The College of San Nicolas, dates back to the 1500's:
 Morelia is home to 150 city blocks of historic buildings and monuments, including a colonial era aqueduct that once provided the city's water. Morelia is also the birth place of Mexico's Revolution from Spain, begun in 1810.
Not ones to be stuck in the past, Morelia and its environs house ever-growing suburbs, some of the top private schools in Mexico, a University of Engineering and Technology, and one of the largest shopping malls in Latin America. Ask a Morelian what the best feature of the city is, and he may well tell you it is the golf course designed by Jack Nicholas! |
May. 20, 2008
Field Trip! กVamos a la playa! Let's go to the beach.
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Because I have spring fever...  Vamos a la costa de Perú. We are going to the Peruvian coast.   Hay surferos en el mar hoy. There are surfers in the water today.  Les gusta jugar a futbal en la playa. They like to play soccer at the beach.  ¡Qué rico! Vamos a comer ceviche en un cafe cerca de la playa. Yum! We are going to eat ceviche in a cafe near the beach.  ¡Que linda es la puesta del sol! The sunset is so beautiful!
Cultural note: Ceviche. Legend has it that ceviche was invented by Peruvian fisherman as an easy meal out at sea. Slice some onion, squeeze some citrus, and throw in some hot ají peppers for some jazz, and you have a basic ceviche. It can include any seafood: whitefish, conch, shrimp, scallops, you name it. Other yummy addition options include cilantro, carrots, garlic, celery, ginger, tomatoes, and lettuce. There are a million variations! In Perú, ceviche is typically served with corn on the cob or french fries. A yummy variation is french fries made with sweet potatoes. In the picture above there is also a snack similar to what we might call "corn nuts". Here is a basic ceviche recipe. Improvise to your heart's content! Ceviche has become popular throughout Latin America, and can even be found on many restaurant menus here in the states. It is a cool treat on a hot day! I'll take mine with shrimp please.... |
Apr. 21, 2008
Field trip - Segovia, Spain
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 What a beautiful day for a field trip! Weather today in Segovia is cool but sunny, and great for getting around and seeing the sites.
Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a UN World Heritage site? The old town in Segovia won this honor due to the impressive Roman aqueduct that still carries water. My children and I were recently studying the Romans, and discovered that this is one of the finest remaining examples of a Roman aqueduct.  This amazing piece of architecture was built around 50 A.D. The Romans were in Spain for a long time, and have left their mark on the language, religion, and culture of Spain. Julius Caesar worked his way up the Roman Military ranks here, the apostle Paul went to Spain on missionary trips, and Hannibal was raised in Spain. Just as many American kids find arrowheads in their yards, a Spaniard is as likely to unearth Roman coins.
Another amazing site in the area is the Alcazar castle. Construction began in the 11th century, and it reached the form we see it in today in the 1500s.  It is said that Walt Disney was inspired by this castle when he created the castle in Snow White. Perched on the edge of a cliff, and with an amazing view of the countryside, it played a key role in the reconquest of Spain from the Moors. Later it served as an alternate residence for the king, from which he and other courtiers went on hunting trips.
Also built in the golden age of the 1500's was the Cathedral of Segovia. It is considered by some to be the last great Gothic Cathedral built in Europe.  This lovely Cathedral remains the tallest building in the city. In addition to this breathtaking Cathedral, Segovia is full of Romanesque churches, each a treasure in its own right.
The old city is surrounded by a wall, built and maintained since the 8th century. After a lovely day of walking through twisted alleys, visiting monuments, castles and churches, let's stop in a cafe and enjoy some hot chocolate to finish off our day. For more information and pictures of this amazing city, visit this site. |
Mar. 16, 2008
Field Trip! Semana Santa
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Semana Santa is Holy Week, one of the largest celebrations you will see in any Spanish-speaking country. Beginning today Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), and going to Easter (la Pascua) schools and businesses come to a halt while people celebrate with processions, worship, and feasts. Let's take a little trip and peek in one some of these celebrations Here, we join a Domingo de Ramos celebration in Perú.... Here, Costa Ricans reenact the Passion (La Pasíon):
 Here is a beautiful night time Procesión in Perú, in which the street is carpeted with designs made by flower petals:
 Here, in penance for sins, Los Penitentes carry crosses in a procesión in Oaxaca, Mexico:
 Honoring Mary, and remembering her suffering at the death of her Son is a key aspect of Semana Santa, such as this weeping Madonna in Sevilla, Spain:
 No celebration is complete without special foods to commemorate the event! With all those outdoor processions, icy fruity drinks and snowcones are an important part of the day. This done in memory of the woman who gave Jesus a drink as he carried his cross. In Mexico, we would see foods that look familiar to us being served: burritos, chalupas, and quesadillas. Chicken or fish dishes are enjoyed throughout the week, as many people avoid meat, especially on Viernes Santo (Good Friday). Crispy fried salt cod (bacalao) is a common favorite. Easter dinner itself usually consists of lamb. In Spain, everyone eats torrijas, a sweet, sticky treat that resembles deep fried french toast topped in honey or syrup and powdered sugar:
 Children wake up Easter Sunday morning to a basket of chocolates and candies. The Easter bunny does not figure into their celebrations.
Still hungry? Here is the fantastic Cooking Diva blog, with some beautiful recipe ideas to celebrate! Yummmm... I think I gained 5 pounds just posting that! |
Feb. 22, 2008
La Playa - Field trip!
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 This is the view from my luxury beach-front condo in Marbella, Spain. Let me just pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming... ouch! Dreaming again!
In the last entry we talked about wishes, and right now I could say, Quisiera estar en Marbella.... I wish I were in Marbella. Marbella sits in Southern Spain, in the province of Andalucia, on what is called La Costa del Sol - The Sun Coast. You can see on this map that it is at the western edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and in close proximity to North Africa.  La Costa del Sol is where Europe goes to relax and play, and get away from the dreary winter and chill of the North. One of the major industries of Spain is tourism, and Marbella is the tip of the iceberg. Not only are the beaches and fresh seafood a lovely temptation, but Southern Spain is a bounty for the history buff, and a great opportunity to practice Spanish.
 Here is Marbella Castle, the remains of a Roman Fortress. Outside of town you can stroll through the old Roman Village called Las Bovedas. After a morning of enjoying this amazing history, let's have lunch in a cafe in La Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Plaza), whose fountain dates back to the 15th century.
 We will enjoy tapas, savory appetizer portions of Spanish food, served until you are satisfied. Our yummy options include thin slices of serrano ham, calamari and shrimp in garlic sauce, marinated olives, roasted pepper salad, and a lemony potato salad. There are more choices of dishes than we have time to enjoy!
Here are some phrases that may serve you well on our beach vacation:
 Ah.... a leisurely stroll through the old city... a day trip to the Moorish palace in Málaga... don't wake me up from this sueño yet, please......
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Jan. 31, 2008
Fab Field Trip resource!
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 Thanks to friends from FIAR, I was introduced to a fantastic resource for virtual field trips. Check this site out! Nine Spanish-speaking nations are featured.
You and your child can choose a country, learn cool facts, view a history timeline, learn some lingo specific to that country, and see some beautiful sites. For older children, this may be a great source for country reports! Notebooking fans can use this as a great resource for chronicling a study of these countries. Maybe your family can visit a country a week, and top off your study by cooking a recipe from your chosen country! Here is an example of some of the neat things you can learn about Ecuador on this site. While we all know that amigo means friend in Spanish, it is common in Ecuador to hear the word pana instead. Goodbye is commonly chao, There are even audio files so that you can pronounce these words correctly. You can also visit important areas of your chosen country. Here is a picture of Cuenca, Ecuador, a city that still boasts Spanish architecture from the 1500's.  Last but not least, you can take a quiz to see how much you learned about your country, then send a friend a postcard with a scene from that country. How fun!
My only disappointment with the site is that it doesn't show flags for each country. Never fear, the coloring book of flags is here. If you want to print a great map, try this UN sponsored site. Just choose a country from the menu on the left, and print away. Excuse me while I sharpen my colored pencils.... |
Jan. 11, 2008
Field Trip! A Flamenco Recital.
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The term flamenco is an umbrella term for a family of folk and traditional dances of Spain. Flamenco embraces all the stereotypes one thinks of... flowing skirts, flowers in the hair, and soulful music. For this week's field trip, we will attend a flamenco recital, and get a taste of this lovely dance form. Our first stop is London - yes you heard me right! Flamenco is loved and practiced by people all over the world. Our first performers will focus on "taconeo" the art of rhythmic footwork. You will also notice in this performance that the singing reflects the long centuries of Moorish domination that is part of Spain's fascinating history: In this next video we see an American teenager named Krystal who has undertaken to learn flamenco. Here she dances a version of Sevillana, one of the most beloved of Spain's traditional dances. Notice that she includes castinets in her dancing, a much harder feat of coordination than one might think! Here is a short video of Sevillana dancing at the source itself - a country fair or romeria in Southern Spain. Romerias are religious and community festivals. Here a couple breaks out in an impromptu Sevillana: Last but not least, here is a shout-out to my flamenco teacher Crystal! She makes it fun, and is so patient with my daughters and I as we learn. I wanted to post a picture, but her web site is down. Whenever I'm feeling sassy, I put on my noisy shoes and my ruffled skirt, and burn some calories! |
Dec. 18, 2007
December Field trip - christmas in Mexico
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While people in the US try to eek out a real Christmas amidst the staggering consumerism and pagan elements that have infiltrated our celebration (JMHO), in Latin America the focus of the celebration is the Christ child. In Mexico a celebration called Las Posadas begins the night of December 16th. A group of people form a procession carrying statues of Mary, Joseph, an angel, and candles. The procession may include people dressed as the three kings, shepherds, and there may well be a burro in the group. They go from house to house singing traditional Christmas songs, and asking at each house if there is room at the inn for them. There are even traditional songs that the people in the house sing in reply, denying them entry! Here is a link to a translation of a traditional posadas song.  They make their way around the neighborhood, seeking shelter in an inn, with more neighbors joining them as they go from house to house. Finally they reach a home that will take them in, and here is where the real fun begins! Not only are Mary and Joseph invited in, but the whole neighborhood comes in for a party. Part of this celebration involves a piñata for the kids. Another tradition is Las Pastorales, which resemble our Christmas pageants, and reenact the Christmas story. A fun aspect of Las Pastorales is that the shepherds have many funny misadventures on their way to find baby Jesus. These pageants tend to be light-hearted, and can be very original.  On Christmas Eve, most families go to a late mass called El Miso del Gallo (Rooster's mass). After service, everyone returns home for a feast of tamales. Another traditional dish is Biscayan salt cod. Hearty portions are made, because everyone will be eating leftovers tomorrow! There is punch and sparkling cider for a special holiday toast (el brindis). This gifts are opened, and the kids play with sparklers - las luces de Belén - the lights of Bethleham. Children, by the way, write out their Christmas list to El Niño Dios - The Christ child. In most homes, just the children get gifts, and not nearly as many as American kids get! Many in the Spanish speaking world also celebrate Epiphany on January 6th, on which they get more gifts from the Three Kings - Los Reyes Magos. The holiday spirit lives on after Christmas, and December 28th, El Día de los Santos Inocentes is celebrated. It is much like our April Fool's day. Pranks and jokes can get pretty elaborate that day! |
Nov. 16, 2007
Field Trip Friday! - Machu Picchu, Per๚
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High in the majestic Andes mountains, at an altitude of 7,970 feet, lies the remains of a great Inca kingdom. Inhabited from approximately 1450-1550, this city was lost to the modern world until its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911.  Read more about it here, and check out some great pictures. This amazing photo lets you wander the grounds, and look at the smallest details! Try it - you can focus in on every stone, every blade of grass. Remember, these stones were fitted without mortar. This site allows you to take a virtual tour of Machu Picchu. The background music is the Andean Pan flute, a traditional instrument of the Inca and their descendants. Here is another virtual tour! So, where did all the Incas go? They are still there, and make up a large percentage of the population in Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia, and northern Chile. They speak a language called Quechua, and have retained many of their traditional customs and manners of dress. You can hear a little bit of Quechua here. There is surprising variety amongst the costumes worn by Inca people today. The locals can tell what area someone is from by the costume they wear. Here is a travel blog I found with great pictures of the costumes of Cuzco, a beautiful city 50 miles from Machu Picchu. If you click on the small pictures, they will enlarge for a better view. After touring Machu Picchu, let's get together for a traditional Inca meal of cuy. (Warning - not for the faint hearted... but they really eat spit-roasted guinea pigs!). |
Nov. 8, 2007
Field Trip Friday - La heladerํa
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Our weather is still unseasonably warm, and I was too lazy to plan an international field trip. So we'll head on over to the neighborhood ice cream shop, la heladería en Spanish. ¡El helado es delicioso! (Ice cream is delicious!) To ask someone their favorite flavor, you would say, "¿Cuál sabor prefieres?" The answer would be "Prefiero......." ("I like.....") Here is a list of flavors to try out:
Other vocab related to los helados would be el cucurucho - cone, and una bola - a dip. ¡Qué rico el helado! Ice cream is so yummy! |
Nov. 2, 2007
Friday Field Trip! Mezquita Catedral, C๓rdoba, Spain
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This week's field trip is to the amazing historical Mezquita Catedral in Córdoba, Spain. Wikipedia has an extensive history, and excellent photo gallery, from which I borrowed the images below. This Cathedral began as a mosque in 784 A.D. , and became a Catholic church in 1236, when the forces of Fernando III took Córdoba from the Moors. Be sure to stroll through the gallery, and enjoy this unique architecture. Here is a site in Spanish with more amazing pictures of the interior of Cathedral, including the oldest sections. Weather today in Córdoba will be partly cloudy, low humidity, and a comfortable 25 C. There is just a 10% chance of precipatation. If you plan to stay into the evening, bring a jacket, because it will cool considerably at sunset. The orange garden:  The facade of the old mosque:  An interior view:  |
Oct. 26, 2007
Field Trip Friday - Palacio Presidential, Lima, Per๚
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For today's field trip, let's head to Perú! First we will take a virtual tour of the Presidential Palace, here. The sites on our tour are the following:
Here is history of the Presidential Palace. And here is an external view. For lunch, we will take a short drive out to the coast, and eat at the Rosa Nautica! The Peruvian flag and coat of arms:  (from www.brittannica.com) |
Oct. 9, 2007
It's field trip Friday again!
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Ummmmm someone tell Señora Kathleen that today is NOT Friday..... has she gone crazy? Well, actually, I'm going out of town to spend time with people I love dearly (happy dance! happy dance!), so I want to go ahead and set the field trip up. We are going to Argentina to take in Iguazú falls and national park! To get there just fly to Buenos Aires International Airport Take the highway north, follow the signs, turn right, and we'll meet at the front gate to the park! - here Here is a quick translation of the menu of links (look at the links on the photo):
We'll all meet for a typical Argentine lunch of empanadas and churrascos! |
Oct. 5, 2007
Field Trip Friday! Parque de Atracciones - Madrid
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Weather today in Madrid is partly cloudy, and a comfortable 23 C. A perfect day to spend at the park! Let's go! Parque de Atracciones helpful vocab:
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