MAD
After a sleepless flight, I flowed out of the boarding dock and into the Madrid airport. I felt the warmth of the Spanish air outside after grabbing our bags and waiting for the bus. I observed the countryside through a haze until we finally arrived at Salamanca, the host city. Jack, Henry, and I met our host families and went to unpack. Upon arriving at the apartment, which lies 50 feet from the school, we each fell onto a bed, all three packed in an office-sized room. “Mama Maria” had cooked some tortilla which gave the same warmth and energy as the sun did outside beating at us on the bus. The different flavors and customs enthralled me to try more, and I knew that my three weeks there would be packed with learning experiences.
Salamanca at dusk
Iberico Classico at a Cafe in La Plaza Mayor
Salamanca
Waking up at 8:45 to eat a breakfast of Special K chocolate or Cocoa Moons with Madelenas is a custom I have taken home with me. Before school started at 9AM, we knew we had to put away at least 90 secs in order to get to school on time, so everyday the breakfast was pushed back and back by the loyalty to sleep until 8:57 came around and we’d be pouring the cereal down and heading out the door. I believe I enjoyed every experience that much more because our days were packed, especially in the mornings until the siesta, blanketing the city in sleep at 2 o’clock, released the tension and refueled us to attack the night and evening activities.
My favorite mural ever - Salamanca
Mi familia
La Siesta
This “nap time” was the period in the day when I grew in my understanding of Spanish Culture. Jack and I would play guitar and chat with our host mother and her children, asking questions in our Spanish that became natural by the end of the trip. The three hour pause in the work day comes just after lunch, the largest meal of the day, so that everyone has a break to rest and augment their work schedule with activities of their choice. You can take the dog for a walk, read a book, swim in the river, work out, or simply rest.
Jack playing guitar during the siesta
Escuela
During my time in the classrooms at Estudio Sampere, I learned the vocab, customs, and grammar that I would use throughout the rest of the day. Having excellent teachers such as Alvaro and Pedro, the schooling was actually something I looked forward to each week day. At the beginning of each week a number of new students would join our class, reinvigorating the atmosphere among us. I met a student, Tibor, who lives in Florida but comes from Croatia. Watching the World Cup and cheering on Croatia, the dark horses, with him was awesome. I also met Marius who resides in Hungary but has an Italian mother and a Japanese father. He and I became good friends and I hope to visit him sometime in the future. He also inspired me to learn Italian.
My favorite teacher, Alvaro
Actividades
Every night around 5 o'clock our entire school group of about 20 would meet up fully rested from the siesta and participate in various activities with our teachers. We would study Spain's history, watch movies in the language, cook local recipes, and paint Picasso influenced portraits. We also visited a few museums which told the history of the growth of the town into a vibrant university city. The Universidad de Salamanca, founded in 1218, is one of Europe's oldest universities and we spent time attempting to spot the frog on "La Puerta de Salamanca".
Left: Went to a record shop and was photographed for being a great customer Right: Some interesting art at Alba de Tormes
Above: Gave away this signed ball when I left...Heartbreaking Above: The futsal pitch
Excursiones
To conclude each week we would travel to another city on an excursion, exposing us to other cultures and areas of Castilla y Leon. On Saturdays we traveled to Alba de Tormes, a small religious town on the Tormes river, to Segovia, a very interesting town know for its aqueducts, and to Zamora, a walled in city with awesome views and history. The excursions gave me more perspective on the layout, beauty, and history of Spanish and European cities.
Group of friends at Segovia
Castilla in Alba de Tormes and a walk through Zamora
Muchisimas Gracias!
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, I want to thank you for providing me the opportunity to study and travel to Spain this summer, but also for allowing me to find my academic passion in studying foreign languages and cultures. I'm so grateful for the chance to study French and Spanish at Montgomery Bell Academy and your grants have truly influenced my life for the best. In Spain I became comfortable speaking, listening, reading and writing, but I also matured as a person. From the freedom we had in the city to traveling alone on the way home, (my flight delayed and I missed my connector so I spent the night in JFK airport) I learned key life skills which I will cherish forever. I appreciate your concern in our language education and without it, I would be a completely different person.
Thank you so much,
Henry Hylbert
Viva España!
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