Meron Belachew's  Blog for SPAIN/Portugal Study Abroad trip, May 22-June 14 2008

Day 1

We arrived in Madrid around 11:00 AM in the morning. After eight hour flight and loosing some sleep due to the time difference we were all exhausted yet excited to see what is waiting for us in Spain. Dr. Gilfoil waited for us at the airport. After greeting her we headed the metro station. We had a long day that day. We took several trains to get to the train station. After arriving at the train station we got on board to head to Seville.

We arrived at Seville around 5:30pm. After checking in at the hostal we decided to get some food to eat. We went to this nice little bar and ordered some bocodillos. They were really delicious they were also cheap too. After dinner we went on a little tour around Seville. Seville was a really nice place. It was very beautiful and very clean. Then we all headed back to our hostal.

Day 2

We woke up around 11:00 to meet up with the guys. They guys stayed in a different hostal from us. We met them at Starbucks. After we had coffee and breakfast at Starbucks we visited a Monastery. I found the place to be very gorgeous and we took several pictures there. After the monastery we went to visit the Cathedral. It was one of the most gorgeous churches I've ever been to. The place was amazingly huge that we lost each other a couple of times while we were in there. We took the little stairs to get to the top of the cathedral. The building was about 33 floors high and once we've arrived there we were able to see everything from there.

After that we went for lunch in a little restaurant. We ate some bocodillos for lunch. Then we went back to our room and took a nap. We met back for dinner around 9:00pm. Before going out we met with some friends of professor Gilfoil. We met Fernando and his wife. They were really nice and had dinner with us. Fernando has actually been to Wise and he told us his experience in U.S.

Day 3

Today was our last day in Seville. Although we were exited about going to Huelva we were sad about leaving Seville at same time because we were beginning to get used to it. We woke up around 9:00 in the morning and met with the guys at this little bar for breakfast. After breakfast we went to a park. The park was not a park you see everyday. It was one of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to. Fernando met us there with his wife and kids.  His kids were adorable. We rode bikes around the beautiful park which was a lot of fun. After the park we headed to the train station to go to Huelva.

We arrived at Huelva around 7:00 pm. Huelva was a lot different from Seville. After checking in our Hostal we went out to this little restaurant for dinner.

Day 4

Sundays in Huelva were tough. We a rough time finding a place to eat for breakfast. Almost everything was closed and we could barely see anyone walking outside. We finally found a restaurant. The restaurant had a decent food and the price was reasonable. After breakfast we went to Sra. Gilfoil's hotel and watched some TV with her. Then we went back to our hostel.

Day 5 May 27, 2008

Today is our first day of classes we woke up around 9:00 and went to the university of Huelva. I really liked the university. We first went the international office where they gave us ID. We went classes and discussed man eating myth. After wards we went to the cafeteria.

Day 6

Today was our second day of class. We woke up around 8 and caught the bus to school. Then in class we discussed some more on the man eating myth. Afterwards we headed to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Then we went back to our hostal  the in the did the same thing.

Day 7.

Today was the day to see the monastery unfortunately could cause Mike got sick and I had to take car of him. He felt better on the afternoon so we went to pizza hut for lunch then after wards we went to a coffee shop. Then we went back to the hostal then we got ready to pack for Lisbon.

Day 8

We got up really early to get ready for Lisbon. We packed our stuff and headed to the train station. We took two buses to arrive to Lisbon. At the first station we were asked to present our passport. I was very nervous because I did not have American passport but I got a visa so I was fine. We arrived at Lisbon and went to eat at a nice restaurant there. They had amazing food but however it was very expensive. After that we went back to the hotel and took  a little nap.

Day 9

we woke up around 9 and ate breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we took a tour on the bus around Lisbon. It was  a very nice ride around the city. We got off of the bus by these beautiful monument. Then we visited a cathedral church which was also beautiful. We went to eat lunch then we met back at this park. Afterwards we went to this great pastry shop and had coffee and some pastry. Then we headed back to the hotel.

Day 10.

Today was also one of my favorite days here. We decided to go somewhere different from a Mons trey, museum,  or cathedral church. We went to the ocean view in Portugal. It was one of the most beautiful beaches ever. We sat by the water for a while and then decided to go grab lunch. Afterwards we headed to this little museum. Then headed back to the hotel. 

Day 11.

 Today is the day to go back to Huelva for another week. We woke up around 6 and left to go to the bus station. Unfortunately Mike was not with and he stayed behind so Dr. Gilfoil and I decided to stay and wait for him while the rest of the group went off to Faro and the catch the bus from there.  When we arrived in faro, unfortunately there were no bus left to go to Huelva therefore we decided to stay in Faro for the night.

Day 12

We got back to Huelva around 10 in the morning. We checked in our hostal and went to the University of Huelva for class. After class we went to the cafeteria for lunch. After lunch we decided to go to the   beach. The beach was beautiful.  We had so much fun. Then we went out for dinner.

Day 13

To day was not a good day at all. I spent the whole entire night throwing up. It was actually the day that I was very excited to go to the wild life adventure however it did not work out well. I got really sick and mike took care of me. I spent the whole entire day in the bed sick.

Day 14

We woke up around 8 and got ready for class. We got to the university around 10:30. We had class and discussed the man eating myth as well as the other literature. After that we went to the cafeteria for lunch.  Then we went back to the hostel and did our laundry. Afterwards, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Day 15

We woke up pretty early to head to Lagos for the weekend. We arrived a the bus station around 8.  We go to Lagos around 2 in the afternoon. Lagos was absolutely beautiful.  The beaches, the town, and the people. Everything was fantastic. it was the best day ever!!!  We went to the beach on the afternoon. I wished that we stayed the whole entire time in Lagos. The beach was beautiful as well as the hostal we stayed in.

Day 16

This day was also one of the best days ever!! we woke up around 10 and went to breakfast then  we went to the beach again then went back the hostel then we went to eat. I went the beach twice in one day that day. Then we  went back to the hostel to get ready for dinner.

Day 17

we woke up very early around 6 and went to the train station. We took 12 hours ride.  we arrived back in Madrid. After arriving in Madrid we went to this restaurant to eat. Then we watched soccer game at this little bar. It was Turkey vs. Portugal. Where Portugal won. Afterwards we headed back to the hostal.

Day 18

we went to the art museum and saw several paintings and drawings from various artists. I love all the works  especially the drawings about the biblical figures. After that we went to eat lunch at Pollo Campero. After that we headed back to the hostel

Day 19

Today was the day of our test. we decided to stay in to study for our test. We took our test around 7:00 after wards we decided to grab something to eat. Then we went back to the hostel.

Day 20

Today was also one of my favorite days. Due to money shortage I decided not to go to Toledo. So Mike and I decided to discover Madrid on our own. We went to the Scientology museum which was very interesting. Afterwards we went to go shopping for souvenirs for our families. Then we went out to eat at this restaurant called VIPS.

Day 21

Today is our last day in Spain. Everyone was sad at the same time excited to see our families. We woke up around 10:00 am and got our stuff packed and ready. Then we headed to the airport around 11:45. After catching several trains we finally arrived to the airport around 2:00pm. Our flight was around 4:30 so we got there on time.