España

Cuenca is a city of history, hanging houses, and beautiful views. Another amazing place has been seen and one day didn't seem enough to see the city.  The Cathedral was filled with enough beautiful, carefully done, well-preserved works of art, that there wasn't a place where your eyes would rest that would not land on another piece of carved or gilded art.  It left me in awe. It made me wish more and more that such ornate and beautiful work were done today in all ways. Such patience to make such beauty seems to make the struggle all worth it. Similar to our month's work. Preparations are made and the date has been set. The show that is the result of our work this month will be presented this Saturday. We have had our setbacks and our encouragements. We have had long days and even longer ones. We are more than ready to present our work and show that this month has been worth its ups and downs. All of the work done has been done, but only time

New adventures and dreams achieved! The Saturday following my last blog, we were able to take a private tour of a bodega named Vicente Gandia in the Hoya de Cadenas estate. Making wine in Spain is no simple task from what's been seen. The bodega itself has a beautiful expanse of grape vines and olive trees groves surrounding the original estate of Vicente Gandia. At the border of the fields lies the largest wine distillery in the province, where large vats of various wines are fermented before aging in barrels deep beneath the ground. A long process well worth the wait.  It's always been a dream of mine to see the Mediterranean, and on Thursday, July 20th, I was able to do just that on our excursion to Valencia! It's just a body of water though, right..? Well seeing this vast expanse of salty sea meant something truly profound to me. I cannot explain to you how it's not just another body of water on this Earth to soak in. I cannot explain to you how freeing

As we spend more time here, classes go on and a rhythm develops, and so does the flow of class work. The highlight of our week was the Tuesday visit of well renowned Spanish playwright named José Moreno Arenas (Pepe) and actress/director Elena Bolaños. He is author to a number of plays that have been published to books and translated to ship to other countries worldwide. He calls himself an introvert, but he is able to lecture a class almost effortlessly. His knowledge of Spanish sayings is by no means small either. Elena exudes talent when acting. During the script reading of José's work of "Federico Lorca en Carne Viva,"  Lorena did not tire while speaking and her voice filled the room with its emotion of the words written before her. José spoke the words of Federico Lorca as if Lorca lived within him. It was almost refreshing to meet and conversate with them. Pepe was someone experienced in theatre that listened intently and did not hesitate to speak his words cl

At this moment, I'm watching rain clouds lure closer and closer from the view of the bedroom window. Sleeping on the top bunk has its advantage of a better window view. It's the first time it's rained here in Mira since our arrival. We arrived on a Saturday evening on our third day in Spain. The trip itself was easier with the company of small dogs on our laps as we saw the rolling hills of the landscape pass by. Mira itself appeared much larger than we had originally imagined. The village extends from one end of the valley, bordering the rocky slope of a large hill, and ends at a roadway. It's beautiful here. I don't know if it's in my blood as a Puerto Rican with family in a small town also separate from the world that makes me feel so comfortable here, but I feel safe. I feel I can breathe. It may be the non-polluted air talking, but it's wonderful nevertheless. I can walk the thin streets and paths in the village with the other girls and feel that