We have had SUCH a wonderful last week here in San Sebastian - I can't believe how the time has flown. This week we did the Guggenheim in Bilbao, participated in surf classes, dance classes, shopping, more shopping, and our final "fiesta de despedida" or goodbye party at the Isla de Santa Clara. After our gorgeous day at the island (just a 10 minute boat ride to the island in the middle of Playa de la Concha), we all went home to have our final dinner with the homestays and present thank you gifts, cards, flowers, etc.
PARENTS: Today I also recorded short videos of many of the students, talking about their time here in Spain and on the San Sebastian program (as well as some dance class videos) - they are SO great and I can't wait to share them with you, but unfortunately it takes a long time for me to upload them to the site online, so I will have to wait until my return to SPI world headquarters at the end of the month. As soon as I do, I will be sure to email all of you with a link to page of videos so you can see what your child said about this amazing experience you have given them!
I have uploaded more photos from our final week here, so please be sure to check them out: https://picasaweb.google.com/110191698384875551675/2011SanSebastianSU2MO?authkey=Gv1sRgCND0yrCx7LPPxQE#
We head to the historic town of Toledo tomorrow for our last excursion and our final group dinner!
I just want to say what a wonderful group this has been and how much I have enjoyed getting to know each of the students. I am not looking forward to our goodbyes on Sunday! But I can tell you that they will definitely be returning with many fun photos, memories and stories to share with you on Sunday!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Clases de Surf
Eight of our brave girls participated in their first surf lesson at Zurriola "Surfers Beach" and I must say I was IMPRESSED! All of them got up and some even road those waves into the shore!! After the surf class a lot of the group gathered at the beach to relax, while others took advantage of our last few days of shopping here in San Sebastian with the "rebajas" or sales that go on in Spain through July. While we have really been lucky with perfect weather, tomorrow it is supposed to cool down a bit and we will be taking a break from the sun to enjoy some dance classes after school!
Hasta la proxima...
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fourth of July in Bilbao at the Guggenheim
Biarritz & St Jean de Luz
The bus ride from San Sebastian to France is only about 40 minutes or so and we had perfect weather for our excursion to St Jean de Luz and Biarritz!
Our first stop was in St Jean de Luz, a small and traditional French Basque town and fishing port. It is also popular for it's great souvenir shops, espadrille stores and typical food stands, including ice cream, chocolates, pastries and crepes!
Next we headed to Biarritz, where we first stopped at the giant lighthouse for a view of the ocean, cliffs and town. To give you a little history of the city, it became more renowned in 1854 when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) built a palace on the beach (now the famous Hôtel du Palais). The British royal family regularly took vacations in Biarritz: European royalty such as Queen Victoria, Edward VII and Alfonso XIII of Spain were all frequent visitors. Biarritz has always been one of France’s most welcoming towns. A century ago, thanks to the Empress Eugenie, the little whaling town became a fashionable summer resort that, through the years, has stayed open to the outside world without ever losing its identity. Today, Biarritz is undoubtedly the only town where you can see neoprene-clad surfers with their boards under their arms crossing paths with business men in suits and ties carrying towels. A funny image, yet so common.
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying French cuisine, shopping and simply enjoying the beautiful beach and surrounding scenery of Biarritz - while also picking up a few French words along the way!
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Our first stop was in St Jean de Luz, a small and traditional French Basque town and fishing port. It is also popular for it's great souvenir shops, espadrille stores and typical food stands, including ice cream, chocolates, pastries and crepes!
Next we headed to Biarritz, where we first stopped at the giant lighthouse for a view of the ocean, cliffs and town. To give you a little history of the city, it became more renowned in 1854 when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) built a palace on the beach (now the famous Hôtel du Palais). The British royal family regularly took vacations in Biarritz: European royalty such as Queen Victoria, Edward VII and Alfonso XIII of Spain were all frequent visitors. Biarritz has always been one of France’s most welcoming towns. A century ago, thanks to the Empress Eugenie, the little whaling town became a fashionable summer resort that, through the years, has stayed open to the outside world without ever losing its identity. Today, Biarritz is undoubtedly the only town where you can see neoprene-clad surfers with their boards under their arms crossing paths with business men in suits and ties carrying towels. A funny image, yet so common.
We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying French cuisine, shopping and simply enjoying the beautiful beach and surrounding scenery of Biarritz - while also picking up a few French words along the way!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Update - La Primera Semana
Hola a todos desde San Sebastian!
We have had a very full, but fun first week here in the capital of the Gipuzkoa or Basque Province of Spain!
LUNES - Monday
The group arrived to quite the heat wave for the north of Spain, so Monday we did our first tour around the city quickly, finishing with some ice cream together on the Boulevard and breaking for a bit of free time so the kids could enjoy cooling off their first day at the gorgeous beaches that San Sebastian is well known for - Playa de la Concha and Zurriola (Surfers Beach).
MARTES - Tuesday
Lluvia! After the heat wave we got a streak of rain and cold and mist, but it did not keep our spirits down. We enjoyed a day of rest, some went shopping, others got settled and got to know their host families. Everyone reported that they were doing well and just having minor miscommunications - totally normal the first few days. :) I enjoyed hearing reports of their first few days. After two complete days of class, several students levels were changed, but so far all good reports as they get adjusted to their appropriate levels.
MIERCOLES - Wednesday
Damos una caminata al Monte Urgull. We took a hike up Monte Urgull, where there are several attractions, including a museum of military history and history of the city, the remains of the Castillo de la Mota once a fort, and under the large statue of Jesus Christ, a chapel. We rested at the top with a beautiful view and some nice breeze, and fortunately the rain held up for our entire walk up and down.
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JUEVES - Thursday
Dia libre! Free day! The weather was cool and perfect for shopping, strolling the boardwalk and just exploring the town.
VIERNES - Friday
We went up Monte Igueldo for the most spectacular and well known view of all of San Sebastian. Please be sure to check out our photo shoot from the top. It was a lot of fun. At the top is a permanent carnival or "amusementg park" with a mini roller coaster, bumper cars, trampolines, "house of terror", tobagan rides, typical carnival games and more. It has been around for a long time, but still a beloved attraction to locals and tourist alike and gives Monte Igueldo its character. We could not have asked for better weather today!
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Tomorrow we are off to Biarritz and St Jean de Luc, France, which is just about 45 minutes away!
More updates to come soon. Hasta la proxima...
We have had a very full, but fun first week here in the capital of the Gipuzkoa or Basque Province of Spain!
LUNES - Monday
The group arrived to quite the heat wave for the north of Spain, so Monday we did our first tour around the city quickly, finishing with some ice cream together on the Boulevard and breaking for a bit of free time so the kids could enjoy cooling off their first day at the gorgeous beaches that San Sebastian is well known for - Playa de la Concha and Zurriola (Surfers Beach).
MARTES - Tuesday
Lluvia! After the heat wave we got a streak of rain and cold and mist, but it did not keep our spirits down. We enjoyed a day of rest, some went shopping, others got settled and got to know their host families. Everyone reported that they were doing well and just having minor miscommunications - totally normal the first few days. :) I enjoyed hearing reports of their first few days. After two complete days of class, several students levels were changed, but so far all good reports as they get adjusted to their appropriate levels.
MIERCOLES - Wednesday
Damos una caminata al Monte Urgull. We took a hike up Monte Urgull, where there are several attractions, including a museum of military history and history of the city, the remains of the Castillo de la Mota once a fort, and under the large statue of Jesus Christ, a chapel. We rested at the top with a beautiful view and some nice breeze, and fortunately the rain held up for our entire walk up and down.
Dia libre! Free day! The weather was cool and perfect for shopping, strolling the boardwalk and just exploring the town.
VIERNES - Friday
We went up Monte Igueldo for the most spectacular and well known view of all of San Sebastian. Please be sure to check out our photo shoot from the top. It was a lot of fun. At the top is a permanent carnival or "amusementg park" with a mini roller coaster, bumper cars, trampolines, "house of terror", tobagan rides, typical carnival games and more. It has been around for a long time, but still a beloved attraction to locals and tourist alike and gives Monte Igueldo its character. We could not have asked for better weather today!
More updates to come soon. Hasta la proxima...
Direct Link to Album for San Sebastian Summer 2 & Month Photos!
Aside from the few pictures I am posting with updates, I wanted to be sure to include a post with the direct link to our Picasa photo album for the San Sebastian Summer 2 & Month program, so you can check out ALL the fun pictures form our adventures here in Spain. Enjoy! :)
https://picasaweb.google.com/110191698384875551675/2011SanSebastianSU2MO?authkey=Gv1sRgCND0yrCx7LPPxQE#
https://picasaweb.google.com/110191698384875551675/2011SanSebastianSU2MO?authkey=Gv1sRgCND0yrCx7LPPxQE#
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Madrid - Arrival Day
Llegada en Madrid - Arrival to Madrid!
It was a long day, but a fun day! The group visited as many of the capital's most important and historic sites as possible, including the world famous El Prado art museum, el Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and la Plaza Mayor.
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It was a long day, but a fun day! The group visited as many of the capital's most important and historic sites as possible, including the world famous El Prado art museum, el Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and la Plaza Mayor.
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