Orientation and Travel

A storybook city, surrounded by perfectly preserved medieval walls, Hercules its legendary founder, the entire city one of Spain’s National-Artistic Monuments... all combine to build a perfect site for enabling our transition from home to Spain. The atmosphere is one designed for contemplative thought—time to sort out our Spanish, meet and make new friends, learn the ropes of Spanish family life, shake out the nerves, and also hear of the history and family customs of Galicia and Pontevedra, soon to be our new home. And there is time to hike, to relax, to explore, and to start practicing our Spanish with the real Spaniards!

And then it’s off to the ancient Andalusian mecca—Sevilla. This city is loved by our students—it has museums and monuments, old, winding streets, lively cafés, super restaurants, great shops, bull fights, music... as an old Spanish saying goes, "He who has not seen Sevilla, has not known marvel." And then we follow that with a contrast—the land of the conquistadors. And, as one would almost expect, a visit to any one of its towns feels like the 20th century (let alone the 21st) has not yet arrived.

THen on to Extremadura - Merida and Cáceres as well as the Yusti Monastery and the beautiful valley of the Jerte River. The honey colored buildings, the friendly people (not yet really used to tourists), and the pervasive ancient scent of these visits meld with the natural sophistication that go with a people dating back to Roman times.

We also break up the trip from Extremadura to Pontevedra with a day and night in the beautiful university city of Salamanca.

Pontevedra sits in the region called the Rías Bajas, known for its beautiful coastline and protected islands. Although wonderful beaches and green mountains frame the region, it is not on the foreign tourists’ beaten track—an advantage to all of us hoping to speak only Spanish. Here, the epochs of history are always in front of us—Pontevedra holds a name dating to Roman times (Pontus Veteri) and since medieval days has been a mid-point for southern and northern bound pilgrims trekking along the southern leg of the Camino de Santiago. It also is dotted with monoliths from Celtic times. And it has the only bull ring in Galicia.

For the next two weeks we will hone our Spanish in class, expand it in our family stay, and gain inside knowledge of this lesser known gem! During the family stay weeks, we experience not only our Spanish classes, but also the culture of Pontevedra of which fabulous food is a major part—lobsters, shrimp, an array of local vegetables (and their favorite veggie stew), and 12 different kinds of meats.

Excursions include beach resorts, small fishing villages, inland medieval sites, and the protected islands just off the coast as well as more known places—Santiago de Compostela, Bayone, and Tuy. We also hike along the old mill route, dine at a country tavern and dance to the sounds of traditional Galego bagpipe music.

And then , sadly, its a flight to Madrid and on to the US....