Cordoba...and pictures

Hola
Hope everyone is doing well with life. Things are still going awesome over here...ventured to Cordoba this weekend for the day. It is the home of the Mezquita, a Muslim monument, built back in the 900´s when Muslims had conquered the Iberian peninsula. It was absolutely breathtaking the grandeur of it and detailing again. Similar to the details found in the Alhambra from Granada, yet slightly different when you look at closely. Also, amazing because there is a huge Cathedral built in the middle, for when the Catholics reconquered Spain during the Reconquista....a sort of symbol to show that they were back in power...incredibly huge. So fascinating to see the blend of Muslim and Catholicism within one monument. And to top it off, a very unique Jewish quarter with one of 3 synagogues found in Spain...ancient, ancient, ancient. The synagogue was only one building but amazing how old it was and again, the idea of it surrounded by Muslim and Catholic monuments shows the history of this unique country. As well, went out to Medina Azahara, where the Muslim emirates created a home for them, away from the city. All ruins now but really great to see.

http://photos.yahoo.com/abenturner

So the pictures in Cordoba are divided into the first part being about the ruins of Medina Azahara (from 34-66). Then there are Mezquita pictures (67-92) showing the details. I know some of them are really dark but there was scarce light in some of the pictures...amazing all the pillars...over 1200. The rest of the pictures are of Cordoba, and there are a few (93-96), that were of the main plaza (a huge open area) that was filled with a sort of medievil bazaar. Awesome area that we stumbled upon (Eric, Joyce and I) during our travels and really glad we did. All the bazaar venders, with their own little stands, were dressed in medievil times, selling all sorts of little things. Really cool to see..

Also, there are new albums of Linares (where we went a few weekends ago), there are more Jaen pictures (all those that have an "adam" file extension) of nightlife and such. Good times...still doing the Spain thing of staying out really late and am kind of getting use to it. I find that as long as I have one early night out of the bunch, it is not too bad. And siestas always help..

Also, some Murcia pictures are in there (see last blog entry for that story..). As well, I have my Sierra Nevada pictures up..hopefully I can steal some of Eric´s pictures and post more up there as he took far more. Amazing the little valley that divides snowy peaks from those without. (see 28-29)

And for Adam Roe, there is a picture of the Alhambra water stair case in the Granada album now. Took a picture the second time back. (It is a staircase that has water going down the rails..those royalty always trying to flaunt their prestige by having intricate free flowing draining systems in a land incredibly dry) (adam-09)

Anyways, I said I´d comment on the issue about students and behaviour and I know this is long already but oh well, you can stop reading now if you don´t want to read about it. I really do believe kids here are more well-behaved here. Yes they do talk tons but as far as physical behaviour problems such as bullying or fights amongst students, I think they are far less frequent than in North America. There have been some instances amongst some of the Canadian teachers here (3 that I have heard of), but they were minimal (2 pushes, a hair pull). I don´t know what it is, lack of violence in their society, different upbringings, etc. I think Spaniards are incredibly sociable and that contributes to their non-stop talking. And as a teacher, a young one albeit, I would rather deal with talking and class management as oppose to physical violence, bullying, harsh verbal abuse, temper losses into physical outbursts. Yes, Spanish students do speak out when they disagree with something but I find that is the extent to it.

In Murcia, I saw the first physical scuffle here in Spain between two guys outside a bar. It was late (4 am) and two guys started shouting, and a few pushes and then they were seperated. IT stopped everyone in their tracks and I believe because it is just so rare. And Kristin even pointed out that that is the first physical scuffle she has seen in her 5 months here. I just think things rarely excalate to physical outbursts.

One more thing about the Sierra Nevada trip....it was awesome in the bus because some students broke out in Flamenco singing, clapping and beats. Someone was playing on a box the beat, other kids were clapping according to the singing done by one gal. So neat to drive home to that from the mountains...

Sorry for the huge post....a lot of things to mention.
Take care all and hope this finds you well