Sunday, February 27, 2011

Andalucia Spain

For the Spring term I was asked to be a chaperon for the 9th grade Academic Travel trip to Andalucia (southern) Spain. So that means I got paid to travel Spain for a week!



A siesta fiesta in Sevilla.

Our home base was Sevilla and we took day trips to surrounding cities.



Spring was in full swing by late February.

Traditional clothing.
Cordoba was the most important capital in Europe in the 11th century, and was our first day trip from Sevilla.


The good, the bad, and the rest of the 9th graders.

The other half of the 9th grade went to Greece.


La Mezquita-The Great Mosque is the 3rd largest mosque in the world.


Sevilla's Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral and third-largest church in the world.


Inside the Cathedral where Cristopher Columbus is buried.


Looking at the bullfighting arena from the top of the cathedral.


The boy on the right lost his bird.


The reflecting pool in the Alcazar of Sevilla.


Flamenco fans at the Plaza de Espana.


Plaza de Espana.


The kids taking Flamenco lessons.


Flamenco performance.

The dancers face tells the story along with her incredible moves.


The male dancer is like a torero (bull fighter) and uses a lot of the same moves.


The palace walls at the Alhambra in Granada.




Kids looking down at the old city from the Alhambra palace.


Anton, Artem and Maxim.

Guess what country they are from.


The gardens of Alhambra.


A local taking his siesta in the port city of Cadiz.


A welcome view of the Atlantic Ocean.


Cadiz gearing up for Carnival.


Looking for scraps.


Traditional dresses.





A dip in the Atlantic in early March was surprising warmer than I thought.


Last day in Sevilla was spent gorging ourselves at a cooking school.



The smallest scorpion ever decided to dine with us.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Florence Italy

For my birthday weekend a group of us took the train down to Florence.




In front of the Duomo, the tallest building in Florence.

The paintings on the inside of the dome depict heaven and hell. Guess which one is pictured here.


Sarah climbing one of the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo.



Em and I at the top.





Looking down on the piazza.



Rowers on the Arno.



My Cappuccino art.



Emily with Ponte Vecchio in the background.



Glass blowing at a local market.



The gang.



Lock it up!





Chocolate festival=Chocolate fountains.




All chocolate.





Catching our train to Lugano from Milano.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

St Moritz, Switzerland


A group of us headed to the posh ski town of St. Moritz for the weekend. Although they hadn't got fresh snow in a while it was still a great weekend.



First lift up.

Soaking in the scenery




Feeling like I am 15 years old again.


Em and the Alps.







I tried the old flag stand trick and fell flat on my face.


This weekend also happen to be the a big horse racing weekend called White Turf.


Sarah waiting for the next race.



And they're OFF!!







Our own entertainment between races.


Half the fun of going to the races is people watching.

Fur is everywhere.



Heading to the starting gates.


Just replace the wheels with ski's.


You ski off the mountain and then land with your skis.


Pistol Pete always says "You can never be too safe"


Googles=No squinting




Headed home.