I was a PARISian in my past life!

 

     I was extremely young when my neighbor and friend Michelle received this big box that consisted of French flash cards. I remember thinking how cool it was and how I also wanted to learn with her. We use to speak about how Paris was our dream and how beautiful the language is. Ever since then it has been a dream of mine to enter the world of Paris even if it was only for a day or two. This past weekend one of my dreams came true. I will admit I was a bit nervous. I heard negative things about Paris, about how the people were rude, or there is no night life, it's boring. UMMM Wrong. I think whoever thinks this way did not indulge in the culture well enough. It's not about what country you can party the hardest in. My friends and I woke up at 8AM and did not return to our hotel till 11PM from walking. We purchased metro passes and it was for nothing because were were so mesmerized by the beauty of the city that we chose to bruise our feet and walk everywhere. We regret NOTHING. We took any opportunity we had to speak their language and try their food. We felt nothing but welcomed.

    Paris was everything and more! Unfortunately I was not feeling 100%, I had a cold and could barely breath, but I did not let that stop me . I really wanted to capture all I experienced in Paris so I tried taking as many pictures and videos as I could for myself and to share with you all. I want to inspire you and motivate you to leave your comfort zone.

How to plan a 2 day trip to Paris!

-Comfy comfy comfy shoes
-October weather was bipolar (Cold morning, hot afternoon, & cold nights)
-If you are under 25 bring an ID everywhere because many places had discounts
- Look for free walking tours that is tip service only
- Google map the directions to all the places you want to get to from your hotel


Friday Day 1.

We had two tours scheduled in our itinerary from
http://www.discoverwalks.com/paris-walking-tours/paris-landmarks-walking-tours/
Check out Paris Landmark tours and The Latin Quarter tour

Another must do: A boat tour at night along the river!

Day 2.

-My friends and I went to the famous Love Lock Bridge. It was a beauty to see how a bridge was covered by locks of different shapes, sizes, and color. We saw lovers on the bridge locking their love to the bridge. You can sense the romance everywhere.                        

-Had a very French Brunch! Pictures are here!

- Visited the largest museum ever! Du Louvre!

- Had a very French Dinner near the Eiffel Tower! ( Escargo)

- We went up the Eiffel Tower as it lit up the sky! Afterwards we picked a lovely spot on the grass where we sat, drank wine, and just admired the beautiful view in front of us!

-Lastly, we explored the Moulin Rouge area!

This trip really brought my friends and I closer together! As we experienced so many crazy things in Paris. I hope you enjoy the videos and pictures!



          


                                        Landing in Paris!

 Arriving at the Airport!

                                                              Le Food!!

Brunch in Paris! 

The Famous Escargo smothered in pesto sauce

Wobbling on the Eiffel Tower! We thought it would be a nice trademark to do as we travel the world

Uncommon Charter School PAID INTERNSHIP! An unforgettable experience!

As many of you know I am a senior attending Syracuse University, communications and science disorder major with a social welfare minor. Last summer, I was a Summer Teaching Fellow with Uncommon Schools where I taught Elementary school children in Brooklyn, NY and received professional development from seasoned educators and school leaders. Following the internship, I received an offer to teach full- time at the Excellence Girls Charter School.

This experience furthered my passion for education and closing the achievement gap. I would love the opportunity to share my experience and Uncommon’s career opportunities with you and anyone who is interested in sharing a similar experience. 

If interested, please send me a few dates and times you are available to speak via Skype, Facebook, email or any messenger. I am currently studying abroad Madrid, Spain, but that will not stop me from assisting you in any way. 

To learn more about our schools and our instructional practice, I strongly encourage you to check out our videos on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/UncommonSchools

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!!

A city girl in the mountains of Cercedilla

           

     This past Friday, My cousin Lisbeth and I attended a Hiking trip to Cercedilla, Spain. This was my first time hiking. I believe the closest to hiking that I’ve been is probably walking through Central Park in NYC.  It was an incredible experience, but something I don’t think I want to do again. I was Attacked by bugs and almost slid down a rockslide like 5 times, and my body is super sore 3 days later. Other than the negative J I felt a sense of accomplishment. I am super clumsy and for me to be able to go up and down rocks without falling or breaking an ankle is an accomplishment.

The view was spectacular, and the history was interesting. We walked on a trail that was built by the Romans over a century ago. We saw weird looking trees, rare plants, and everyone got excited when we saw the berry tree that the alcoholic Gin beverage is made of.

What made the experience overall amazing was the group I was with. For the first time being here abroad I did not sense any segregation or cliques. It was a diverse fun group who wanted to get to know each other as much as possible. 

I am so proud of myself for completing this hike! I love travelling through Madrid and I cannot wait till I share a different country with you all! 

A day in Retiro Park!

Row, Row, Row, Your boat...


So many Royal Grounds to see here in Madrid, one of them is "El Parque Del Retiro". This park was a Royal Ground full of beautiful fountains, monuments, and statues. This was first opened to the Aristocrats in 1767. It was not until a century later that it was opened to the general public. Today, this park is a nice quick getaway for those who want to just relax, take a walk, bike ride, and even row a boat in the "estanque". This park is sort of an equivalent to Washington Square park in NYC of course 20 times bigger. On weekends there are several performances in the streets or in the museum located inside the park. This is great for a family trip, a romantic outing, or just for a simple day out with friends.

Estanque 

Palacio De Cristal 

Mirrored in a lake and framed by trees. (Under Construction but was worth seeing). 

Missing my Hermandad back home! 

My friends conquering the world

(I don't have health insurance to do so) 

A Shock I was not expecting..with an happy ending

 

For the last 11 days my study abroad group have been traveling the historical cities of Spain. We have felt like nomads traveling from home to home. But now we have finally made it to where we will be living or the next 3 and a half months. Madrid. It is a beautiful city with much to do, but it was not until now that I would feel homesick for a few. I though that being from New York City I was invincible concrete jungle right? I grew up with so much diversity that I didn't think I knew what a cultural shock actually means. As soon as I stepped foot into my host moms apartment my heart sank. I finally realized that I wouldn't be visiting my mom, family, friends, and my loved one. I had certain house rules to follow. Electricity is scarce here in Spain. I was too scared to leave the lights on or even plug my charger without the lights going out. The food is not what you are used to. Everywhere you go someone tells you to be careful with pick pocketing, and I am like doesn't think happen in NYC all the time?! It took a series of laughter with friends that turned into tears, and later a talk with my mommy back home to make me feel relieved. I am a big preacher on how if people were more humble this world would be a better place. I thought about all the fun I've been having, all the new friends I have made ( we call ourselves la familia). None of us had phones connected yet so this forced us to look at each other and learn things that we would never expect to learn about each other. We went from just a shy wave to each other to hugging and laughing hysterically till 5 in the morning. On top of being grateful for these people I am grateful to have a home, education, ability to work hard and get here. Here we are complaining that we don't have wifi sometimes, having to take a 10 minute shower rather than 1 hour, leaving all electronics on at the same time. While people here are losing jobs and have little to nothing to eat. After recognizing and appreciating everything I have I am having the time of my life in Spain. I am ready to travel and conquer the world (figuratively speaking)! I want to encourage all future study abroad travelers that it will be hard at first for some and easy at first for others but no matter what you will get use to it and you will love it!!! Be young, learn to try new things and above all be safe and adventurous! Viva Madrid!! 

Live. Laugh. Love always! 

A Medieval Adventure.

Almodovar's Castle 

What a journey under the hot sun! But it was definitely worth it. Today we travelled to "Almodovar's Castle". With the bus leaving us at the bottom of the steep mountain we all had to hike our way to the top. Let's be happy we weren't in the XIV century carrying armor or heavy materials because that would not have been fun. When we reached the top we saw a magnificent view of the surrounding communities. It reminded me of pictures I've seen in Greece. There were colorful homes all around the bottom of the mountain. The castle had many rooms that all served a purpose back in the day. Our favorite room was "The Dungeon" We had fun pretending to be prisoners even though it did not look so pleasant. It was nice hearing about how some of my friends always wanted to be a Princess in live in a tower, but after experiencing the hike up there, the blaing sun, and shooing away mosquitoes they changed their minds. 

Amazing view and journey to get up there! 

Overall it was a nice experience, and if ever in Spain it was nice to experience something new that's old. The castle was about 30 minutes from Cordoba. 

So far my group has been to Toledo, Cordoba, and now Sevilla. I love seeing how preserved all of the historic relics are here in Spain. I have visited places I would have never thought to visit if I were not to be in this program. I am super grateful, thankful, and more knowledgeable about a country I knew little about! 

Live. Love. Laugh Always

Cathedral of Toledo..

     

While my fellow New Yorkers were asleep my study abroad group took a nice trip to the Cathedral of Toldeo. What a beautiful scene is the first thing I can say. You do not have to be a religious person to engage in such detailed art. The group was able to sit in a private area where only the Bishops and priests are allowed into. As you can see in the picture above there is so much vibrant colors and details in the wall. I am not an art major so I am trying really hard to describe how beautiful the image was. Looking at how the wall depicted the stations of the cross really touched me. You can see how pale and blue Jesus Christ is to show his death. Everything in the cathedral was symbolic and protected.

My favorite painting in the Cathedral was the painting that depicted Hell, purgatory, and Heaven. I fell in love with the mural. You can see above how the people in hell were examples of the 7 deadly sins. Above hell was the simplicity and sincerity of asking God to allow them to enter heaven. Lastly, Heaven showed pure happiness without luxuries or materials.