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15 June FastApproachesLets GetReady!!!!Okay, so I just wanted to create handy
guide for you guys to use before we
take our big trip. This guide holds
valuable information for you
regarding just about everything -what to pack, what to do about
money, what I need from you and
maybe most importantly - what to
leave behind. So read on...
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
First and foremost, comfortable
shoes. Let me write that again -
COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! Well be
doing a lot of walking and if you think
youll be able to survive eight days
wearing nothing but flip-flops, Idadvise against it. If youd like to bring
a couple sets of flip-flops, you can, but
make sure you have a pair of
sneakers of something thatll be
comfortable when were walking
around Madrid or Sevilla during the
afternoons.
continued on page 2
Back in 2007, I visited Spain as a
co-chaperone on a trip that Sra.
Reynolds led, along with her
husband and Sr. Escobedo (my
roommate on the trip). There were
20 kids on the trip - 17 girls and 3
boys - along with the adults. Plus,
we got to hang out with Seors
parents for a little bit too.
We went from Barcelona to
Zaragoza, Madrid, Toledo, Crdoba,
Sevilla, Granada and wrapped up
the trip on the sea in the town next
to the one well be visiting -
Torremolinos. We saw a lot of cool
stuff in those places. I hope this
trip is as rewarding for you as it
was for the 07 students.
The last time I was there...
TORRE DE ORO - on the shores of the Ro
Guadalquivir, the tower held all the booty that
the explorers brought back from the Americas
in the 1600s and 1700s. Really cool at night!
PALACIO DE LOS NAZARES - Part of the
Alhambra in Granada, nominated to be one of
the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Incredible architecture and setting.
PUERTA DE ALCAL - the old eastern gate
of the city of Madrid, now sits in the middle of
a roundabout, still worth checking out and
taking a photo or two.
ESPAA 2010A PROFE ZERBEY PUBLICATION ISSUE NO. 1
ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL / SUMMER 2010 / VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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If you want to bring stuff like
hairdryers and straighteners, etc. I
suggest that you check on the
voltage. Many American appliances
wont work over in Europe. You can
buy a converter, but youll need a
120/240 converter for it to work in
our hotels. And I dont know that
everybody needs to bring one for
themself. Maybe just a few of you
could bring them and then share?
As far as shampoos, conditioners,
etc. go, if its in a travel sized bottle,
you should be fine. But keep in mind
that if you forget something, well be
able to pick up whatever you need in
Madrid. For further info on what to
pack, check the list I provided to
you.
WHAT ABOUT MONEY?
The thing Id recommend is to go to
your bank and open up a VISA ATM
debit card. Theyd need to be VISA,
though, with the VISA logo. Its a
good way to go because your folks can
add money to the card from home and
theres a secure PIN for you to use to
keep things safe. Bringing a bunch of
cash isnt advisable simply because
you never know what might fall out of
your pocket/purse. I think thatoutside of shopping money, you
should be able to make do with about
$8 or $9 Euros for lunch (remember
that breakfast and dinner area
already paid for). Also, I would like to
collect 45 Euros in cash from you at
the time of departure. Im going to
use that to tip our drivers, etc. You
can get Euros at some banks, but you
can definitely get them at AAA. Youneed to call ahead to order them,
though. And it usually takes two or
three days for them to get them
shipped in. You can also get them at
the Huntington Bank in River. And as
a last resort, theres a place
downtown that sells them. Let me
know if thats your best option and Ill
give you all the details. Travelers
Cheques are kind of annoying, but ifthats what you want to bring along,
Id ask you to bring along cash as
well.
THREE PROFE TRIPS: HUNDREDS OF MEMORIES
I saw my first professional Spanish
soccer game at Estadio Snchez
Pizjuan in Sevilla. Sevilla lost, but it
was a lot of fun to attend.
2007
Plaza de Espaa in Madrid with the
statues of Don Quijote and Sancho
Panza down below Miguel de
Cervantes. Really cool place to see.
2005
A COUPLE FAVORITES
The Palacio Real in Madrid, ceremonialhome to Rey Juan Carlos and ReinaSofa, has the biggest and mostimpressive collection of clocks in Spain.
La Giralda, the tower of Sevillascathedral is really cool! You can walkup to the top and get fantastic views ofthe entire city. Well worth the climb!
continued on pg. 3
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Profes Tapas #1
Wondering about your cellphones? I
think its a good idea for you to have
them. Im not sure you want to text
your friends back in the U.S., but for
us to communicate when separated,they could come in handy. Im sure
therell be additional charges for
texts, but youll have to check with
your phone carrier to get all the info
on that. In addition to keeping in
touch with me on the trip and with
your folks later, you can use them as
alarm clocks. Plus plus, when we
return to the States, youll be able to
contact them with updates on our
flights, etc. You probably want to
bring a camera and your iPod. Plus,we do not have any plans for a
laundry stop, so make sure you pack
enough underwear and socks. Of
course, as I mentioned earlier, we will
be in civilization, so you can buy
anything you forget over there.
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU
See the document that came to you
along with the e-mail. Theres a
document thats called the LETTER
OF UNDERSTANDING. I need you to
read it and sign it and return it to me.
Ditto for your folks. The other
documents spell out what I need fromyou much better than this guide
could. But just remember - 45 Euros
cash.
WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND
Bottom line is - dont bring anything
to Spain that is too valuable to you to
lose. Sure, phones and cameras and
cash can be replaced if they get lost or
stolen, but you should really think
twice about bringing anything that
has an incredible amount ofemotional and/or personal value to
you. Jewelry? A photo? A stuffed
animal? I think you can live for a
week without them. Thats my
two cents. If youre thinking
about bringing a laptop, maybe
you dont need to. Each hotel we
stay in will have a business
center or computer lab of
some sort, so I dont know that
youll need your own laptop. Its
not like youll have a lot of time
to hang out in your room
chatting on Facebook or
whatever. I am bringing my
own laptop, for whatever thats
worth. But I will also be staying
in Spain for another week after
you guys leave.
Profes top ten tapas for you to try
1. Patatas Bravas
2. Croquetas
3. Empanadas4. Calamares5. Jamn Ibrico6. Queso Manchego7. Montaditos
8.
Sepia
9. Esprragos Blancos10. Camarones al ajillo
CHECK THE OTHER ATTACHMENTSThe e-mail that gave you this guide also has
helpful documents to print out about many/
most of the topics on the preceding two
pages. Be sure to read them carefully. These
next two weeks will fly past, so lets make the
most of our time. Please dont wait until the
last minute to get your things in order. Please
DO contact me if you have any questions
about anything.
LUNCH, SNACKS, ETC.The only thing I really want to ask you to do,
for me as a favor is to at least please TRY
all of the food that gets put in front of you
while were in Spain. Its too easy for you to
hit McDonalds when were out and about for
lunch. Please dont. If you want advice about
lunch food, ask me for help. Also, be sure to
get somegelatto. Its like ice cream, butdifferent. Mitchell s has nothing ongelatto!
IN CASE YOURE CURIOUS...In Spain, they use a different format of DVD,
so in the event that you find yourself mulling
over the purchase of some movie, that might
not be a great idea unless you have a multi-
region DVD player at home. CDs, on the
otherhand, are standard. You can buy music
there and listen to it when you get back here.
No problema!
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Madrid - the heart and capital ofthe country
MADRID
Population:city - 3.3 million
province - 6.4 million
Mayor:Alberto Ruiz-Gallardn
Founded: 8th Century B.C.
Established as Capital:1561
Avg. June Temps:High - 80 F / 26.9 C
Low - 59 F / 15.1 C
Head of State: PresidentJos Luis Zapatero
Unofficial Heads ofState: Rey Juan Carlos I y
Reina Sofa
Ancient Roman Name:Ursaria or land of bears
MADRID ES CAPITAL IS THE CITYS MOTTO AND YOULLSEE WHY THAT REFERS TO MORE THAN JUST BEING
HOME TO THE COUNTRYS GOVERNMENT
We will begin our time in Madrid with visits to thePuerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Espaa, three
great places for people watching and three places that
are very important to all madrileos. That same first
day in town, well also get a guided tour of one
of the worlds finest museums, El Prado.
The following day, well see more of the
capital, featuring a tour of the Royal Palace,
and other intimate looks at the citys most
famous monuments such as the Puerta de
Alcal, Fuente de Cibeles, Grn Va and La
Calle Mayor. That night, well have a dinner ofa series of different tapas and well learn all
about that uniquely Spanish tradition of eating
small portions of food while out for the evening.
There will be time for shopping in Madrid, and
depending on how things are going, maybe well
take in a movie that second night after the
tapas. What do you think about Shrek Forever
and Ever in Spanish with English subtitles??
NMEROS
Daily newspapers soldin the city
10Daily sports papers
sold in the city
4Works of art ownedby El Prado
7,000
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Crdoba - remnants of theformer Moorish capital
CRDOBA
Population: > 325,000
Mayor: Andrs Ocaa
Rabadn
Founded: 8 B.C.
Avg. June Temps:High - 89 F / 31.5 C
Low - 60 F / 15.5 C
AutonomousCommunity: Andaluca
Ancient Roman Name:
Kartuba or rich and
beautiful city
AN IMPRESSIVE BUILDING, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT,
AWAITS YOU ON THE BANKS OF THE ROGUADALQUIVIR - LA MEZQUITA DE CRDOBA
One of the most amazing things about the Mezquita isthat it was built by human hands. Its easy to take that
for granted when walking past the many, many columns
that support the ceiling of the mosque. It took
203 years to build, and as Moorish different
leaders came into power, they continued
adding to it. It was the largest mosque in the
world before the Reconquista began, and now
its the home to Crdobas Catholic
Archdiocese.
While were in Crdoba, well be stopping for
lunch in the Jewish Quarter, where all thejudos lived until they were kicked out of Spain
in 1492. Theres a beautiful synagogue in this
neighborhood, as well as great examples of the
typical architecture of the region. We will have
to navigate the narrow streets and alleys and
passageways, all with white walls to lessen the
effects of the scorching Andalusian sun. Itll be
tricky not to get lost in there, but Im sure youll
be able to do it.
NUMBERS
Columns in theMezquita
856Major additions to the
original Mezquita
4Year constructionbegan
784
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Granada - a little piece ofparadise on Earth
GRANADA
Population: 238,000
Mayor: Jos Torres
Hurtado
Founded: 7th Century B.C.
Avg. June Temps:High - 84 F / 28.8 C
Low - 57 F / 13.9 C
AutonomousCommunity: Andaluca
Ancient Roman Name:
Iliberis
THEALHAMBRAWAS THE MASTERPIECE OF THENASRID DYNASTY, EQUAL PARTS FORTRESS, PALACE
AND MARVEL OF MEDIEVAL CONSTRUCTION
Theres more to do and see in Granada than just theAlhambra, but no trip to this city in the northern
foothills of the Sierra Nevada would be complete without
a visit. And theres enough to see up there for
a visitor to while away an entire day, but well
make it through the highlights. This would
include the Casas Reales, the Alcazaba and
also the Generalife. Granted, these structures
have been refurbished through the years and
are kept in great condition by a cadre of
caretakers, but if you block out the other
tourists, you can almost imagine that you can
hear the sultan or sultana speaking Arabicaround the next corner. The Alhambra (and
the Generalife) is honestly one of my favorite
places ever, anywhere.
Depending on time, well probably check out the
winding streets of Sacromonte on the hill across
from the Alhambra and visit the Albaicn, the
old Moorish quarter, down near the banks of the
Ro Darro.
NUMBERS
Years it took tocomplete theAlhambra
62Lions in the
Patio de los Leones
12Carlos who built a squarepalace inside the
Alhambra
I
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Benalmdena - a peaceful,seaside resort to end the trip
COSTA
DEL SOLPopulation: > 50,000
Mayor: Enrique Moya
Founded: 7th Century B.C.
Avg. June Temps:High - 84 F / 28.8 C
Low - 57 F / 13.9 C
AutonomousCommunity:Andaluca
Ancient Arabic Name:Beni al-Medina or Son of
the SettlementBRING A GOOD BOOK TO READ DURING YOUR
BEACH TIME, AND DONT FORGET YOUR BATHING
SUIT BECAUSE WELL HAVE ALL DAY TO DO NOTHING
Well be spending our last 1.5 days in the quaint, seas-side resort city of Benalmdena, which sits between two
other towns cut from the same cloth (Torremolinos and
Fuengirola). You can be sure that the sun will
be shining down on us during that time. Since
its June the beach wont be really crowded.
That also means the Mediterranean wont be
very warm. In fact, it might be kinda chilly.
But dont let that stop you from going for a
swim. It wont stop me! Plus, Im sure our
hotel will have a much warmer pool.
When not at the beach, your biggest decisionswill be a) where to eat; b) which crappy t-shirt
to buy for your little brother/little sister/father/
mother; and c) which flavor of gelatto would
you like to try. You could also check out the
marina, which - as marinas go - is pretty cool.
After all the walking around well be doing over
the first six days of the tour, the time by the
beach will be a welcome relief. So plan to take it
easy as you enjoy your final day in Spain.
NUMBERS
Height in meters ofEuropes tallest
BuddhistEnlightenment stupa,
located near
Benalmdena
33Miles west
Benalmdena sits fromthe waters of the
Atlantic
85