Excel Madrid/Barcelona 2011

This week in Barcelona students got a double dose of culture, starting with a close up look at Gaudí architecture with visits to La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Above, Bayard gets a shot of a rooftop chimney designed by Gaudí which overlooks the Gracia district of Barcelona.

On Monday, students from the major photography class and the art history class took a day trip to surrealist painter Salvador Dalí’s hometown of Figueres to visit the Teatro Museo Dalí. The wacky museum houses a multitude of Dalí paintings and drawings including many early works, sculptures, installations, and surrealist trinkets.

Yesterday the minor photo class rode the Teleférico up to Montjuic to visit Montjuic Palace and experience one of the most incredible views of Barcelona. We can’t wait to see the photos from their final project which will be exhibited for all of the students to see on Friday evening.

We had a busy weekend filled with day trips to Girona, Sitges and Tossa de Mar.  In Girona, the students walked through the Jewish quarter, visited the Cathedral and medieval castle walls, and went shopping in the outdoor artisan market.  In Sitges, on the Costa Blanca, and in Tossa de Mar on Costa Brava, we sunbathed, shopped, and played beach volleyball.

Izzy, Katie and Elena during an art lesson

On Friday night some of the students watched the new Harry Potter film, others went to a Paella restaurant and others went to a Reggae Concert.  On Saturday night we all went to a Japanese restaurant and then chilled out at our residence.

Elka, Jill, Ben and Lilli. Photo by: Jordan Katz

We are now in our final week in Spain and today the Photo Major class and Art History Major class went to Figueres to visit the Dalí museum, while the Spanish classes are visiting Casa Battló designed by Gaudí on the Passeig de Gracia.

After a relaxing weekend in the Pyrenees we’ve now arrived in beautiful Barcelona. Today was a very Gaudí day with the Spanish classes touring the Sagrada Familia Cathedral along with the art history students who also made it to Gaudí’s Park Guell in the afternoon (see photo above.)

Yesterday, the photography students gave their cameras and their taste buds some action with a photojournalism assignment at the Mercado Boquería near Las Ramblas. Above, Ben taste tests the candy stand while below, a vendor shows us a sampling of fried fish, which later ended up on the most intrepid students’ plates for the ongoing Putney food challenge. The food gets stranger each week and those able to stomach the foods until the end win a fancy dinner out in Barcelona.
Below: The students and their cameras stick together on Las Ramblas before heading into the Boquería

The group has just spent a relaxing, yet active weekend breathing fresh mountain air and eating home-cooked Catalan food in the town of Castellar de N’Hug in the Pyrenees Mountains–only 5 kilometers from the French border.  We left Madrid last Friday morning and arrived in the mountains in the evening.  That first night, after settling in, we participated in a Night Scavenger Hunt (1st prize was a giant croissant).

Jessica, Matt, Kevin and Becca at the waterfall during mountain biking

On Saturday, the students chose various outdoor activities: a hike to the summit of Roc Vermell, Aqua-trekking, mountain biking, or cookie making.

Lizzy, Izzy and Raquel during the Taller de Galletas

Benny, Emily, Lizzie, Ellen, Sky and Raquel at the Waterfall

In the evening we had some chill-out time and then a disco party.  On Sunday morning we participated in an archery tournament where the staff members’ team came in second.

After lunch on Sunday, we boarded our bus, said goodbye to the Pyrenees Mountains and headed into Barcelona where we checked into our Residence, took a tour of the city and had dinners in small groups.  Today, the students will explore various sites with their major classes including: Parc Guell, Las Ramblas and El Barrio Gótico, La Boquería (food market) and the beach!

On Tuesday, the group spent the day in the beautiful town of Segovia just an hour and a half outside of Madrid. We visited the Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, and finally the stunning Alcázar palace.

That evening the photography instructors took a group out for Japanese food at Udon in the Chueca district and then headed out for a night photography class along Gran Via.

Photography instructor Veronica Hansen giving pointers on how to capture the perfect long exposure.

Last night was full of excitement as the group got the chance to witness the ancient Spanish tradition of bull fighting. Apprehensive at first, almost all of the students bravely signed up to witness the sometimes gruesome show. First up was a female bull fighter. She posed and danced as she teased the bull, but in the end things got ugly as she struggled to tame the extremely aggressive bull. One round was enough for most people so the group filed out early and headed for a beef-free dinner.

Photo Class in the Plaza Mayor

Things are running smoothly here in Madrid–we’ve had sunny days filled with lots of activities and everyone is immersing themselves in Spanish culture.  Yesterday the whole group took a day trip to Toledo where we visited the Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, the Casa/Museo el Greco and Santo Tome where we saw El Greco’s famous painting: The Burial of Count Orgaz.

Excel Spain 2011 in Toledo

Last night, back in Madrid, we first celebrated Matt’s birthday and then broke up into small groups for some evening cultural activities which included a Spanish film, a trip to the Zoo at night, a walk through the center, Swan Lake on Ice and an authentic flamenco performance at Casa Patas.

A street performer with our students in the Plaza Mayor

Today we had our Minor classes–the Photography classes went to the Mercado de San Miguel and explored the Madrid neighborhood of Malasaña; the Sketch class visited the Antonio López retrospective at the Thyssen Museum, and the Advanced Spanish Culinary class visited a restaurant and in the restaurant kitchen observed and learned how to make homemade gazpacho.

Tonight we’re celebrating Carter’s birthday and then going out for small group dinners in different neighborhoods of Madrid.

Advanced Spanish Culinary Class

Pirates of La Plaza Mayor

Yesterday, all thirty-three Putney Excel Spain students arrived at the Colegio Mayor Chaminade and dove right into the fun. Our students broke into six equipos (teams) and played icebreakers including a “who can take the funniest photo?” contest. We hope you enjoy some of their creative images below!

In the afternoon we played a game of Spanish jeopardy, and students had some time to get settled into their rooms. Then we were off for an evening tour of Madrid and a Spanish dinner out.  After dinner we headed back home to get a good night’s rest and be energized for our first day of class the next morning. All is well!

Saludos and until soon,
Nicole, Sky, Kevin, Raquel, Adam, and Veronica

We’ve received word from the staff that the group has arrived safely in Madrid.  All is well and they are getting settled at their residence, Colegio Mayor Chaminade.

We know that parents love to keep up to date on their kids’ activities during our programs.  While we expect that most of our participants will take the time to be in touch occasionally, we have found that it is helpful to parents for our leaders to post periodic updates on this blog.  Obviously, blog posts will not provide detailed information about your child, but they will let you know about some of the group’s activities, projects, and excursions.

The frequency of blog posts varies from program to program depending on internet access (which can be limited), and each group’s itinerary and busy schedule of activities.  Please rest assured that we can reach leaders at any time and that we will discuss any important issues concerning your child directly them and with you.  As you know, you can reach us by phone at our office during business hours, and on our emergency line 24/7 if necessary.

We suggest that you subscribe to the blog during your first visit so that you will receive e-mail notifications at the end of the day if a new update has been posted that day.  To subscribe, enter your email address under ‘Subscribe to this blog!’ form on the right-hand column of the blog.

Have a fantastic summer!