21 in Spain

Turning 21 in Spain pretty much has no significance to the culture of this country, or Europe in general. So pretty much being 21 here doesn't mean anything. Although I was not asked to show my ID when at the bar (which I hardly remember btw), I was still able to experience an awesome 21st birthday here with some amazing people. Not only was I sung Happy Birthday to in both English and Spanish, I was also surprised with an ice cream cake (which is one of my favorites, aside from my moms fun-fetti cake). Lets just say that I am happy I made it out of the Pension and to the bar, even if I slept on the foosball table, threw up the whole way home (since I had to leave my own birthday celebration early), missed out on dancing at the club, and woke up the following morning in a pool of fresh pasta in my bed (which I didn't realize until I came back from the beach to see the sunrise). Being 21 in Spain will never compare to being 21 in the United States, but it is definitely special when you are able to spend it with people who care about you, so for that I am grateful for.

Thanks for the great time guys, I will never forget it.

-Matt Blanchette

This one time in Spain.....13'

I opened my eyes to the lights on the bus turning on as we slowly came to a stop at the Alicante bus station. I gathered my belongings just as everyone else and began to stand up waiting for my turn to get off. I noticed that everyone up front started to sit back down in their seats and wondered what the problem was. As the bus driver approached the back of the bus, he told us to remain in our seats because the police dog was going to come through and sniff for drugs. I had nothing to worry about since I obviously had no possession of any. I set my backpack back on the ground in between my legs as I anxiously waited to get off. A police man and a trained dog boarded the bus and slowly worked their way to the back. Since I was in the very last seat on the far right side of the bus, I was able to see everything. Surprisingly the dog did not stop for anyone on its way down. Once the dog reached the back of the bus he hesitated by my feet, which alerted the policeman right away. At that moment, I figured it was the guy next to me since I had no idea who he was and I knew I didn't have anything on me. Next thing I know Manny is telling me that the police officer told me to grab my belongings and exit the bus with him. A rush of panic instantly went through me and all I could think about was someone framed me and this was all a misunderstanding. I grabbed my backpack, embarrassment crossed my face as I passed everyone on the bus to exit. Thankfully Manny was able to come with me to communicate between the police and I. So many thoughts ran through my head and I walked through the isle. Was I going to go to jail in Spain? Did I actually have marijuana on me and I just didn't think about it? What would happen? I stepped off of the bus, set my backpack down and watched the dog sniff around it a couple more times. He definitely smelt something. The police bent down and started to go through my backpack as I stood their in embarrassment. He searched and searched and ended up just finding snacks, which made me hysterical with laughter inside. That damn dog smelt snacks in my bag. I grabbed my bag off the ground and waited for everyone to come off. I could not wait to tell them about what just happened because I knew they were flipping out wondering what was going to happen! I had just got searched for drugs in SPAIN! How ridiculous is that. I definitely am excited to always have a story like this in my pocket. Thank you, police of Spain. 

-Matt Blanchette

Appreciating the Sagrada Familia

When traveling to new locations, you do not have to be an architect in order to visit and appreciate famous buildings. Many well known buildings have long lines and high prices as proof of this. However, after years of schooling, architecture students experience these locations in a much different manner. We marvel over and care about things that many people do not even seem to notice.

My very first semester at Cal, I took a freshman seminar on the buildings of Berkeley. Our first visit was to Doe Library, where my Professor instructed us to feel the difference in material between the original library and the extension. As a group of shy freshman, we timidly pet the wall.

And now, with no hesitance and little prompting, we have no shame in this:

(me)

--Elaina Dente

TABARCA

 
 
 

TABARCA IS A SMALL ISLAND JUST OFF THE COAST OF SANTA POLA. WITH MOST OF THE GROUP GONE TO BARCELONA FOR THE WEEKEND, ALEX TOOK THOSE OF US WHO REMAINED IN GUARDAMAR FOR THE WEEKEND TO THIS WONDERFUL ISLAND FOR A SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

 

 

 

THE FERRY FROM SANTA POLA DROPPED US OFF AT A SMALL BEACH/PORT SPANNING BETWEEN THE TWO MAIN PARTS OF THE ISLAND. ONE SIDE WAS DEVELOPED WITH A SMALL VILLAGE SURROUNDED BY A WALL. THE OTHER SIDE WAS UNDEVELOPED AND CONSISTED OF ONLY A FEW BUILDINGS SCATTERED ACROSS IT. WE DID NOT GET THE CHANCE TO WANDER THROUGH THE LATTER SIDE, BUT ARE PLANNING ON RETURNING FOR A MORE THOROUGH EXPLORATION OF THE ISLAND.

THE ISLAND IS HOT AND SUNNY WITH LITTLE TO NO SHADE. THE FEW TREES THAT ARE PRESENT ARE INADEQUATE IN RESOLVING THIS SITUATION. ALEX AND I HAD TO RETREAT UNDER THE CANOPY OF A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT TO AVOID THE MIDDAY SUN. THE SEAFOOD WAS EXCELLENT! WE ATE SEVERAL COURSES OF FISH AND RICE AND HALF A DOZEN CANAS. ALONG WITH THE ARROZ WE HAD IN LA MARINA, THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST MEAL OF MY TIME HERE IN SPAIN. WE PAID A LOT FOR IT (RELATIVELY), BUT YOU DON'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS TO AVOID ISLAND PRICES

 

THE SMALL CHURCH WAS AN ICON OF THE ISLAND ALWAYS BEING FRAMED BY THE VARIOUS PORTALS IN THE FORT WALL. THE DOORS WERE CLOSED, SO I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS STILL IN USE. THE EXTENSION ON ONE SIDE OF IT LOOKED AS IF IT HAD BEEN FALLING APART FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

 

AFTER THE AFTERNOON MEAL WE EXPLORED SOME SMALL COVES ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE ISLAND. JP, MERNAZ AND IAN DID SOME CLIFF JUMPING. JP... YOU REALLY REALLY CRAZY

WE LATER CONTINUED ON TO ANOTHER SMALL COVE FOR SOME SNORKELING AND CAVE EXPLORATION. BOTH THE SNORKELING AND THE CAVES WERE GREAT. UNFORTUNATELY NO UNDERWATER SHOTS. THE WATER WAS VERY CLEAR AND THERE WAS ABUNDANT MARINE LIFE. I BELIEVE THAT TABARCA IS SOME SORT OF A MARINE RESERVE. WHEN WE RETURN, WE PLAN ON DOING MORE SNORKELING AT OTHER SPOTS AROUND THE ISLAND.

NOAH

sunlights, salinas, and other things

photo credits to heather mcminimee, noah pitts, tran tran

we wandered ever-so-slowly, keeping our eyes fixed at the silhouette of the mountain range across from the salinas, bathed in the most wonderful pinkish light. 
we drifted away from each other, ending up alone on the trail, the salt lake, or in toyo ito's unfinished project.

in my solitude, i had the freedom to amble and really absorb the beauty of the salinas. the vast, rosy-hued area of shallow water, only accessible through a hidden trail beneath the extensive array of shrubs...
there was something about the moment when you finally reach the salt lake and have it all in front of you.

it was a moment that remains burned into my memory - feelings of wonder and excitement at seeing the sublime beauty of nature - the harmonious whole of sunlight, rosy Salinas, and the waves of shrubs......

thus was our groups' documenting toyo ito's unfinished site in torrevieja.

i loved every minute of it.

jp

mmmmmm the fan is my favorite! it makes sitting in studio so pleasant especially since as time has passed here in spain the temperature has risen(still not as hot as Morocco) and the tourist population has increased(hardly any more room on the beach anymore :c). The Pension coffee was super bitter today and it must be stronger than the cafe con leche at ALONE because i'm a little jittery. I hope everyone is feeling better today. most of the group is headed to Barcelona and at least half of them were also feeling the stomach ickies. Two more weeks are left and Guardamar has become our little home away from home. Its so nice after a crazy, exciting week of travel (Altea, Valencia, and Marrakech) to return to a somewhat routine. We have to step it up in studio though with such limited time; Foam and transparency scraps are everywhere and we have to get our tushes out of studio soon. Mid review is today so time to do a bit more work before the reviewers get here. Coffee energy GO! 

~dylan c:

G13: Summer Studio in Guardamar, 2013

Hola G13. I'm starting the first (and slightly belated) post of this semester in our official second studio space: Alone Cafe. Laptop open in front of me with a hot café con leche sitting next to it, Spanish music playing in the background, and Icham walking in and out of the building chatting people up...our studio away from studio is feeling pretty good right now. All that's missing is some hardcore air-conditioning and a hint of inspiration so I can finish writing up "The Program."   

So I'm hoping that we all get to post a few of our memories and stories from our time in Spain here; be it that moment of blissful epiphany at the Alhambra, or that moment when you noticed you've lost your entry ticket to the Alhambra (yup, you know who you are!). This blog is your blank canvas, and it's waiting for your artistic expression to be splashed, painted, cut, dripped, and scribbled all over it. Let's see what you're made of, G13!!

Hasta luego!


-Mernaz