US Embassy in Spain

U.S. Embassy Madrid

Calle Serrano, 75
28006 Madrid
Spain

• Telephone+(34) (91) 587-2200
• Emergency After-Hours Telephone+(34) (91) 587-2200
• Fax+(34) (91) 587-2303
• Email askacs@state.gov
• U.S. Embassy Madrid

Radio lab

Most of you know that I love the photos on BING.com and I love listening to NPR. I know...it makes me a geek. BUT this episode of RadioLab was so interesting. I had never heard the story. The episode is a full hour long -- you only want to listen about Felipe II of Spain and his son, Carlos and the amazing prayer prayer machine they built. This is Season 10, Episode 9 Ghost Stories. You want to start listening at 40:00. I hope you enjoy it.


http://www.radiolab.org/story/218948-ghost-stories/

Itinerary

Day 2(Tuesday): Málaga | Granada – Meet your Tour Director at the airport. We land at about 1:00. Emily Struck will join us at about 3:00. Be prepared to hang at the airport for a bit.
 When ALL of our group is together we get on the bus and travel to Granada
Day 3(Wednesday): Granada – Take an expertly guided tour of Granada – Compete in “City Challenge” scavenger hunt – Visit the Alhambra, Granada’s crowning jewel that’s widely recognized as the world’s premier example of Moorish architecture. Built as an all-in-one alcazaba (fortress), alcazar (palace) and small medina (city), the Alhambra was home to the last of the Nasrid Sultans. Elaborately embellished in the 14th century and surrounded by lush green trees, it was described by Moorish poets as “a pearl set in emeralds.” See the exotic mosaics, fountains, latticed windows, arabesques and ornamented courtyards that made this vast stronghold worthy of royal occupancy. Here, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella agreed to finance the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus. – Visit a Moroccan tea house
Day 4(Thursday): Granada | Seville – Visit an olive farm – Travel to Seville, city of bullfights, flamenco dancing, Don Juan and Carmen, and the heartbeat of Andalusian culture. During your stay you can follow narrow, twisting alleys through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, where picturesque whitewashed houses, flower- filled patios and tiled benches are pleasant reminders of an unhurried lifestyle. Pass by Maria Louisa Park to admire the mosaics and fountains of Plaza de España, centerpiece of the 1929 Ibero-American Fair. Visit the Moorish Alcázar and the grave of Christopher Columbus, inside Seville’s Cathedral. And imagine the spectacle of a traditional Spanish bullfight at the Plaza de Toros, celebrated for its Baroque architecture and historical significance. – Take a walking tour of Seville: Giralda Tower; Torre del Oro; Plaza de Toros – Attend a flamenco show
Day 5 (Friday): Seville – Take an expertly guided tour of Seville: Barrio de Santa Cruz – Visit the Seville Cathedral – Visit the Seville Bullring – Enjoy free time in Seville – Take a salsa lesson
Day 6 (Saturday): Córdoba | Madrid – Travel to Córdoba – Visit the Mezquita – Continue on to Madrid
Day 7 (Sunday): Madrid – Take an expertly guided tour of Madrid: Puerta del Sol; Plaza Mayor – Visit the Palacio Real – Take a walking tour of Madrid – Visit the Prado
Day 8(Monday): Madrid – Participate in a student exchange (This has been changed. The students are having finals week. I am hoping to go to the Retiro Park)
Day 9(Tuesday): Madrid | Barcelona – Travel by AVE train to Barcelona, an art lover’s dream city and the place where masters like Miró, Picasso and Dalí flourished. During your stay you’ll explore open-air plazas dotted with avant-garde gems, like the Plaza de Catalunya and Plaza España. Snap photos of the twisting spires of La Sagrada Familia and the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, which delights with dazzling light and water shows. From atop Montjuïc Hill enjoy panoramic views of the harbor below. Here you’ll also find the 1992 Olympic stadium. Marvel at the landscaped greenery and playful Modernist mosaics on your visit to Park Güell. Flower vendors and street performers greet you as you walk the tree-lined Las Ramblas. – Take an expertly guided tour of Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia; Montjuïc Hill; Barrio Gótico; – Visit Park Güell
Day 10(Wednesday): Barcelona – Take a walking tour of Barcelona: Las Ramblas – Time to see more of Barcelona or See Barcelona by bike
Day 11(Thursday): Depart for home. We should be landing in Sioux Falls at about a quarter to nine at night. Emily will be arriving at 9:10. Please make sure you have a way to go home.

I am including a link to a fairly polite discussion on a bidet. There is no need for you to use them. They are pretty handy for washing laundry in :)

How to Use a Bidet

Hotel Info

Overnight Information

From	To	Name and Address	City	Telephone	Website
6/9/2015	6/11/2015	Princesa Ana ET Avenida Constitucion, 37 Granada 18014 Spain	Granada	+34 958 28 74 47	www.hotelprincesaana.com/en/
6/11/2015	6/13/2015	Hotel Giralda Calle Sierra Nevada 3 Sevilla 41003 Spain	Seville	+34 95 441 66 61	www.hotelescatalonia.es
6/13/2015	6/16/2015	Mediodia Hotel Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, 8 Madrid 28012 Spain	Madrid	+34 915 27 30 60	www.mediodiahotel.com
6/16/2015	6/18/2015	Hotel Park Guell Passeig Mare de Deu del Coll, 10 Barcelona 08023 Spain	Barcelona	+34 9 32191204	www.hotelescatalonia.com

Si se puede

We have checked with TSA and you may indeed have a DISPOSABLE razor in your carry-on. This should alleviate shaving woes.

Also, all hotels have hair dryers. ...and speaking of bathroom amenities...we need to instruct you on bidets :)

I have contacted the bank about exchanging currency. There is a service fee PLUS an additional charge if you change less than $300. I have been assured that the Euros are delivered next day. I am waiting for exchange rate to improve -- it looks like it is starting to move in the right direction.

Welcome!

Bienvenidos. In 35 days we leave for Espana. This will serve as a way for all of us to stay connected and share some pictures.

We will see you all at the meeting tomorrow. -- Sra. Kallis