Last Days at Grupo Cantico

I had my two last days of school with all of my English classes at Grupo Cantico on Tuesday May, 31 and Wednesday June, 1. I didn't really know what to expect and just planned on having a reflective conversation hour on the school year and plans for the summer with a final good-bye. It turned out that all of my English classes, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year had planned a little surprise for me. The first class with third year was actually a surprise but I soon caught on by the second one.

We all gathered in the gym where each class had some food and drinks and presented me with their own little gift. A few of the classes presented me with a T-shirt they had made for me saying We Love Melissa with all of their names signed. One of the other classes had put together a gift bag for me with an assortment of jewelry. The director of the school also presented me with a pin of an angel which is the symbol of Grupo Cantico. A few of the classes had Sevilliana music playing, which is the typical Music from Andalusia and they insisted on teaching me Sevilliana which is the dance that goes along with the music. I was a little hesitant at first but I soon got right into it.

It was such a perfect ending to my time at Grupo Cantico and my two years as a Language and Culture Assistant. It was great to spend more time with the students and have some last good byes with them.

Group Picture with 4th Year

Reading the card from 3rd year...So adorable!

My T-shirt from 3rd year

The Director of Grupo Cantico presenting the pin

Attempting to dance La Sevilliana

Group Picture of 3rd year

Me and some of the girls from 3rd year

The director of the Bilingual Department, Antonio Jesus

My presents from 2nd year

Some of the girls from 2nd year

Group Picture with 2nd year

La Feria

Friday May, 20-Sunday May 29 2011

Every year Cordoba has its' biggest festival of the year called La Feria over a 10 day period at the end of May. It is similar to a typical state fair in the United States with all of the regular rides and concession stands. However, this fair also has another bigger section with lots of big, white tents in rows forming streets. These tents are called Cosetas. Each coseta is its' own restaurant, bar or club with its' own theme. Many of the woman are wearing Sevilliana dresses which are the typical Andalusian dresses woman wear while dancing to Sevilliana music similar to Flemenco. Some of the men are dressed in typical clothing as well which includes special suits and hats. During the day time there are people riding in horse and carriages through the fair where the horses are decorated with colorful bows in their hair. People come at all hours of the day and stay until late at night gathering with friends and family while enjoying themselves. It is the stereotypical image of Spain more importantly of Andalusia.

One of the Coseta's

The Horses

Boy on Pony

The Entrance to La Feria

At night

My experiences at La Feria were such a perfect ending to my time in Spain with all of my close friends I have made this year along with experiencing the true Spanish culture one last time. I went several afternoons and evenings with my close American friends. But I also had the opportunity to go with two of the teachers at my school, Patro and Maria Jose. I was invited to have lunch with them and the teachers from another school where Maria Jose worked at last year. Lunch was followed by lots of dancing from one coseta to the next. It was such a great experience to be able to take part in the festivities with a bunch of Spaniards along with meeting new people.

With the teachers at Grupo Cantico