MARCO Art Museum

As many of you may know, I can't pass up a good deal when I see it.  Especially when something free is involved.  My roommates boyfriend told me about this art museum on calle principe called MARCO.  It's a free art museum.  So Alex and I wandered on down there one day and decided to check it out.  

The art exhibit was on petroleum and its effects on the environment in Galicia.  

Alaska represented all the way from Vigo! 

This is used petroleum displayed on the floor.  There was a door handle placed inside it. 

Alex checking out the display of petroleum photography.  

These oil cans were circling in the center of the room.  Pretty cool.  

There were a lot more other interesting videos, displays, and pieces of art.  I couldn't possibly take it all in.  But I'm definitely glad I went and got a taste of something new.  I'll have to keep an eye open to see what else they put on display here!

Pontevedra

 This past weekend I had nothing planned.  So my friend Siobhan and I decided that we needed to take a day trip somewhere close.  We finally ended on, Pontevedra.  Pontevedra is actually the "captiol" of our providence.  Even though Vigo is a larger city, it is situated in the providence of Pontevedra.  The city of Pontevedra is approximately 15-20 minutes north of Vigo.  While the terrain around Pontevedra is extremely similar to that of Vigo, it is not built on the side of a mountain, therefore is generally flat and easily walkable.  I enjoyed this since in Vigo you are always walking up or down a hill.  The city has a great feel to it! The old part of town was precious, and we stumbled upon the Mercado as well! Luckily my friends Anna and Fabian lived in Pontevedra last year so they were able to show us around town.  Check out some of my pics and video!

Capela da Virxw Peregrina - The church of the pilgrim

See that shell? That is the symbol for the Camino de Santiago.  In case you've never heard of it, the city Santiago de Compostela in Galicia has one of the largest, most beautiful cathedrals in Spain.  I am hoping to visit soon.  It is legend that the remains of St. James are buried there.  Out of respect to this saint for thousands of years people have been walking to this Cathedral from all over to pay their respects.  There are several routes of the Camino de Santiago, but one of the most famous goes across the entire northern part of Spain from France.  This sign is part of the camino that goes from Lisbon, Portugal all the way to Santiago.  Some people will walk for weeks, or even months on these pilgrimages.  Today, they aren't so much a religious thing as much as an adventure.  I have heard of many people making short pilgrimages from Vigo to Santiago (which will take about a weekend) for the pure thrill of saying they did it and also being able to meet other people on their way.  If you're interested, here's a link to some more information on the Camino de Santiago.

After arriving, we sat down in the city center for a class of Orange juice, some croissants, and some relaxation.  It was a Saturday morning so all of the families were out and about, taking their kids for a walk, enjoying the sunshine and spending quality time with each other.   

Next we walked down to the Mercado.  This place was so cool! I've heard that there are Mercados  in Vigo all over the place but I haven't found anything like this one.  Check out the video below to see what it was like! 

Mussels, Prawns, Shrimp, Crab.... Basically any seafood you can imagine.  

And several different kinds of fish I had never seen or heard of before.  I have this urge to go to a place like this and buy some fresh fish.  But unfortunately I would have absolutely no idea how to prepare it.  

Calamari - Can't get any fresher than that! 

And this is Ria de Pontevedrea Lerez.  This is the oldest bridge in Pontevedra.  The Ria goes through the center of the entire town.  

On a Saturday afternoon, people can be seen walking around in small hidden squares such as this, relaxing and enjoying the nice weather.  

This is an old church in the Praza da Ferreria.  

Xardins de Vicenti - There were lots of beautiful parks/fountains.  

Catedral de Pontevedra -  We wanted to climb to the top, but it was closed due to mass. 

Siobhan making friends as usual.  

We had a little bit of fun with all the random statues in the streets!

Ruinas de Santo Domingo

Ruinas de Santo Domingo

Ruinas de Santo Domingo

This house was for sale.  How cool would it be to live in a house like this!? The front door was open and we thought about exploring for a second, then got too scared! 

Palm Trees! When moving to Spain I thought there wouldn't be any palm trees at all.  BUT they are everywhere and these were too beautiful not to capture.  

And this was our group in Pontevedra! 

One Month

I thought tonight I would get a quick update out there.  Some awesome things went down this week.  Firstly I got to watch my beloved Green Bay Packers play on Sunday, which was a great way to start out the week! So in honor, I spread my Packer Pride on monday by wearing my Packer gear to work!

Tuesday I stayed a littler later at work to hang up some Halloween decorations.  I took the barco (boat) back to Vigo.  The entire day had been rainy and thunderstorming.  And this was the view I got on my way home.  

Its just so amazing how here it can be pouring rain one minute and the next sunny and blue sky.  

Last Thursday I was surprised in my last ten minutes of school by a photographer and journalist.  They wanted to do a "little" writeup about me being at my school.  So, I sat down and talked with them for almost 30 minutes about life here, and how it is different than the United States.  I told them about how I really would like to practice my Castellano and learn about their culture.  The last 10 minutes of the interview a co-worker pokes his head in and says "Did she tell you about her farm of 400 cows!?" Needless to say, after that, my headline by my article states "The students were surprised when she talks about here farm of 400 cows." While I wanted to concentrate on how much I have learned and hope to learn, I have to say - GOT MILK? I'm pretty proud that I am the only person I've met so far from an agriculture background.  I'm hoping that I can share a lot of experiences of my life in the U.S. with everyone here.  

At school this week after the newspaper ran, I've had several students and parents whisper / say, "Look! It's the girl with 400 cows!" 

This is just a pretty fountain I found down by the port the other day on my walk home.  Thought I'd share.  

And Finally, Thank you Grandma Betty! I got my first piece of mail this last week! I was SO excited! 

It's hanging on my bulletin board.   

Tomorrow I will try to get some more food, lessons, and pictures of Pontevedra up for you to see! 

Ciao! 

Monteferro y Monte cepudo

Last Sunday when I got home from Portugal a couple friends invited me to tag along on a drive to the "Monte".  I'm still getting to know Vigo and it's surroundings but thought this sounds exciting! We piled in the car and had an awesome afternoon of spectacular views and great conversation.  

Our first stop was at the beach! You can see the famous Islas Cies in the distance.  Apparently Las Islas Cies were voted in the top 5 beaches in the world.  

Siobhan in front of the view from the top of Monteferro.  

Monteferro - This is a monument that is in honor of seamen.  

Rough Translation: This monument was raised by the universal navy so that all navigators can see the emotion that Spain salutes to all of you.  So that this granite perpetually emanates feelings of love to comfort the solitary travelers of the splendid atlantic plain.  

Rough Translation: Inaugerating this monument on July 28, 1924, reining Don Alfonso XIII; the president of the directorio, Don Miguel Primo de Rivera; with assistance from the general Don Severiano Matinez Anido; primary protector and the cooperation of the generals Don Luis Bermudez de Castro, Minister of the Guard, and Don Angel R. Del Barrio, Military Governor of Vigo.  Blessed by Don Manuel Vidal Boullon.  

Rough Translation: A dedication for the navigators that in the fight for existence fell at sea with their grave.  For those that have kept fighting for the honor of their country or for the ideals of so many tragedies in the end found their grave in the Atlantic.   

Siobhan and I with the Islas in the background.  

A windy day, but still gorgeous views.

Navigation tower that helps all the boats at sea.  

Vigo in the distance

Las Islas Cies.

Waves crashing on the rocks.  

The sun was poking through the clouds.  

Monte cepudo - A lookout above the city of Vigo

With the city in the background- VIGO!

Another view of Las Islas Cies, and the Atlantic Ocean behind them.  

Breathtaking views. 

Across the Ria (Inlet) is the city where I teach! 

And the mountains in the distance.  

More mountains

Two posts in one day - Looks like I'm starting to finally be on top of things! I hope you are enjoying all my pictures and experiences that I am sharing with you.  I love looking at my blog and seeing that I have had 1500 views already! =) Makes me feel loved!