Scouts

Hello Everyone,

I have so much to share with you all and I'm really backewd up with my blog posts, I hope to get them up to date soon! I joined a scout troop here about 2 months ago and I'm really enjoying it although it is very different than Boy Scouts in the US. In Spain, there aren't Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Scouts is co-ed with boys and girls together. It is also much more informal than Boy Scouts back home. Our meetings consist of just hanging out and eating lunch or dinner, or watching a movie. But, there are others events throughout the year such as volunteer projects and campouts. You also don't have to complete requirements to obtain rnk in the troop. The scouts are ranked only by age. I'm really glad I joined because its fun and I'm getting to know some more people. I'm going on a camping trip during Christmas break with scouts. We are going camping in the Pyrennes Mountains in the north of Spain from December 26th through the 29th. I'm really exciting. I even have my class 'B' uniform and neckerchief from back home to wear that my parents sent to me. Although I don't have my equipment such as my framepack, sleeping bag, etc., the troop has extras that they offered me. I'm really excited!

Until next time, Brian

Monasterio de Piedra (Photos Continued)

Hello Everyone,

Here's some more photos from Monasterio de Piedra. Enjoy!

Until next time, Brian

Monasterio de Piedra

Hello Everyone,

On Monday, October 31^st, I went to Monasterio de Piedra. It is an old monastery and nature preserve about an hour north of Zaragoza. I went with my host mom Marta’s class. She teaches 6^th grade Spanish, English, Art, and Religion. The bus ride consisted of myself, Marta and a few other teachers, and about sixty 6^th graders singing and telling jokes. It was a fun bus ride to say the least! When we arrived, we went to a birds of prey show which was really neat. After the show we walked and toured the nature preserve. We then took a break for lunch. Afterwards, we toured the monastery. Some of the monastery is in ruins but some is also preserved. We the hopped on the bus and headed back to Zaragoza. Although I was a little sad to be missing Halloween in the US, I had a great, adventurous day. Also, after I saw the pictures that my mom sent me of the 2 ½ feet of snow that fell in NY, I wasn’t feeling too bad about missing Halloween there. The nature preserve was beautiful! There were countless waterfalls and caves, it was incredible. The caves with water reminded me of one of my favorite movies, The Goonies, which I happened to see here in Spanish! Anyways, I really enjoyed the trip. So far, it was my favorite outdoor/nature trip. I hope you all enjoy the pictures below!

Until next time, Brian

Classical Concert

Hello Everyone,

On Sunday, October 30^th, I went to with the other exchange students, Maggie and Joe, and Joe’s host dad to a classical music concert. The concert was at “Auditorio Pricipal” and it started at 11:30 a.m. and ended at about 1:00 p.m. There was a break halfway through. The concert was all classical music and the band was only young people ranging from about fourteen to seventeen years old. They did great and sounded amazing! After the concert, we walked and looked around at a street fair for about a half an hour, and then I took the bus back to my house.  It was a nice morning and it was something different to do so I had a good time!

Until next time, Brian

Parque Grande Adventure

Hello Everyone,

On Saturday, October 29^th, I went to “Parque Grande” by myself to hang out and explore a bit. “Parque Grande” or “Big Park” (What an original name. HA!) is Zaragoza’s version of New York’s Central Park. It is an enormous park in the middle of the city with endless walking trails, gardens, forest, monuments, and fountains. I walked around the park, took a lot of pictures, and rode a go-cart-esque bike. It looked like a go-cart but you ride it like a bike in that you pedal for it to go.  It was also a special event day in the park. There was an “NBA On-Tour” exhibition which was really cool! After a few hours in the park, I left because it was getting dark and walked around the city a little bit. I enjoyed just hanging out and exploring the city a bit on my own. I hope everyone is doing well, enjoy the pictures below!

Until next time, Brian