Big praise to our cooperative school, Central College and the excellent program they have established here. I had no idea how many different trips and opportunities they would have prepared for us here.

We went to Morocco for five days, to Jaen to see a bullfight and some caves, to Toledo and Madrid for a weekend, to a local concert in Granada, and to an olive oil factory in the mountains. We also had a Thanksgiving banquet last week and we will have a farewell banquet next week as well, all on the program! Of course I did pay for the program (let’s not forget to give thanks for scholarships), but I really didn’t expect to have so many provided experiences, especially considering that I paid a little less for this semester than I did for one in Valpo. How about that?!

Toledo and Madrid were superb, I’ll let the photos do the majority of the talking. View the complete album here on Picasa.

So you know the expression "Holy Toledo"? Well, turns out Toledo has an unreal number of churches, something like 81, hence the term.

Suzanne, Tom, me, Amy and Kelsey, who decided that since doesn't go to Valpo she couldn't face forward, come on Kelsey!!

View of the Puerta del Sol from our hotel. We we're right in the heart of Madrid.

Palacio Real, riveting to look around inside. Just imagining that the royal family lived there and that the building is also used today is incredible.

Well, here I am in December! A good friend of mine is coming to visit tomorrow during my pre-exam break. I´m really looking forward to exploring the city more and making the most of my last few weeks to indulge in Granada´s tapas.