Bil-wow

I had no expectations for Bilbao. Brennan studied there fall of his junior year, and whenever I've heard his talk about the trip, it was always about cool places they had gone elsewhere in Europe. So when I saw the city on the schedule, I thought it would be good homework time. False. It was beautiful. Part of it was the perfect weather (60-70 degrees, and sunny), and that the city was a beautiful combination of old fashion and modern architecture that made it feel distinct from the other places we've been. But it was also a fun environment to be in. There were tons of young people (college students and families) and because everyone goes out for "tapas" in the evenings, the shops and restaurants are all busy at night, which made us feel like we were in a bigger city (like London).

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

playing in the Guggenheim

modern art... okay so at first glance, it looks weird. but it we had audio-guides that gave context for everything we were seeing and helped explain the artists point in their art, which was extremely helpful and kept me from writing it off.  the main exhibit was on Oldenburg and most of his art was in designed in reaction to discontent with American consumerism and it was surprisingly interesting and informative, although I definitely enjoyed it more for the history than the art. 

tommy and scott

on the river outside the Guggenheim 

our second afternoon, the pointers canceled the museum we were supposed to visit and planned a boat trip around bilbao instead. even though we move around a lot, our schedule of class, museums, and something at some point in the evening is fairly consistent, so we were all super happy about having something fun to break it up! 

kelsey and me

me, corinne and jess

after the boat cruise, luke, tommy, corey, emily and i went up to a park that i've been running through the last few days and wanted to visit one last time. its a walk from anywhere we went as a group and our hotel, but right along the river a ways, and was hands down my favorite place in bilbao. 

meet emily schock. she's one of four emily's on our trip. but it's shocking how cool she is. (sorry... that was bad). anyway, she's the only student on the trip not from westmont. she goes to Taylor University (its in the midwest). we like her so much that we are trying to convince her to transfer. but considering that she graduates in the spring, the odds are against us. 

night at the symphony 

me, jess, lauren

jess found the most amazing store ever. it was everything cozy and wonderful. what i'm holding happens to be a slipper that has little beads that you warm up in the microwave and then wear. how awesome is that? it took everything in me to maintain self-control. 

 any idea what's going on in spain right now? synopsis: people are not happy that that they took out too many loans to by homes they couldn't afford and are angry that they now have to take steps to pay them back (sound familiar?)... we are taking a class on the EU and actually had a chance to hear a guest lecture on the economic crisis last week, which was incredible to hear about. then we stumbled onto this protest later that same night. there were about 6 blocks of people packed and marching calling for spanish government to loosen the austerity measures.

this is what "Tapas" looks like! people here eat late and it's weird. call me culturally insensitive, but the structure of the spanish day is unlike anywhere else we have been and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense... although it is fun! tapas happens between 8-11 and everyone goes home and eats dinner or goes out after that (they then carve a three hour block of their afternoons out for "siesta"). so it serves as appetizer time. the atmosphere is great, and its fun that families are walking around/at all the parks and friends are hanging out in the streets with their "tapas".