By Sue

As we wander through the cities and towns on our journey, each of us has something that elicits the following declaration: “We have to stop and check this out!” For the kids it might be a bakery window filled with tempting pastries or an outdoor exercise park; for Max, it’s a plaque detailing an important historical event or person. In my case it is, without question, a community garden tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. A few days ago while strolling through Madrid on our way to the Sunday flea market, I hit the jackpot!

As we walked down a sleepy, residential street an open gate along a beautiful mural-covered brick wall beckoned us to take a look. Stepping through the gate we were not disappointed. The sign that greeted us read as follows (translated from Spanish – thank you Google translate!):

This square is a community garden constructed by many people who opt for a coexistence based on mutual trust, ecology, regrowth and defending the common good. It’s a place to share and to experience the reality derived from these values in a public space.

Wall outside the garden.

Right away you notice that a building must have once stood on this site as the garden is bordered on three sides by tall apartment buildings. A roughly ten foot brick wall is all that remains of the previous structure and every inch is either adorned with art or has been transformed to serve a community function such as a teaching space built into an archway along the street wall.

View towards the entry.

Growing space – apartments in the background.

Mural on inside wall.

Teachingl/learning space along the wall.

In addition to plenty of room set aside to grow vegetables and tend fruit trees, this “plaza guapa”, roughly the size of half a football field, packs in many other wonderful features including a bike repair area, a geodesic dome/potting shed, outdoor oven, theater area for viewing movies, gazebo, teaching space, children’s play area, swings, and a game table. Each area is thoughtfully constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials.

Bike repair area.

Outdoor theater.

Gazebo area.

Outdoor oven.

Imagine how many different ways neighbors and visitors connect with this space, experience community, and feel a sense of ownership and pride in what they have created! The collective creativity and energy that built and sustains this space is evident in every detail throughout the garden. I felt so lucky to stumble upon this hidden gem in the heart of busy, energetic Madrid. It made my day and sent me on my way inspired and excited to reconnect with my own community garden (Hillman City P-Patch) when we return.

By Max

One glorious, but really hot day in Sevilla, we discovered a wonderful way to see a large European city in a way that appeals to our whole group; renting bicycles! As Sevilla is a relatively flat city with many bike friendly routes we set out on a Sunday morning to see as much as we could.

We’re on our way!

Starting with a beautiful ride along the Guadalquivir River we made it quickly to our first stop, the Museo Del Castillo De San Jorge (Castle of St. George).  I was really eager to see the castle as it is home to an interactive museum on the Spanish Inquisition. From 1481 – 1785 the castle was the headquarters of the Inquisition in Spain. What a powerful experience to read, see, and engage with artifacts of this time in Spanish history. We all left with a deeper understanding of the scope and intensity of the Inquisition.

Having met our educational goal for the day, Sue insisted that we take in the local culture by visiting some ceramics shops and a highly acclaimed bakery.  While Noah, Caleb and I were pretty bored by the pottery, the bakery definitely lived up to its billing!

The amazing selection at Dulceria Manu Jara.

Romi can’t wait to dive in!

Caleb pretending to be interested in the ceramics store.

From the bakery, somehow it was time for sushi.  Yes, that’s right- baked goods followed by sushi!  A few days earlier we had spied some beautiful looking fish at the Triana Market and Noah insisted that we return to make sure it tasted as good as it looked.  We were not disappointed!

This way to sushi.

Satisfied customers.

Next, it was Romi’s turn to take the lead as we biked towards the Maria Luisa Park.  Maria Luisa Park is a beautiful car free zone in the middle of the city.  Home to the Plaza de España, acres of gardens, and museums, we biked through dirt paths trying to stay in the shade as much as possible.

Maria Luisa Park

Plaza Espana

As the day got even hotter, it was Sue’s turn to choose our next destination.  This typically makes us nervous as she has a habit of finding big hills with boring stuff at the top.  This time, however, her wanderings led to pay dirt.  As we rode along abandoned streets (by now siesta time on a Sunday), she found what appeared to be a modern art school and public space.  It was well over 90 degrees and for the first time that day, we started hearing groans of “can’t we go home now?”  We pushed on and to our surprise, behind the school was a bandstand with a jazz ensemble and refreshments! As we sat there with drinks and snacks we all agreed on how lucky we are to share in these great experiences together.

Enjoying jazz outdoors.

In an earlier post, Learning on the Road, Caleb shared an essay he wrote describing his experiences learning outside the classroom. He found out this week that a revised version of that original essay has been published on the Getting Smart website.  He has worked very hard on this piece, making several revisions along the way.  See the published version here:

Caleb’s blog post

By Caleb

When we were planning our time in Barcelona, one thing I really wanted to do was see a FC Barcelona match.  My dad and I bought tickets way back in November and after many months of waiting, the big day finally arrived. To get to the game we first had to take the subway across town. We got there so early that they weren’t even letting people in yet (there were loads of people waiting to get in). That gave me time to buy a jersey and a scarf.

Picking up some FC
Barcelona swag before the game

Entrance to the stadium

We got to our seats so early that they were still watering the field so we walked around the stadium. Barcelona played Real Sociedad that night and for majority of the game Barcelona had the ball and was basically in control. Barcelona won 2-0 with two goals in the second half including a bicycle kick by Pedro.

Still not many fans at the stadium

Watching the game in Barcelona was much different then watching a game in the U.S. During the game people are cheering, but mostly for specific things like a good play or a bad call. At the games in the U.S. there is usually constant cheering and noise. During the entire Barcelona game everyone stayed seated and concentrated on the game. At the games in the U.S. there are so many distractions and people are always moving around the stadium.

A full stadium ready for a match!

I prefer the Spanish way of watching soccer because it is much more about the game than anything else. My dad and I watched another FC Barcelona game in a bar and it was the same feeling of focus and concentration. In Spain watching sports is an important community experience. On game nights all the bars and restaurants are packed and you can hear cheering and yelling across the neighborhood.

By Romi and Sue

Picture a building that looks like it belongs in a Dr. Suess book, integrates whimsical forms and structures inspired by nature, and reflects a deep spirituality. Chances are you would be looking at a masterpiece by the architect/artist, Antoni Gaudi. As one of the leading contributors of the Modernista movement in Barcelona in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Gaudi’s thumbprint and genius is seen all around this beautiful city.

Entry buildings at Park Guell

During our week-long stay in Barcelona, we visited many of Gaudi’s masterpieces both on our own and as part of a walking tour led by a spunky tour guide named Tia. This included the amazing Park Guell located in the hills above Barcelona; several of his extraordinary houses for the very rich including Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Palau Guell; and, of course, the indescribable and yet to be completed, Sagrada Familia.

Exterior of Casa Batllo

Casa Mila

Sagrada Familia

 Romi wrote about two of her favorites which she shares below:

My two favorite works by Gaudi are Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia. Park Guell is located on the edge of the city up in the hills. Gaudi started working on the project in 1900 as a garden city for the rich. The plan for the garden city did not work out, but he finished some of it and today it is a public park.

The first area you see is the plaza. This is a beautiful place to sit down and take pictures of the city. He decorated the benches with colorful tiles and built them to look like waves. I imagined people would have used this area for singing, dancing, sitting and talking.

View of the plaza at Park Guell

Wavy, colorful  benches

Another thing I really liked was the lizard on the stairways leading up to the market space. I think Gaudi put that there because he liked lizards and wanted a symbol so people could remember Park Guell.

The colorful lizard on the stops leading to the market

Park Guell market space

My other favorite work by Gaudi was the Sagrada Familia. This is probably his most famous work of art. He started on the church in 1915 and kept working on it until he died in 1926. He only built three parts of the church before he died: the crypt, the apse, and part of the Nativity facade. They have been working on it ever since he died and hope to finish on the 100^th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. If they work hard enough I think they can finish.

One of the cool parts of the Sagrada Familia was the stained glass windows that brought so many colors into the church. The outside of the church is also very beautiful. They built it very carefully and there is so much to look at. There are three facades and each represents parts of the life of Jesus. Gaudi was inspired by nature and on the inside of the church you can see pillars that look like trees and the ceiling looks like sand dollars and seashells. When the Sagrada Familia is finished it will be even more beautiful than it is now!

Entrance to Sagrada Familia (Nativity facade)

Light from the stained glass

View of the ceiling