Spain Flashback!

You might say that my blogging muse has been on vacation for the past month. Fortunately, there's nothing like writing cover letters ad nauseum and having three papers due in one week to get you into the writin' groove. The class I'm sitting in right now is super boring, so behold:

SPAIN. As seen in February.

First: AVILA. Home of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, we had the chance to tour the convent that St. T entered, have Mass at her first reformed convent (Convent of St. Joseph), and check out the awesome museums scattered about the medieval city.

We saw St. J's famous sketch of the cross, which I'm thinking was the inspiration for Salvador Dali down the road.



As well as a crucifix which moved St. Teresa.



Monika and I outside of the convent, with Avila in the background.


The garden where St. Teresa had a vision which inspired part of the Interior Castle . . .I think . . .


Next: GRANADA. And the amazing Muslim fortress/palace the Alahambra, covered with carvings and tiles with intricate designs.

The incredible stucco ceilings in Alahambra.


The wall next to the Granada Cathedral offers a most difficult decision.


Some choices are much easier. I think we managed to find the one Italian-themed caffe in Granada.


My classmate Elizabeth sampling some beautiful Spanish acoustics.


Eventually, I chose Spiritual Enlightenment. The interior of the Granada Cathedral. Absolutely loved the light blue with the gold, especially when combined with the white walls. We also got to see the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabel, but they wouldn't let you take pictures there.



The interior of a church dedicated to St. John of God. I'm sorry, but all that gold was just gross. I thought I was going to have a seizure from all that shininess by the time we got to the Gospel.