A PROFE ZERBEY PUBLICATION

ISSUE NO. 1

ESPAÑA 2010 ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL / SUMMER 2010 / VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

15 June Fast
Approaches…
Let’s Get
Ready!!!!
Okay, so I just wanted to create handy
guide for you guys to use before we
take our big trip. This guide holds
valuable information for you
regarding just about everything -
what to pack, what to do about
money, what I need from you and
maybe most importantly - what to
leave behind. So read on...

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

First and foremost, comfortable
shoes. Let me write that again - The last time I was there...
COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! We’ll be
Back in 2007, I visited Spain as a We went from Barcelona to
doing a lot of walking and if you think
co-chaperone on a trip that Sra. Zaragoza, Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba,
you’ll be able to survive eight days
Reynolds led, along with her Sevilla, Granada and wrapped up
wearing nothing but flip-flops, I’d
husband and Sr. Escobedo (my the trip on the sea in the town next
advise against it. If you’d like to bring
roommate on the trip). There were to the one we’ll be visiting -
a couple sets of flip-flops, you can, but
20 kids on the trip - 17 girls and 3 Torremolinos. We saw a lot of cool
make sure you have a pair of
boys - along with the adults. Plus, stuff in those places. I hope this
sneakers of something that’ll be
we got to hang out with Señor’s trip is as rewarding for you as it
comfortable when we’re walking
parents for a little bit too. was for the ’07 students.
around Madrid or Sevilla during the
afternoons.
continued on page 2

TORRE DE ORO - on the shores of the Río PALACIO DE LOS NAZARÍES - Part of the PUERTA DE ALCALÁ - the old eastern gate
Guadalquivir, the tower held all the booty that Alhambra in Granada, nominated to be one of of the city of Madrid, now sits in the middle of
the explorers brought back from the Americas the new Seven Wonders of the World. a roundabout, still worth checking out and
in the 1600s and 1700s. Really cool at night! Incredible architecture and setting. taking a photo or two.
If you want to bring stuff like
hairdryers and straighteners, etc. I
suggest that you check on the
A COUPLE FAVORITES
voltage. Many American appliances
won’t work over in Europe. You can La Giralda, the tower of Sevilla’s
cathedral is really cool! You can walk
buy a converter, but you’ll need a
up to the top and get fantastic views of
120/240 converter for it to work in
the entire city. Well worth the climb!
our hotels. And I don’t know that
everybody needs to bring one for
themself. Maybe just a few of you
could bring them and then share?
As far as shampoos, conditioners,
etc. go, if it’s in a travel sized bottle,
you should be fine. But keep in mind
that if you forget something, we’ll be
able to pick up whatever you need in
Madrid. For further info on what to
pack, check the list I provided to
you.

WHAT ABOUT MONEY? The Palacio Real in Madrid, ceremonial

The thing I’d recommend is to go to
your bank and open up a VISA ATM
debit card. They’d need to be VISA,
though, with the VISA logo. It’s a
good way to go because your folks can
add money to the card from home and
there’s a secure PIN for you to use to
keep things safe. Bringing a bunch of
cash isn’t advisable simply because
you never know what might fall out of
your pocket/purse. I think that
outside of shopping money, you
should be able to make do with about
$8 or $9 Euros for lunch (remember
home to Rey Juan Carlos and Reina
Sofía, has the biggest and most
impressive collection of clocks in Spain.
that breakfast and dinner area
already paid for). Also, I would like to
collect 45 Euros in cash from you at
the time of departure. I’m going to
use that to tip our drivers, etc. You
can get Euros at some banks, but you
can definitely get them at AAA. You
need to call ahead to order them,
though. And it usually takes two or
three days for them to get them
shipped in. You can also get them at
the Huntington Bank in River. And as
a last resort, there’s a place
downtown that sells them. Let me
know if that’s your best option and I’ll
give you all the details. Travelers
Cheques are kind of annoying, but if
that’s what you want to bring along,
I’d ask you to bring along cash as
well.
continued on pg. 3

THREE PROFE TRIPS: HUNDREDS OF MEMORIES

WHEN PROFE WEN

T WHERE
Madrid
2003, ’05, ’07
Toledo
2003, ’05, ’07
Sevilla

2005, ’07
Granada

2005, ’07
Cordoba

“I saw my first professional Spanish “Plaza de España in Madrid with the 2005, ’07
soccer game at Estadio Sánchez statues of Don Quijote and Sancho Barcelona, Zaragoza

2007
Pizjuan in Sevilla. Sevilla lost, but it Panza down below Miguel de Alpujarras, Cabo de
was a lot of fun to attend.” Cervantes. Really cool place to see.” Gata
2005
Valladolid, Segovia,
Ruta de
Quijote, Alcalá de He
— 2007 — 2005 nares
2003
Profe’s top ten tapas for you to try
Patatas Bravas
Croquetas
Empanadas
Calamares
Profe’s Tapas #1
Jamón Ibérico
•••
Wondering about your cellphones? I
Queso Manchego
think it’s a good idea for you to have
them. I’m not sure you want to text
Montaditos
your friends back in the U.S., but for
us to communicate when separated,
Sepia
they could come in handy. I’m sure
there’ll be additional charges for
Espárragos Blancos
texts, but you’ll have to check with
your phone carrier to get all the info
Camarones al ajillo
on that. In addition to keeping in
touch with me on the trip and with
your folks later, you can use them as
alarm clocks. Plus plus, when we
return to the States, you’ll be able to
contact them with updates on our
flights, etc. You probably want to
bring a camera and your iPod. Plus,
we do not have any plans for a
laundry stop, so make sure you pack
enough underwear and socks. Of
course, as I mentioned earlier, we will
be in civilization, so you can buy
anything you forget over there.
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU
See the document that came to you
along with the e-mail. There’s a
CHECK THE OTHER ATTACHMENTS
The e-mail that gave you this guide also has
helpful documents to print out about many/
most of the topics on the preceding two
pages. Be sure to read them carefully. These
next two weeks will fly past, so let’s make the
most of our time. Please don’t wait until the
last minute to get your things in order. Please
DO contact me if you have any questions
about anything.
document that’s called the LETTER
OF UNDERSTANDING. I need you to
read it and sign it and return it to me.
1.
Ditto for your folks. The other
documents spell out what I need from
2.
you much better than this guide
could. But just remember - 45 Euros
3.
cash.
4.
WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND
Bottom line is - don’t bring anything
5.
to Spain that is too valuable to you to
lose. Sure, phones and cameras and
6.
cash can be replaced if they get lost or
stolen, but you should really think
7.
twice about bringing anything that
has an incredible amount of
8.
emotional and/or personal value to
you. Jewelry? A photo? A stuffed
9.
animal? I think you can live for a
week without them. That’s my
10.
two cents. If you’re thinking
about bringing a laptop, maybe FROM THE EDITOR
you don’t need to. Each hotel we It’s been three long summ
ers since
stay in will have a “business my last trip to Spain, so
you have no
center” or “computer lab” of idea how much I’m loo
king forward
some sort, so I don’t know that to going there with you
guys. Can’t
you’ll need your own laptop. It’s wait to show you som
e of my
not like you’ll have a lot of time favorite stuff over the
re. I hope you
to hang out in your room enjoy it half as much
as I do. If you
chatting on Facebook or have an open mind an
d take
whatever. I am bringing my ev erything in stride, it’l
l be a good
own laptop, for whatever that’s trip for you. Just rel
ax, take in the
worth. But I will also be staying sights and expect to
have fun!!!
in Spain for another week after
Profe Zerbey
you guys leave.
LUNCH, SNACKS, ETC. IN CASE YOU’RE CURIOUS...
The only thing I really want to ask you to do, In Spain, they use a different format of DVD,
for me… as a favor… is to at least please TRY so in the event that you find yourself mulling
all of the food that gets put in front of you over the purchase of some movie, that might
while we’re in Spain. It’s too easy for you to not be a great idea unless you have a multi-
hit McDonald’s when we’re out and about for region DVD player at home. CDs, on the
lunch. Please don’t. If you want advice about otherhand, are standard. You can buy music
lunch food, ask me for help. Also, be sure to there and listen to it when you get back here.
get some gelatto. It’s like ice cream, but No problema!
different. Mitchell’s has nothing on gelatto!
 MADRID Madrid - the heart and capital of
the country

Population:
city - 3.3 million
province - 6.4 million

Mayor:
Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón

Founded: 8th Century B.C.

Established as Capital:
1561

Avg. June Temps:

High - 80 F / 26.9 C
Low - 59 F / 15.1 C

Head of State: President

José Luis Zapatero
‘MADRID ES CAPITAL’ IS THE CITY’S MOTTO AND YOU’LL
Unofficial Heads of
State: Rey Juan Carlos I y
SEE WHY THAT REFERS TO MORE THAN JUST BEING NÚMEROS
HOME TO THE COUNTRY’S GOVERNMENT
Reina Sofía
We will begin our time in Madrid with visits to the
Daily newspapers sold
Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de España, three
Ancient Roman Name: in the city
great places for people watching and three places that
Ursaria or “land of bears”

10
are very important to all madrileños. That same first
day in town, we’ll also get a guided tour of one
of the world’s finest museums, El Prado.
Poll Results The following day, we’ll see more of the
capital, featuring a tour of the Royal Palace, Daily sports papers
Best Museums in th
e City and other intimate looks at the city’s most sold in the city
famous monuments such as the Puerta de

4
El Prado
38% Alcalá, Fuente de Cibeles, Grán Vía and La
Calle Mayor. That night, we’ll have a dinner of
Reina Sofía
29% a series of different tapas and we’ll learn all
about that uniquely Spanish tradition of eating
Thyssen-Bornemisz
a 16% small portions of food while out for the evening.
Works of art owned
Sorolla
14% There will be time for shopping in Madrid, and by El Prado

7,000
depending on how things are going, maybe we’ll
Museo Arqueológico
8% take in a movie that second night after the
tapas. What do you think about “Shrek Forever
Museo de las Amér
icas 5% and Ever” in Spanish with English subtitles??
 CÓRDOBA Córdoba - remnants of the
former Moorish capital

Population: > 325,000

Mayor: Andrés Ocaña

Rabadán

Founded: 8 B.C.

Avg. June Temps:

High - 89 F / 31.5 C
Low - 60 F / 15.5 C

Autonomous
Community: Andalucía

Ancient Roman Name:

Kartuba or “rich and
beautiful city”

AN IMPRESSIVE BUILDING, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT,

AWAITS YOU ON THE BANKS OF THE RÍO NUMBERS
GUADALQUIVIR - LA MEZQUITA DE CÓRDOBA
One of the most amazing things about the Mezquita is
Columns in the
that it was built by human hands. It’s easy to take that
Mezquita
for granted when walking past the many, many columns

856
that support the ceiling of the mosque. It took
203 years to build, and as Moorish different
Poll Results leaders came into power, they continued
adding to it. It was the largest mosque in the
Coolest things to do world before the Reconquista began, and now
/see
in/near Córdoba it’s the home to Córdoba’s Catholic Major additions to the
247 ipsum Archdiocese. original Mezquita

4
Mezquita While we’re in Córdoba, we’ll be stopping for
50% lunch in the Jewish Quarter, where all the
Puente Romano judíos lived until they were kicked out of Spain
23% in 1492. There’s a beautiful synagogue in this
Bullfighting Museum neighborhood, as well as great examples of the
12% typical architecture of the region. We will have Year construction
Alcázar to navigate the narrow streets and alleys and began
7%

784
passageways, all with white walls to lessen the
Sinagoga effects of the scorching Andalusian sun. It’ll be
5% tricky not to get lost in there, but I’m sure you’ll
Other be able to do it.
3%
 SEVILLA Sevilla - the capital of Andalucía
is a southern gem

Population: > 703,000

Mayor: Alfredo Sánchez

Monteseirín

Founded: 8th Century B.C.

Avg. June Temps:

High - 88 F / 31.0 C
Low - 62 F / 16.7 C

Autonomous
Community: Andalucía

Ancient Roman Name:

Hispalis

THE CAPITAL OF WHAT IS STEREOTYPICALLY SPAIN -

FLAMENCO AND BULLFIGHTING AND SUN - IS ALL NUMBERS
THAT AND MUCH MORE, THANKS TO ITS HISTORY
When we get to Sevilla, you’re going to notice how hot it
Height, in feet of
is. It’s a different kind of heat from what you might feel
La Giralda
in Madrid - luckily we’ll be there in June and not in

320
August. THAT month brings some serious
heat to the entire province.
Poll Results We’ll begin our time there with a walking tour
Coolest things to do of the important parts of the center of the city.
/see That would be the Cathedral, which houses the
in/near Sevilla Bridges over the
tomb of Christopher Columbus (allegedly), and Guadalquivir in Sevilla
247 ipsum
also has the Giralda, the bell tower that you

9
Cathedral have to climb in order to have a complete trip
25% to Sevilla. We’ll also visit the Alcázar, which
Ríó Guadalquivir, et was the palace of the Moorish royal family who
c. 24% lived in Andalucía in the 1300s. Fernando and
Parque María Luisa Isabella took it over and Carlos I added on to it.
23% We’ll also check out the old Jewish quarter, Columns at the Plaza
Plaza de España called el barrio de Santa Cruz. That night, we’ll de España
10%

?
go to a tablao to attend a live flamenco
Reales Alcázares performance that will be unforgettable for you.
9% Guitars playing, feet stomping, hands clapping…
Others it’ll be hard for you to sit still during the show.
9%
GRANADA Granada - a little piece of
paradise on Earth

Population: ± 238,000

Mayor: José Torres

Hurtado

Founded: 7th Century B.C.

Avg. June Temps:

High - 84 F / 28.8 C
Low - 57 F / 13.9 C

Autonomous
Community: Andalucía

Ancient Roman Name:

Iliberis

THE ALHAMBRA WAS THE MASTERPIECE OF THE

NASRID DYNASTY, EQUAL PARTS FORTRESS, PALACE NUMBERS
AND MARVEL OF MEDIEVAL CONSTRUCTION
There’s more to do and see in Granada than just the
Years it took to
Alhambra, but no trip to this city in the northern
complete the Alhambra
foothills of the Sierra Nevada would be complete without

62
a visit. And there’s enough to see up there for
a visitor to while away an entire day, but we’ll
Poll Results make it through the highlights. This would
include the Casas Reales, the Alcazaba and
Coolest things to do also the Generalife. Granted, these structures
/see
in/near Granada have been refurbished through the years and Lions in the
247 responses are kept in great condition by a cadre of Patio de los Leones

12
caretakers, but if you block out the other
Alhambra
% 48 tourists, you can almost imagine that you can
hear the sultan or sultana speaking Arabic
Albaicín
% 23 around the next corner. The Alhambra (and
the Generalife) is honestly one of my favorite
Capilla Real
20% places ever, anywhere.
Carlos who built a square
Depending on time, we’ll probably check out the palace inside the
El Carmen de los Má
rtires 4% winding streets of Sacromonte on the hill across
Alhambra

I
Sacromonte from the Alhambra and visit the Albaicín, the
3% old Moorish quarter, down near the banks of the
Other Río Darro.
2%
 COSTA Benalmádena - a peaceful,
seaside resort to end the trip

DEL SOL
Population: > 50,000

Mayor: Enrique Moya

Founded: 7th Century B.C.

Avg. June Temps:

High - 84 F / 28.8 C
Low - 57 F / 13.9 C

Autonomous
Community: Andalucía

Ancient Arabic Name:

Beni al-Medina or “Son of
the Settlement”
BRING A GOOD BOOK TO READ DURING YOUR
BEACH TIME, AND DON’T FORGET YOUR BATHING NUMBERS
SUIT BECAUSE WE’LL HAVE ALL DAY TO DO NOTHING
We’ll be spending our last 1.5 days in the quaint, seas-
Height in meters of
side resort city of Benalmádena, which sits between two
Europe’s tallest
other towns cut from the same cloth (Torremolinos and
Buddhist
Fuengirola). You can be sure that the sun will
Enlightenment stupa,
be shining down on us during that time. Since
Poll Results it’s June the beach won’t be really crowded.
located near
Benalmádena
That also means the Mediterranean won’t be

33
Coolest things to do very warm. In fact, it might be kinda’ chilly.
at
La Costa del Sol But don’t let that stop you from going for a
247 ipsum swim. It won’t stop me! Plus, I’m sure our
hotel will have a much warmer pool.
Chill
20% When not at the beach, your biggest decisions
Miles west
Relax will be a) where to eat; b) which crappy t-shirt
20% to buy for your little brother/little sister/father/
Benalmádena sits from
the waters of the
Swim mother; and c) which flavor of gelatto would
20% you like to try. You could also check out the
Atlantic

85
Eat marina, which - as marinas go - is pretty cool.
20% After all the walking around we’ll be doing over
Shop the first six days of the tour, the time by the
19% beach will be a welcome relief. So plan to take it
Other easy as you enjoy your final day in Spain.
1%