Diana: Day 4

Today started out great, I took a shower in a really cool place. The breakfast was so awesome, they had churros and legit orange juice. We were taking a bus to San Sebastián but it did not show. We had to take a public bus and it was actually really nice. The scenery coming to San Sebastián was incredibly beautiful. There was so much green and you could see the city of Bilbao. When we arrived we went to the hotel and it is amazing. We then went to the beach it is beautiful!!! Beth and I went to get something to eat and passed several bakeries within a three block radius. I got more gelato. I then went into the water and it was amazing; it was so clear and cold but amazing. Then I played kickball and it was so fun! Today I realized that Cheryl and Beth do a lot of amazing things to make this trip happen and I can't thank them enough!! Today was breathtaking and a once in a lifetime memory.  

CJ: Day 4

the travel cunomdrums continue with the latest installment of the arch academy blogs. its cold outside and my numb. got up early and had breakfast in our supervise hotel with 1800s style keys. read my DMV hand book and then drew ate something and had to have his arm amputated. so anyway our private bus did not show up so instead we took a tram and then the spanish equivalent to a greyhound to san sabastian, touring the beutifle country side. after finding our hotel, after a walk we arrived at possible the best beach i’ve ever seen. partly cause it was nude, but also the sand was so fine and smooth and the scenery around it, the buildings and inlands surrounding, made for a beutifle picture. before going in the water, me heather and chip went looking for food and souvenirs. unfortunately, the time period between about 10:00am and 8:00 pm is siesta time so almost nothing was open except for tis greek-american-spanish kabob place where kabobs in spain are bread wraps. not bad actually. and then of course me cooper chip dianna and taylor went in the water which was freezing. because why wouldn’t it be. the water was also crystal clear so you could see the seafloor on the bottom which made for great go pro footage. now its night and cold and i’m in a courtyard by the beach and the air is cold. so now were going to see a little tour f the city from 9:00 to 1:00 but the important thing is there is a rental shop with kayaks and maybe surf board tat i need to find. also it doesn’t get dark t’ill 9:00 pm here. so see you later i’m going to bed.

Matt: Day 4

Sweet awesome town

So today we went to San Sebastián, but our bus didn't come so we had to problem solve and take the public bus. But either way we got an amazing view of the countryside. When we got to San Sebastián we were really surprised to see that it was actually quite different than Bilbao and all of the places we have been to so far. It is really cool to see the uniqueness of different parts of Spain. I am also very happy that we got to experience the food of Biscay. We also went to another really cool beach that was actually called San Sebastián. The hotel is really cool but a tad bit creepy. I am really excited for tomorrow it's going to be a great day. Right now I am in a creepy courtyard with the group. I think I am good though. Just kidding it's a beautiful courtyard, were doing a big tour tomorrow.

ARCH ACADEMY GLOBAL TRIP 2016 - DAY 3

COOPER:

Museum, Surfing, Nachos!

After the American Airlines debacle on the first leg of the trip, this morning's one hour flight from Barcelona to Bilbao felt like a breeze. While I referred to it as bright and early, Heather was quick to remind me that "dark and early" might be a better descriptor. I think she was right. The bus to the airport picked us up just after 6am, and we climbed aboard with heavy eyes and happy hearts. A few croissants the hotel staff was kind enough to set out for us a little earlier than usual also made it onto the bus.

Still no news on my luggage, which is becoming a bit of a running joke among students and staff alike. Beth asked me last night which shirt I'd wear this morning and I assured her I would surprise her. Eric was kind enough to offer me some khaki shorts if need be, Chip offered a spare shirt, and Diana and Cheryl both offered to wear the same outfit every day until my clothes are found. I told them one smelly traveler was probably enough for the plane. I'll get some new clothes in San Sebastián when the time comes.

After settling into our Bilbao hotel, the group meandered over to the Guggenheim museum, which to my surprise was a mere 10 minute walk from our hotel. Talk about centrally located! Thanks again to Beth for helping with that.

While museums can arguably be less than exciting for students, I was actually blown away by both the amazing modern art and just how taken with the museum all of the students seemed to be. We split into small groups, Taylor and I accompanying Matt and Chip as we all gazed in wonderment at the alternating towering structures and smaller art pieces. Judging by the fact that we seldom collided with other small groups from our party, I'm guessing everyone got to explore their preferred mini exhibits throughout the many storied building.

After enjoying our fill of both modern art and even more tapas, we headed back to the hotel to rest for a bit. We then split into two groups: those who wanted to hit the beach and those who wished to venture into town. Eric and Drew took CJ, Matt, and Chip to the beach via public transit. Meanwhile, I stayed back to plan future endeavors for the trip, to blog, and most importantly to take Wesley, Noah, and Diana into town to shop for both souvenirs and gelato. Taylor accompanied us and thankfully served as our human compass, a trait we all appreciated in this beautiful small Spanish town. I know I use the world beautiful fairly often in this blog, but to avoid doing so would be a disservice to the breathtaking landscapes of Spain.

Going into town was lots of fun, and I know Diana was particularly excited for some gelato. Noah and Wesley were a joy to shop with, and their insistence to leave no store unchecked and no street unexplored spoke to a hunger for travel and adventure that quite honestly rivaled the stories of Hemingway. Diana meanwhile exhibited a keen sense of direction and a sense of humor that has served as the glue holding this trip together throughout our seemingly endless adventure via trains, planes, and (you guessed it) automobiles.

When the beach crew got back from their adventure just before dinner, their collective smiles could've lit up the entire city for the night. As I wasn't there I'll let them tell their stories. All I know is Matt and Drew caught waves surfing in Spain and apparently got some serious respect from the locals, particularly for not wearing wetsuits in pretty chilly water. I heard something about a riptide since I guess their surf spot was located where a Spanish river met the sea, but I honestly couldn't have been less worried. After swimming with the Zombie crew, I'd honestly trust any of them to save any of us staff from any aquatic situation. Life is an adventure, and I can honestly say that if Matt, Chip, And CJ went home tonight, the whole trip would've been worth it for them just for that afternoon.

Much respect and thanks to Eric for his impeccable understanding of European public transit and to Drew for keeping the boys safe in the water. And because Spain borders France, a surprising amount of people here speak French. So Eric's fluent French has more than helped us out on the trip, as has the firm understanding of Spanish that both Drew and Heather employ. So gracias, mis amigos (I only got through Semester 3 of Spanish myself).

I also want to thank Cheryl for her endless supply of jokes to keep up all our spirits. She has been the emotional support go-to for each and every one of us whenever anyone has the slightest issue. Her positive attitude and confidence in both the students and staff has proved she is nothing short of the rock we all need. So, thank you Cheryl.

The night found us eating mas tapas and nachos, in addition to a variety of other incredible local cuisine. While Madrid would have been great to visit, I think Matt was right to opt for Bilbao instead; it was cool to see a smaller, and therefore less touristy and less English speaking, part of the country. Tomorrow we ride the bus to San Sebastián, and I know we are all very excited for that. And honestly, we're also pretty excited to sleep in till the bus picks us up at 11AM. A good night's rest, here we come!!

DIANA - Day 3

DIANA:

Today started out with waking up early in the morning, about 5:30. We went to the airport and flew to Bilbo. It was only an hour long, best plane ride yet. We went to the hotel and it is incredible. We took 15 minutes to rest and then we went to The Guggenheim and it was cool. I thought it was interesting and I saw a wooden sculpture artist that was from Romania!! After, we went back to the hotel however me and Cheryl walked in a couple of circles before we found the hotel. We rested for a few minutes and then some of us went to the beach and some of us went into town and bought some souvenirs. Then we went to dinner and now we are blogging

CJ - Day 3

CJ:

This morning was reminiscent of a typical zombie morning. Getting up way too early at 5:00 I  the morning. After that we went to the airport where we got on a very cramped airline and flew to bilbao. After getting a bite to eat we went to the guginhime. The museum was too great to be fully viewed with one visit. So me and Eric stayed on the third floor observing the modern arts. After the trip I embarked on an adventure to Mundaka, which is like one of the best surf spots in the world or somthin. Matt and drew are probably amazing out in their blogs but their actual reactions are now captured on many photos. However the scenery of the beach was the stuff of legends. Me and chip went for a swim and then we didn't realize we were in a rip and I got towed back into the beach. Meh worth it. It was a life experience which I won't forget. The ocean was so nice while I was out there I don't really care. Glad to be here with my freinds, peace and and love .... yeah that's totally not happening. Thanks and good night.

MATT: Day 3

MATT:

The First Time I Bought a Souvenir

- By Matt Georgy

Today, was one of the most amazing days of my young life. I was emerged in some modern art masterpieces and i went on an extremely legit surf trip that was literally beyond belief. First, i went to the modern art museum known as the Goongheim. But, that was not nearly as school as Mundaka (sorry art people) Mundaka may be the best break in the world and it is for sure the best break in Europe, but we didn’t score. Unfortunately one thing that people don’t get about Mundaka is the fact that it is 360 degree unique beauty. In the back of the waves there is a beautiful island. On one side there was a beautifully built old church. On the other side there are nice hillside houses and then while surfing the wave if you look straight forward there are mountains in the distance and the foreground. AMAZING and an incredibly unique beach. We also rented boards from a guy named Mundaka Mike, and i bought a shirt that had Mundaka on it (this one of my first t shirts with emblems and souvenirs in a while) it was really great and i got pictures me surfing. We went back into the beach through a castle. Anyway, thanks for sending me and Zombie Patrol swam in Europe’s longest Left!!!!