Raphael Kessler

I spent several months in Spain supposedly studying Business at the Universidad de Leon. My associates and I made a point of trying to study the culture more closely than the course texts.

I spent a few months living in a city called Leon in the Northwest of the country. The city is attractive with a fantastic cathedral (photo 1) making an attractive view from our flat window (photo 2). The city is very old, with old cobbled streets in parts (photo 3) and a nice main square in the old part of town (photo 4). The Hostal San Marcos (photo 5) in Leon is a fantastic hotel with a museum and cloisters, making the hotel itself seem more like a museum than a hotel. All over the city, storks nest on the rooves and on steeples (photo 6). All this splendour was not however reflected in our accommodation as our coal heated flat suffered from major damp problems and mold (photo 7).

The university town of Salamanca has some attractive buildings and a pleasant vibe.

Madrid has some nice sites to visit, including attractive parks (photos 1 & 2) and churches (photo 3). There are also nice big avenues (photo 4) such as the Paseo del Prado which has some fantastic art galleries. The Royal Cathedral is an imposing building (photo 5) and it faces the Royal Palace (photo 6) which is not a humble abode.

When I visited Cadiz it was carnival time so many people were in fancy dress (photo 2).

The town of Jerez de la Frontera is famous for the Sherry it produces as well as its Brandy. I visited a Bodega there which was interesting for the tour, but the best bit was drinking in the aromas as we walked amongst the massive barrels of booze (photos 1 & 2). Then we were given cream and dry sherries and two different brandies to try, which was very much appreciated. 

In Astorga the Bishop's castle, designed by Gaudi is an interesting building (photo 1). When I was there, there was a big carnival parade with lots of different themed groups in the procession (photos 2 - 4).

Barcelona is an attractive city set on the sea. The old fort there is attractive (photo 1), but it is not that, which Barcelona is most famous for. Those honours would have to go to Columbus and the fact that he set sail from Barcelona when he found America, although judging by the fact that his statue is pointing the wrong way it was lucky he did (photo 2). Gaudi's architecture around Barcelona are some of its most instantly recognisable landmarks, particularly Park Guell (photos 2 - 5) and the still unfinished church of the Segrada Familia (photos 6 - 9), with its tell tale spires.

The scenery in Spain is generally pleasant and at times there are odd things to spot such as troglodytes (photo below).