Spain After Franco and the New Monarchy

            The period of 1936 to 1975 saw the years under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. During the beginning of his reign, Hitler and Mussolini backed him; however, during the Cold War, Franco’s Spain was seen as an ally by the United States because of its strong anti-communist ideologies. Under Franco’s republic, it is estimated that around 35,000 people were killed while more extreme estimates put the death toll at 500,000. Many of his executions were of “reds” all the while with the Catholic Church at his side.

            A few years before Franco’s death, he appointed Prince Juan Carlos I as his successor to the throne. Even though Juan Carlos supported Franco during his reign, his ideas were much different behind closed doors. When Prince Carlos I took reign on November 22, 1975, he began trying to turn around Franco’s dictatorship and convert it to a democracy. In 1977, the country held its first democratic elections (after Franco), where Juan Carlos was named the “Heir to the Historic Dynasty” as opposed to just a successor of Franco. Even though many other leaders thought that Juan Carlos’ rule would be very temporary, even calling him “Juan Carlos the Brief”, the king has been in power even to this day.

            Under King Juan Carlos I, he managed to change the country’s government from a fearful dictatorship to a parliamentary democracy. The king has made himself very likable throughout the nation of Spain and even throughout much of the world (even though much of the country is in mass disappointment with the way the former prime minister, a socialist, has transformed the country). He has instituted prime ministers, policies to allow exchange between students in Spain and Latin America and has even legalized gay marriage.

            These days, the king doesn’t hold a large part in the government but more of a figurehead position. He stands as the moral blueprint and symbol for the country. Again, while many people admire and like King Juan Carlos, there are a great number who are extremely dissatisfied with the government of Spain, as it has essentially turned into a socialist one. There have been many protests in recent months protesting the abolishment of the current system of government and trying to get reform for the people.

            Even though King Juan Carlos may not play a huge role in the government anymore, he is still the only one who can nominate the president and his role in the monarchy will always be to help keep the people of free in a democratic sense.

http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/franco.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=YiA9rvx9pBYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=spain+after+franco&hl=en&ei=xUssToD2Kci4tgeor6zXAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Visit to the Prado

Visiting the Prado Museum was something remnant of visiting the national art gallery in Washington D.C. (which in fact I was surprised to find that some of the featured artists’ works are located in Washington). Except in Spain. I feel it would be a great dishonor to my reader to not admit that I am far from an art connoisseur.  Wine and food? Sure. But art, not so much. However, I did not want my ineptitude in the art department take away from my general experience at the Prado. Therefore, I did find pieces that I did admire quite a bit, even for someone who knows almost nothing about art.

To begin…

Diego Velazquez:

This artist was born in 1599 in Seville, Spain and is considered one of the “most supreme” artists of all time. Velazquez lived in Madrid for most of the time except when he was traveling to work on paintings in Venice and Rome. Some of his most famous works include The Surrender of Breda, Phillip IV, The Spinners, and, The Maids of Honor.

After visiting the museum, I have to say that the painting of Velázquez’s that I like the most was “Las Meninas”. I find it interesting that this painting was of the King and Queen of Spain’s daughter, infanta Margarita, but more so that it was done in the Alcázar Palace in Madrid. Another odd note is that after looking closely enough, you can tell that the main male figure in the painting is actually Velazquez himself. It is said that this is the only self-portrait the artist ever did.

 I like this piece the most because of the regal feel to it. I love how everyone in the picture is doting on young Margarita and her in the middle of it all, looking like the princess she actually is. So many girls grow up with the fantasy of being a princess but this young girl actually was one. The picture is just so majestic, with the young girls and her parents reflected in the mirror in the background, just discernable to the eye. This was by far my favorite of the three paintings discussed here and my favorite to see in person. 

Francisco Zurbarán

            Francisco de Zurbarán was born in 1598 in Western Spain. He is most noted for his religious paintings. He was later sent by his parents to serve as an apprentice to a painter in Seville where he eventually mastered different types of ways to create his works such as charcoal. He is said to have learned similar styles to that of Velázquez.

            I wasn’t crazy most of Zurbarán’s works but having to choose I have to say that the “Immaculate Conception” was my favorite. The theme of the picture was beautiful and gracious. The Virgin Mary stands, surrounded by objects that represent her pureness. In the Catholic religion, it is practice to worship the Virgin Mary so I felt that this painting was very representative of that.

Alonso Cano

            Alonso Cano was born March 19, 1601 in Granada. He is famous for his paintings, architecture, and sculptures. One of his most famous works is of Madonna and Child in Lebrija. He was the first royal architect to King Phillip IV and designed the façade of the cathedral in Granada.

            Ironically, the piece I like most from Cano was Virgin and Child, closely related in theme to Zurbarán’s “Immaculate Conception”. I really like the way Cano depicts the Virgin and Jesus in the painting by their facial expressions. They both look peaceful and happy and each is adorned with a light halo above their head. The overall picture is somewhat dark in color but Mary and Jesus stand out quite bright, giving light to their expressions. He does a great job at depicting a scene that has been done time and time again. 

After my visit to the Prado, I think that I will definitely be more inclined to visit more art museums in future. It becomes very overwhelming after a certain point but finding a piece as beautiful as "Las Meninas" and seeing it in person is an experience worthwhile. 

Some sights in Sevilla...

This post is of some of my favorite things from when we were in Sevilla...Enjoy!

The MetroPol Parasol is a brand new addition to Sevilla, inaugurated only a few weeks before we arrived. This beautiful piece of modern architecture is something that will become a landmark for Seville in its own time. Also, when we visited, it was being used for protests against the government!

This picture was taken from the top of the Giralda. The view from the top is amazing and from the side that I took this, you can see the Plaza de Toros. I never actually got to visit the plaza myself, but it looks impressive even from this distance. Hopefully when I return to Seville I will be able to visit. 

This is the day we went wine tasting at the culinary school in Sevilla. We tasted three different types of "vinos tintos" and ate lunch there as well. The wines were spectacular, some of the best I have ever tasted...and I have tasted a lot of wine!

On this day, we went to the Italica which is an ancient Roman Ruin. It is so mystifying here and quiet (besides the screaming FIU students, of course!). I was missing my roommates this day though...

This was by far one of my favorite places in Sevilla! The Plaza de España was such a great last minute thing to see. Not only was it beautiful and rich with history, part of Star Wars was filmed here!

This is from Bar Zafiro on the corner where the hotel is located. In the picture is my meal of "Rabo de Toro" and a glass of "vino tinto". I frequented this cafe quite often seeing as it was only a minute's walk away. This dish ended up being spectacular; between the potatoes and the meat, it was heaven on my taste buds. And of course, the wine was good as always!

These are pretty much my most memorable days in Sevilla. There were so many other pictures but these were the ones that made me feel like I was really living the dream I had sought for so long.

Last Day in Sevilla

As I sit at a table at Bar Zafiro, a little café on the corner where we have stayed for the past three weeks, I am somewhat saddened by the thought that today is my last day in Sevilla.

            Since we arrived here almost three weeks ago, I feel like time has just flied by. Before I left, my mom told me to enjoy every moment because before I knew it I would be back home in Miami. In reference to this, I have to say that I definitely made the most out of this trip. From the museums and cathedrals to the tapas and wine, I have embraced so much of the Spanish culture while here, even the siestas!

            As far as the food and wine goes, let’s just say that there were very few things I didn’t try. In fact, as I write this, I am sipping on a glass of vino tinto and trying the rabo de torro (bull tail). It is spectacular; thanks for suggesting this Dad! For those who are wondering, it tastes very similar to like a beef stew. Other delectable items of food that I have tasted in Sevilla include but are not limited to: pincho de bacalao con pralinas y cebollas caremelizado (cod fish on toast with pralines and caramelized onions), all types of croquettas (bacalao, jamon, manchego, and even mushroom), cheese stuffed pimiento peppers on top of toast with caramelized onions, salmon ravioli, montaditos with jamon, chorizo and cheese, tortilla and of course lots of jamon and queso.

            In regards to what my favorite restaurant would be, I would have to say that I have literally enjoyed almost every single meal I have eaten here in Sevilla so it is difficult to name just one. However, the places that stood out to me the most were Azafrán, Bodega de la Pitarra, and La Alacena de San Eloy. All of these places offered different things from the codfish with onions to spectacular jamon croquettas.

            If there is one thing that I will admit to not being a huge fan of it was the gazpacho. Don’t get me wrong, the flavor is spectacular; however, there is something about cold soup that just does not do it for me. In the long run though, at least I can say that I tried it.

            When I tried to pack all of my things this afternoon after my siesta, I was definitely having some trouble. I guess you don’t realize how much you accumulate in three weeks until you have to pack it into one bag. Between souvenirs and new clothes (yes, I may have gone slightly overboard with that one), I just can’t seem to make it fit very well. On the plus side, I have an extra duffle bag that I plan on using to put all the stuff for the plane ride back.

            I just finished my rabo de torro and I am adding this to my list of favorite eats on this trip. It was absolutely incredible. I am finishing up my glass of wine now and getting ready to pay my “cuenta”.

            One thing I began to be very comfortable with was the language. Don’t get me wrong, I am still no expert in Spanish. But if there was one thing that was terrifying me before this trip was the language barrier. After a couple days though, I learned how to communicate the necessities and just go with the flow. If they didn’t understand my Spanish, I would just try again.

            The waiter just took a swig of beer before taking my money for the bill. What a different world here. So relaxed. No stress. I’m going to miss this. I leave for Madrid in less than 12 hours where my day will be packed to the brim once again for the next two days before I leave.

I have enjoyed this trip so much and I am beyond grateful that I was given this opportunity that I have always longed for. I hope to be able to visit Sevilla again some day because this city is just wonderful. 

Weekend in Portugal...

Let me start by saying that I am so incredibly grateful to be here. I don't think I could have ever imagined being in places as beautiful as Spain and Portugal. If someone would have told me I would be on a beach in Portugal a year ago, I would not have believed them. 

Lagos is a beautiful city. The white buildings and houses piled on hills, the enormous cliffs that overlook the ocean,  and the spectacular beaches are perfect descriptions of this small beach town. 

The picture above was taken on my first day in Portugal when the tour guides took us to a cliff to watch the sunset. I was in awe. The beauty of the ocean, the breathtaking height of the cliffs (which scared me quite a bit if I am being honest), all of it came together to create a beautiful moment for me. 

Later that night, we went to a Portuguese restaurant where I had swordfish with french fries and salad. Let me say this about the restaurants in Portugal: while a meal may cost a little more than in Spain, the amount is just ridiculous. Every place I ate at was accompanied by salad and the portion was huge. The swordfish was pretty good, but it could have been a little more moist. The highlight of the evening though was me spilling wine on my purse, again, within 10 minutes of sitting down at the table. My clumsiness on this trip has gotten to the point where I don't even care anymore! As soon as the wine spilled at the restaurant, of course I was embarrassed but I started laughing so hard that I was actually crying. It was probably one of the funniest moments on this trip; I have learned to let things go more quickly and just move on from stupid things that I can't do anything about. 

The most amazing moment for me on this trip to Portugal was at the beach on Saturday. After arriving at the beach, I was in awe. However, when I really took it all in was about half an hour later when Caressa and I walked up to the little beach restaurant. I ordered a six euro pitcher of sangria, expensive in my book and fish sticks off the kids menu. When my sangria arrived, I no longer cared about the price, I was in paradise. This sangria was possibly the best sangria I have ever tasted but it was just part of what made my moment. As I sat there, drinking my sangria, I took in what I was looking at. From my chair on the patio outside the restaurant just above the sand, I could see the ocean's tides coming in, the cliffs in the distance and the houses stacked up on hills. It was the most serene moment I have had in a very long time. At that moment, I just felt overwhelmed with gratefulness for life and this experience. 

On Sunday, I did something that I have always wanted to do: surf! Since I was young (and after I saw Blue Crush), I have wanted to try surfing. Something about it just always seemed so cool and different and appealed to me from the beginning. Definitely not as easy as it looks though! We started by having to put our wetsuits on which if you have ever had to put a full body one on, you know how much of a pain this is. After this, we carried our boards down a small hill and over to where we would be receiving our lessons. We began by running a little bit to warm up and afterwards doing some stretching. Then the fun began. First, the instructor told us to get in the water and body surf, without the board. So much fun! The waves would take us all the way up to the sand. After we were done with this, we took our boards out into the crystal blue water (sans sharks) and tried to just ride the wave on our stomachs. This part was probably the funnest. Being able to finally be on a board and just enjoy the water and the crashing of the waves was amazing. After this exercise, he taught us how to get up on the board while on the sand and then told to go try it out in the water. Every time I would try to get up on that board, I would fall off. I tried and tried, unsuccessfully except for one precious moment when I was able to get on the board with my feet for about a nanosecond. Regardless of the fact that I didn't do well, it was such a blast! I thoroughly enjoyed just being in the water and sitting on the board with the waves crashing against me. 

I am now back in Sevilla preparing for our project that is due on Wednesday. We are working hard because we are presenting to the Seville Board of Tourism. On Thursday morning we leave for Madrid and then Saturday I will be back in Miami. As much fun as I am having here, I definitely miss you all back home and can't wait to see everyone of you. But in the meantime, I definitely plan on making the most of my last days in Spain! I see many more tapas, montaditos, and vino tinto are in my future for the next four days and I can't wait...

xoxo

Advocacy Journalism and Western Europe

            Advocacy journalism has made a splash in recent years as the type of reporting that has an opinion. This is not to say that only some journalism has an opinion because they all do. However, the difference here is that those who are considered advocacy journalists are very open about their opinion when reporting their stories. These journalists go about their job in a facts-based way but with the edge of supporting a specific view or agenda. Some of these agendas deal with politics, climate, social issues, corporate business, and so on. These journalists take a stand in what they are writing and refuse to be objective. Whether this refusal is for an actual passion of the topic at hand or just for ratings, that is another story; but many of the reporters do really seem to be whole-heartedly convicted to their stories.

            There are different reasons for these journalists wanting to disregard objectivity in their jobs. One of the main reasons is that journalists want the edge up today’s competitive job market. It is difficult to find a job in the climate of economy we are dealing with these days so having an opinion that will get a lot of attention is a plus. If they can say something that will get viewers to turn up their televisions, they are doing their job right.

            Another reason many journalists are leaning toward this form is because a great number believe that there is no such thing as being completely objective to begin with. They believe that when it comes to most issues, it is impossible to report in a “matter-of-fact” type of way with no bias or underlined opinion in the matter that comes out. It is also said that many news outlets while trying to be “unbiased” are really promoting their own cause anyways, leaving no room for actual objectivity. A great example of this would be many of the 24-hour news outlets such as CNN and FOX News. They claim that they are objective but it is obvious which political parties they lean toward and which issues that agree and disagree with.

            With all this though, it is claimed that regardless of how they actually report the information, the audience who wants to watch will continue to watch and the one who doesn’t will turn off the channel. Viewers who agree with the message will probably continue to agree with most everything else on the channel that is already non-objective. Obviously, this is not 100 percent of the time, but in regards to national issues such as politics and economics, this theory could stand true for many.

            Another important part of advocacy journalism is that it is not all “muckraking”. For the most part, this form of journalism tries to be as factually correct as possible while still promoting a specific agenda. These journalists believe that this is more than possible.

            In Western Europe, this idea is no different. The only difference between the United States media and in Europe is that we try to look objective while they are more straightforward about the fact that they are reporting based on a biased opinion.  Spain’s media is extremely biased in the sense that while yes, they are allowed to report and have free press these days, the government’s opinion is still plastered all over the newsstands. However, in recent days with the protests and whatnot, the role of advocacy journalism is even more important for this country. At this point, they are going through mass protests regarding the government and its role in the citizen’s lives. It is a huge debate between which type of political system is better for Spain and the journalists are definitely taking advantage of such a mass outcry from the people of Spain.

            While many consider this type of journalism great, especially those who regard a certain political party highly or on a certain issue, others think that the lack of objectivity will cloud the mind of those who are either uneducated enough to discern what is “good” from what is “bad” and what is true and factual as opposed to just, well, “muck”.

Reales Alcazares and More...

Recently we visited the Reales Alcazares as a group. I was quite impressed with the idea that this is were the king and queen stay when they are in Seville. The gardens inside were amazing as were the fountains and just the buildings in general. Unfortunately, my camera died about 10 minutes into the tour. I managed to snap a few pictures before the battery died and I took a few with my phone but I was slightly disappointed about this.

Later today, we will be leaving on a bus to Portugal! I am beyond excited for this side trip! It took me a while to figure out what I was going to do on this weekend because it was originally scheduled at Morocco but with the international climate the way it has been lately, it wasn't a safe option. Because of this, I had looked into Barcelona, Valencia, and even Paris. When everything just fell through or wasn't a good idea, Portugal was offered to us instead of Morocco. As soon as I heard this, I decided that this was where I wanted to go.

So right now I am finishing packing my things for our beach weekend that I am thrilled about. I am sure it is going to be beautiful. Supposedly there is a boat that we can go out on called a "sangria cruise". I plan on signing up for this but I am not sure about the surfing that they are offering. I guess time will tell what I end up doing....

Until next time, hasta luego!