Time flies by because already two more weeks have passed since the previous report from Spain. However, the girls seem to be very active. They are enjoying everything and they are having lots of fun there despite the blackout Spain experienced. Luckily, it lasted just one afternoon.
Introduction by Romana Vančáková
Zuzana Sajdlová
Week 3
I will start a description of this week with Friday. This day we went to a three-day trip to the province of Huelva. We visited mines of Riotinto – Red river in English, where we went for a sightseeing tour in an old train. There were incredible rocks of many different colours and a river which was truly red. It was amazing. After we headed to our accommodation, a beautiful ancient house in the middle of nowhere. On Saturday we went to Aracena. We visited a fabulous cave located in the middle of the town and after we went up to an outstanding castle from where we could see the whole city and a greenery surrounding it. The next day, we just returned home.
On Monday school started again. But this week we had less lessons than usually because one class was on a trip in Madrid, so it was calmer. One day we visited a centre of Cádiz, we went for a nice walk, and we looked at several shops. I also went to a gym with Czech girls for three times to be more fit. I spent some very good time on the beach, and I had a bath for the first time there. On Thursday I accompanied Sara to her volunteering, where they help immigrants to learn Spanish. It was an interesting experience. And on Friday I went to a football match in a stadium near our house. The atmosphere was amazing, and Cádiz won, so I really enjoyed it. After the match I went to a dinner with Sara and her friends. And although we ate at a time when I usually sleep, I had a very good time.
Week 4
This week we had more free days than school days, so I was relaxing a lot, but I also did many enjoyable activities. On Saturday we went to Sevilla to Isla Mágica, an amazing theme park located there. We met up with other Czech girls and their exchange friends there and we visited the theme park with them. It was very exciting, we visited many attractions such as Rapids of Orinoco, Iguazu, Jaguar, and many others. Many of them had water, so we got sometimes very wet. But we didn’t mind because the weather was very good. We really enjoyed it.
On Sunday I spent the whole afternoon on the beach, and I took a bath twice, because it was hot and sunny. I also played a Spanish card game named Escoba there with Sara’s parents. It was very nice afternoon.
Monday seemed like a normal day until around midday when the power went out in the whole Spain. Even the phone signal didn’t work. With girls we decided to go to the gym because it was the only thing we could do without electricity. In the afternoon I just played a board game with Sara and her brother and then we went for a walk. It was quite unusual day, but I had a very good time. And then at 9 pm the electricity was back. However, we didn’t go to school the next day. Instead, I did homework from my school, I went running and I went to quite famous supermarket here – Mercadona – with my host parents.
Wednesday was the only usual school day and then, on Thursday, holiday started. We went to the centre of Cádiz and visited several churches. On Friday we went to Sara’s grandmother’s house, and I learned the Parchís – another Spanish game - there. After that I went to the beach, but the weather
wasn’t warm enough to take a bath. In the evening, my parents, who arrived in Cádiz that day, came to have dinner in the apartment of my host family. It was pleasant to see them.
I enjoyed every day of this week much and I’m happy that I can be here at least two weeks more.
Tatiana Vošvrdová
Week 3
The third week of my stay was pretty much spent at the beach (with ice cream in my hand of course), at school or at home, but there are still many interesting things that I did.
On Saturday, my host family took me to Aracena – a city located a little over 2 hours away by car. First, we visited Museo del jamón. I honestly had to hold myself back from staring at the full shelves of the shop there. After that, I met up with Zuzka and her host family and we went to a cave called Gruta de las Maravillas which was incredibly beautiful. Then we went to have lunch in a really nice restaurant where the food was just as delicious as it seemed. To complete our plan, we had to hike to the castle with a wonderful view of the whole city. The whole day was great and I finally got some souvenirs.
On Monday, Majda, Zuzka and I helped the teachers with organising the shelves for the Week of books. I was taken by surprise when each one of us could pick a book to take home as a memory. On Tuesday, we went to the city centre and ate the tastiest churros I´ve ever tried. Also, we explored some shops, and we continued on Wednesday as well.
Thursday was amazing because we went to just one class as most of our assigned lessons were cancelled due to the class being on a trip to Madrid. I had to speak Spanish the whole time which was a bit challenging but awesome. The day went on at the gym where I had a lot of fun. Friday looked like an ordinary day until the sun started to set. Irene surprised me by taking me to another football match. Afterwards, we had dinner while watching a movie.
I can´t process that half of my stay is already over, but I´m grateful for all the experiences I´ve had and also the ones that are awaiting me in the near future.
Week 4
This week was full of many different adventures. I still can´t process some things that happened but let me tell you something about them.
On Saturday, Irene, Vicky and Sara took us three Czech girls to a theme park in Sevilla called Isla Mágica. We spent the whole day there, walking from one ride to another, waiting in line, screaming in excitement, enjoying our time together. With clothes wet from water and a huge smile on my face, I almost fell asleep on my way home.
I was basically glued to my computer on Sunday, as I had to deal with a lot of homework.
But nothing could prepare me for Monday. The day started pretty well, even considering the wind we had to fight to get to school, and we did a lot of stuff: filmed a short video as a trailer to a (fictional) movie, participated in some lessons, even got some tricks done with the jumping rope. But then, suddenly, the lights switched off. What followed was going home and playing board games, trying to use our phones as little as possible. Fortunately, the electricity was restored in the evening. While Cádiz was still recovering from the blackout on Tuesday, I spent most of the day working on my computer in my room instead of being at school because it was cancelled. In the evening, I decided to accompany Irene and her friends to the shopping centre.
On Wednesday I finished working on a piece for a writing competition. Also, I packed my backpack because the next day, we drove in the car to go camping. The days in the camp were all equally fun and amazing. I got to meet new people and chatted with them in Spanish, played Dixit or padel, coloured my own T-shirt.
I still need to wait to see how the T-shirt turns out but I can say for sure that this week was unforgettable. I´m a bit sad that there is not much time left before I go back to Czechia. However, no matter the weather or time, I love it here.
Magdaléna Trejtnarová
Week 3
My third week in Spain was full of interesting experiences, especially because the whole week was dedicated to books. That’s because Wednesday was Book Day. On Monday, we helped organize some books on a small table where people could exchange them. The idea was simple—if someone brought a book, they could take a different one in return. I really liked that, and I picked up the first volume of The Lord of the Rings.
As the week went on, the weather started getting warmer, and it finally felt like spring turning into summer. We spent some time outside and enjoyed the sunshine.
The most exciting part of the week was Saturday. We went to Seville to visit an amusement park. It wasn’t just any amusement park—it had some water attractions too, which was perfect for the warm weather. My favourite ride was called „Anaconda.“ It was thrilling and a bit scary, but also so much fun! I would definitely go on it again.
Overall, it was a great week with books, sunshine, and a lot of fun.
Week 4
My fourth week in Cádiz was filled with interesting experiences, work, relaxation, and cultural exploration. On Monday, we filmed a trailer, which was an exciting and unique experience. However, around 1 PM, there was a power outage that lasted the entire afternoon, leaving us without electricity. It was a bit frustrating, but we made the most of it by relaxing and chatting.
Tuesday was a result of the power cut, and we couldn’t go to school, which gave us an unexpected break. I spent the day catching up on school work.
Wednesday returned to a normal school day, where we continued with lessons and projects.
Thursday was a holiday, so I travelled with my family to a nearby city by train, and from there, we took a boat to Cádiz. We had lunch in the city and spent the afternoon exploring its beautiful streets.
Friday was a more relaxed day. I went to the beach, enjoyed the sun and the sea, and had a peaceful day of rest.
On Saturday, I visited Seville to explore its historic monuments. Finally, Sunday was special as I visited the family of my exchange student for Mother’s Day, which was a lovely experience. It was a week full of new experiences and memories!
„Financováno Evropskou unií. Vyjádřené názory a stanoviska představují názory a stanoviska autorů a nemusí nutně odrážet názory a stanoviska Evropské unie nebo Domu zahraniční spolupráce. Evropská unie ani poskytovatel grantu za ně nenesou odpovědnost
