Preparing for our short-term exchange program to Spain. Joliet Catholic Academy students travel to Vilanova I la Geltru April 1-15, 2015.

1. JCA EXCHANGE PROGRAM
TO SPAIN
April 1-15, 2015
Vilanova i la Geltrù

2. JCA INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
CLASS OF 2013

3. JCA INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
CLASS OF 2012

4. Madrid
Toledo
Barcelona
Vilanova

6. WHO ARE OUR 2015
AMBASSADORS?

7. 24 JCA INTERNATIONAL
AMBASSADORS
AND TWO CHAPERONES
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

8. 15 SENIORS (CLASS OF 2015)
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

9. 8 JUNIORS (CLASS OF 2016)
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

10. 18 YOUNG WOMEN
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

11. 2 NOT-SO-YOUNG WOMEN
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

12. 6 YOUNG MEN
Akre, Breanna
Cardenas, Nataly
Corless,Casey
Courtright, Kaci
DeBenedetti, Samantha
Demick, Emily
Farrell, Mia
Gulden, Ryan
Gunning, Molly
Hilke, Thomas
Jones, Dalton
Lambert, Jacey
McNulty, Connor
McTee, Renee
Mihalakakos,
Alexandra
Papesh, Kaitlin
Poplawski, Michelle
Rodriguez, Lena
Seneker,
Madeline
Thompson,
Amy
Trizna, Adriana
Tyler, Madelyn
Vonch, Matthew
Williams, Kaitlyn
Profe Finaldi
Mrs. Herron

13. PACKING

14. LARGE SUITCASE
You may check-in 1 large piece of luggage, preferably with wheels. It
should weigh no more than 50lbs.

15. Any liquids over 3 oz must be transported in the luggage you
check in. Wrap these items in several plastic bags and/or place
in zippered pouches.
Weigh luggage by weighing yourself, then weighing yourself
holding the suitcase. The difference is the weight of your
suitcase. Aim to leave some room for souvenirs.
Pack most of your clothing, gifts for your family, make-up bag
or shaving kit in this suitcase.

16. Europeans do not tend to have as many clothes as we do. They
buy quality garments and wear them more frequently. Do not
feel as if you have to be a fashion model and have a new outfit
to wear every day.
You will be charged extra for extra weight.
You are not allowed to have any type of lock on your suitcase.

17. CLOTHING TO PACK
Figure on the average temperature being a windy 60 degrees
Mostly casual clothing
2-3 “going out” of outfits
Sweatpants, basketball shorts & yoga pants are for sports, not shopping or school
1 light coat (such as North Face jacket)
2-3 pairs of shoes, including a comfortable pair for walking
2-3 light sweaters (layers you can easily put on or take off)
Approximately 4 pairs of jeans, 2-3 pairs of shorts
Approximately 6 shirts or T-shirts
Undergarments for a week
Modest pajamas and perhaps a robe
Slippers to wear around the house (take shoes off at the door…floors can be cold)
Bathing suit (just in case)

18. LEAVE AT HOME…
•Towels (the hotel and host family will provide)
•Large bottles of shampoo, etc. (travel sizes will do, and you can buy
products there if you need them)
•Bedding or pillows
•Formal clothing
•Expensive jewelry
•Excessive amounts of make-up (they don’t typically wear as much)
•Suntan lotion

19. CARRY-ON
You may bring one piece of carry-on luggage with you on the plane,
again, preferably with wheels. It must fit in the overhead
compartment.

20. (Absolutely no liquids over 3oz. It is easy to forget, so double
check)
A journal
Homework
Think of a few items you want to have easy access to while on the
plane, such as a tablet, books, toothbrush…
Chargers for your electronics
Comb or brush
You may want a headrest/travel pillow
Snacks for the plane ride

21. BACKPACK/PURSE
Purse or murse (man-purse) or small backpack

22. Items you want easy access to while on the plane
You can get away with a smaller backpack or large bag that you carry like
a purse.
Passport and boarding pass
Debit card and some cash here
Gum (especially if your ears pop on planes)
Tissues
Medications (including inhalers) you need access to for the night of the trip
or in case of emergency. Perhaps some ibuprofen.

23. WHAT TO WEAR ON THE PLANE

24. oIf we have a group shirt, wear it.
oWear comfortable layers. Sometimes the planes are cold at night.
oWear the coat/jacket you are bringing because it frees up space in
your luggage (plus, it will probably be cold in IL anyway!)
oIt is my rule that yoga pants are not allowed on the plane or for
school or shopping while in Spain. Sorry.
o You will be more comfortable resting or sleeping on the plane with
your shoes off. Wear comfortable socks to keep your feet warm if you
do.
oA wristwatch is recommended.

25. ELECTRONICS

27. WiFi is available in Starbucks when we are in Madrid. If you buy something
you get the code to sign on.
If you want to use WiFi at the hotel, you may have to pay for it. You buy a
certain amount of time from the lobby clerks and you get a code for it. This
depends on the hotel.
Your host family may or may not have WiFi. Most of them do. Just ask your
host brother/sister and ask for the password.
As long as you have WiFi, you can text for free (including sending photos and
voice messages) from WhatsApp. Download it for free on your mobile devices
and set it up so you can communicate for free with your family and friends.
It is not worth it to try to use your own cell phone provider from overseas. It
is extremely expensive. If you want to actually hear each other’s voices, I
recommend going to a “Locutorio.” It is a place to make long distance phone
calls. You go into a booth and make the call. It is very cheap this way. You
can talk for a half an hour for about five dollars. I can show everyone how to
do it.
I will have a local cell phone the exchange organization gives me to use. I
will give everyone my number and if you need to reach me, you can always
have your host brother or sister call me.

29. Be very careful with your cell phone and wallet, especially in
the big cities!
Wifi is pronounced with the Spanish “i” soundWeeFe
e!

30. ELECTRONICS: VOLTAGE AND
OUTLETS
If you plan to bring any of these items, they will automatically change
to the correct amount of voltage: cell phone, laptop, tablet.
However, you will still need to charge this items, and to do so, you
will need a different kind of outlet plug.
I recommend Amazon.com. Search: Adapter USA Spain. You will find
them for around $5. You can probably find one at Radio Shack as
well.
Europlug,
Schuko

31. Now, if you are thinking of bringing your own hair dryer, straightener
or curling iron…that is a different story.
First of all, just bring what you REALLY are going to need. It is
healthy to let your hair air dry once and awhile! Also, the hotel we
are staying at has built-in hair dryers in the restrooms. You may
want to ask your how sister/brother if you can share with them while
at their house.
If you insist on bringing your own, you must buy one that has the
capability of switching the voltage from 110-120 (what we use in
USA) to 220-240 (what is needed in Spain. You must remember to
flip that little switch on these items in order to use them in Spain.
You may have an electric fire on your hands if you don’t remember
this!
Try amazon again. Search: Blow dryer (or straightener, etc.) travel
dual voltage.
You will use the same outlet plug I recommended on the previous
page. The only difference here is that you need to remember to flip

32. GIFTS & PHOTO ALBUMS

33. A GIFT FOR YOUR HOST FAMILY
It is customary to bring
a token of your
appreciation to the
family for their
hospitality. We usually
have group T-shirts
made and give one to
the host brother or
sister.

34. PHOTO ALBUM TO SHOW HOST
FAMILY

35. PHOTO ALBUM TO SHOW HOST
FAMILY
Make a small photo album that includes photographs of some or all
of the following:
 Your family
 Your house
 Your school
 Your team
 Your friends
 Your vacation
 Your pet(s)
 Your boyfriend/girlfriend
 Your grandparents
 Your bedroom
 Your favorite singer/group/actress/actor/movie, etc.

36. Practice talking about the pictures in
Spanish.
The first or second day, take the album
out before or after a meal or any time
when the whole family is present, and tell
them you would like to tell them some
things about your life back home.
This is important because it shows that
you want to communicate about yourself
to the family.
Also prepare some questions that you

37. LIVING WITH YOUR HOST
FAMILY

38. RULES OF THE HOUSE
Spend time getting to know the family. Ask questions. Share your
experiences.
Learn and obey the rules of the house.
If you are sharing a bathroom, find out what time is best for
you to take showers.
Don’t take long showers! Some homes do not have
unlimited hot water.Be present for family meals or give plenty of notice if you
will not be there. Outside of food allergies, try to taste
everything and show your appreciation for the meals they
are preparing, in many cases, especially for you! (Please
communicate any food issues with your host sister/brother
before the trip.)Always let your host parents know where you will be.
Don’t abandon your host sister/brother to be alone with
your JCA friends.

39. LAUNDRY
The first 3 ½ days will be in Madrid. It will be cool weather and you
will not be able to wash your clothes.
Once in Vilanova, ask your host brother/sister or mom/dad about
doing laundry. Someone may do it for you and you will need to know
where to put it, or they will tell you how to do it. All homes have
washing machines, but dryers are not as common. You may have to
let your clothes hang dry, so don’t wait until the last minute!
It is very common for washing machine (and dryer if they have one)
to be located in the kitchen
They are not as modest about hanging their clothing (including
underwear) out to dry!
Don’t be shy about asking to do your laundry.

41. Spaniards eat for 17 hours a day… which means that meals run LATE
into the night. They start around 7am and stop around midnight.
MEAL #1: Desayuno @ 7am (Breakfast)
A very light meal…typically a coffee, pastry and maybe a
juice.
EATING SCHEDULE

42. •MEAL #2: Almuerzo @ 10:30am(ish) (Snack)
Time for a break! In between the morning schedule of classes,
everyone takes a break to eat. Typically a half-sandwich, coffee,
and maybe juice. Your host family may pack you something to
eat or you can buy yourself something at a local café. It may
seem odd, but when you think about it, for some of us, it is
close to the time we eat lunch here at school!

43. MEAL #3: Comida @ 2pm (Lunch) - This is the big one – a hot meal,
prepared at home and shared with family when possible. Kids go home from
school, parents come home from work (unless they work in another town). In
fact, the magnitude of the meal often requires a siesta afterward, which is
why practically EVERYTHING closes from 2-4pm. There are typically two
dishes served consecutively. They do not serve different foods on the same
plate! A typical COMIDA could be paella.

44. •MEAL #4: Merienda @ 6:30pm(ish) (Light Meal/Snack)
- Well, at this point it’s been a few hours, so you probably need a snack
again. Typically a pastry, or a cookie, or a piece of fruit, to ensure you
don’t go hungry before the final meal of the day.
Pictured is a typical favorite snack in Barcelona is pictured.
They cut the bread so it is open-faced, drizzle a little olive
oil on it and then take a tomato and rub it to squeeze the
juices over the top.
This is a typical time to eat the famous Spanish
“tapas”, which is typical in Madrid. They are small
portions of food that are free when you buy a drink.
This is typical at the end of the school/work day.

45. In Spain you have.
•MEAL #5: Cena @ 10pm (Dinner)
- Ahhh, time for dinner in Spain, typically a full meal of salad/meat/pasta
etc. 10pm to us seems like a ridiculous time to eat. Unfortunately it is
extremely difficult to find a restaurant that will serve you before 9pm, and if
you show up at 9pm half-starved, it’s likely you’ll be the only ones in the
restaurant. It is not a big meal, and don’t be surprised to have sunny-side up
eggs, which is never served for breakfast.

46. TYPICAL FOODS OF SPAIN
Bread (Pan) is the staple food of
Spain. Their bread is delicious and
will be served at almost every meal.
Valencia is
home of the
orange.
Freshly
squeezed
orange juice is
the probably
the best you
will ever taste!

47. Churros y Chocolate
(Madrid)
La tortilla espanola
Soup-Porrusalda
Paella (Valencia)
Flan
Jamon Serrano
Bocadillo
Calamares-Squid (Madrid)

64. In the US, we generally don’t like
to see or be served animals in a
way we can easily recognize the
animal. Not so in Spain. Don’t
be surprised to see butcher
shops with ham still on the leg,
including the foot, or the head of
a pig. You may be served dinner
including shrimp or fish with the
heads still on!

65. TABLE MANNERS
Forget everything you learned from your parents
about table manners, because they are completely
different in Europe!1. In Spain, the knife is kept in your right hand and
the fork in your left. So, you do NOT switch back
after cutting your food.
2. It IS correct in Spain to keep your fork turned
upside-down as you bring the food to your
mouth.

66. 3. Your hands should not be on your lap at any
time. Both hands should be rested on the edge of
the table so they are visible.
4. Spaniards are changing a bit, but traditionally,
they find it barbaric to eat anything without
utensils…including hamburgers, corn-on-the-
cob, and even fruit!

67. Restaurant etiquette
1. Remember the different meal times in Spain.
Restaurants do not stay open in-between
meals.(And stores actually close down between 2-4pm,
when everyone is eating the big meal of the day)
2. You will never be handed your check without
asking. They believe it is rude to for the waiter
(most servers are male) to give the customer the
check before it is requested because it gives the
impression they are trying to rush the clients to
leave.
3. If you ask for water, they will ask “con o sin gas,”
meaning regular or seltzer water. It will not be free.
4. Fee refills on coffee and soda are unheard of.
5. They do not leave 10-20% tips. A few coins is
customary.

70. MONEY

71. MONEY: HOW TO EXCHANGE IT

72. MONEY
Spain is a part of the European Union, so their currency is the Euro.
At the time of making this slideshow, the current exchange rate is: $1
= .88 euros, or 1 euro =$1.14
You can exchange money at a local bank here, but I really do not
think it is necessary.
The more money you exchange, the less you pay in fees. I like to get
a big group together at the airport and exchange it all at once to get
the best rate and lower fees.
The debit card is the best way to go for most purchases. Chase Bank
offers a free card for high school and college students. You can also
get a Chase Liquid card.

73. MONEY: HOW MUCH?

74. How much money you put aside to spend on this trip depends on how much
you have and how much you want to spend, of course!
The least amount you should have available would be approximately $400.
 Keep in mind that most meals are covered. However, you will want to try some new
things here and there, so you will want some money for treats.
 Are there particular items you want to buy in Spain? Does everyone in your family
expect a souvenir?
 Remember not to carry a lot of cash with you at once. There are usually lockboxes in
the hotel rooms and you should lock your passport and excess money inside when you
leave.
 When the trip is over, you cannot exchange coins (and they have coins worth 1 Euro and
more) and it is not worth the exchange fees to change back a small amount, so don’t
take out more than you plan to spend.
 You may need a little bit of money ($30 total) for transportation, such as taking the
train.
 The students usually go to an amusement park. If you want to do something like that,
you should bring $75 for that.
 If you want to go to a soccer match, please let your host brother/sister know ahead of
time and ask how much the tickets will be.

75. MONEY: WHAT SHOULD I THINK
ABOUT BUYING?

78. For the students: Clothing (wide range of prices), Shoes (pretty
expensive), Official Soccer Jerseys ($100), Scarves, Purses, Leather
Products, Perfume, Swords or souvenir swords or scissors or jewelry
made in Toledo.
For the parents: Traditional candies (we will be there around Easter and there are
many different local candies at various prices), Turron, Saffron, Leather Products,
Lladro figures ($100 and up), T-shirts, decorative plates.
It is not illegal to bring food out of the country (with the exception of pork, I think).
Local foods you may want include olive oil, olives, almonds, almond candies.

79. MON
EY
Exercise caution when it comes to carrying money around with
you, especially in the large, cosmopolitan cities of Madrid and
Barcelona.
MORE ADVICE…
Don’t exchange more money than you think you will lose
because you will be paying an extra fee for changing it back.
If you want to exchange money in a bank in Spain, you will need
to have your passport with you. That should be the only time you
have your passport on you.
You can get money out with your debit card at local ATMs.
This is the easiest way!

80. TAXES
Taxes are included on prices in Spain, so the amount you see on the
price tag is the price you pay.
If you spend over $124 in one store, you can get the tax money back.
However, to do so, you must ask the clerk for a VAT card when you
are paying. If you spend over that amount at any other store, they
can add the amount onto your existing card. When we go to the
airport to return home, we must go to a special customs office to
redeem this. Please let me know ahead of time if you will need to do
this
Also, when we are on the plane trip to come home, you will be asked
to fill out a customs form to claim your purchases while abroad. You
will just give an estimate of how much money you spent and what
you spent it on. The chaperones will help you with this.

81. LET’S GO!!!!!!

82. COME TO SCHOOL AS USUAL ON
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1. PUT YOUR BAGS
UP IN ROOM 227.
ATTEND PERIODS 1-3
COME TO THE SMALL CHAPEL PERIOD 4
FOR BLESSINGS FOR OUR TRIP
APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM WE WILL TAKE
THE BUS TO O’HARE!

86. O’HARE……………..
……….MADRID-
BARAJAS

87. DAY 1: USA / MADRID Wednesday, April 1 Fly through the night
to
DAY 2: MADRID Thursday, April 2
1. Walking tour of Madrid. Discover Plaza de España, La Puerta del
Sol, Gran Via, Calle de Alcalá and the heart of Old Madrid.
2. Later enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Palace - an immense 18th
century palace twice the size of Buckingham Palace and one of the
most beautiful in Europe.
3. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your group in a local restaurant

88. BUS…….
……HOTEL REGENTE

90. Hotel Lock Box

91. PALACIO REAL/ROYAL PALACE
The Palacio Real, or Royal Palace, is Madrid's largest building and possibly its most beautiful.
Madrid's Royal Palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. It was built on the site of the
old Alcázar, the Moorish castle destroyed by fire in 1734. 1,450,000 sq ft, 3,418 rooms.
Today’s royal family of Spain chooses not to reside here, but it is still used for state functions.

96. MADRID BY NIGHT
EL RETIRO PARK
LA PLAZA MAYOR

98. In Madrid you will see many human
statues, or street artists. If you want to
take a picture of/with them, customarily
you give them a tip (they have a box for
donations). You can do this if you want,
but be careful. There may be
pickpockets lurking to grab something
out of your back while you are
distracted taking a picture!

101. Past JCA International Student Ambassadors dining in a typical Spanish
restaurant in Madrid

102. DAY 3: MADRID Friday, April 3
1. Museo del Prado Art Museum
2. Next, relax in the Parque del Retiro, a park initially intended as a
playground for royalty. Free time for lunch.
3. This afternoon enjoy seeing the Semana Santa Processions. Dinner
in a local restaurant.

104. Diego Velasquez
El Greco
Francisco Goya

105. Spain is known especially and for its Holy Week traditions or Semana Santa. The
celebration of Holy Week regarding popular piety relays almost exclusively in the
processions of the brotherhoods or fraternities. These associations have their
origins in the Middle Age, but a number of them were created during the
Baroque Period, and also during the 20th and 21st centuries. The membership is
usually open to any Catholic person and family tradition is an important element
to become a member or "brother.”
A common feature is the almost general usage of the nazareno or penitential
robe for some of the participants in the processions. This garment consists in a
tunic, a hood with conical tip used to conceal the face of the wearer, and
sometimes a cloak. The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the
particular procession. The robes were widely used in the medieval period for
penitents, who could demonstrate their penance while still masking their
identity. These nazarenos carry processional candles or rough-hewn wooden
crosses, may walk the city streets barefoot, and, in some places may carry
shackles and chains on their feet as penance.
The other common feature is that every brotherhood carries magnificent floats
with sculptures that depict different scenes from the gospels related to the
Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary. Many of these floats are art
pieces created by Spanish. Brotherhoods have owned and preserved these
"pasos" for centuries in some cases. Usually, the "pasos" are accompanied by
marching bands.
SEMANA SANTA: HOLY WEEK
PROCESSION

106. Nazarenos: penitential robes
Pasos: Floats carried by men of the
brotherhood
Mother Mary being carried on a
float.

107. DAY 4: TOLEDO / MADRID Saturday, April 4
1. This morning after breakfast, board your private motor coach to Toledo, historic
capital of Castilla la Mancha.
2. Start your day with a visit to a traditional sword workshop where you will learn
how the metal is forged into elaborate weaponry. At the end of your visit you will
have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
3. Enter Toledo’s monumental Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the Spanish
Church.
4. Visit the church of Santo Tomé to admire one of El Greco’s masterpieces: The
Burial of the Count of Orgaz.
5. Later, take some free time to explore the city at your own pace, consider a stop
at the Pasteleria Santo Tomé to taste the locally made marzipan pastries.
6. Return to Madrid later in the afternoon and enjoy some free time for shopping -
don’t miss El Corte Inglés, Spain’s largest department store.
7. Enjoy dinner with your group at a local restaurant.

111. No cars are
allowed in
the
city…they
do not fit
down the
narrow
streets.

112. MARTO SWORD/DAMASK STUDIO
Gifts at any price-
point

113. TOLEDO CATHEDRAL
The beautiful cathedral in Toledo Spain, is
ranked among the greatest Gothic
structures in Europe. Inside, the cathedral
contains important masterpieces including
a spectacular baroque high altar and two
paintings by El Greco.

118. DAY 5: MADRID / BARCELONA Sunday, April 5
1. Easter Mass
2. Later catch your AVE high speed train to Barcelona.
3. Upon arrival at Escola Pia de Vilanova, meet your host families

120. 1. Easter Mass
2. High-speed Ave train to
Barcelona
3. Meet host family!

124. VILANOVA I LA GELTRU

126. DAY 6 to 8: Monday to Wednesday, April 6 to 8 EXCHANGE PROGRAM
1. On Monday, spend the day with your host families.
2. Tuesday and Wednesday, attend school with your host
brother/sister.
Students on a past trip went
to an Amusement Park in
Barcelona with their host
brothers and sisters

130. Others took the train with their host
brothers and sisters to get a first glimpse of
Barcelona

134. NEW FRIENDS

141. RAINY DAYS

144. SCHOOL DAYS

145. BEACH DAYS

158. MOUNTAIN DAYS (MONTSERRAT)

178. BOATI
NG
DAYS

187. SOCCER DAYS

192. TOWN HALL TO MEET THE MAYOR

200. DAY 9: BARCELONA
Thursday, April 9
1. Take the train to Barcelona.
2. A guided visit to Sagrada Familia Cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudí.
3. Parc Guell, Gaudi’s “Garden City”, a town unto itself with a view of the
ocean. 4. Next, have a gentle stroll along Las Ramblas – this beautiful
boulevard is lined with shops and cafes.
5. Stop at the city's main food market, the glorious Mercat Sant Josep, known
locally as the Boqueria, is a paradise for the senses!
6. Enjoy some free time for discovering the city at your own pace before
returning to your host families in Vilanova i la Geltrú by train.

201. PARC GUELL
1. It was intended to be an exclusive, beautiful community inspired by the
English garden city movement. It was named after Count Guell, who lived in
there in 1906. Count Güell and architect Gaudí came up with the idea. They
imagined an organized grouping of high-quality homes decked out with all
the latest technological advancements to ensure maximum comfort with an
artistic touch.
2. In 1906 it became the home of Gaudi, along with his family. The home he
lived in was meant to be the model home for the development, but when
nobody was interested in buying, Gaudi moved in.. That home is now the
Gaudi House Museum. In 1969 it was declared an historical artistic
monument of national interest.
3. It has since been converted into a municipal garden. Park Güell is skillfully
designed and bring the peace and calm that one would expect from a park.
The focal point of the park is the main terrace, surrounded by a long bench
in the form of a sea serpent. The curves of the serpent bench form a number
of enclaves, creating a more social atmosphere. Gaudí incorporated many
motifs of Catalan nationalism, and elements from religious mysticism and
ancient poetry into the Park.

207. LA SAGRADA FAMILIA
They say that if you have time for only one sightseeing outing, this
should be it. La Sagrada Família inspires awe by its sheer verticality,
and in the manner of the medieval cathedrals it emulates. It is still
under construction after more than 100 years.

211. 2.8 million people visit per year a
year making it the most visited
monument in Spain. The most
important visitor was Pope
Benedict XVI, who consecrated
the church in a huge ceremony in
November 2010.

213. The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the
Holy Family) was Antoni Gaudí’s all-consuming obsession. Given the
commission by a conservative society that wished to build a temple
as atonement for the city’s sins of modernity, Gaudí saw its
completion as his holy mission

214. Gaudí devised a temple 95m long and 60m wide, able to seat 13,000
people, with a central tower 170m high above the transept
(representing Christ) and another 17 of 100m or more. The 12 along
the three facades represent the Apostles, while the remaining five
represent the Virgin Mary and the four Evangelists. With his
characteristic dislike for straight lines (there were none in nature, he
said), Gaudí gave his towers swelling outlines inspired by the weird
peaks of the holy mountain Montserrat outside Barcelona, and
encrusted them with a tangle of sculpture that seems an outgrowth of
the stone.

215. At Gaudí’s death, only the crypt, the apse walls, one portal and one
tower had been finished. Three more towers were added by 1930,
completing the northeast (Nativity) facade. In 1936 anarchists
burned and smashed the interior, including workshops, plans and
models. Work began again in 1952 using new architects who tried to
follow in Gaudi’s vision.

216. Guesses on when construction might be complete range from the
2020s to the 2040s. Even before reaching that point, some of the
oldest parts of the church, especially the apse, have required
restoration work.

217. BARCELONA’S
GOTHIC
NEIGHBORHOOD

224. DAYs 10 to 14: EXCHANGE PROGRAM Friday to Tuesday,
April 10 to 14
1. Attend school with your host brother/sister.
2. Spend the afternoons with your host brother/sister and their
families.
3. Enjoy the weekend with your host brother/sister and their families

225. GOODBYE PARTY
Preparing tortillas for the contest at
the party!

252. DAY 15: DEPART
Wednesday, April 15
Today say hasta pronto to your Spanish hosts, transfer the airport by
private motor coach and catch your flight back to the USA

257. DAY 15: DEPART
Wednesday, April 15 Today say hasta
pronto to your Spanish hosts, transfer
the airport by private motor coach and
catch your flight back to the USA
We will arrive back at JCA Wednesday
evening. We will be experiencing jet lag
and culture shock, so will be
recuperating Thursday, April 16 and
returning to school Friday, April 17.