We had an amazing trip, an uneventful return and now we're back! Connections to the schools we visited are in the works.

We rose early to catch the beginning of the day at Can Peixauet, a 7th through 12th grade public school. We met with two teachers who escorted us to an English class where a group of 8th grade students greeted us enthusiastically with many questions asked in English. The students were very curious about the political and economic climate in the U.S. They then presented us with a demonstration of projects they have done this year and last, using Scratch (a computer programming language). This project, which is part of Teresa's PhD dissertation, was tied in with the science curriculum demonstrating their knowledge of astronomy and acceleration. It was clear that this was a favorite activity. Large installation art work was in evidence throughout as we toured the building. It was another morning of warm welcomes and connections that we'll hope to maintain and enhance after we return home.

In the afternoon we continued our sightseeing with a trip to Museu Picasso where we were able to view a remarkably large chronological permanent exhibit of this Barcelona native. Much of this work had been unfamiliar to us and was quite a treat!

 Sarah answering students' questions

 A Scratch presentation in English!

 In the school lobby

In the school entrance

Thurs. Jan. 26

 The steps up to Parc Guell

 Musicians playing under the columns

 Mosaic ceiling

 A view from below

 The altar at La Sagrada Familia

 Exterior view

 Light shining through a stained glass window

 Another exterior view

Four pinchos at Sagardi

A break from schools today....we went sightseeing!! From 11 AM til 6 PM we walked! We began our trek climbing up the hills of Barcelona to Parc Guell completely designed by Antoni Gaudi. Every aspect of this place is sculpted and tiled in mosaic in classic Gaudi organic style. Packed with tourists and locals alike it was an extraordinary experience followed by another trek to the next amazing Gaudi structure, La Sagrada Familia. This cathedral is Europe's most unconventional church. Begun in 1883, it was Gaudi's life's work. It continues to be under construction, as it has been for the last fifty years. We were truly awestruck by this phenomenal undertaking. The space, light and acoustics are unlike anything else. This is a must see! We dined at a taverna de pinchos where you select from a variety of small offerings and pay by the number of toothpicks. After dinner we indulged in even more gelato. 

Wed. Jan. 25

Today we spent a whole day at Teresa's old school, St. Peter's in Barcelona.  The morning began with a presentation by Alex Armanino addressing the students who will be applying to colleges next year.  There is considerable interest in the possibility of attending American Universities.  Susie and Sarah taught a two-hour cooperative lesson to the 7th graders based on "I am Poems" and self portraits.  The Spanish students were attentive and responsive to a style of teaching that is unfamiliar to them.  The results of their efforts were surprisingly positive and we hope to be able to post them to the Parker website upon completion.

The day included an extensive tour of the picturesque St. Peter's campus beginning with the babies in the nursery and going right through high school.  Contrary to what we are accustomed to, ALL were in uniforms!  Again, we were treated with extreme warmth and hospitality.We had multiple meetings with various administrators and teachers, all of whom expressed interest in learning more about, if not actually visiting, Parker.

 Alex presenting to the older students

 Susie showing a portrait example

 Sarah explaining I am poems

 Susie talking to students

 Sarah discussing a poem idea

 Teresa helping out

 Students collaborating

 Sketching portrait ideas

 "I Love NY"

Another portrait beginning

Tues. Jan. 24

We spent today visiting schools with amazing views of Barcelona and checking out two of Gaudi's buildings along the Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona's Fifth Avenue.  The day began at St. Peter's School, where Teresa used to teach. The tour there was brief as we will spend all day tomorrow teaching and observing classes there. The curriculum coordinator, Lourdes Barcelo, took us to a spectacular coffee shop overlooking the city, and then on to The American School of Barcelona, and then to her alma mater, Escola Virolai, which is similar to our charter schools. It was uncanny how American the American School was. The feel of the kids and classes was very familiar and we met several teachers from the States. Escola Virolai treated us to lunch, complete with bottles of wine on the teachers' tables in the cafeteria! We had an extensive tour of this school where we visited many classes and were greeted in English by students from grade three through middle school. The students and teachers at all these schools  appear to take their English studies seriously. We felt like royalty throughout the day as everyone was gracious, especially our guide, Lourdes.

We spent the late afternoon strolling down the Passeig de Gracia admiring all of the remarkable buildings and elegant shops. Of special interest were the extraordinary creations of the "home boy" Gaudi.  We have never experienced anything quite like it.  

The American School

Coffee Shop

Lourdes and Sarah

Cafeteria at Escola Virolai

Wine with lunch!

School entrance

Gaudi's La Pedrera

Gaudi 's Casa Batllo

 The village at the top of the mountain

 The Monastery facade

 Unusual stained glass windows

 The Black Madonna, a unique aspect of this Monastery

 An amazing, newly installed pipe organ

The view from the top

Mon. Jan. 23

We drove to Barcelona Montserrat, a spectacularly beautiful Benedictine monk mountain retreat about one hour North West of Barcelona. Not only is Montserrat Monastery of religious importance, but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking. Another highlight of our visit was listening to the famous and incredibly angelic sounding Basilica boy’s choir performance of religious choral music.

Mont Blanc side street

Adorable interaction in the square

Picturesque view strolling down the street

Early Gaudi building in Gaudi Center

Sun. Jan. 22 PM

We visited the ancient village of Mont Blanc, with its picturesque, narrow, winding streets.  We picnicked and drank coffee in the village square, equipped with WIFI--fascinating juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern.  Walking along, we happened upon an amazing, innovative chocolate shop, with works of art made out of sweets.  The most surprising of these treats being a sculpted confection resembling and tasting like...AN ONION!

We went back to Reus, home of Antoni Gaudi.  Walking from Teresa's apartment, we visited the Gaudi Center, which is one of the earliest buildings designed by this famous architect.

 In the courtyard

Outer Monastery Wall 

 The altar

 Interior view

Catalan royalty tombs

Sunday Jan. 22 AM:


On this beautiful morning we drove to Poblet Monastery.  Poblet is a Cistercian monastery whose monks, since its foundation in 1150, have followed the Rule of Saint Benedict. Closed down due to the State's laws in 1835, the monastery was refounded in 1940 by Italian monks of the same order. Today the monastery is composed of 32 monks. The tour was in Catalan but with Teresa as our translator we were well informed. The architecture was austere in keeping with the Benedictine order, but breathtaking in its scope and simplicity.

 Mediterranean Sea from Tarragona

 Alex, Sarah, Teresa, Susie

 Street musicians on main boulevard

 Going into the Roman Circus

 The outer wall of the Circus

 Underground cavern

 Modern meets ancient

 A cell off to the side

Amphitheater at sunset

Sat. Jan. 21

We arrived in Barcelona without a hitch, bleary-eyed and bedraggled but thrilled to be here. After minor hysteria we met up with Teresa and were whisked off to her beautiful apartment in Reus, Catalonia: a forty-five minute drive, taking us through scenic mountainous countryside along the Mediterranean. After a short rest we trundled off to Tarragona to visit the ruins of the ancient Roman Circus built around 69-79AD and used throughout medieval times. We were amazed at how this ancient structure is integrated into the modern city.  There is even an apartment building that shares a wall with the Circus. While we were in a particularly tight and scary section of the underground caves (which we found out later we used as a prison in the mid-twentieth century) when all of a sudden the lights went out briefly.  That was quite scary and we were pleased to see the light of day!  Dinner at the local harbor was scenic and delicious.