A little bit of everything!

Dear parents back home,

This week's update includes lots of other activities that have taken place but have not been featured on the blog. 

The first three photo collages are pictures from our visit to the Asalsido (Asociación Almeriense para el Síndrome de Down) organization which provides life long support and education for its members. We toured the building and we were impressed by the endless opportunities they offer. We split up into three groups of both IUHPFL students and Asalsido members for fun activities together. 

This group went to the Cable Inglés. 

This group went on a walk to the main plaza and visited the catedral in Almería. 

Everyone enjoyed taking pictures! :) 

We visited the Cable Inglés as a group with all students as well later on in the week. It was used to transport minerals from ships to land and is nicknamed the English Cable in Spanish since it was built by the Alquife Mines and Railway Company Limited. It was in use from 1904-1970 and is one of Almería's historical landmark. The views were amazing!

Up next is our visit to the "Refugios de la Guerra Civil" which is an underground tunnel used to take shelter during Civil War bombings. It was built in under a year and even though we toured a large part it it, it was not even one fourth of the total length. It did not have any light when it was used (must have been scary) and it also features a hospital whose main goal was to provide care for pregnant women who went into labor while taking shelter. 

The tunnel shelter also had a food pantry in case people had to take shelter for a long period of time and needed food for sustenance. The last photo is a private entrance to the tunnel system which was right outside the owner's house and marked for public entry, however, public exits must be used when leaving the shelter. 

Last but not least, we had the honor of visiting a school of art of Almería. High school aged students created all the the art that was on display. The art exhibit was named "Tránsito" and showcases LGBTQ+ art. Here, our students are posing with the director and Fran who so kindly gave us a tour and talked about the art pieces. Students enjoyed talking to him about how the education system work in Spain in comparison the US. 

*Aaron and Kailey posed and said "Para el blog?" so here they are :)

Thank you for your visit and we hope you enjoyed seeing all of the fun things we have been getting the opportunity to see and learn about in Almería.

La Alhambra de Granada

On Saturday, June 15 we took a day trip to Granada bright and early! The Alhambra was originally built in 889 AD and later on transformed into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. It was a treat for our eyes. The Alhambra is palace and fortress complex on top of the hills in southern Spain. It is the pinnacle of Moorish art and architecture. Our students were mesmerized but the delicate stucco work, colorful tiles, and elegant arches that take us back in time. They will be proud to show you their photos and tell you about the experience of walking through the palace. 

The Alhambra's history and architectural  make it a UNESCO World Heritage site. We hope you enjoy today's blog photos! 

We took a group foto in one of the towers.

Here are our students marveling at the architecture, gardens, and views.

Our models posing! 

 

La Alcazaba de Almería

More sightseeing!

Our students are enjoying Spain and getting the chance to visit some amazing places. One of our visits was the the "Alcazaba de Almería" which was a military fortress built in 955. It is unique because unlike other fortresses that also served as palaces, this Alcazaba was only used as a military fortress. Almería was the most important port city in Spain providing a route for trade with the Mediterranean including Africa. 

Always a group photo! :) 

Our students are so photogenic! 

We hope you enjoy this photos from our visit. See you soon!

Community Engagement in Almería

 Hello everyone!

We are almost half-way through our program! Our students have stayed busy while in Almeria. One of our our community engagement activities was volunteering at a SCOUTS association in Almeria. We took a bus, yes all 29 of us, to the SCOUTS location which is a beautiful house that is now used by the SCOUTS. With our help, many tasks were completed that included: weeding the gardens, washing chairs, and setting up some of the sports equipment.

This week, on Monday, we split up into three groups and joined members of the Down Syndrome organization (ASALSIDO) for different activities. One group took a walk to the "Cable Inglés", another group went on a scenic walk through the city, and the third group enjoyed some time at the beach. 

Another ongoing activity that is in full gear is preparation for the Farewell Show and Site Magazine. Ours students are preparing a "Sevillana", a traditional dance from Andalucia to perform. Many students are also preparing individual performances for the show such as singing, poetry, and some theatre. 

We hope you enjoy this update! Our next post will be up soon, we have so much more to share. 

All 29 of us on a bus! :) 

Students that voluateered to wash some chairs. 

Weeding and doing some light landscaping. 

Trying to hide from me ;) 

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Making some "progress" on the tent. 

Our hardworking students, always with a smile :).

Antonio helping us out 

After working hard, they got to enjoy a cold Fanta! Cheers!