Alcazar de Seville

One beautiful Saturday I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to walk through the Alcazar. Below is a brief history of it's existence but it is even more amazing in person than it is in photos. During the summer months, they have concerts every night in the gardens. On July 13th, I went with two of my friends to a Spanish-like opera but with only one singer and two people on the instrument: spanish guitar an a very old version of the spanish guitar. If you are ever in Seville in the summer, you must go to a concert!! Plus, they are cheap. Only like 4 euros to get in and you have your own seat. Just get there like an hour early, walk around and then go to your seat whenever the concert starts :) 


The Alcazar is a fortified palace of which the construction was ordered by Abd Al Ramn III in the year 913. Because of it's beauty it was chosen as residence by many monarchs in the centuries that followed. 

It now is the residence of His Royal Majesty Juan Carlos when he visits Seville. Pedro I, "the cruel" (1350 to 1369), made significant additions to the palace which is one of the most important examples of Mudejar architecture in Seville.

The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles from the Islamic to Neoclassical. The beautiful gardens and fountains are especially worth visiting.

Today, the upper levels of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence and are administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.

Interesting zones within the Alcazar (*disclaimer some of the photos are of the descriptions and some are not. I posted them because I thought they were beautiful, regardless if they were of the description or not.)

Salon de los Embajadores (The Ambassadors Room): The magnificent dome of the Ambassadors Room is decorated with gilded cedar wood sculptures.

Arcos de Herradura (Horse Shoe): The Ambassadors Room is decorated with tiles and complex plaster work. It has three semetrical arcs each with three horse shoes.

              (This is not the Horse Shoe room but is an example of the type of beautiful decorating.)

El Patio de la Montera (The Hunting Patio): This was the meeting place of the court before the hunt took place. The faade of the palace of Pedro I is a unique example of Mudejar design.

El Patio del Yeso (The Plaster Patio): This beautiful, ornate garden full of flowers and streams maintains elements of the almohade architectural style of the Moors from the 12 century.

Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the maidens): This patio was decorated by the best architects in Granada. Patio del Crucero is above the ancient baths.

Salones de Carlos V (Rooms of Charles V): The rooms and chapel of Charles V are decorated with tapestries and coloured tiles from 16 Century.

El Patio de las Muñecas (The Patio of the Dolls): This patio with its bedrooms and adjacent corridors was the heart of the palace. It takes its name from the two tiny faces that decorate its arcs.

The Gardens of the Alcazar Palace

Jardin Inglés (English gardens). These gardens are modelled on those of the British Isles from 18 Century. The door to the Alcoba is of Islamic origin. The park was built in 1909 and the main gardener of the Real Casa de Campo, Juan Gras, was put in charge of planting the flowers. However, there are doubts as to whether his radical style fits in with the surroundings.

Jardin de los Poetas (The Garden of the Poets) The design of this garden is similar to that of the Forestier thanks to the influence of Joaquin Romero Murube. It's most emblematic feature is the two ponds that were inspired by the Arabs and Romans.

Jardin de la Vega Inclan (Garden of Vega Inclan) This is a well designed garden inspired by the Damas even though it lacks the refinement that had once existed. This garden consists of 20 mostly square flower beds that are separated by paths and fountains. These gardens took their inspiration from Islamic culture and the Renaissance.

Jardin de la Alcubilla (Garden of the Reservoir): This garden existed during the time of Charles V.

I want one as a pet!! :) 

How to..

MAKE YOUR OWN SANGRIA!!

Ingredients: 

1 bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja Reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz)

1 lemon chopped 

1 orange chopped

2 pears chopped

2 Tbsp of sugar

1 shot brandy

2 cups ginger ale or club soda

Preparation: 

Pour wine into the pitcher and then add the chopped fruit and add the brandy. Let mixture chill overnight in the refrigerator. Add ginger ale or club soda just before you are serving. 

To serve right away. Use chilled wine and pour over ice!! 

Additional ideas: 

Sliced strawberries or peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries or kiwis, or a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, a cup of ginger ale or citrus soda :) 

Seville: Cathedral

My favorite thing to do here in Spain is to simply walk. Walk for hours and observe everything that is going on around me. The buildings here in Europe--in Spain--are absolutely breath taking. Each facade is years upon years old. I love looking at each building and comparing it to the building next to it on the left and right. Each seems to have its own personality. I like to think that that is what the first owner/ builder was like. Age and time had only made each building more unique and more beautiful. On my walks that I love, I walk straight to the center every time. Regardless of where I am going; even if it is out of the way, I walk towards the center. It is like I am gravitating towards some intense magnet and I have finally come to realize that this magnet is the Cathedral. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I am not just saying that because I am here in Spain but I am saying this because everything I look at it, I seem to loose my breath. Call me a helpless romantic, but I always seem to be in awe that hundreds and hundreds of years ago humans were capable of building such grandeur. It makes me wonder what we would do now without all of the construction tools and instruments we use--interesting huh? Well this is the history of the cathedral...

Thanks to sacred-destinations.com for the history of the Seville Cathedral: 

Seville Cathedral was built on the same large, rectangular base-plan of the mosque it replaced, but the Christian architects added the extra dimension of height. The result is an astonishingly large building that breaks several size records. Measured by area, Seville Cathedral is the third largest in Europe after after St. Paul's Cathedral in London and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but measured by volume, it surpasses them both.

The total area covers 11,520 square meters. The central nave (the longest in Spain) rises to 42 meters and even the side chapels seem large enough to contain an ordinary church.

Two parts of the mosque were thankfully preserved in the cathedral: the Moorish entrance court (Patio de los Naranjos); and the Giralda, originally a minaret, converted into a bell tower. 

The cathedral is entered via the Puerta de San Cristóbal on the south side, just inside of which is the tomb of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón). Columbus was originally buried in the cathedral of Havana, on the island he had discovered on his first voyage in 1492. But during the upheavals surrounding the Cuban revolution in 1902, Spain transferred the remains to Seville.

A monumental tomb was sculpted for the explorer's new resting place in Seville. Sculpted by Arturo Melida, it was designed in the Late Romantic style and is held aloft by four huge allegorial figures representing the kingdoms of León, Castile, Aragón and Navarra. There have long been doubts about the authenticity of the remains in Columbus' tomb, and DNA tests are currently underway to find out if they really are those of the explorer.

The huge interior of the cathedral, with a central nave and four side aisles, is lavishly decorated. Gold is everywhere. But at the same time, there is a sense of overall simplicity and restraint in decoration, for the grand monuments are confined to the side aisles and the huge nave is left mostly empty.

In the center is the great box-like structure of the coro (choir), which contains elaborate 15th-century choir stalls.

The coro opens onto the Capilla Mayor, which is dominated by an incredible Gothic retablo (reredos or altarpiece). The supreme masterpiece of the cathedral was the life's work of a single craftsman, Fleming Pieter Dancart. Composed of 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ, it is carved in wood and covered with staggering amounts of gold. It is the largest and richest altarpiece in the world.

Other notable works of art in the cathedral include 15th-century stained-glass windows and the iron screens (rejas) closing off the chapels. During Corpus Christi and Immaculate Conception observances, altar boys with castanets dance in front of the high altar.

The grandiose Sacristia Mayor, designed in the Plateresque style in 1528, houses the treasury. Among the displays are silver reliquaries and monstrances, artworks by Goya, Murillo, and Zurbarán, and a collection of skulls. Don't miss the keys presented to Fernando by the Jewish and Moorish communities on the surrender of the city: sculpted into the metal in Arabic script are the words, "May Allah render eternal the dominion of Islam in this city."

The northeast corner contains the domed Capilla Real (Royal Chapel), which is not always open. Built on the site of the original royal burial chapel, it shelters the body of Fernando III (El Santo) in a rich, silver shrine. The tombs on either side belong to Fernando's wife, Beatrice of Swabia, and his son, Alfonso the Wise.

To the left of the Capilla Real is the entrance to the wonderful Moorish minaret, La Giralda, which now functions as the cathedral's belltower. It is well worth climbing to the top.

These last two photos were from the top of the bell tower!! Can you saw gorgeous?? Que bonita!!! It was absolutely beautiful. Definitely climb to the top if you are able to visit :)

El Rocio

The first Saturday I was in town, Katy and three of her friends took me to the festival of Rocia. It was awesome!! I felt that I had somehow gone through a time machine and landed up in the middle of the Wild Wild West. Yes. I said it. I did not believe it until I saw it but hundreds upon hundreds of Spaniards were dressed up in outfits that I believed were pulled from the very pages of a Zoro-type of book.

The women were elegantly dressed in Flamenco dressed-each with a unique design-I do not believe I saw any two dresses the same. There hair was slicked back into the typical Spanish bun and on the very top-not side-but top of their head sat an rather enormous yet matching fake flower.

The men on the other hand were dressed like they were about to save a damsel in distress. They had on these wonderful old cowboy suits with a Spanish-type cowboy hat. Each guy had his own horse, like it represented masculinity or something because there were THOUSANDS of horses. One for each man, I guess.

There were no cars but everyone went around the little town from casa to case on horseback or by carriage which was-you guessed it-pulled by a horse. There was no pavement, rather, the streets were garnished in sand. Everywhere you went. Sand. Loads upon loads of sand. Once a horse road up to a casa, the cowboy tied his horse to one of the horse stands you see in the western movies. I believe my mouth was open the whole time because I do not believe my brain actually registered that I was in the year 2011. It felt as though I were in the middle of a movie, and like I mentioned, any moment expected Zoro to come riding by me with that sexy black cape of his. He didn't; however, I was not too sound, rather entertained. Greatly.

The fiesta in Rocia was not just to dress up like cowboys and flamenco dancers. It is actually a very old tradition that dates back many, many years. According to don Quijote the tradition goes something like this..

"Bridle those oxen and tie some flowers on your cart--it's time to make a dusty pilgrimage to the Andalusian countryside for Spain's biggest festival--the Romeria Del Rocio. Up to one million people are expected to travel to the marshes near the mouth of the Guadalquivir River to sing, eat, dance and pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio.

And while the religious fanaticism will be kicked into overdrive for the next few days, the Romerio is also a chance have some serious Spanish fun. Many of the participants are city-dwellers from Seville, Madrid and Barcelona who have come to spend time with nature and to get in touch with their roots.

The Virgen Del Rocio has been celebrated at this isolated site for over 800 years, and since 1758 the Romeria Del Rocio has been celebrated at Whitsun , the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are really two parts to this celebration, the festival in Almonte and the actual pilgrimage that starts several days before. As with many Spanish festivals, the Romeria is a blend of Catholic and local pagan beliefs.

The Virgen Del Rocio has been the patron saint of Almonte since the 15th century, when a hunter found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk near the marshes. The devoted claim her intense powers can cure disease, infertility and mental disorders.

The pilgrimage is a pretty traditional affair. Hundreds of "brotherhoods" from the surrounding villages and towns organise the processions that all end up in Almonte. Travellers (or "romeros") come from all over Andalucia on foot, on horseback or by cart. No motorised vehicles are allowed. Most of these pilgrims wear traditional clothes, women in bright gypsy-inspired flamenco dresses and men in the unique wide-brimmed "bolero" hats and short-cropped jackets associated with Andalusia. As they get closer to Almonte, the pilgrims camp out in the fields and forests of the surrounding Donana National Park.

All the romeros arrive in the village of Almonte just before dawn, and then the festivities really kick into gear. Accompanied by tambourines, flutes and guitars, the entire group strolls across the broad plains to the El Rocio shrine in the nearby marshes. Almonte's elite "Hermandad Matriz" brotherhood carries along a large silver shrine that contains an effigy of the Virgen. The sound of firecrackers fills the air as the crowds cry "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes"). Once everyone arrives at the shrine, mass is recited and the Virgen is paraded around the dusty fields for several more hours.

For the next couple of days, the scene at El Rocio resembles a makeshift camp-out, a carnival, and a family reunion all at the same time. The crowds sing traditional songs and dance together in the fields. Snacks of tortilla, jamon, prawns and fried peppers are sold along with plenty of local wine and sherry. First-time pilgrims "baptise" themselves by dipping their hats in water and dousing themselves. In a day or so, the crowds will disperse and the fields of El Rocio will become quiet again."

Now if you still cannot fathom the idea of hundreds if not thousands of Spaniards riding around on horses dressed up in costumes, I have what lawyers like to call evidence for you. Visual evidence. These photos were not taken by me but are from the web; however, they match the festival I was at to a T. 

The line of wagons making there way to Rocio. Every city has a different day that the people leave to go on pilgrimage and a different day that they return on. 

Every man has a horse-and a girl. 

Much of the fiesta--basically all--was centered around family, food, drinking, dancing and singing. 

More pictures of the women's outfits. 

The beautiful church in Rocio. 

Like I said right out of a movie. Where have all the cowboys gone?

The Spanish John Wayne. YeeeHawww. 

Modern meets traditional--don't worry ladies it will be in the states in 2 years! 

The Good, Along with the Bad

Sometimes we just have bad starts to our day. You seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed and then later find yourself crying for no reason whatsoever. Well that was my beginning today. Woke up, felt seemingly invincible and ready to take on Espana (did I mention I was in Spain) and was ready to go. However, after church I just started crying- not that cute type of cry that everyone seems to have except you-it was the embarrassing, I need a tissue like now, type of cry. Why? Because I could not understand half of our service. It was one of those lonely days. Where nothing I heard in Spanish made sense. So, as anyone would, I just wanted to curl up and not do anything. However, when you try to push aside and not get in to your self pity party, the unexpected can happen and that, my friends, is what happened to me today. I walked away, not wanting to eat lunch with two friends because I was feeling depressed about not understanding a very, very fast speaking spanish service this morning. However, once we had some wonderful tapas and great conversation my attitude seemed to change. I became suddenly aware of how certain people come into your life at certain times, and much needed times at that. My friend Franaqa from Morocco provided just the comfort I needed. She was very nice and spoke slowly to me in Spanish and allowed me to try to enjoy our conversation. After, I went to the center with Katy and we sat in a Starbucks for hours and read. While Katy was getting her computer from her apartment, I scouted out seats for us and then did the usual throw your jacket over a couple of seats to save them-not sure the Spanish do that but oh well, it worked. As I was thinking and people watching, this lovely woman from Canada started to speak to me. What was only a slight question turned into the onset of a very long and blessed conversation. I was describing why I was in Seville and she in turn told me all about her trip around Spain and Portugal. We started discussing the monastery by Santiponce and she allowed me to recall as many details as I could from my earlier tour. Once Katy arrived we said the usual nice to meet you and carried on our way; however, right before she left she brought up conversation again and told me to enjoy the time I have and that I have such a neat future ahead because of the adventures I have had thus far. Exactly what I needed. It is funny how the Lord can use people to speak through and I believe that she was an angel meant exactly for me. She brightened my day and encouraged me. It was such a nice break from walking around and the heat and it lifted my spirits too. Then, if we hadn't had enough Starbucks we met up with a friend Manula who made the rest of our afternoon absolutely hilarious. Spaniards are funny. We literally laughed all afternoon and I seriously, laughed away my tears and any thoughts about throwing a pity party quickly vanished. Then later that night, I came home to my piso and went on a great walk with my host sister. The rest of the night was filled with laughter and joy. It is funny how sometimes we think a bad day means a bad day and bad attitude all day long; however, a simple change of heart and mind can lead to quite an enjoyable day and a lifted spirit.

when all else fails, go to Starbucks and you will get a literally get a taste of home :)

Seville: Week One :)

I don't know where to even begin besides the fact that I am so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to study abroad (again) but this time as an intern. I'm currently interning with East West ministries in Seville, Spain in Santiponce. It is gorgeous here!!! We are close to ancient Roman ruins and a beautiful field of sunflowers. I am loving every minute of my time here. I currently reside in Mirena with a family of five. They have two daughters Karen and Elizabeth and one son Samuel and have graciously opened there home up to me this summer. My boss is Chris and the other intern with me (long term) is Katy. She is awesome! She lives very close to the center of Seville so I get to take the metro there and explore often. :) 

Plaza de Espana 

Personal Contact

My madre espanola! Mercedes was a wonderful host mother last summer in Valencia and truly represented an amazing Spanish woman. For my birthday last year, she bought me a Valencia traditional dancer statue. This is a rewrite of the note she wrote me: 

"Muchas Felicidades y espero fue tienes muy buen dia, y cuando vuelves a America te escribes de nosotros. Besos, Mercedes, Juan Jo y Pluto (El perro de Mercedes) "

I encourage everyone who travels abroad to get to know your host family and enjoy your time with them. Life is different but in general we are all the same; humans who want to live, love and laugh about life. Have a great time :) 

Madrid

Cibeles

Gran Vía

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.

Palacio de Cristal

Retiro

At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others which will be described later during our guide of the city.

En route to Spain's capital of Madrid it's a great idea to see the other side of Spain: Catalunya. The best way to soak up the distinct atmosphere of Catalunya is in its vibrant capital Barcelona. In the center of the city, on the famous boulevard Ramblas Abba Rambla Hotel Barcelona is situated. This hotel can be booked through easytobook.com. Besides hotel accommodations, they offer information on what to do and what to see while you are there.

Environmental Issues

Environment - current issues: pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification

Definition: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:

Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain).

Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England.

Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog.

Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire.

Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form.

Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption.

Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat.

Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume.

Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits.

Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar.

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972.

Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health.

Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth.

Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change.

Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems.

Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean."

Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments.

Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it.

Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction.

Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers.

Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs.

Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources.

Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change.

Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed.

Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings.

Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally re grow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land.


Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms.

Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species.

Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste.

Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed.

Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops.

Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion.

Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment .

Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products.

Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans.

Water-born diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply.

Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of March 11, 2010

For Your Safety

Be wary of tricksters

Conmen work in pairs or groups, so be extra careful when approached in street.
Watch out for the classic tricks - people are still falling for them. These include: asking for change, asking for directions, someone 'helping' you with your bags and hustling tricks such as the cup-and-ball game.

Don’t look like a tourist

Dress appropriately. I’m not saying buy a whole new wardrobe, but that University of Denver hooded sweatshirt might be best left at home.
Try to keep maps out of sight. If you need to follow a complicated set of directions, sit down in a bar for ten minutes and write them down.
Look confident. This goes hand in hand with the above point. Look like you know where you are going, even if you don’t.
Keep your voice down. You can spot a tourist from a mile away - for some reason they always talk louder than everyone else. It may just be the fact that they're speaking English and everyone else is speaking in Spanish. Whatever the reason, talking loudly makes you stand out.

Be Secure

Be careful where you put your valuables. Internal pockets are better than external ones. If you do need to put things in external pockets, try to keep your hands over them so you can feel where your valuables are.
Use the security provisions provided by your hotel. Do you really need to take your camera out? If not, leave it behind.
Women - keep your handbag under your arm. Thieves have been known to use scissors to cut shoulder straps and make off with the bag.
Be vigilant when sat in bars and cafes. Don’t leave money in your jacket when you hang it over your chair and keep an eye on your bags when you put them down.

But the best advice is simple - use your common sense. Most of this is pretty obvious stuff and to list every single thing you can do to keep safe would take forever. Take the same precautions you would back home (such as not walking alone down dark alleys), remembering to add into the equation the fact that you look like a tourist and are probably carrying more expensive equipment than you would at home.

Immunizations

All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, prior to international travel. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Spain:

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for extended travel to rural areas where food hygiene is questionable. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.

Travelers who require protection against hepatitis A and are less than two years old, are pregnant, or have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of gammaglobulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) instead of vaccine.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all travelers if not previously vaccinated. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.

Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. Influenza vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester or those allergic to eggs.

Recent outbreaks

A measles outbreak was reported from Seville in March 2011, causing 432 cases by April. In November 2010, a measles outbreak was reported from Granada in southern Spain, causing 59 cases by December (see Eurosurveillance). In February 2010, a measles outbreak in the municipality of Jumilla (Murcia) caused 65 cases, almost all in citizens of Bulgarian and Romanian origin who had not been fully vaccinated. In February 2008, a measles outbreak was reported from the town of Algeciras in the south of Spain, causing 57 confirmed cases by April (seeEurosurveillance). A measles outbreak was reported from Barcelona in the last quarter of 2006, affecting 213 people by January 31, 2007, and from Madrid in February 2006, resulting in 59 cases as of March 16 (see Eurosurveillance andProMED-mail; January 11 and 22, 2007). All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing measles immunity. This does not apply to people born before 1957, who are presumed to be immune to measles. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles or MMR vaccine before travel to Spain. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

An outbreak of Legionnella infection was reported from Madrid in November 2010, causing 51 cases, five of them fatal. The source of the outbreak has not been determined. In July 2010, a Legionnaires' outbreak was reported from Vallgorguina, causing 43 cases. The source of the outbreak was thought to be irrigation systems located in the center of town. An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was reported in June 2010 from Alcoy city (province of Alicante), caused by colonization of two self-service car-washing facilities. Outbreaks were also reported from Alcoy in August and October 2009, related to asphalt spreading machines (see ProMED-mail, July 8 and 18 and October 25, 2010). In June 2006, a Legionella outbreak occurred in Pamplona in northern Spain, affecting 149 people as of June 14. Most of the cases occurred close to the city center. The source of the outbreak has not been confirmed, though four cooling towers in the area tested positive for Legionella and have been closed. See NATHNAC, Eurosurveillance, and ProMED-mail (June 5, 2006) for details. A much larger outbreak occurred in Murcia in July 2001, chiefly affecting the the northern neighborhoods of the city. A total of 420 cases were confirmed, including four deaths. The source of the outbreak was never determined. See theWorld Health Organization, Eurosurveillance, and ProMED-mail (October 17, 2001) for details. An outbreak linked to two contaminated cooling towers was reported from Zaragoza in June and July 2004, affecting at least 30 people. A separate outbreak related to a contaminated cooling tower occurred in the municipalities of Vic and Gurb (Central Region of Catalonia) in October and November 2005, causing 55 cases (see Eurosurveillance).

Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial infection which typically causes pneumonia but may also involve other organ systems. The disease is usually transmitted by airborne droplets from contaminated water sources, such as cooling towers, air conditioners, whirlpools, and showers. Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted from person-to-person. For further information on Legionaires' disease among travelers to Spain, go to the European Working Group on Legionella Infections.

A measles outbreak was reported in November 2010 from Granada in southern Spain, causing 59 cases by December (see Eurosurveillance). In February 2010, a measles outbreak in the municipality of Jumilla (Murcia) caused 65 cases, almost all in citizens of Bulgarian and Romanian origin who had not been fully vaccinated. In February 2008, a measles outbreak was reported from the town of Algeciras in the south of Spain, causing 57 confirmed cases by April (see Eurosurveillance). A measles outbreak was reported from Barcelona in the last quarter of 2006, affecting 213 people by January 31, 2007, and from Madrid in February 2006, resulting in 59 cases as of March 16 (see Eurosurveillance and ProMED-mail; January 11 and 22, 2007). All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing measles immunity. This does not apply to people born before 1957, who are presumed to be immune to measles. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles or MMR vaccine before travel to Spain. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

An outbreak of an uncommon infectious disease, probably tick-related lymphadenopathy, was reported from Spain in August 2008. For details, go toProMED-mail, August 11, 2008.

An outbreak of tularemia occurred between June and December 2007 in a rural area in the province of Palencia and in the provincial capital city of León in the province of Castilla y Leon, located in the northern part of Spain. A total of 507 cases were laboratory-confirmed. About one-third occurred in farm workers or people whose jobs involved contact with the environment, such as gardeners, rangers, and lake and reservoir maintenance staff. About one-quarter were caused by direct contact with rodents (see Eurosurveillance and ProMED-mail, August 11, 2007). A previous tularemia outbreak was reported from Castilla y Leon in November-December 1997, apparently related to the handling of infected hares (see Eurosurveillance). The 1997 outbreak resulted in 534 cases. Tularemia may be acquired by direct contact with infected animals, by mosquito or tick bites, or by inhalation. Symptoms may include fever, swollen glands, and skin lesions. Severe cases may be complicated by pneumonia or sepsis.

An outbreak of mumps was reported in August 2006 from Navarra, in northern Spain, following a local festival. As of February 2007, more than 1300 cases had been identified and new cases were still being reported. See Eurosurveillance andProMED-mail (January 11, 2007) for further information. All travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two doses of MMR or mumps vaccine or a blood test showing mumps immunity. Those born before 1957 are presumed to be immune. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of MMR vaccine.

An increase in the number of cases of viral meningitis was reported from the Autonomous Region of Madrid during the first nine months of 2006, chiefly affecting those under 15 years of age (see Eurosurveillance). Two deaths were recorded. Most cases were caused by enteroviruses. An increase was also observed in other regions of Spain. Viral meningitis is a mild illness which is spread by direct contact with the respiratory secretions or feces of an infected person. No travel precautions are recommended except for careful attention to hand washing and personal hygiene, especially after using the toilet, before eating, and after changing diapers. The chief symptoms of meningitis are fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, drowsiness or confusion, and nausea and vomiting. Anyone who develops these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.

An outbreak of rubella was reported from the autonomous region of Madrid during the first weeks of 2005. Most cases occurred in young adults of foreign origin, chiefly from Latin America. For further information, go to Eurosurveillance. All travelers to Spain should make sure they have been vaccinated against rubella, which is one of the routine childhood immunizations.

Five cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) have been identified in Spain. The disease is acquired by eating beef from cows with a related infection known asbovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease). At present, the risk of acquiring variant CJD from European beef appears to be extraordinarily low, at most about one in 10 billion servings. The Centers for Disease Control does not advise against eating European beef, but suggests that travelers who wish to reduce their risk may either abstain from beef while in Europe or eat only solid pieces of muscle meat, such as steak, rather than products like sausage or chopped meat that might be contaminated. There is no evidence of any risk from pork, lamb, milk or milk products. For recent updates, go to ProMED-mail.

Other infections
Trichinellosis (outbreak reported from Huesca in March 2011, affecting six people who ate sausages made from wild boar meat; outbreak reported in January 2007, caused by consumption of home-made sausage (chorizo) made from the meat of two wild boars (jabalà ) killed on a private hunt held in Castile and León; see Eurosurveillance)
Anthrax (chiefly the communities of Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, and Estremadura)
Brucellosis (incidence declining in most areas, but remains significant in Andalusia, Castille-La Mancha, Aragon, Castille-Leon, and Extremadura)
Q fever
Echinococcosis (hydatid cyst disease) (chiefly Guadalajara, Soria, Segovia, and Caceres)
Mediterranean spotted fever (mainly Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, and Estremadura)
Visceral leishmaniasis (20 to 80 human cases reported each year; especially severe in AIDS patients; chief reservoir is dogs; most canine cases reported from the regions of Andalusia, Palme Mallorca, Valencia and Catalonia)
Tick-borne relapsing fever
Rabies (no recent human cases, but reported in insectivorous bats; any person who has contact with a bat should contact local health authorities for rabies prophylaxis; rabies also reported in dogs, cats, and horses in the Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa; see Eurosurveillance for details)
Toscana virus (common cause of aseptic meningitis between May and October; see Emerging Infectious Diseases)
Scorpion stings
Black widow spider bites

For further information, see Weekly Epidemiological Record, 1996.

For disease statistics and updates on recent outbreaks, go to the Boletin Epidemiologico Semanal (in Spanish).

Food and water precautions

Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.

All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.

If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.

General advice

Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from your personal physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.

Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.

Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.

Ambulance Services

For general emergencies in Spain, call 112. For ambulance services, call the following numbers:

Samur - 092
Uvimovil - 061
Ambulances Cruz Roja - 91 522 2222
Ambulancias Sasu - 91 355 1039
Physicians and hospitals

For an on-line guide to physicians, hospitals, and emergency medical services in Spain, go to the United States Embassy website.

Medical facilities (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

Good medical care is available in both Spain and Andorra. Regulations regarding medications may vary from those in the United States. Spanish regulations do not permit the international shipment of medication, so please do not ship medication from the United States to Spain. U.S. citizens who plan a lengthy trip to Spain should bring their medication or obtain a prescription for that medication from a Spanish physician...

Traveling with children

Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.
All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).

Be sure to pack a medical kit when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections.

Maps

Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.

Registration/Embassy location (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)
Americans living in or visiting Spain or Andorra are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid or at the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or Andorra.

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, is located at Serrano 75; telephone (34)(91) 587-2200, and fax (34)(91) 587-2303. U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, Consulate General, or one of the Consular Agency listed below can obtain updated information on travel and security within Spain or Andorra. Additional information is available through the U.S. Embassy’s Internet homepage at http://madrid.usembassy.gov/.

The U.S. Consulate in Barcelona is located at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23-25; telephone (34)(93) 280-2227 and fax (34)(93) 205-5206. Visitors to Barcelona can access additional information from the Consulate General’s web page at http://barcelona.usconsulate.gov/.

There are six Consular Agencies in Spain, which provide limited services to American Citizens, but are not authorized to issue passports.
Fuengirola near Malaga, at Avenida Juan Gomez Juanito #8, Edificio Lucia 1C, 29640, Fuengirola, telephone (34)(952) 474-891 and fax (34)(952) 465-189, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
La Coruna, at Canton Grande 6, telephone (34)(981) 213-233 and fax (34)(981 22 28 08), hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Las Palmas, at Edificio Arca, Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7, telephone (34)(928) 222-552 and fax (34)(928) 225-863, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Palma de Mallorca, Edificio Reina Constanza, Porto Pi, 8, 9-D, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Telephone (34)(971) 40-3707 or 40-3905 and fax (34)(971) 40-3971. Hours 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Seville, at Paseo de Las Delicias 7, telephone (34)(954) 231-885 and fax (34)(954) 232-040, hours 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
Valencia, at Doctor Romagosa #1, 2-J, 46002, Valencia telephone (34)(96)-351-6973 and fax (34)(96) 352-9565, hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For Andorra, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Barcelona.
...and most important HAVE FUN :)