Bernadette's Trip to Spain 2012-2013: ¡El Castillo de Peracense y Albarracín!

Last Friday, October 19th, we went on another school trip! It was only for the day, and this time we travelled south, instead of north, to the province of Huesca in Aragon. It was scheduled to rain that day, so everyone came prepared with rain jackets, boots, and umbrellas. We left Zaragoza at 8:30 am as usual, and the bus ride took about two hours. It rained a little, but once we had arrived to our first destination, it had subsided. Our first stop was a castle! So far I've seen three castles in Spain: one near my host family's apartment in Zaragoza, one on a different school trip, and this one. It was called "Castillo de Peracense" (Castle of Peracense) and was built in the late Bronze Age. It was located on the top of a hill so that its inhabitants could watch and control the roads below it. The first "room" we entered was the plaza. It was the biggest and it had no roof. We were given half an hour to explore. First, I climbed to the top of a wall on one side of the castle. Next, I crossed the plaza to the other side, where there were more, smaller rooms. This part was quite fun because I didn't know what to expect, what I'd find, and I've never been in a castle before! I went in several very small rooms with very small windows. They were warmer than outside. There was a sort of isolated tower that most of us climbed. On top I had a great view of the countryside. Hills and valleys surrounded us on every side. I wish that it had been sunny out though; everything would've looked more beautiful. I've found this really cool website about the castle that gives you a virtual, panoramic view of it. Here's the link: http://www.peracensemedieval.com/visita_peracense_medieval.htm

We boarded the bus again and headed towards Albarracín, a very pretty pueblo. We were given picnic lunches: a long sandwich of bread and tortilla with potatoes, an apple, a juice box, and water, and another two hours to explore this place. We first walked towards the pueblo's wall which had been built in defense against the Christians during the Reconquista. It was located on a very high and steep hill, and it reminded me of the Great Wall of China! I arrived there after a big group of students, and some were attempting to hike up the left side of the hill to reach the wall. It looked very hard since it was so steep, so I didn't try. I stayed at the bottom with other people who didn't want to do it either. Finally, after waiting about half an hour, we decided to head back down to the center of the pueblo and find a café. The one we found was in this sort of plaza. I didn't buy anything, but two friends bought coffee, which according to one of them was very good. The other friend sat near five Spanish women and started up a conversation with them. Several friends and I joined them and joined in, too. They told us that they were from Santander, Cantabria, a community in northern Spain. When I told them that I play the piano, they said every summer in Santander there's a famous piano concert called Paloma O'Shea. Unfortunately I won't be able to see it in person, but one woman told me that I can watch it online I think! Another woman was named Pilar, which is very special because as I've already told you, the saint, Pilar, is very important here in Spain. We chatted with the women for about 45 minutes, and then we had to get on the bus again to return to Zaragoza. I slept for most of the ride, and once we arrived in the city, I headed straight home.

From now on, all the school trips we take will be more than one day. I know that one scheduled trip is each student is sent to a different part of Spain to spend several days there. I don't know when it will happen though. It sounds very exciting. I'll finally be able to travel to another part of the country. Independent travel will not be permitted until November, and then the teachers will only give us permission if we have mastered enough Spanish to be able to communicate well. My Art History told my class that this rule is for our safety; the school doesn't want us to have an emergency while away from Zaragoza and not know how to ask for help. I definitely want to visit Barcelona and Madrid -- those are a must while in Spain -- but other places are Andalucía, Galicia, and País Vasco. (These names are in Spanish because I learned them in that language. I'm not certain what they are in English.) I'll have to travel with at least one other person. Well, I hope you enjoyed this entry! I'll post again soon.