We woke up early and hopped on another bus, heading this time to the City of Arts and Sciences, which is basically a huge center similar to things you might find in the Tech Museum, but better. Unfortunately, we having more camera probz, as people forgot to bring their camera chargers. It was pretty funny, because by the end of the day, we were down to like, one camera for six of us. Oh, well. No-one can say I have a lack of pictures!!
First, we were going to go to an AQUARIUM, one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Now, I know, I know, aquariums are like zoos, which are giant prisons for animals, and I should hate them fundamentally. Fish should be free to swim as far as their little beating fish hearts desire. However, all of my progressive friends are just going to have to forgive me as I say: I LOVE AQUARIUMS. I like looking at fish!! :) Besides, fish don't have feelings anyway, so they don't care. ;P Kidding.
Here is my professor and some friends and I being excited to go to the AQUARIUM.
Inside of the aquarium, being eaten by a SHARK.
The aquarium was very cool -- we 'traveled' all over the world, and saw all different kinds of fishes. We also got to go to a dolphin show, which definitely was the highlight of the aquarium trip.
All the dolphins were doing such great tricks! I've decided I'm going to be a dolphin trainer.
Hello, dolphin friend!
Here is an example of the really cool architecture. Behind me is a bridge (the tall white part) and a building that looks like a whale. I don't know what it is.
It felt a little bit like we stepped into the future.
Afterwards, we went to the round building in the picture above to watch an IMAX film, which they said was in 3D, but I think I just misunderstood their Spanish because it wasn't. It was still cool, though, and it was the biggest IMAX I've been to -- you felt like you were sitting on the inside of a globe, more than a screen, and it felt almost like "Soaring Over California" at Disneyland, minus the orange scents and cool breeze. It was a cool experience, but I was a little whatever about the film itself.
By this time, it was time to hop back on the bus and head back to Alicante! We got back around seven, which was just enough time to hang out with my family, eat some dinner, then head out for a night on the town. It was brought to my attention that I only have five more weeks! I can't believe it.
On Sunday morning, Lauren and I woke up early to go to Mass at the Cathedral de San Nicolas, which we had been trying to do for quite some time, but never really got there.
The Cathedral of Alicante.
It was a very interesting mass... very "fire-and-brimstone" and orthodox Catholicism. It was my first Mass in Spain, and I have got to say, it was an experience being part of the Catholic Mass in such a historically Catholic culture. Spain has been Catholic.. well, always. However, it was an interesting congregation because it was literally all older people -- there were no families, no young people. We stuck out, and not just because of our English. The homily was so interesting, because it was very..Spanish, if that makes sense. "Somos Espanoles," the priest kept saying, "Espanoles fuertes!" with his arms waving and his voice rising and falling, the way that I always imagined old-school preachers, but I've never seen. I wonder how much the pairing of religion and the dictatorship has on the current congregation; after, as we were talking about it, we thought that young people may be leaving the church because of that. What a shame. I hope that this was an atypical part of Spanish culture, more to do with where we chose to go than a reflection upon religion in Spain. Interesting cultural difference, nevertheless!
Anyways, I am off to work on some more homework. I know, homework? In Spain! I don't understand it either. What were my professors thinking!?
Hasta luego. More interesting things to come!
Besos!
<3 k
Even Mass in Spain can be an adventure! Did you ever find out why ONLY old people were there? The Cathedral looks beautiful. Now see if I was with you, I'd fit right in with all those OLD people. Although the fire & brimstone message would probably have frighten me away too. Thinking about you everyday!
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