Castellón, España- May 30, 2004
Time is going by fast again. Its already been three weeks since my last entry. I finished the previous class entitled "Planning, Management and Evaluation of Development Cooperation Projects". Very interesting class. We were divided into four separate team projects, and spent three weeks setting up a project for street kids in St. Petersburg. Very interesting as well. First we had to read the case studies and situation and such. Then develop a problem tree with cause and effect. So as a team of six people, we brainstormed cause and effect of various aspects of the problem. Ultimately we had to select a certain line of focus to deal with what we thought was most essential and substainable for the problem. Very interesting work actually. Working with a team was great also. Its interesting how different people interpret things so differently. A lot of compromise, but at the same time you see a lot of your thoughts and input in the project as well. I learned a lot on how NGOs work and how they select and go about their projects as well. There was much more to it, but I won´t go that far in depth.
This week I´m in a new class. Currently I´m soon to be starting the second week in the next three week class. This one has to do with Population Studies. Also interesting, just seeing how all the various aspects of population characterists influence and effect a country. I could go extremely more in depth with this as well, but I´ll refrain for the time being.
As for life in general in Spain. Its very good! I´ve been exploring and finding out more and more interesting things to do. Last week an Italian guy I study with and I went to Valencia. Really had a great time! So many more people around, places to go, and things to do. Its also amazing how many people are around barhopping and enjoying the nightlife well into the middle of the night. I will attribute that to the Spanish fiesta and siesta. If you are well-rested, its easy to go out all night.
Last night went to another local fiesta near Castellon. There was music and food and beer tents. So many people!! Really a great time. I can see more and more why people love Spain so much. Always something interesting going on.
I´m also amazed there are only 5 weeks left of my first semester. Its almost June and we are finished with classes on July 2nd! I really am finding the courses very interesting and enjoying my time here. But at the same time, I´m looking forward to moving on with the next step of life. Getting somewhat settled somewhere and hopefully start using all of the knowledge and skills I´m learning from these courses.
Next news.. I bought a ticket to Paris on July 8th!! Unbelievably it only cost 2 euros through Ryan Air. With tax it comes out to 16 euros. Just unbelievable. So I´ll fly from Barcelona to Paris in less than six weeks from now. I don´t know the plan after that, but I´m thinking of city hopping to the main places through Ryan Air. I also have Rome, London, Dublin (and possibly Galway) and Prague in mind. It should be an interesting July. There might even be a chance of going to Miami for a visit if the plans for that work out (I´m coordinating it with another person). So, in short, life is good!
Next Journal Entry in Spain:
June 14, 2004
You can email me at:
Wintermoon2@yahoo.com