We are two teachers on the trip of a lifetime to Spain! Come along with us!
For me as a Spanish teacher, Spain has always loomed large in my imagination, having never actually been there. That was the impetus for applying for the Eleanor Venture Travel Grant with art teacher Jennifer Lammey. I wanted to see the place I’d read so much about, see up close works of art that we’ve studied in class, eat the food I’d taught my students to appreciate, and use the language that’s become such a part of my life. This trip was truly magical–a life-changing experience that reaffirmed my love of World Language education, other cultures, and the importance of international travel. It was a delight to travel with a good friend and to share this trip with her. Now, I am so excited to bring this experience to my students through the many bilingual videos we created about our travels.
What is that saying about “the best laid plans”? Well, that was certainly true for us! Our meticulous plan derailed the moment we landed in Madrid without our checked luggage, everything lost somewhere in transit. A few hours later, at the rental car desk, we found out renting a car would be cost prohibitive. Assured by the desk worker that Spain’s public transit system was amazing, we decided to figure out how to see the places on our list some other way.
Our first days were a little frantic: buying train and bus tickets, adjusting reservations, and scouring historic Madrid for replacements for our lost chargers, toiletries, and clothing. We walked 20,000 steps a day–people-watching in famous plazas, hunting down iconic Spanish markets, and filming the sights and sounds of the city. The highlight of Madrid for me was a visit to the Prado Museum, a treasure trove of art work through the ages. I saw Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas up close, and our wonderful guide helped us interpret works by Bosch (The Garden of Earthly Delights), Caravaggio, and Rubens. We saw Francisco Goya’s pinturas negras, painted near the end of his life. These paintings evoked the fear, despair, and horror of Spain’s Peninsular War. It was truly something to behold them in person.
After Madrid, we got a taste of medieval Spain in the town of Ávila. Walking on top of its 400-year-old walls with incredible views of thunderstorms rolling across the countryside is a moment I won’t forget. Ávila also boasts an amazing gothic cathedral. This was one of many experiences with Spanish architecture that would make me think about how the craftsmanship of the old masters is something we lack in our modern built environment. And it made me wonder why and when exactly we stopped building beautiful things.
Next stop: Salamanca, Spain’s oldest university town. We arrived at sunset as the light was turning the stone buildings golden. We spent the evening soaking in Spain’s most beautiful plaza, illuminated by hundreds of flood lights. The morning was spent learning about the city’s two magnificent cathedrals, before walking across a stone bridge built during the Roman empire.
After a long train ride to San Sebastián/Donostia in the northern Basque country, we experienced a completely different side of Spain. The open fields became misty, forested mountains, and the language changed to Euskara, the notoriously difficult Basque tongue. This seaside town boasts one of the most incredible culinary scenes in the world: we loved trying new foods, learning about local specialties, and exploring the labyrinthian cobblestone streets.
This is where I was struck by the value of bilingualism. The locals and European tourists we met routinely spoke multiple languages. They easily transitioned between Basque and Spanish, or English and French. In the United States–outside of our immigrant communities–we are largely monolingual. It can be hard to get my students to see the value of learning other languages so they are able to communicate authentically, immerse themselves in other cultures, and appreciate different ways of life. This trip made me realize the importance of travel in the journey of becoming bilingual. It’s the spark that ignites the desire to learn more. And as a reward for your efforts, you will have a deeper experience, richer encounters, and an easier time, too!
After the north, we headed to our final destination: Barcelona. It was a little disconcerting to be checking into our short term rental while the city was in the midst of protesting against AirBnb and mass tourism. But at the same time, we could immediately see why it has become such a popular destination.
First up, a cooking class. We shopped at the historic Boquería market and then learned how to make Catalonia’s most iconic dishes: gazpacho, paella, pan con tomate, and crema catalana. On one of the most hilarious nights of our trip, we discovered the joy that comes with new ways of doing things, learning from a Spanish chef the secrets of their delicious cuisine.
The next day we toured a former bullfighting ring to learn more about this controversial national pastime. Looking at the beautiful trajes de luces worn by los toreros, I couldn’t help thinking about what kind of violence becomes culturally acceptable and even revered because it so embodies a place’s identity and values.
A trip to Barcelona is not complete without seeing the works of architect Antonio Gaudí. In contrast to the gothic, neo-gothic and romanesque buildings we had seen all over Spain, Gaudí’s work is a modern breath of fresh air. At the Casa Batllo, we saw how he integrated the natural forms and shapes of the sea into the design of the building. His outdoor Parque Güell is a wonder too: stone columns that echo the trunks of trees, curved and colorful tile work, and whimsical shapes enhancing the outdoor spaces.
But here, too, we saw the effects of overtourism. Day tripper crowds from the cruise ships filled the paths, jostling for the best photos of the city. YouTubers and selfie-sticks abounded. The lines were long, and tourist shops selling cheap mass-produced trinkets were everywhere. When does the soul of a place get lost in the crowds? When is a city no longer a home for the local people? These are not easy questions to answer, especially as we so clearly saw the economic benefits brought by tourism.
As we considered our role and responsibilities as guests in this amazing city, we made our way to perhaps the most awe-inspiring human-created place I have ever seen: Gaudi’s basilica, the Sagrada Familia. There are not many places that leave you searching for words to describe the experience, but this is one of them. The intricate stonework on the outside of the cathedral, the familiar Biblical stories depicted in new and surprising ways, the imposing bronze doors carved in relief, and the colorful stained glass work is something otherworldly and entirely special. Inside, the light streams through the carefully designed tower windows, the stained glass transforming it into glowing colors that change with the sun’s position. We took lifts to the top of the towers to see spectacular views of the city below and to admire the tile work that adorns the exterior. Truly a wondrous masterpiece, you can’t help but stand in awe of what I believe was a divinely inspired magnum opus.
Now that I am home, I find myself returning over and over again to the experiences and insights gleaned from the trip. I am inspired to keep teaching students the Spanish language, certainly. But more than that, I want to teach them to appreciate other, equally valid ways of being in the world. I want to share with them the power of noticing–how observation can help you navigate a strange and unfamiliar place. I want to impress upon them the joy of discovery and the rewards that await you when you take risks in communicating in another language. I want to bring to my classroom the fun of exploration through the experience of new foods, music, and art. I need to cultivate in them a sense of responsibility to be conscientious travelers who enhance rather than degrade the world’s unique places. And I will tell them to hold their travel plans loosely!
My thanks go to the Education Foundation for making this dream possible, and to the late Eleanor Flanders, who first envisioned this gift for teachers. I return renewed and refreshed, inspired to inspire my students to be bilingual, culturally competent citizens of the world.
Traveling to Spain was an unforgettable adventure that opened my eyes as an art teacher. Seeing the works of Dalí, Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Gaudí in person was a dream come true. I’ve taught about these artists for years, but experiencing their masterpieces up close gave me a whole new perspective on their art. Wandering through the museums and architectural wonders, I felt a deeper connection to what I share with my students in the classroom. It was surreal to see the vibrant colors of a Dalí painting or the intricate designs of a Gaudí building right before my eyes. Words cannot describe the beauty of seeing great works of art in person.
The journey was an adventure, hopping from trains to buses, subways, and taxis. Every mode of transport added a new layer to the experience. And oh, the food—those tapas were out of this world! Razor clams quickly became my favorite, and I eagerly anticipated each new meal. Even though my luggage got stuck in Morocco and never arrived, I managed to make the most of it. It was a bit of a hassle, but it turned into a funny story and a reminder of the unpredictability of travel.
Making vlogs for my classroom was another highlight of the trip. It was a blast to document my experiences, especially with my friend, who spoke Spanish and helped me navigate the language barriers. Trying to speak Spanish myself gave me a better understanding of my students who struggle with English. I realized why some of them might be quiet—it’s tough to be in a new environment where you don’t feel completely comfortable. Overall, the trip was not just about exploring Spain but also about enriching my teaching and connecting with my students on a deeper level.