IUHPFL Ciudad Real 2011: Getting to know Ciudad Real

In front of the school.

Today we met in front of the colegio (school) and took a brief walk to the Parque Gasset. From there the students set out on a Gymkhana. They were divided into groups and given instructions to go to various places around the city and take photos of themselves with places, statues, stores, people, etc. They had two hours to make their way around and then meet with the instructors in the Plaza Mayor. The goal was to take pictures of all 22 items on the list. The first group returned having photographed all 22 items in about 1 1/2 hours. The prize - an ice cream at the infamous Helados Moran in the Plaza Real. This was a great way for the students to work together and make their way around the city.

Contentas!

There were no classes today because it is a holiday - the Romeria de la Virgen de Alarcos. It is a local holiday which is celebrated 50 days after Easter. The Romeria is when the statue of the Virgen de Alarcos is returned to a chapel of the same name about 8 km away. She was brought to the church of San Pedro on May 1 and returned yesterday where she will stay until next year. Some of the kids have gotten to see parts of the celebration.

Classes begin tomorrow.