This photo story focuses on some of the activities and trips led by CEA CAPA to better immerse us students in the food, art, and culture of Spain! These activities have helped me to better understand both our local city in Barcelona and the differences among other parts of Spain, as well.  

Local street performers along a walking strip in Madrid! 

During our weekend trip to Madrid, for example, we were able to take a walking tour of the city, exploring the streets and learning more about the local niches within it. We started by visiting the elegant Royal Palace of Madrid and across from it, the Almudena Cathedral where many esteemed figures of Spain such as the former Queen, Her Majesty Mercedes of Orléans, are buried.  

Members of the Royal Guard spotted near the city center in Madrid! 

Surrounding these historical buildings were the beautiful landscapes of both southern and northern Spain, seen from the two opposing viewpoints.  

Stunning landscape of the southern side of Spain from a viewpoint in Madrid. 

We then walked to the main plaza, Plaza Mayor, appreciating the highly detailed architecture and the historically significant sculpture dedicated to King Felipe III.  

Beautiful Spanish architecture displayed on Plaza Mayor, Madrid. 

Colorful buildings along the outskirts of the main plaza in Madrid. 

We also had the opportunity in Madrid to visit Puerto del Sol, a main city center where we tried the typical Madrid on-the-go meal: bocadillos de calamares!  

The lively atmosphere near Puerta del Sol, Madrid! 

To experience both Spanish and global art, we later took a group tour inside both Museo Nacional del Prado and the Reina Sofia Museum, where we saw firsthand the masterpieces of artists like Goya and Picasso. 

My housemates and I outside of Museo Nacional del Prado! 

A glance at Picasso’s esteemed “Guernica” painting at the Museo Nacional del Prado. 

Locally in Barcelona, another valuable activity led by CEA CAPA was the Tapas Workshop which allowed us to experience Catalan culture firsthand through food! Some of the dishes we learned to make were pimientos de piquillo, calamares, tortilla de patatas, and gazpacho. Not only was this a great opportunity to gain more of an outlook on the local cuisine, but it also was a great opportunity to meet other students and to experience new customs together!  

Traditional Spanish tapas dishes made at the Tapas Workshop. (Pimientos de piquillo, calamares, and tortilla de patatas) 

Another fun excursion provided by this program was the city bus tour that took us around Barcelona, stopping at an outlook point of the entire city.  

My friends and I at a viewpoint of Barcelona during a stop on the CEA CAPA-led city tour! 

The Madrid trip and the local activities planned by CEA CAPA were helpful in expanding upon my understanding of both Catalan and Spanish society and culture!