After a long flight into Madrid and a scenic bus ride to the Asturias region of Spain, our group has officially arrived in Llanes!

During our first evening in Spain, we took a short siesta at the port-side hotel and then enjoyed a relaxing mosey around the town of Llanes to explore our surroundings. Students practiced their Spanish as they described the coastal scenery, mountains in view, and the billowing Spanish flags of the many boats docked at port. At dinner students bravely tried some Spanish favorites that are completely unfamiliar to the American diet, including the very famous croquetas de jamon that are found across Spain!

The next morning, students enjoyed the grassy knolls of Paseo de San Pedro while they bonded over group games and brainstormed behaviors and actions that will help them continue to be travelers, not tourists, in their new host country. Next, we enjoyed the afternoon at Playa de Toro, swimming in the perfectly blue sea and throwing a frisbee on shore. Students chatted in Spanish and relaxed listening to music, wading in the water, and enjoying the sun. Craving something especially delicious after the afternoon at the beach, the group enjoyed a pizza lunch at Llanes’ most beloved Italian restaurant.

To finish off the day, students explored Llanes through a leader-made scavenger hunt, embarking on the challenge in teams of four. Some of the items  in the scavenger hunt (given only in Spanish!) include: get the signature of a local Spanish teen, take a photo of a clam, what’s the name of the mayor of Llanes, and what is the mayor’s birthday? The winners of the scavenger hunt are still to be decided!

Enviandoles besos y abrazos desde Espana!

— Katie & Desmond