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Greetings from all of us with National Geographic Student Expeditions here in Spain. We arrived in Madrid safe and sound on the evening of Saturday the 28th of June after more than 24 hours of traveling. We are happy to report that all luggage arrived safely and on time and that everyone was in surprisingly bright spirits.
After a quick shower and a short siesta, everyone was ready to get out and explore Madrid. Four hours later after a stop for both tapas and churros, we were ready to head home and get some rest for a big day ahead of us. Sunday was jam packed, with a morning stop at el Parque del Buen Retiro followed by a traditional large afternoon lunch. After that it was time to start preparing for Spain´s historic game against Germany in the championship game of the European soccer championships, which this soccer mad country last won 44 years ago. We all put on our red shirts, and many of the students painted red streaks in their hair and Spanish flags on their cheeks! Then it was time to make our way to the Plaza de Colon, where we joined close to 50,000 Spaniards to cheer for La Roja de Espana. After Spain won by a score of 1-0, the streets of Madrid were packed with cars waving Spanish flags and fans celebrating a long awaited victory. It was an experience that until this point has only come around once in a generation, and which none of us will soon forget.
We are having a great time and are looking forward to spending some time exploring the art museums for which Madrid is famous. Our trip has only just begun, but it has been an amazing beginning.
Hasta pronto,
Davin and Britt
We've received word from the expedition leaders that the group has arrived in Madrid.
2008 Spain Expedition Leaders: Davin Dearth and Britt Basel
Photography
Britt Basel. University of Colorado, B.A. A freelance and fine art photographer, Britt has traveled and photographed extensively around the world. As a teenager she went to Ecuador on a youth photography scholarship. She studied photography and art history at the Aegean Center for Fine Arts in Greece, and went on to study with the School for International Training in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Britt graduated with honors in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, where she focused on indigenous culture and Mesoamerican archaeology. She worked as a scuba instructor and translator in Costa Rica, conducted fieldwork with and photographed the Guaraní people of Paraguay, and led Putney Student Travel’s Global Awareness in Action program in El Salvador. Britt is currently working as the translator and still photographer for an upcoming documentary in El Salvador. She is the Director of International Programming for the Body Form Photo Workshop, and tends to split her time between the mountains of Colorado and the waters of the Caribbean. Britt is an avid snowboarder and sailor; she is a PADI-certified scuba instructor, an Emergency First Response Instructor, and a Wilderness First Responder. Some of her work is available for viewing on-line at www.brittbaselphoto.com. Britt is fluent in Spanish.
Spanish Language
Davin Dearth. University of Denver, B.A., University Honors, Spanish & English Literature. Gavin graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Denver, where he majored in Spanish and English Literature. He was a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar, a member of the University of Denver Soccer team, and as a senior received highest departmental honors for his honor's thesis, Postmodern Spanish Cinema: The Films of Julio Medem. Davin spent his junior year in Salamanca, focusing on Spanish art and film. While in Spain he completed the four hundred fifty-mile Camino de Santiago on foot and participated in the running of the bulls in Pamplona. In addition to Spain his travels have taken him to Ireland, Mexico, the Czech Republic, France, Scotland, and Costa Rica. Davin led a Putney Student Travel language learning program in Spain and a Putney community service program in Costa Rica. He worked as a Spanish teacher in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is currently pursuing his Master's in Writing and Literature at the University of Wyoming. Davin’s interests include travel, skiing, soccer, climbing, fishing, and film. He is fluent in Spanish.
Welcome family and friends of National Geographic Student Expeditions participants!
We have created this blog in order to keep you updated on the progress of your child’s National Geographic Student Expedition this summer. We hope that occasional updates throughout the expedition will help keep you informed about the activities, projects and successes of the program.
The expedition leaders will post entries approximately once per week during the program. The leaders’ first priority is the students and the program. If updates are infrequent, it is likely due to the group’s very busy schedule and inconsistent internet access. Please know that any important issues that arise during the program will be discussed and resolved with leaders and parents by phone, not through the blog.
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Best wishes from us all at National Geographic Student Expeditions
