I'm not a photographer and these are just the few pictures I took that weren't just people.  I included some pictures with Cincinnati connections.

 

 

Notice this guy in barcelona with a bengals jersey.  I doubt he knew what it meant

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sHZPmZrxOK2P0ud0tvO8GA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SKyzZAqczgI/AAAAAAAABM8/d_St6yDFunA/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20086.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr>

Jamon' flavored pringles. lol.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2FddhBssLqgLwUlZAdPvmg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SKy2gCOJFQI/AAAAAAAAAn4/q_RQ1xjhtMk/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20161.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

Seville, Spain has a streetcar (at least i think that's what this thing was).  The overhead wires are hardly noticeable.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JEqdi3vE6ulWYOMpStvSiQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBGBslBwHI/AAAAAAAABP4/-Cbc6aINswQ/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20154.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

 

The atocha station in Madrid reminded me of union terminal, but it seemed much bigger.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wKHkKJMeVAtGIo3dRFRLoQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBEJsLr2dI/AAAAAAAABPg/5ij54uif9IE/s800/Spain%20%2708%20179.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

Spanish girl with a don't trash the Nati sticker.  She really thought this was cool and said she put it on her car after we left.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n687tN5gKHkolamuoicIeg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SKyuI1TehCI/AAAAAAAABOM/rafAEoq6HeQ/s800/Spain%20%2708%20157.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

The rest have no Cincinnati connection:

 

Madrid

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6gMaVFI_J_Pk7yJjyRzMxw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBI8-N5pCI/AAAAAAAABQo/Tkn1QKDYciA/s800/Spain%20%2708%20194.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

really cool graffiti in valencia

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B_h77g51DnGAaU7GnhYRyA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SKyumHsMx3I/AAAAAAAABNk/zeUZ-W7a_Gc/s800/Spain%20%2708%20107.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

 

 

You can almost see barcelona off in the distance.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RYMQO5QZzQFcsu7M4uu0lA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBFerYcZhI/AAAAAAAABPs/YRaW4Spn2vE/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20019.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

Barcelona and a Gaudi building.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B5ji2DGdtH4fkLsqv_Twbg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBH4BCcFRI/AAAAAAAABQY/Mmdl1Af3De8/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20071.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

Malaga. (least favorite city I visited in Spain)

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VY5tnZY7n4OKhFAFNw3E1A?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBIZYcK53I/AAAAAAAABQg/yCIK2isieE0/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20245.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

Granada

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GltELWg0LZ-P-zP-1pQZbg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbBHwIPQXVI/AAAAAAAABQQ/TNtBauckzDA/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20318.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/hazleeric/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite">Untitled Album</a></td></tr></table>

 

 

Welcome!  :wave:

 

Unfortunately none of your links work.  :'(

Eric, I believe the problem is that your picasa albums don't allow public access right now.  If you could go in and change the settings to allow public access, then I think it will work.

sorry for all the flaws. I'll clean them up when i get off work later.  At least the pictures should be viewable now.

THANKS!!

Beautiful shots!!!

I LOVE spain. Well, I have only been to Valencia but I know I will be back. It was a very special place in every way. Did you like it too?

Looks like you had a great time! Lays also has jamón flavored chips. The train in Seville is like a streetcar in the city center and commuter light-rail on the east and west ends. Granada I know well, since I lived there for months. Great city. As for Málaga, I didn't visit, but it seems to be a place that people either love or hate.

 

Now I wanna see a Spaniard's take on Cincy! I spoke with a madrileña about Columbus (en español) and she said was just there for OSU (a professor, I think) and she was pretty "meh" about it. I tried to defend our Downtown a bit by mentioning that it's turning around, but I don't think she was buying it. Maybe I should've offered an itinerary to see if that would have changed her mind.  :|

I have a question...does anybody ELSE see the Space Needle in this photo (from Wiki) of Valencia?!?!  What on earth is that?

 

Yes I am sure it is a space needle. I really should try and find my pics.  I take pictures when I travel but I rarely post here due to a crappy camera and laziness . Valencia has INSANE architectial diversity. It has space age ultra modern to medieval period. It integrated well and works.  so sweet.

Cool! I need to get to Spain!

Great stuff...thanks for cleaning it up so that we can all see.

I loved Spain and I plan on going back after I travel around a bit more. 

 

Columbusite,  you are so lucky that you got to spend months in Granada.  That city is ridiculously beautiful and quite different from all the other cities in Spain.  I hope you took advantage of the free tapas with every drink there.

 

peabody99,  you should definitely go back.  Valencia is a really cool city, but the other major cities are very different and have a lot of new things to offer. Catalunya, the region around Madrid, and Andalucia are all very different.  I don't remember seeing space needle in Valencia, but there is 2 futuristic buildings (an aquarium and a museum).  The spanish girl in the picture was from Valencia and she said the 2 futuristic buildings were her favorite because there are too many old buildings and they are boring (I feel the total opposite living in the U.S.).

 

 

 

edale-  you should go.  Spain has everything.  I would recommend learning some Spanish or going with someone that knows Spanish if you don't already.  Unless you are in a hostel, you aren't going to find many English speakers. 

 

More pics of sticker chick please...

lol at jmecklenborg.  She is beautiful and her personality is even better.  I'd marry her and live in Spain if I could.  But I still keep in touch with her and don't feel right putting a bunch of her pics up on the internet without her permission.

I mean, are my eyes deceiving me?  Valencia has a replica of the Space Needle?!?!

I'm more shocked at the lack of parking lots. How does anyone get around over there???

Here's how they get around:

 

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ifBuctuuSz5IuV7OxKkWww?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbF-JSHuskI/AAAAAAAABRI/7dmnrd-6KkI/s800/SANY1255.JPG" /></a>

For her birthday you could crate up one of the official "Don't Trash the 'Nati" garbage cans we had blowing around the street yesterday, then upon arrival jump out and profess your love.  Next best thing to jumping out of a cake. 

Spanish women are hot. Did you score?

 

These are burtiful. Chris, you know how wiki is updated by its users, maybe that's it. Jake, I just saw you on Main - on your bike, you're at Irises aren't you?

Spain actually is afflicted by car culture. I easily saw more cars than bikes and scooters combined. To get from the west side of Granada (pop. 230,000) to the east took 45 min. by car due the number of drivers causing traffic. Where they differ is that while they do have their multi-lane speedways that are hostile towards cyclists and pedestrians, they also have numerous narrower, slower streets that are friendly to other modes of transportation. They haven't replaced their culture for cars, at least not to the extent that we have.

 

I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in Valencia regarding vibrancy. They have a suburban shopping mall downtown and after walking around there and the nearby modern museum with some other students to grab some drinks, the city streets were quite empty. The mall wasn't. Mall culture: ugh. Just a reminder that the grass on the other side is greener, but not that much greener. Yeah, more like that.

I am surprised about the car observation. I am always on the lookout for scooters and I thought in valancia there a lot of MC's and scooters, as many as  cars, plus the bus system was awesome-clean, reliable, cheap and friendly. People were also walking everywhere. I did not see one obese person (except maybe the tourists of course) . I thought the city streets were full except during siesta-which was very sedate and quiet-almost like a ghost town. They don't get rolling there until dinner time-- 10pm is when restuarants open for dinner. That is the one thing I would have a hard time getting used to since I am an early eater.

 

edit-look how giant the cross walk is in that one picture. that says it a lot

Columbusite,

 

What part of Valencia were you in?  By mall do you mean the huge El Corte Ingles?

 

Most of the main streets in Valencia were filled with people.  Especially near the bull ring, near the beach and the food market.  It wasn't as packed as Madrid or Barcelona, but it is a smaller city.  I was there in the summer though and I think a lot of people go there for the beaches.  I also was lucky enough to have a local show me around. The section around the futuristic buildings was kind of dead, probably due to construction and it's kind of out of the way of everything else.  I think they put the futuristic buildings in pretty bad location, but they probably would have had to tear buildngs down otherwise.

 

In Granada, I stayed in the area near the oasis hostel and there is a very large area with streets too narrow for cars or streets with few cars.  The area from the bus station to the hostel was very boring though. 

 

As far as bicycling in Spain goes, Barcelona has the best system in my opinion.  They have very wide 2-way bicycle lanes in most parts of the city.  There was actually so many people riding bikes that I was more scared of getting run over by a bicycle than a car.  I can't imagine riding a bike in Madrid. 

 

 

SPACE NEEDLE!!! I NEED PROOF OF THIS SPACE NEEDLE!!!

 

In Granada, I stayed in the area near the oasis hostel and there is a very large area with streets too narrow for cars or streets with few cars. The area from the bus station to the hostel was very boring though.

 

 

I imagine you toured the Allahambra?  That was a great place to visit.

SPACE NEEDLE!!! I NEED PROOF OF THIS SPACE NEEDLE!!!

niether the mr. or I remember a space needle. I  need to find my pictures and review though. It would not be too crazy though given some other buildings with modern age design

Firenze98,

of course I saw the Allahambra. It was spectacular how much detail was in each inch of wall.  I honestly liked the presence the Allahambra gave over the whole city from afar more than actually walking around in it.

 

Here's a view of the Allahambra from afar.  Notice the couple who fell asleep.

 

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bmdMDTi_4dYBk-nPVa63nQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbdMLIl3DLI/AAAAAAAABRo/Y-lIg7QMbDI/s800/SANY1265.JPG" /></a>

 

Detail of the Allahambra.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wPvE-GftPRP70RuLlVA3JA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbdMLX0N9zI/AAAAAAAABRw/fNCPY6RZWSk/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20288.JPG" /></a>

 

View of Granada from the Allahambra.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eR81tuAq0F_kgoCuKIH60A?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzg3fDI3pfvCQ&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_peHToMuVOPk/SbdML1eWTaI/AAAAAAAABR4/cUtDEMlTYHk/s800/spain%20%2708%20%282%29%20305.JPG" /></a>

 

peabody99,

 

I don't think that wikipedia image is of Valencia.  Not only is the needle out of place, but I do not remember there being buildings that tall and modern.  The only thing I could think of was that they were doing construction on a race track and there is supposed to be a big race there someday.  I thought maybe the needle was associated with that, but the other modern skyscrapers ruin that theory.