Our visit to the Town Hall of Ciudad Real
As I mentioned in the last update, we headed to the town hall today to get a chance to meet with the mayor. Ryann and Thaddeus read a statement we had prepared, and other students got the chance to ask questions! After that, we spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for the farewell show. Only two more days now!!
The press release from the mayor’s office can be found here!
The press release from the mayor’s office can be found here!
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We all headed out around noon, dressed up in our finest clothes, to walk over to the town hall together.
Ahead of us, the town hall. The last time we were all here together was our first Friday in Ciudad Real. We met here for our city tour.
Sofia tried to get away from the camera.
This time, though, she was dragged into a picture by Stephanie and Hannah!
Inside the town hall.
Up three flights of stairs, and into a conference hall.
Students got to sit at chairs with built in mics. Here's everyone in their groupings of four.
There were only 24 seats, so Bryan got to sit with us instructors while we waited.
Everyone looking around the room as we waited for the Alcaldesa's arrival at noon.
A couple minutes before 12, several cameramen wandered in to take pictures and video of all of us for the town hall website. Although I can't find it yet (it may not appear until tomorrow (7/12)), there should be more footage and press-release pictures up soon on this site.
Then the mayor joined us, gave a brief speech about the city, and then Ryan and Thaddeus gave their speech. Unfortunately, I was taking video at the time, so I didn't manage to get photos!
We had a couple people ask questions, too. Andrew asked if the mayor had received Indiana students previously. Ally asked what her favorite spot in Ciudad Real was. Thaddeus asked what she thought of the local ice cream shop, Helados Morán. Finally, Amy asked what her favorite flavor of ice cream was. We then joined together for a group photo (with plenty of press taking pictures alongside me).
Video, too!
Here's the ayuntamiento (the town hall) from the other side as we left. After all the talk about ice cream, the mayor suggested we take a trip to the heladería that all the students love -- Helados Morán -- to get a little mid-morning treat.
Aline and Juan following the students to the ice cream restaurant.
After arranging with the ice cream store to pay for everyone's treat, the mayor stopped by to say farewell to a couple students.
Then she was on her way, back to the town hall.
I couldn't help but get a pictures of everyone with their ice cream!
Delaney's host dad works in the town hall and was instrumental in arranging everything!
Ben, trying to turn Jacob around for a picture. C'mon guys, it's for the blog, remember?
The owner of the heladería was nice enough to let everyone behind the bar for a moment (with a line of elderly Spanish women waiting impatiently for their own ice creams) for a group picture. I tried to get as many shots as I could in the few seconds we had to get everyone filed in.
Here's the group shot!
And then we headed toward the cafeteria.
We had arranged lunch a little early (for 1pm), but weren't expecting 12:45 ice cream!
Everyone looking pretty happy after their sugar-infusion!
I took the opportunity to wander around the group, calling out peoples names to get candid shots. We have plenty of pictures of people smiling -- here's some other reactions to having your name called and a picture snapped without warning. Which do you prefer?
Thoughtful surprise?
Disgust?
Pensive?
Amused avoidance?
Surprise?
Or amused surprise?
Obliviousness? (Sofia spun away a half second later, but it was too late!)
Or the always-ready smile? (Some people are clearly learning my tactics :-) )
Here's a look at the day's meal. Garbanzo beans, noodles in broth and salad.
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Now for a quick sneak preview into our final days of rehearsal for the farewell show. We ran through the whole show once today to get a feel for timing, transitions, etc. It's about forty minutes for now. We're trying to see if we can get it a little longer by smoothing out some of the musical numbers and giving reasonable transitioning time.
Andrew, as our Cervantes character, narrating the story.
Juan, following in the script.
One of the musical numbers.
We built this "television" today during the morning using a couple of cardboard boxes. It looks relatively convincing, given the time we put into it.
Quijote (Henry) in the background, monologuing. Sancha (Paulina) in the foreground, being monologued at, but having none of it. Paulina is good at pulling off Sancha's sarcasm.
One of the musical numbers.
Chaney, as a dangerous security guard, with Amy, Hannah and Bryan, in a shopping-based scene.
The big final dance number.
And the final song, with everyone gathered on the stage, swaying and singing (as best they can: some of the groups only saw the lyrics today, and are still learning).
Ben, watching from stage right.
Aline, guiding our actors.
Juan, listening from further back in the auditorium to see how well our actors' and singers' voices carry.
And thus ends today's update. Tomorrow we'll have our last classes, and Friday we'll spend most of the day preparing costumes, makeup, acting, dancing and singing for our Farewell Show at 7pm that evening! After that, we have one final weekend here in Ciudad Real -- then, Monday (7/16) we have our final language test, and Tuesday morning (very very early) we'll all be boarding the bus in the Plaza de San Francisco (where we started off this whole adventure!) and headed to Madrid one final time, to get to the airport and board our plane to Chicago!
-M