This is the video of the typical dance in the Valencian Community, called “jota” . It was performed in March, during Comenius visit to Spain.
DAY 1:
Dia dhaoibh go léir!
Larry, do chara buan anseo. Bhuel, táimid ag imeacht inniu go Baile Átha Cliath.
We are off on another Comenius adventure. This time we are going to visit our partner schools in Valencia.
Today we got the bus to Dublin from Ballinasloe as we fly at 6.20am in the morning. We are flying to Barcelona and from there will make our way to Valencia. Can you work out for us some options for going from Barcelona to Valenica?
Check us out in Ballinasloe! Slán a gcairde go léir!
DAY 2:
Bhuel a gcairde,
Bhíomar an ghnóthach inné ! Up at 3.30am in Dublin and boarded our flight at 6.15am.
We were very busy taking photos on the flight!
When we reached Barcelona we went straight to the train station. After having some food we boarded the 12.00 noon train to Valencia. We had great fun on the train- what a beautiful view we had!
https://clontuskert.scoilnet.ie/blog/wp-…
In Valencia we toured around to see some of the sights. Can you find out what famous festival happens in Valencia in March?
We met the French team after taking the underground out to the airport. Can you find out what line we took to get to the airport?
Last transport method of the day was a bus to Chuilila where we treated to some traditional dances and music in the square!
It has been a day of firsts for the students of Clontuskert; their first time on an aeroplane and also on the underground train. We can all be so proud of them as they are representing the school so well!
Beidh mé ag caint libh arís amárach! Go dtí sin!
Larry an Leipreacháin beag!
DAY 3:
Dia dhaoibh go léir!
Larry agus an foireann go léir anseo!
Today was our first day in Chulilla and Sot de Chera.
Check out our breakfast this morning.
In the morning we travelled to Sot de Chera school.
They have just 9 students in Sot de Chera school.
We performed some Irish songs, dancing and played tin whistle for the students.
In Sot de Cheraw school they have oranges growing in their yard. They are the nicest oranges we have ever tasted. Caitríona from Green Schools is right. Food tastes so much better when it doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles.
With the senior students we went to visit Sot de Chera Adventure Centre.
There we got to walk across a balance bridge and then we zips-wired across the trees! Woohoo!
Next we made some fossil art with Monica the instructor.
Then we had an archery competition. We learned how to hold the bow and arrow correctly. Can you find out the Spanish words for bow and arrow for us?
Afterwards we travelled back by bus to Chulilla where we had lunch in the school lunch room. There are 13 students in Chulilla.
They brought us on an amazing walk to the suspension bridges at Los Calderones. Check out some of these amazing photographs. Can you find out some information about these bridges? When were they built and why?
This evening we have tapas for dinner and we will explore the village here in Chulilla. Tomorrow we visit Calles school and Losa del Obispo school. The four small schools are in what’s called a federation. This means that the schools have one Principal and Board of Management and they all work together.
Can you find out more about school federations in European countries for us?
Go dtí an chéad lá eile!
Larry agus an foireann COMENIUS.
DAY 4:
Bhuel, conas atá sibh go léir inniu? Larry anseo arís!
Bhíomar suas go moch ar maidin arís. We packed our bags and got ready for a hike to Aqueducto Romana de Pena Cortada.
Some of us stayed at Calles school and had a tour of Calles with Susanna from the town hall.
Susanna showed us around the two churches and explained about the Virgen de Los Desamparados. Can you find out more information about this Saint for us?
In May they have a special festival and the people of the town paint the roads with special designs. Check out the flamingo dancer here.
We loved this fountain with the frogs!
We also visited the village park where I did some great exercising on their exercise machines.
We visited the classes in Calles school and met the junior class and their teacher Marisa.
The rest of our group went on a hike to the Pena Cortada. It was a long hike and we are getting great exercise here. Can you find out the history of the Aquaducts at Pena Cortada and let us know what you have found out?
Next we visited Losa del Ospibo. We had lunch and then went to the handball alley where the professional team from the region showed us how to play handball. The handball is very similar to the game we play in Ireland. However the adults use a different ball to the GAA Handball. The ball they use is smaller and is made from leather. When they are playing international matches they play with the same ball as we use. Check out the photos of us playing.
Lotsa del Ospibo School:
Now we are travelling to Valencia city where we will stay tonight. Tomorrow we will experience the Mascléta as part of the Fallas festival. Can you find out about Mascléta for us?
Check out Valencia’s soccer stadium here:
Congratulations to everyone on the Spikeball team who qualified for the All Ireland yesterday! Well done! We are delighted that you did so well! Gooooo Clontuskert!!!!!
We got some presents of oranges today from the Mayor of Lisa, we are looking forward to finding room in our bags to get them back to Ireland!
DAY 5:
Dia dhaoibh a gcairde go léir,
Inniu an lá deireanach i Valencia. We will be very sad to leave all of our new friends this evening and move on to Barcelona.
We had a lovely breakfast in the Expo hotel this morning.
We met all of the Spanish and French this morning and went for a walk in the old town of Valencia. They showed us all of the sights.
We went to watch the Water Court of Valencia. At the Door of the Apostles of Valencia Cathedral, which faces out into the Plaza de la Virgen, the Water Court of the Plan of Valencia meets every Thursday just as the bells toll the twelve strokes of noon.
The Court is made up of eight workers, who wear a black ‘Heurta’ shirt. They are elected democratically every two years by the other water users of the Heurta. The eight men are the deputies of the eight canals in the plan of Valenica. If someone breaks one of there les of the canals they are brought before the court the next Thursday. They also arbitrate in disputes regarding the water. The decisions of the court are absolute and there is no right of appeal.
We were lucky enough to meet two of the judges and get our photo taken with them.
We also met some of the Fallas Mayor. Check out their beautiful dresses. Laura, the coordinator from CRA la Serrania is a Fallas Mayor this year.
We visited the famous market in the centre of town. Here they sell fresh food. We had some amazing fresh smoothies!
Next we walked up 200 steps to see the view from the bell tower at the top of the Cathedral.
Afterwards we went to the city square where the Masclèta takes place! AMAZING! What a noise! We will post a video next week and you will see exactly what it is like!
After the Mascléta we went for dinner. We are traditional Spanish food including paella and Arroz negro (black rice) made with squid ink. Everyone was very adventurous and tried lots of new things like squid and snails!
We are now on our way to Barcelona on the train. We will stay near the airport tonight as we fly early in the morning. Can you tell us some of the things you have been up to in Clontuskert this week?
We are looking forward to seeing you all again next week!
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Larry agus an foireann Comenius.
