Granada: The most beautiful City in Spain

This last weekend we went on a three day exursion to Granada which was amazing! We stayed at a fabulous hotel that even made my roommate think about staying in one night! Friday afternoon we just walked around the city and got to see the Alhambra from an important viewpoint. (Bill Clinton has been there) After that we went to a cozy flamenco show!

Saturday we went to the Alhambra and were amazed at how beautiful everything was, every minute it felt like we should take another picture. We also had the best tour guide ever, he was easy to understand and so sweet! After the Alhambra I went to a mexican restaurant for lunch which was amazing! I have been missing Mexican food for so long, and it was a relief to not eat spanish food. That night I went out to dinner with Brittany and Yuko, we got sort of lost but ended up finding this great pizza place for only two euro, and some other buildings that we didnt not get to see with ISA. That night I went out with some ISA kids to a couple of bars, and had the best Mojito I've ever had. They used dark rum instead and it was amazing!

Then on Sunday we enjoyed a great breakfast at the hotel, walked around Granada with ISA and got some lunch before heading back to Madrid. Overall Granada and Salamanca were my favorite trips they both were goregous and it is hard to decide which city I like more. Granada was special becuase it had the moroccan influence that we already got to see, and were glad to be able to enjoy the food again.

Real life in Madrid and Segovia

So lately life in Madrid has been getting kinda hard, and I'm definitely getting more excited to go home. I am so sick of random crazy people on the street, last thursday I had two men try and talk to me and ended up grabbing my jacket (mind you I was not alone with a guy and a girl, and in the center of Madrid). I then proceeded to turn around yelling at them in english cuz I was so caught off gaurd and pushed them several times away from me. It is so frustrating to feel like you need to be around guys to feel safe. Also being harassed even when I'm completly bundled up and covered, clearly not asking for any type of attention.

The next day me and Ubah went shopping and almost got hit by a car, we were standing near a side street to a One-Way and this man was not going to stop, or even ask us to move. So now I have bought a gigantic ring that's made out of metal that if I need to punch someone, might actually do some damage. I hate feeling like everyone is out to get you, or harass you, and I'm worried about when I go back to the States if I will continue to be mean to strangers. Don't mean to be a downer or complain, but this is what it's really like for me here.

However! Yesterday we went on a day trip with ISA to Segovia and it was really pretty! A lot colder than Madrid but it actually looked a lot like autumn in Washington. We got to see the aquaduct and cathedral along with a boring museum. Although the tour guides were extremly boring I had fun with my friends :)

MOROCCO

Morocco was amazing and definitely the highlight of my time abroad so far. We first took a day to get to morocco by bus, and then went to Fez and walked around the medina (market). It was shocking to see animals and meat right on the street, along with way too many donkeys walking through the narrow alleys. I personally hated being this close to donkeys and got scared everytime.

The next day we left for the desert, this cost us another day on the bus but was so exciting when we finally go to the desert. We stayed in heimas (tents) and the sky was amazing. You could see the milky way, and a shooting star every 2 minutes. We didnt do much that night besides stare at the sky and eat dinner, but we got up early the next day to watch the sunrise.

After watching the amazing sunrise, we had breakfast and got ready for our camel rides! As cool as they look the camels were quite uncomfortable to sit on, but still a great experience. We rode the camels to a "typical town" where we got to hand out candy and extra clothes to children. This was my favorite day of the trip because we had so many awesome experiences, the next day we started heading back to Spain stopping by Meknes on the way.

October Recap

So it has been forever since ive updated this, but ive actually been pretty busy. First of all my parents visited! It was awesome being able to show them around, and i hope they loved it here! After that I visited Salamanca with my study abroad group wish was amazing, and definitely my favorite city in Spain so far. It is more of a college town, and is gorgeous to walk around.

On our way to and from Salamanca, we visited Escorial and Avila. These two cities were filled with history but not that exciting. The coolest part of these two cities was the giant wall in Avila.

Two days after Salamanca, we left for Morocco.

Dia de La Huelga

Before checking out the strike, I went with my host family to see this Argentian Tango Performance, they were soo good! It was the same couple, but of course the girl had a different dress for every song. There has been a huge tent in Plaza Mayor for the last week, and there are tons of little tables inside all selling Argentian stuff from food to purses and figurines.
So today we did not have to go to school because of the strike going on in Madrid. I was kinda afraid of this, but I did venture out to Puerta de Sol to check out the strike and was surprised to see not much going on. People had banners and whistles but it was actually safe and uneventful.

Tonight I went to salsa lessons again, and luckily there were more guys this week so everybody got to have a partner!

Bull Fight

So today i ventured out to the Plaza de Toros to see how bad these bull fights are. I was surprised to see so many tourists, and how tight of pants the matadors wear! Def not cute buut it was overall not that bad, we stayed for 3 bulls after awhile it gets to be boring since its the same thing over and over again. Each bull was different in the level of patience and anger they had. I didnt know they would also bring horses out that the bulls would charge as well. Overall an interesting experience, not that bad if you look away sometimes :)

Madrid

So it has almost been an entire month of living in Madrid, and i finally have decided to keep a blog. This last month has been quite interesting, and actually harder than i thought. I was quite surprised by how difficult it was for me to leave my friends and family, and the long trip here did not help. But luckily for me, my host family is amazing and I get along well with my roommate.

I met Ubah my closest friend here literally right after my flight, Roberto from ISA was sent to meet us both at the airport and we have been friends ever since. We also met Yuko that same day while heading to a bus tour with ISA.

It has been hard for me to get comfortable here, because i feel like i always have to be on the look out for thieves and weird people on the street. I take the metro everywhere, and it takes me almost an hour to get to school everyday. I have had two teachers for this intensive month and their both super nice, it is all conversational even the grammar class.

I have already started to loose weight becuase i eat a lot less here, and i live on the fifth floor much less all the walking we do on a daily basis. My family eats very healthy, the one thing i miss the most is breakfast!!!

Skype has gotten me through, being able to talk to my family and friends back home :) can't wait to see everybody in December!!! I can't belive it has only been a month, i feel like i have learned so much already and my spanish is improving!

*Things I've learned*

+don't stand on the Left side of escalators

+dont' say hi to strangers

+people stare all the time, and it's normal

+common for couples not to get married

+people stay out till 3-6am everyday

+police officers are wayyy cuter in Spain

+be careful dancing with Spanish men, they'll try to kiss you

Resist, Change

I'm sure that you would agree that global slavery needs to come to an end very soon. The problem with trying to end it is how complex of an issues it is and how many people need to cooperate to ensure that it would be a lasting effect. There are already laws passed that prohibit slavery and yet it still occurs in every continent.

There are many groups that are trying to end slavery with one case at a time. Many of these groups were cited in the resource section. In order to make sure that once a person is freed there needs to be systems in place to help them recover them as well educate these people. If there were more opportunities for people all over the world, slavery would not be what it is today. Along with having a support system for the victims, the perpetrators need to be captured and sent to prison. Once more perpetrators get caught, hopefully more will realize that they too can get caught and sent to prison. In many countries the police force present is part of the slavery system thus enforcing the slavery system more. There needs to be more investigations of these police forces to ensure that there are not police officers helping slavery continue as well as being punished for their actions.

If there are more stable police forces and governments that actively are against slavery, this will help to not only end the problem of slavery that is present in their region, but prevent future accounts of slavery from developing. Along with developing these systems, there needs to be more awareness raised here in the US. There are slaves transported and even living in towns next to every American and we don't even know it. If more politicians were willingly to discuss slavery and even admit that it happens on our own front door, i feel more people will become enraged and willingly to help fight against slavery. A problem many Americans are blessed to have is that they do not have to see slavery in their everyday lives. In this scenario we are able to distance ourselves from the problem and attribute it to other "bad" governments in countries far away.

There are many programs trying to fight against slavery but they all need support and help in order to reach a lasting effect as well as reach every country. With more support and education systems in place, as well as governments who actively are against slavery then we can start to finally put an end to slavery. As stated before in America we have the gift of feeling away from the problem even though we most certainly aren't, raising awareness among family and friends, writing your local politician and here on campus are just some things we can do to help educate more people on slavery.

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Sources

http://www.ijm.org/

This program tries to recover and save people trapped in slavery. A few weeks ago on campus they gave a presentation in the CUB. This source clearly ties in with my topic because they try to create awareness about global slavery by visiting campuses and writing to local politicians; while at the same time rescuing slaves all over the world.

http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=183

This program a lot like IJM creates awareness about global slavery, but puts most of the focus on doing research and saving people. They recognize that ending slavery isn't a quick fix but a process that has to involve dismantling the systems that perpetuate slavery.

http://www1.american.edu/ted/chocolate-slave.htm

This site explores the Ivory coast and how chocolate is a main commodity used in slavery. It also explains that the majority of child slaves there are from Mali, one of the poorest countries. Many people travel to the coast in order to find jobs and get sucked into slavery. This site explains another form of slavery, and connects it to a product that so many of us encounter in our daily lives.

http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/

This site has done a lot of research all over the world and shows how slavery touches every continent and country. It also goes further to explain structural problems that the countries have that have helped lead to slavery. This site helps to show that as Americans we can not keep trying to distance ourselves from slavery due to the simple fact that it happens right next door.

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

The Not for sale campaign is a lot like the IJM and free the slaves site except that they have an online store for products that haven't been affected by slavery. They really suggest getting people to help them by either donating or being involved. The take action section divides up if you are a person of faith, student, artist, athlete, teacher and so forth.

http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/FAQ.html

This site is for a club of career women all over the world that are at the top of their fields. Being a part of this group helps bring awareness to other while also funding international efforts in saving women and girls. This is the first group that shows women trying to take care of other women across the world.

http://www.caritas.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Caritas_at_a_glance&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5736

CARITA'S focuses on case studies of rescued child soldiers. Their main focuses are creating awareness, and trying to create self reliance through development programs. CARITA'S also has a disaster relief section. This program highlights the need for structural change and self reliance.

http://matadorchange.com/10-shocking-facts-about-global-slavery-in-2008/

Even though these facts are from 2008, you can find almost the exact same statistics today. This site would be a good source to educate people who are unaware of slavery today, or for those who do no understand its magnitude. It provides concrete facts about slavery today, and has a part on how to get involved.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Slavery#History_of_Slavery

This site goes more into detail about the history of slavery in the world and its affects on a global economy. It also brings up past abolitionist movements and "apologies." In this article they site the Bales book and how slavery still exists even after all the abolition movements.

http://www.iabolish.org/slavery_today/usa/index.html

This site will really hit home, it shows how slavery affects many different states in the US including Washington. This site does little to speak of the history of slavery but focuses on reporting cases that are occurring now.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27098993/

Even though the today show does not go into global slavery, and focuses on the sex industry in America. I was surprised to see an article from MSN that discusses slavery. This website gives an account from a girl in Florida who was sold to a man in Texas. Her family now is trying to create more awareness on the sex industry in America.

http://www.abolishslavery.org/slavery-today

Abolish slavery provides more information and true stories of young children and adults that have been in slavery. It also provides links to other international organizations such as Save Darfur. Abolish slavery is a non-profit organization designed to help rehabilitate people who have been in slavery and are dedicated to combating human trafficking.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/slavery1.html

This site provides more factual information and statistics for the readers. It highlights the main countries that poverty occurs and thus the different types of slavery that is the most common. This site does little to speak about this history of slavery and how its laid the foundation for slavery today.

http://www.freedomcenter.org/slavery-today/

This is another program that speaks of the underground railroad program of slaves. It stresses gaining knowledge about global slavery today, and provides a lot of information about slavery in the 21st century. This is another program that highlights that slavery does exist today and in the US.

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/library/aaslavry.htm

This site goes in depth about the history of slavery specifically in Africa. It goes into detail about particular politicians who have an impact on slavery as well as "abolition" movements in the past. Does little to speak of slavery today.

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Today vs. Past Slavery

Many people alive today do not realize how many people are involved in slavery and human trafficking. Slavery touches every country and even hits closer to home than you may think. One vast difference seen in slavery today as compared to "traditional" or past types of slavery is that nowadays the slaves are cheap. One could buy a slave for under one hundred dollars and usually the slaves find themselves in continual debt bondage to the owner. In the past the slave owners had to invest more into their slaves and their lives and were physically more expensive.

One might wonder how is it possible that the price of a slave has decreased while national capital and economic wealth in many countries has significantly increased. Another aspect many people do not focus on and realize that in order to truly work on ending slavery, there needs to be systems in place for people who have recently "gained freedom." Without any focus on what happens to the newly freed slaves, a lot of times they end up returning to the slave system out of necessity for food, shelter and hopes of money. There also needs to be a focus on the police systems and judicial systems to ensure that they are not also involved in the problem; as well as enforcing the laws that every country claims to have against slavery. Without support systems in place and cooperation with the local police force, slavery could never truly end.

After learning more about slavery and seeing documentaries on how brutal the lives are of people in forced labor one may wonder how they can possibly help to end it. Right now I feel the best way to help would be through raising awareness of slavery with family and friends and even at WSU. As stated before many people are completely clueless that it still exists, and slaves are even living in Seattle and transported through the Spokane airport. If we can raise awareness and show people that it does affect people who could live down the street from you and not some far away country; then we can evoke real change.

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Slavery through Images

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History of Slavery

Slavery has been apparent in almost every country in history. Slavery was used in Rome, Greece, Britain, United States, Brazil and Peru to name a few. If was even stated that in Greece, slavery was so common that nobody tried to cease it. The success of countries such as Britain and the United States depended on their usage of slave labor. Many luxuries enjoyed today would not have been possible without past slave work. Many people today do not realize that slavery still exists and to what extent. It is important to understand how slavery began to see how it can be entrenched into so many countries.
Slavery is more common when there is a shortage of labor and a lot of land, but rarely found in hunter-gather communities. The trans Atlantic slave trade allowed for many people and products to be sold between Europe, Africa and the "New World." It started out by the Portuguese looking for gold along the African coast and setting up trading posts. The Portuguese brought in cloth, wine, copper and horses in exchange for gold, ivory and pepper. The first trading post was Elmina in 1482 and by 1500 the Portuguese had enslaved 81,000 slaves to different posts.
Race was involved in the founding of these trading posts due to the control of the Sub-Saharan by the Islamic Empire. In order to avoid direct competition with the Muslim merchants the Portuguese created more trade opportunities in Europe and the Mediterranean. The Portuguese also later gained access to two main rivers which brought them to Sub-Saharan routes.

Global Slavery

Over the course of the semester, I will explore different forms of slavery that are still in place during the 21st century. I chose this topic because there needs to be more dialogue about slavery that can educate people who may not know it still exists. Slavery can be seen through human trafficking, child labor and prison systems. Many people today do not realize that even though "slavery was abolished" it still exists and hits closer to home than you may think.

Slavery relates to the themes of this class because it occurs worldwide, and no one is completely safe from its impact. Throughout this semester I want to become more educated on slavery worldwide because it is not prevalent in the American media. I want to be able to find out the truth and what is actually happening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzpUeahbTZ4#watch-main-area