A Visit to the Biblioteca de America

By Lucas Hahn

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You got a quick minute? Well great! You and your friends can come to the Library of the Americas in Santiago de Compostela.
I came to this historic building with my tour group and had a great time learning history, along with doing a photo shoot with my friends. The whole atmosphere made me felt like royalty the moment I walked in. The interior was beautiful and had red seats inside, along with stone stairs that look like they belong in my kitchen. Even the railings were made of stone. 

An old library, known as the Library of the Americas is housed here with plenty of books from hundreds of years ago. The library in my opinion is the best gift for any university or place of education. An ancient globe, original documents, books, and manuscripts and even an American flag are on display. 

I felt welcomed knowing that the University likes Americans because I feel the Spanish people think of my group as loud and obnoxious. 

Portraits of The University of Santiago de Compostela’s former presidents hang on the walls of one room.

A balcony in a meeting place for famous campus leaders faces the main square where more beautiful buildings can be seen, as well. You still have a minute? Great! The balcony is a perfect place to take selfies with your friends, and also admire the beautiful architecture. Everything also looked so perfect including the many tourists down below. I felt like a king admiring the view.

 

Just imagine having the privilege to enjoy that view every day. I know many people will say history is boring, but with the right group, anybody can have fun at these attractions! You don't even need to know about the history to enjoy this place. Just liking the way it looks is enough for the trip to be fun. This is just one of the many places that you can visit throughout Spain. So if you have a quick minute, come check out the Library of the Americas.

Reaching the End of the Earth on a Spanish Hill

By Hope Ciervo

          I never thought I would come face to face with the end of the earth until I looked out from the land’s end and experienced it first-hand. A simple day trip to the Tower of Hercules in the beautiful city of A Coruña was all it took to allow me to witness such a stunning view.      

          Located in Galicia, Spain, the Tower of Hercules is a 1900-year-old Roman lighthouse said to be one of the oldest on earth. It looks out across the Atlantic Ocean and from it, no land can be seen for miles.

          The Romans who took over this area of Spain thought that the structure marked, in a figurative sense, the end of the earth. It was also very well known to be an area full of shipwrecks and disasters, hence earning it the name Costa da Morte, or "Coast of Death."

           The tower has been reconstructed numerous times and continues to stand tall. As we now know, it was not actually the end of the earth. Across from the ocean is what we now know as the country of Ireland.

          For the cost of 10€ one can climb more than 200 stairs to the very top of the tower, as it is now a popular tourist attraction. It is helpful to remember to purchase your ticket in the parking lot and to avoid the mistake of walking up the long pathway only to realize afterwards that tickets needed to have been purchased down below; however, spending 10€ and tiring out your legs will truly be worth it once you look beyond and see the view for yourself. 

           I truly believe that the views from this lighthouse were one of the most remarkable views I ever gazed upon in my life. From the beautiful pathway leading up to the tower, to the gorgeous view beyond it, Hercules Tower stood tall and powerful. On the lower level looking down from the tower is a beautiful mural of what seemed to be a sun dial. Beyond that were miles and miles of sea. It truly makes you appreciate the beauty earth is constructed of. I cannot wait to travel to the end of the earth once again.