This summer a flock of 30 Orioles from Ludington High School ventured across the Atlantic, touring Spain and Morocco. This two-country, two-continent trip included the cities of Madrid, Córdoba, Sevilla, Ronda, Granada, the Costa del Sol, and Tangier, along with many other significant cultural and historical sites. The group was led by Tim Keith and Bella Gasaway, LHS Spanish teachers, assisted by Warren and Dawn Stowe, and Jessica Keith.
The action-packed trip was in high gear from beginning to end. The students viewed the works of artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali in the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums. They walked the ancient Mezquita, which has served as a Muslim mosque and later a Catholic cathedral. The Oriole travelers toured many sites in Sevilla, including the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, at the central cathedral. They took a flamenco dancing class, explored markets, and experimented with fantastic Spanish cuisine everywhere they went — jamón, paella, boquerones, gazpacho, and much more.
Near the end of the trip, the Orioles boarded a large catamaran-style ferry and crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, from Europe to Africa, to spend the day exploring the streets and bazaars of Tangier. They rode camels, ate a variety of Moroccan dishes (tagine and couscous among them), and even visited a rug factory and spice market before returning to Spain.
The support of the students’ families, the community, and Ludington Area Schools, along with their own hard work, made this adventure possible. All said it was an unforgettable experience and they are thankful for it. Go O’s!