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The next city that we visited was Cordoba. The best part about this city was that our hotel was right next to the river and literally 20 feet away from the Great Mosque. The mosque that everyone architecture at catholic learns about. Well you get to see it here and it was just like you would imagine...Amazing. Inside it was very cold compared to the temperature outside. Possibly because of the dark materials that they chose for the inside. The pavement that I noticed was these huge marbel blocks that either got smaller or larger around the Mosque. 
Also inside of the courtyard of the Mosque there was another pavement, but one that I would see later in Southern Spain also. This pavement was seen around the trees and areas of walking. It basically was rocks that had grout in between them. The grout was actually the flat layer and all of the rocks were raised above. It was very intresting because it would also make patterns. 
Something that I never noticed until coming to Barcelona was the type of pavements that are laid out through a city. They all have different materials, textures, and styles. On our trip through southern spain that was something that I really began to notice yet again and it began to really interest me. The first place on our four city excursion was to Madrid. It was very nice because we flew in from Barcelona and got picked up by a huge bus just for ourselves. Then we got to our hotel and yet again is was amazing and our teachers really hooked us up. 
After we got settled we began to go around the city, of course trying to get something to eat. My favorite food from Madrid without a doubt was the bacon cheeseburger. This was no ordinary cheesburger though. There was a fried egg on top and it made the sandwhich delicious. Then after the amazing meal. We headed around the city. I noticed at Placa Mayor the very interesting pattern of pavements that were inside of the placa. There was about four different colors and it seemed to make a walking pattern. The white pavement looked as if it would lead you somewhere or direct the flow of traffic, but no one really followed this. 
Also on our trip to Madrid we were able to see buildings such as the Caixa Forum which was still in the process of being finished. Now I did not notice an interesting pavement of pattern on the floor but actually on the building itself and the one right next to it. On the top of the Forum there was this very different material that is a rustic color and had holes or boxes cut out of it in all different patterns. This was very interesting as well as the building next door. The building next door had vegetation, but this vegetation was not below or in front or in back of the building. In fact, it was on the side of the building. A person could see this from very far away and notice that is was very abnormal. Something that caught the eye and then directed you to look directly at the Caixa Forum. I felt this was planned very well. 
7 architecture students put into 1 apartment with 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom the size of their kitchen, and a kitchen that can fit maybe 2 people at a time. We would like to call this our own, the boys at Aldana P, Barcelona Spain. Can't ask for anything better. Our apartment is located in the older part of the city and I don't think any of us could of asked for a better spot. There are not really any other tourists so its kind of nice. The best part about our apartment is that we are very close to the port and down the street we have the best durum and pitas. If you like chipotle, you will love these!
