Home away from home: Hotel Roma, Lisbon, May 20, 21 and 22

The first home away from home for the UGA Chamber Choir during their 2011 Incantato Tour to Portugal and Spain will be the Hotel Roma in Lisbon, Portugal. Centrally located in Lisbon's exclusive Alvalade district near many theaters and restaurants, Hotel Roma offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi.
All of Hotel Roma's rooms feature satellite TV, work desk, air conditioning, telephone, safe and a private bathroom with tub and hairdryer.

Spanish Nightlife

Hey everyone,

Can you believe we're leaving later this week? I'm so excited! I wanted to share really quick with you guys my experiences in Spain por la noche. The nightlife in Spain is of course incredible, but like I wrote about meal times, their schedule is a bit different. Photos are all mine.


Since dinner or la cena is typically around 9pm or later, the entire schedule is shifted forward a few hours. Here in Athens people are downtown by 11 or midnight, but in Spain that's not always the case. Sure it makes sense to be out partying around midnight if you know all the local bars are going to close at 2am. However, what if your favorite places didn't even open until 3am?

3 in the morning?

Shouldn't we be going home about then?

Think again. 3am is the magic hour in Spain. The hour when all the discotecas (clubs) open. I know it sounds crazy, maybe beyond your functioning capacity, but stay with me. Let me provide some context.

Ok, so we'll back up to dinner time. We just had a wonderful, light meal of tapas, and we're finishing our glasses of wine as we sit in an open aired plaza. Sure, it's past 10, but what catches our eye is how lively the city is! No one is on their way home, if anything there are couples and groups of friends just taking a seat.

At this hour, people are still hopping from bar to bar, tasting and sampling small dishes as well as the house wines. This process honestly continues well into the night and early morning until magic hour comes around and we can finally go dance.


Sure, that sounds lovely and magical. Straight out of a movie. But isn't that expensive? What do the students do?

Glad you asked. Students in Spain are broke, and I'm sure most of our readers can relate. Thankfully, a general lack of funds hardly serves to damper the mood. If anything it just forces the Spanish youth to be more creative.

Their solution to passing the hours of the night before magic hour? A botellón. Picture a picnic. We're in a park, right? Or some public, scenic space. But, it's nighttime, and we're all dressed in club attire. Also, there's no food, just booze. Preferably in makeshift containers that fit discretely into a handbag. That's a botellón.

(10 points if you can spot me in this photo. My hair was a lot different last year. Hint: I'm wearing black :P)

Once magic hour arrives, everyone migrates to a favored club and doesn't stop dancing until the music stops. As you leave and make your way to the metro, make sure to take a moment to breathe in the fresh morning air and watch the sun rise! Kudos if you go get breakfast on your way home.

See you all in rehearsal!

-Lauren

As always, if you want to see more photos of my travels in Spain, check out my Flickr.

Little things to know about Spain before packing

In Incantato we would love you to enjoy every single step of your way. Here you have some info on little things you might want to know about Spain before getting on the plane. Maybe they help you to enjoy better!

We have this saying:

“1 just-in-case worths more than 100 if-I-had-knew”

- It is customary to have always some kind of identification with a picture. You can use your passport or your driving license. It is good to have a photocopy of your passport done and kept elsewhere.

- In order to use a credit card, you will need to activate it and to get a pin number before coming: Let your bank know.

- American Express credit card is not accepted in many places.

- Any kind of Traveler Checks is not accepted, and if it is, it becomes very expensive

- Please click here for more info on money matters

- Generally food and clothes are more expensive in Spain than in USA.

- It is forbidden to smoke in public places from January 2011. Many smokers are quitting these months!

- Please bring a photocopy of your prescriptions in case you need medication. This is a just-in-case! The active ingredient is good to know too, as we do not always have the same medicines (though mostly)

- Old town means cobblestoned hilly streets, pedestrian areas, steps... Happy feet help to have a happy tour. Please do bring comfy shoes.

- Flip-flops are for sure not comfortable in our old towns, but they might be in the hotels. We do not go barefoot around!

- Showing your knees / shoulders is forbidden in the churches. We will be entering churches almost daily – concerts, art, history... Please bring appropriate clothing. Knee long pants/skirts. Girls can use a scarf to cover their shoulders. Men are not supposed to use it.

- Laundry service in hotels is very expensive. Still we do not have Laundromats around (few at the students area in Madrid and Barcelona)

- We are having local elections (for Municipality Mayors and Region Presidents) on May 22nd!

Please if you have any specific question do not hesitate to contact us. There is so many little things that we could tell you! The best is that you will come to see them!

Hasta la vista!

The UGA Camber Choir in concert at Conservatory Cloister in Sevilla, Wednesday, May 25th 2011, 8:30 P.M.

The UGA Camber Choir will be performing under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya at the Conservatorio Superior "Manuel Castillo", in the city of Sevilla. on Wednesday, May 25th 2011, at 8:30 P.M.
The UGA Chamber Choir will be accompanied on the piano by Dr. Martha Thomas.

The concert will take place at the cloister of this XVI century building, constructed to host the Great House of the Carmelite Monks, which has been based here since the XIV century.
The Monastery was among the most important monastic orders centers, hosting art masterpieces from barroque masters as Velazquez, Murillo, Oviedo and others.

In the Independence War of the XIX, it was used as militar headquarters by Napoleonic troops, and after it became part of the Militar Headquarters in south Spain until 1978.
After huge renovation works, the Conservatory has open its activity here on the year 2002.

The Conservatory takes it name from the important Sevillian composer Manuel Castillo. It has been named National Official Center for Music Education as early ass 1933.

Incantato presents The University of Georgia Chamber Choir at Sinagoga del Tránsito, (Toledo), Saturday, May 21st, 8:00 P.M.

The University of Georgia Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya, will perform at the very famous Sinagogue del Transito in Toledo on Saturday, May 21st 2011, at 8:00 P.M.


The Sinagoga del Tránsito, is the popular name given to the Synagogue of Samuel ha-Leví, and is one of the most important examples of Hispano-Jewish art. It was built in the 14th century and is decorated with Mudejar elements and beautiful geometric motifs, flowers and inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew.

The building was part of a sumptuous palace built in the 15th century and it was erected in the days when the Jewish community had an enviable position in the society of the era, with privileged posts in the Administration and Tax Collection Authorities.

King Don Pedro even openly protected the Jews, and synagogues saw their heyday under his reign (1350-1369), as they were protected even when a Papal Bulla had banned the erection of new Hebrew temples, and only allowed the refurbishment of those already constructed. When King Don Pedro built it, he defied all the laws about synagogues being smaller and lower than churches.

It features Nasris-style polychrome stucco-work, Hebrew inscriptions of the names of God, multifoil arches and Mudéjar panelled ceiling.

In the 16th century it became a church of Saint Benito. Later at the 17th century the name changed into Church of the Nuestra Senora del Transito. The name derives from the painting: Transit of Virgin. The synagogue was also used as military headquarters during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1877 the building became a national monument. The transformation of the building into the Sephardi Museum, as it is now officially called, started around 1910.

Measures conversion

Measures comversion chart

Please notice Money conversion changes everyday. Also Time conversion may vary.

Europe	USA - Georgia		USA - Georgia	Spain
1 euros	1,43 dollars	x 1,43	1 USD	0,7 EUR	x 0,7
1 sq meter	10,76 sq yard	x 1,19	1 yr2	0,83 m2	x 0,83
1 Meter (m)	3,28 feet	x 3	1 feet	0,3 metros	x 0,3
1 Kilometer	0,62 miles	x 0,62	1 miles	1,61 Km	x 1,61
1 kilograms	2,20 pounds	x 2,2	1 pound(lb)	0,45 Kg	x 0,45
1 liter	0,26 gallons	x 0,26	1 gal	3,79 l	x 3,79
10º Celsius	50º fahrenheit		60º F	15,5º C
20 ºC	68º F		70º F	21,1º C
30º C	86º F		80º F	26,6º C
12:00 noon	6 am (behind)	- 6 hrs	12:00 noon	6 am (ahead)	+ 6 hrs

Spanish meals and most typical dishes

Dear travellers, here you have some suggestions on Spanish food issues: Meals and dishes.

Notice you will find local specialties by city as well, in other posts. Cuisine is a part of the culture, so be adventorous and enjoy it!

MEALS:

Breakfast: is small in Spain. Better said, just coffe - sometimes with a roll - is quite an usual breakfast. Then we have “el pincho” or “el café” – like an early lunch. This is when we have something to eat. It usually takes people out of their offices from 11 to 12… so this it the time when you have the longest lines in the banks, etc...!

Tapas: We call so to different appetizers we use to combine and share in a meal. It helps you to try different foods. Tapa means literally “lid”, coming from the Medieval Times, when they used to serve slices of ham/cheese/bread etc on top of the wine carafe.Tapas are great as they are cheap and small. So is a good way to try different food.

Comida: late big lunch: we usually have a great meal around 2 – 3 pm. We have 2 courses and dessert.

MENU: is what we call “Plate of the day”, it is usually a great option: freshest food, 2 courses and dessert/coffee and sometimes also the drink for 10-15 Euros.

Cena: our dinner time: at home, it is usually small: one dish often with salad/dairy. But when eating outside it is as big as Comida (lunch). It is usually a bit more expensive than Comida too.

LA CUENTA: Please ask for the bill as soon as you get served the last thing you ordered. It takes forever to get bills!! This system will allow you to leave as soon as you finish. If not, you will be waiting a long time!

FOOD YOU SHOULD TRY, FROM ALL OVER SPAIN:

Jamón Serrano: One of the most famous Spanish specialties. It is pork cured ham. It has to be from Iberian Black Pork – not from the pink pig. Then of course you have different qualities:

Blanco: Not the real one. This is done from pink pig fed with bad fodder.

Ibérico: it means it is from the Iberian Black Pork: less fat, healthier.

Bellota: The best: It is Ibérico but the pork is fed naturally only with acorn.

Olive oil: You will find it best in Mediterranean Coast and South Spain. The pure juice press in cold is called: Extra Virgen.

Other qualities are lower, not really so good - and Orujo is really bad.

Olive oil varies from transparent gold to cloudy green. It is naturally bitter and the acidity decreases with transparency and yellow. We love thick cloudy green one – really thick, and really bitter.

Gazpacho: This cold tomato and garlic soup is only to be found in Mediterranean

and South Spain area, and only in summer. Much of the gazpacho you will find will be done with the “tomato concentrated” can, so ask if they have the "real" one…

and of course, we have to present one of our most favourite sweet proposals:

Chocolate con churros: This is hot chocolate to dip churros inside. Churro is a fritter: a long dough fried and covered with sugar. Do not worry, you will loose the calories with the walking!

UGA Chamber Choir 2011 Performance Tour - flight schedule

Those of you choosing the air/land package will be flying the friendly skies on one of the world's premier airlines, British Airways. For more information on your on-board experience, please visit the British Airways website. The Incantato Tours team wishes you a safe and relaxing flight.

Departure to Europe: 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA226, leave ATLANTA (ATL) at 9:15PM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 10:15AM on Friday, May 20, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA502, leave LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 2:55PM

Arrive in LISBON (LIS) at 5:35PM

Return to USA: 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA455, leave MADRID (MAD) at 7:05AM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 8:20AM

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA227, leave LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 3:00PM

Arrive in ATLANTA (ATL) at 7:05PM

When and what to eat in Spain

Hey everyone,

My name is Lauren Hook, and I’ll be singing Soprano for UGA’s Chamber Choir Tour. I’ve spent a lot of time in Spain, and I wanted to post a few blog entries about my experiences before we head out. I’d like to start things off with a special on Spanish food, as I consider myself an adamant foodie. All photos are my own.

One big difference you’ll notice when we get to Spain is how many meals they have each day. So, instead of having three meals as we typically do in the US, Spain has five. There are even specific verbs to use in reference to you eating at a specific time. Think of it this way, instead of going to lunch, the verb is simply to lunch. And you don’t eat dinner, you simply dinner.

1. Desayunar

To start the day off, we have desayuno (noun) or desayunar (verb) to refer to breakfast. Breakfast in Spain is lighter than what we have in the US. No IHOPs or anything of the sort. You’ll have desayuno specials that include several items for one price, typically 2-6 euro depending on where you are and what’s included.

Some examples could be: zumo de naranja (OJ, freshly squeezed), café con leche (espresso and milk), bollería (some type of pastry, maybe a croissant), or tostadas (toasted baguette with your choice of olive oil, tomato spread, ham, and cheese). Desayuno is in general a great deal. Consequently you’ll see the tables at the local cafes packed with customers in the morning.

2. Almorzar

The second meal is almuerzo and its respective noun is almorzar. In American Spanish classes, the literal translation is lunch, but in Spain at least, I found that misleading. Almuerzo is a mid morning snack between 11 and 12 before lunch. You’ll have a café con leche and some type of bolleria.

3. Comer

The most important meal of the day is lunch – it takes the longest and you eat the most. The main verb for “to eat” is the verb used for this meal – comer. Lunch is normally held during siesta hour between 2 and 4. If you show up any later, chances are you’ll be turned away for lack of space or time. It’s not common for Spanish restaurants to have a wait-to-be seated list, so if there are no tables open, best to come back another day.

During lunch hour, you’ll see restaurants with signs outside their doors detailing their respective menú del día, or menu of the day. This is a fixed menu. One price, normally around 10 euro, includes a drink (wine is a highly recommended option), two meal courses, and a choice of coffee or dessert.

But hey, if you’re on your feet all day sightseeing like crazy, try making a bocadillo, a sandwich on a baguette, with jamón serrano, chorizo, queso, or tortilla de patata, which is a Spanish omelette with potatoes and sometimes onion. Yum.

4. Merendar

Merienda is the next meal of the day (respective verb being merendar), and it’s similar to almuerzo because it’s a pre-meal snack. But in merienda’s case, we’re snacking between 5 and 7 before dinner. Have another coffee and pastry, or try one of my favorite foods in Spain: churros con chocolate.

When you think of churros you might imagine ridged, stiff, fried, cinnamon-sugar covered dough. Sure, these are great, but I’m talking about something else. Churros in Spain come in a thicker, larger varieties, sometimes referred to as porras. What you won’t see is the cinnamon. Instead, you ask for a steaming taza (cup) of hot chocolate. If you’ve never had it, Spanish hot chocolate will redefine hot chocolate for you. The Spanish version is closer in consistency to melted chocolate or pudding chocolate. It’s nothing like our watery Swiss Miss (sad if you ask me) attempts.

Just put a bit of sugar on your plate, dip a churro in the sugar, and then proceed to dip again in the chocolate. Enjoy. What’s even better is that these are normally available for breakfast too!

5. Cenar

Finally we’ve arrived to dinner. By now it’s most likely 9pm or later, and before proceeding to dance the night away (I’m not even kidding; see my next post), we should have a lighter meal, our cena (verb cenar). This is where tapas, or pinchos in the north, come in.

These dishes are small affairs – servings for individuals or a few people. Some bars insist you help yourself from what is already displayed on the bar; sometimes you can have tapas at a sit-down restaurant.

Pay 3 euro for a glass of vino tinto or vino blanco and order a few tapas to share with your friends. What’s fun about dinner is that it’s not uncommon to barhop. Get a drink and a few snacks at one place, talk for awhile, then find another lively place down the street. Continue as you see fit.

¡Qué aproveche! (Enjoy your meal)

I honestly can’t wait to taste Portugal’s culinary offerings. See you all in rehearsal!

-Lauren

If you want to see more photos from my travels in Spain, check out my Flickr.

Welcome to Spain!

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco.
With an area of 504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences, often simultaneously, since prehistoric times and through the dawn of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today - making it the world's second most spoken language by native speakers. Spain is a democracy organised in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy. It is a developed country with the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards.