Student Journals: AIFS in Salamanca, Spain

Jessica Youngman
UC Berkeley
University of Salamanca, Spain

So, there is this hotel near the center of the city called the Gran Hotel. It was a cute and pristine building, tan with a small gold sign arched over the center, but nothing to write home about. As a result of politics, the city recently decided to knock it down and have apartment buildings built in its place. Now this may not faze you at all, it's something that happens every day where we live, but that is not the case here.

Construction workers began knocking down the building with a bulldozer little by little about a month ago. I walked by this area every day, and from the moment the bulldozer touched the building, there was not one moment where someone wasn't stopped in front, marveling in disgust and bewilderment at what was being done to this building. The people that live here could not comprehend why anyone would want to tear down this building, that though it was nothing special, was part of their history; their city. As the building became smaller, more and more people came out to watch the spectacle of construction. Eventually, I couldn't pass through the street because they were filled with people. At first I was annoyed by this, I mean big deal right? It's just another hotel… get on with your day people! But then I realized how rare and special it was for someone to take time out of their day to reflect on what this building meant to them and to their city. The people here take pride in their city, each and every part of it, and a piece of them hurts each time new commercial businesses come in to "modernize" this old and special city.

So, ultimately my point is this: I walk the streets of this city every day and I cannot help but feel the pride each person carries with them as I pass. Even on the rainiest day, people walk through the streets and marvel at the local bookstore, the man playing a violin, the small fountain, and the family and friends they share these things with. It saddens me that in general we are not able to have this kind of pride in our homes. Our cities are about commercialism, efficient space, and convenience.

SO this is what I will miss the most about Salamanca: not only its beauty that it exudes physically, but the beauty the people here contribute to it. I can't help but breathe in the uniqueness of this city in every time I leave my house, even after all these months.