Spain provides cultural enrichment for Darrow
Octopus isn't terrible to eat, says Carrie Darrow, Marion.
During a year of study in Spain, Darrow sampled the dish, a specialty of the state of Galacia, where she lived.
"It's not my favorite, but it's not as bad as it sounds," she said.
She spoke about her studies at a recent meeting of the Marion Kiwanis Club.
Darrow, a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Spanish and international studies, spent six weeks in Granada on an earlier trip. She knew the chance to be immersed in the language and culture would be invaluable, particularly since it would be a less well-known picture of Spain.
"It's not an area that sees a lot of tourism," she said. "You won't see flamenco, you won't see bullfights."
The overseas program placed her in Santiago, about an hour west of the Atlantic Ocean, north of Portugal.
Her classes were taught in Spanish. In some, the other students were mostly Spanish citizens, while other classes were designed for international students.
"There was a lot of cultural exchange with the students from other countries," Darrow said.
She lived in a regular college dorm.
Spain has several official languages but all Spanish citizens are required to speak Spanish, so language wasn't a barrier, she said.
The Atlantic impacts Galacia far beyond cuisine. Its winds and moisture produce Spain's highest precipitation, usually a steady drizzle.
"The climate is similar to Scotland," Darrow said.
The similarity doesn't end there. The area has Celtic influences that go back thousands of years. The most popular instrument is the bagpipes, for example.
"It's not uncommon to see someone on the street corner playing the bagpipes," she said.
Santiago itself is a city best known as the burial site of St. James the Apostle. A large cathedral sits above the tomb and is popular with pilgrims, who walk an established route from France to Santiago.
Walking through the older sections of town "was like stepping back a few hundred years," Darrow said.
In addition to travels throughout Spain, Darrow spent time wandering through much of England, France, Italy, and Greece. Family and friends from Marion came for visits as well.
Darrow will graduate this May from KSU. She plans to seek a master's degree in international studies and pursue careers as an English teacher overseas or as a counselor for college students in foreign studies.
