It will be time for me to pack my suitcase soon because I am off to Spain!

I am happy to announce that I was under consideration along with 70 other architects and Interior Designers to  participate in the “Reign in Spain Architecture and Design Tour 2011″. The good word came down this last Friday that I made it through the final selection period and along with three other qualified individuals – I will be in Spain this February!

Where in Spain will I be?

.

Off the Tile of Spain website, here is the description that convinced me to submit my qualifications for consideration:

The Tile of Spain brand is jointly managed by the Trade Commission of Spain in Miami, FL and the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) in Valencia, Spain. The delegation will consist of six American journalists and the four Reign in Spain winners and coincides with Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show held in Valencia. The first half of the trip includes exploring a region of Spain to immerse in the local culture, sample Spain’s world-famous culinary arts, see notable sites and attractions that are of architectural and design significance and to gain a general understanding and appreciation for Spain. The latter half of the trip includes visiting Cevisama, factory and booth tours and a press conference.

The Reign in Spain A&D Tour 2011 will include a dazzling display of Spain’s culture, history, food and architecture culminating in visits to Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show where you will see firsthand that Spain is at the forefront of innovation when it comes to ceramic tile. If you want to torture yourself even further, here is our rough schedule:

Preliminary Itinerary

Feb. 4 Leave the United States for Madrid, Spain.

Feb. 5-6 Travel to Zaragoza by Spain’s Alta Velocidad Española (AVE), a high-speed train network which is on track to become the world’s biggest network of ultra-fast trains. Spend a couple days exploring the culture and architecture of Zaragoza.

Feb. 7 Travel to the remote town of Teruel for a glimpse of extraordinary Mudéjar architecture.

Feb. 8-11 Off to Valencia, the business epicenter of Spain’s ceramic tile industry and the venue for Cevisama 2011. Spend time at the trade-fair while also touring a ceramic tile factory. Additionally, the group will have a guided tour of Valencia’s City of Arts & Sciences, a monumental complex designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.

Feb. 12 Depart for the United States via Madrid, Spain.

But it’s not all fun and games, I had to send them a head-shot .. ugghhh … there is a reason I use a drawing for my avatar, I have a face made for radio. But since this picture is going to be making some rounds, I am going to treat it like a scandal and release it here first. Prepare yourself…

.

.

Not very pretty I grant you but they didn’t select me because I am pretty. They selected me because I am … well, probably because I have … hmmmm. I don’t know why they selected me. Maybe I was chosen because I am an architect, I have designed loads of quality projects for happy people, write the articles on this website, and I am not boring as a travel companion. And I inluded a rainbow in my application.

I know you are jealous because I would be if I weren’t the one actually going on this trip. Try and be happy for me, you know I will make it up to you.

.

kinda - sorta related posts: