Stories from Spain: Cuevas de Valporquero

Written By Washington State Leadership Board

By Alejandra Pulido, 2019 cohort

As soon you begin to step into the cave, you can instantly feel the temperature decrease. For the majority of us fellows, it was the very first time we have been in a cave. Dark, cold and beautiful all at the same time. The visit was guided by a great tour guide who explained to us the complexity and diversity of geological formations in each room which made the visit quite pleasant and educational.

Before arriving, we had a 2-hour bus ride including a single stop at a beautiful waterfall until arriving to las cuevas. Javier, our history/culture guide throughout these excursions, took us up one of the mountains where a Spanish flag stood tall. The sight was very impressive, and yet a bit terrifying. As a teenager who likes to take pictures everywhere she goes, I decided to get up and stand next to the flag, and just looking behind me down below I found a sudden drop that had to be at least 1000 meters. It could have possibly not been so tall but as a short girl looking behind, it seemed like it.

After picture time was over, Javier then announced that he had a delightful surprise for us. We got on the bus and shortly arrived to a little town at the bottom of the mountain. Waiting for us was food and drinks outside a restaurant-bar. Food including: tortilla (tortilla Española), fried calamari, empanadillas, and sliced meats. The day was successful and for sure one for every single person who loves learning about history, culture and sight-seeing nature should experience.

Washington State Leadership Board

The Washington State Leadership Board, a trustee agency of Washington State, specializes in delivering equity-focused leadership programs for the State of Washington. It is best known for bestowing official honors on behalf of the state, such as the Washingtonian of the Year, as well as the following free youth leadership programs. These include:

Washington World Fellows, a study abroad + college prep program for high school students

Boundless Washington, an outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities

Compassion Scholars, an experiential travel program aimed at promoting compassionate leadership

The Washington State Leadership board was originally founded in 1971 by then-Lt. Governor John Cherberg as the “Association of Washington Generals” with the goal of recognizing service. Today, the Leadership Board continues its long legacy of recognizing service while also working to cultivate leadership among Washingtonians through its annual awards events and its statewide leadership programs.

In 2005, the State Legislature codified the organization in state law, charging it with a number of important roles: the members of the Leadership Board act as “official ambassadors of trade, tourism, and goodwill for the state”, and must work to “expand educational, sports, and employment opportunities for youth, veterans, and people with disabilities.” The Legislature also linked the Leadership Board with the Office of the Lt. Governor, creating a close partnership between the organization and state government. Later, the State Legislature established several programs the Washington State Leadership Board administers into state law, including the Washington World Fellows and Boundless Washington programs as well as the Compassion Scholars.

https://www.washingtonleaders.org
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Stories from Spain: Exploring the Mercado de León
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Stories from Spain: Visiting San Isidoro