Mi familia Granaina

This last weekend me and Jilli went on a day trip to Córdoba. First we went to La Mezquita, which is incredible!! Originally it was an Islamic mosque that was later used as a Catholic cathedral. It is filled with Arabic double arches and over the top baroque decorations. After we saw the arc de triumf and then went to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. This was a fortress that was later converted into a prison, but my favorite part of it was the gardens. We had a traditional Spanish lunch after our site seeing, wandered around town for a little in the 100+ degree weather and then returned to Granada.

 (la Mezquita)

 (Arc de Triumf)

(Alcazár de los Reyes Crisitianos y jardines)

Sunday Jilli and I finally got to help Elba make paella... she makes it seem easy but I'll need a bit a practice! That afternoon I went to a Spanish friend's house to swim and have dinner, trying to fit in as much Spanish as I can before I'm out of here...

This was my last week of school, Monday I had to say bye to my friend Chelsea, who has been here the whole time I have. So we went out for some tapas, drinks, and Foosball. After she left there were only 3 students total in my class. Wednesday morning my teacher, Carmén,  invited us to get a drink and study at the café by our school. She's probably one of my favorite teachers I have ever had. It was hard at first because I had to forget about how I had learned Spanish before, but once I was able to do that her way of teaching was one that makes complete sense. She's friendly, outspoken,  and definitely a little kooky, but I always looked forward to going to her class and having her challenge us to participate and learn. That night we had our farewell event for my program... everything is starting to get wrapped up!

Today I had my final exams, and tomorrow is my last day of class. Tonight we're going out with our Spaniard friends for one last "intercambio" and to say our farewells.

When I first left at the end of June, I wasn't nervous at all. That was until I had to say bye to my mom and aunt at LAX, and knew there was no turning back. I was about to leave the country for my first time to live somewhere that they don't speak English, there is a 9 hours time difference, I'd have to make new friends, and adapt to a new way of life. And I didn't have my Mommy to help with any of this! ha sounds silly but I had a split second of panic waiting in line for security. I knew enough Spanish to get by, but whenever I needed to speak my mind was mush! Luckily flight attendants understand foreigners, and drink names are pretty simple (AGUA!). The first afternoon of being here was like day one on Spanish 1 (what's your name, where are you from, what do you study, etc) ...

... In these past 2 months I have learned so much. I knew this trip would be one to remember but I really had no clue how much I would love it here. I say that a lot, but Granada really does feel like home. Just now, I ran into my teacher Carmén in the Central part of Granada. I ran into her yesterday while out to tapas. I've ran into many familiar faces, whether it's in the Albaicín, on a run, out with friends, or walking through a random plaza. You're always greeted warmly and normally with a kiss on a each cheek (which at first, for me, led to some awkward encounters). Granada is full of life, whether people are out getting tapas with friends, taking advantage of the rebajas, walking slowly with their grandparents, running/ biking to work, or performing music or flamenco in the streets. The city is filled with people and I love it. There's always something to see and of course you have to watch out for the constant stopping of ALL Spaniards to talk to their friends in the middle of the streets. I've had great experiences with unfamiliar faces as well. Just earlier today, I was sitting in a plaza eating a pastry when this guy approached me asking advice of what to do in Granada, as he was from Salamanca. I gave him some advice and politely declined his invitation to join him. Looking back, this is something I could never have done when I first came here. The most exciting part was that he thought I was from Spain at first! (probably until our conversation went on for more than a minute). I love that I can blend in here now, and that's my favorite thing to be told, that I look like a Spaniard. I know I still mess up plenty, but I feel so much more comfortable having random conversations and interacting in Spanish now...

... I have found my family here in the house of Elba and Juan Mi. Elba is caring, warm, and a GREAT COOK. Juan Mi is opinionated, educated, and we always get into interesting conversations (whether it be about how to say things in English the "correct way", politics, weather, culture, the world, the list goes on). Both of them have a great family, and I've had the privilege of meeting their son, his girlfriend, their nephew, and nieces (whom were adorable, and made me feel more at home). I've learned some of Elba's recipes, and about how life in Spain has changed over the years. I'm so grateful to them for opening their house to me, having patience when I just can't seem to find my words (or understand theirs), and most importantly being my family here in Spain. I look back on my experience here and can't seem to figure out where my time has gone. I will never be ready to leave here, but I'm so glad for all that I have had these past 2 months. Spain has awoken my desire to see more of the world, learn more about others, their languages, customs, cultures, everything. I can't wait to travel more, for my next journey and to see where my life takes me...

You've been great Spain, see you soon Cali

No puedo creerlo

I haven't written a blog in a while... and I'm having a hard time forcing myself to right now. So much has happened the last two weeks, and I can't believe that I only have 9 days left in my new home. Anyways Ill try and sum up what I've been up to:

Last Sunday (August 11th) and Monday my friends Matt and Lisa arrived in the Granada. They came here to complete and start their EuroTrips, respectively. This was definitely one of the highlights of my summer. Not only did I get to hangout with some people that I love to spend time with, but I also got to share the place that I have loved so much this summer. Monday I showed them around town, to some of the great views of the city and La Alhambra, and a local pub called Hannigan and Son's. Tuesday we went and got some tapas (which of course any one who visits is amazed by... buy a cheap beer, and get free food... who wouldn't want that?!) After, we went to find a karaoke bar, where we showcased our All-American songs while an old Spanish couple made out near by (guess we set the mood?). Wednesday, we went shopping at some of the Arabic markets, and had one of the best dinners of chicken with couscous and lamb made with prunes (AMAZING!!). That night we had a night tour of La Alhambra... I had been there before, but at night it is completely different. It's still amazing but in a slightly eerie way that I totally enjoyed.

Thursday Matt had to start his trip back to the good 'ol US of A, so we had to part ways. Fortunately it was also a holiday, so Lisa and I embarked on our trip to Madrid. We got in that afternoon and wandered around el Parque del Retiro. We got to see the Palacio de Cristal and Monumento de Alfonso XII. Pretty impressive! Friday was our day of Museums... first we went to El Prado. I've never been much for art, but for the first time I actually really enjoyed it all, I would even say I was moved by some. I got to see works by Velazquez, Goya, Picasso (all of which I learned about last month) and many more. Afterwards, we went to the Museum of Reina Sofia. Luckily right now they have an exposition of Dalí, so we got to see most of his work as well... awesome but REALLY STRANGE! I would have to say the most impressionable piece I saw in both museums was La Guernica by Picasso. Before I never understood cubism, and thought all art of that type was ridiculous and made no sense... but after learning about the history of Spain behind it, the meaning with in it, and seeing the immensity of the piece I was truly blown away!

That night Lisa and I flew to Barcelona. Everything went smoothly, until we tried to find our hostel from the bus stop... luckily two friendly Australians noticed our lost faces and assisted us the rest of the way. Since we hadn't eaten dinner yet, we hit the streets to find some food at 1AM and came upon a bocadillo shop (think those sandwiches may have been sitting out ALL day... oh yeah and its HOT there... YUM). It also started to rain a little on that late night expedition, which at least gave us relief from the humidity. Anyways we ate in a little plaza by our hostel and then rested up for the next day.

Saturday morning we hit the streets for a day of Gaudí. If you have never heard of Antoni Gaudí, you need to look him up right now (but for real... DO IT!). He's like the Dr. Seuss of architects in Spain, from the 19th and 20th century. We got to see La Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Padrera. I can't even begin to explain how amazing everything there is, but his work is breathtaking, visually stimulating, funky-awesome, and the list can go on and on... Later that night we went out with people from our hostel to la Festival de Grácia. They had crafted dragons, animals, insects and such filling the streets, as well as concerts going on at various stages. It was quite the experience, and we danced the night away to authentic Spanish music. Sunday morning Lisa had to leave to embark on the rest of her EuroTrip, so I wandered through Barcelona on my own. I walked down La Rambla (main touristy street in central Barcelona) and found myself at the port (which is ginormous, and also has a mall on the pier). I spent a couple hours there until I was hungry for lunch, when I got some pintxos (essentially tapas/ small servings of different foods). After I went to the Arc de Triumf and a park nearby it. It was a nice relaxing day to myself. That night I caught a plane back to Granada, but I was definitely not ready to leave, Barcelona was so awesome!!! and I can see myself returning someday...

Monday, I went on a hike to Cahorros again with my program. Tuesday we went to the Arabic baths (still AMAZING), and that night I have an intercambio with another Spaniard that I met. Yesterday, we saw La Guerra Mundial Z (World War Z). I pretty much understood it all in Spanish, and was definitely really jumpy!! That night I did a group intercambio with a class of Spaniards. We went to tapas and I watched my first MLS game, no better place than Spain where all the angry Spaniard are cursing in Spanish every second of the game. We also went to a karaoke bar where we chose songs for each other in our target languages. Man are Spanish songs difficult (especially when you don't recognize them very well). Today, I am finished with school for the day, and am going on a bike ride later this afternoon. Right now I'm just trying to get my fill of everything Granada...

I have 9 days left here. I'm so thankful for the experiences that I have had so far, and am by no means ready to be done...

Time's flying by...

Last Wednesday, Jilli and I went to el Parque de las Ciencias. They had different exhibits that tested your brain, taught you something new, took you on a journey through the body or brain, and even a butterfly room! This place was pretty cool, and we even got a tour though the Spanish constellation in Spanish. The most interesting thing was seeing different food pyramids from different countries... and here in Spain olive oil has its own place on the food pyramid (everything here makes so much more sense now!)

Thursday I started my new classes on for the month of August. I have one class of Civilization and Culture of Spain and the other is a language class... (because I realized I still have a lot to work on with my grammar). I really am enjoying both classes, but my language class makes me realize the huge difference of a native teaching you Spanish and an American. Everything we are learning should be a review but I feel like I'm learning everything in a completely new way, and not trying to just grasp topics enough to get you onto the next class like in the US. So its difficult, but I really need the extra work. My teacher loves to point out stereotypes of students from other countries as well as the ridiculous things she's heard when verbs aren't used in the right way, needless to say she makes it entertaining!

One of my friends visited from Cádiz last Thursday so we got to have a little reunion before I went to Malaga for the weekend with my roommate and a couple girlfriends.  Saturday morning we left for Malaga and boy was it HOT and HUMID! We went to the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, where they have the Museo Casa Natal, as well as the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro. The Alcazaba was pretty impressive with amazing views of the Malaga port and Mediterranean sea. It is a Moorish structure built in the 11th century, with a Roman theater that sits in front of it. After we did a hike straight uphill to the Gibralfaro (an Arabic castle built in the 10th century), in what was around 95 degree weather (that felt like 110!!) Luckily there was a bus to take us back down :) After we cleaned up rested, and went to dinner at a restaurant called Pimpi, where they had delicious seafood and wine. The next day was our day of relaxation. We spent the day at Malagueta beach and had lunch at a Chiringuita, restaurant on the beach. After a long day in the sun and a successful weekend in Malaga, we returned to Granada.

Shout out to my sister Monday was her birthday!! Happy belated birthday again Bekah:)
That day Jilli and I went to the Plaza de Toros... it's no longer season, but we got to see an interesting display of 2 grown men practicing? playing? doing something? as a matador and bull. It was interesting and a little boy tried to trick us that there were bulls in the back. The ring was pretty impressive though, I can only imagine what it would be like to actually see una corrida de toros.

Tuesday, Jilli and I went to see Pitufos 2, which is Smurfs 2 in spanish. We needa stick to the kid movies because they're easier to understand ha, but it was cute. Later we got our first cooking lesson from Elba and made a tortilla española, an egg dish with potatoes and onions. Gotta practice, but its one of the easiest things they make here.

Wednesday I went to Aquaola with some friends from my program. Its a water park here in Granada with a few different slides, a river for intertubes, and a wave pool. It was fun and a nice way to escape the heat for the day!

I have been meeting with a girl named Vanessa to have a language exchange the last few weeks. So Thursday we went and got drinks at this really cute teteria. It had 3 stories and a tables and seats were on the ground. I got this delicious juice that was lemonade with mint in it, super refreshing! Afterwards, I went to an outside movie in the Sacramonte with her and her parents. The movie was "El vuelco del cangrejo", a Colombian independent film, and I lucked out because there were english subtitles! I hadn't eaten yet so I got a bocadilla and a beer to enjoy during the movie. AND BIG SURPRISE, half way through my drink I spill it on my lap... so I got to sit in through the rest of the movie with a beerbutt! Besides my clumsy accident, I enjoyed the movie, especially where we were watching it, which was above all of Granada.

Yesterday (Friday), we went out for some tapas and drinks because it was my friend Angela's last night in Spain. It was nice getting to hang out with everyone again because it seems like we've all been busy doing different things. Today was my first time sleeping in on a weekend here in Granada, and it was amazing! Now we just finished lunch so its time for a siesta :)

Until next time...