Spain Subtitled

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

What an epic night it was – haha I love making memories that you know in the moment are going to last a lifetime.
The fantasticness of the night before carried right on over into our tour of the Alhambra. The Alhambra deserves far more than I could ever describe or show in pictures. It’s the symbol of Granada and it is rightly earned.

You begin by walking through the entrance and directly through beautiful gardens that were bursting with blooming, colorful flowers that smell like a rain forest (or how I imagine a rain forest might smell haha). From what I understood it began in 1238 AD. There are 4 main sections, each as impressive as the last. They are: Palacios Nazaries (my favorite part- where picture #3 was taken), Generalife (where pictures 1 and 2 were taken), El Partal, and the Alcazaba.

Amigas

Through the gardens

La Alhambra

Our tour guide explained the history behind La Alhambra and loved having a personal tour guide. To some it up briefly, there are many parts to La Alhambra, built in different times. As many grand complexes here are, it served as a fort and a castle among its many purposes.

If you wanna know more just ask and I’ll fill you in on my translated version ; ) Or this is a site I found that has a good description of its history as well: http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/info/historicalintroduction.asp

We were left to our own devices for lunch, we all agreed that some "Americanish" type food was what we were craving. Coming close with some variations of a pizza we filled our tummies and decided to explore a bit more of the town. With an hour left before we boarded the bus we decided to unload our heavy, dragging bodies on a nearby set of benches and enjoy the view. The mountains are so refreshing to me. Sadly, the bus came too soon and we were off again. As we pulled out of town I said my goodbyes to the mountains, snacked on a few gummy bears, and let the worries of the howling tires beneath subside as the bus lulled me to sleep. (If any of you know my luck with cars lol when I hear anything out of the norm (ie: howling tires) I get a bit anxious haha)

Home safe AND early! I didn’t think Spaniards knew the concept ; ) Despite not always loving, or knowing what the food I’m eating is- I will absolutely miss walking in the door to a hot meal once I move to Malaga. After returning from Granada with a rumbling stomach, my body ached with gratefulness when I came home and my madre stuffed me full of food that I recognized.

Tonight though, I encountered the same problem I’ve experienced a few times since arriving. My stomach will be near the point of exploding and she’ll plop on yet another pile of _________ (insert varies types Spanish food) onto my plate. With a “Come mas. Come Mas” (eat more, eat more) and a pat to my stomach (despite my promises of being full) I geared up to tackle another heaping portion.

Today it was an extra half loaf of French bread…yummy, delicious, way too much to consume in this moment, French bread. I stared and stared, trying to think of any way other than eating it to get rid of it… or save it. No reasonable answers came- THEN! I started thinking about people who hold world records for eating, and remembered watching a hot dog eating contest a few summers ago on TV. They dipped all their buns in water because it made them dissolve/take up less space - so I thought it can’t hurt- took a bite- added some water- waited- and sure enough! A little later I had finished my bread without exploding...not that soggy mushy bread is my preferred way to eat bread but, it worked and my host madre was happy : )

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the Dancing Queen

This weekend we made Granada our destination of choice. Such a good decision : ) Part of our group (Shanna, Kim, Jen, Whitney, Keely, Janelle and I) went with our school to the gorgeous mountain side city.

It was a day filled with mountain gazing, historical tours in el centro, snacking on award winning churros, shopping the Moroccan market (although I’m impressed to say I took after Adam, he’d be proud, my squeaky wallet didn’t let even one euro out, despite the stores beaming with jumbled ), and sightseeing. Once inside the stone and plaster Corral del Carbon we learned that it is the only alhóndiga left in Andalucía. Being built in the 1300s it’s served a myriad of purposes in its life; from an inn to a market place, and now every so often locals and tourists can catch a flamenco show there.
La Capilla Real tour gave us a chance to experience the royal chapel and see the royal mausoleums and crypt.

This is a great site to read more about its history: http://www.capillarealgranada.com/index.en.html.

As I learned recently from my intercambio (language exchange partner) our tour guide finished with El Mirador de San Nicolas- a viewing site above the city where you can see La Alhambra at eye level and enjoy the smells of delicious food rising up from the streets below. Kudos to him - couldn’t have chosen a better way to begin our evening.

Churros

We were in the legendary city of free tapas, and since the night was early we set off to taste all we could : ) After a few successes and a few not quite successes on tapas trying we raised our glasses. With a Spanish “cheers” and hopes of spending our night being “reinas de bailar” (song of the night: Dancing Queen) we set off to begin our epic night…

Viernes (Fri)

“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.” – Lillian Smith

2nd day of Rain.

Today the rain was accompanied by a tumultuous show of thunder and lightning. One downside of this refreshing weather is that the dogs that I once could only hear in our apartment… I now can smell as well. Eh.

My friends and I are meeting up for some drinks and an easy night out before we venture to Granada tomorrow, my madre promises the rain will be done by then- we'll see : )

It must be fairly uncommon to have rain 2 days in a row because it was the topic of conversation at lunch today. Which might not seem so important, but my family here NEVER interrupts TV time with talking time. It’s crazy how much they love watching the TV during meals. I’m used to it now, and enjoy trying to put together the video clips and my broken Spanish to decipher the commercials or news cast. However, on Day 1 it definitely took me by surprise because at our house if we had guests over the house would look gorgeous, there might be fun/light music playing in the background, everyone would eat together and the conversation would absolutely include the “new member.” But I’m not at home- so time to adjust right?

Afternoon siesta-ing makes going to bed before midnight a difficulty, so sometimes I skip it, but today come siesta time I barely fought my eyelids open long enough to crawl into bed. Americans would do well to follow suite on this tradition. What a joy- to just take a break and digest.

The rain again today was a blessing for me, because I was able to sleep soundly through my whole siesta until one really loud clap decided enough was enough. The thunder and rain drowned out the busy city noise from drifting into my open window as much as it drowned the poor Scilla Hispanica flowers in the street below.

For myself, I love rainy days. Cozied up with a book, a friend, knowing my loved ones are safely inside and just a call away, maybe a movie, something warm to sip on, while watching the water wash away worries of the day. Knowing full well I am safe.
As the booming thunderclap startled me awake I couldn’t help but wonder where the homeless beggers I’ve passed so many times go on days like these.

It’s hard to think about.

It must be horrible to sit there and helplessly beg for money so that you can maybe have a few essential needs met…if that. Do they even dream about their favorite meals that they can’t have? Do they think about where they’d like to go, or what they’d like to see in the world, or is it too painful to allow themselves the thoughts of the affluent? Do they still have faith in humanity after being passed by, by so many people daily? People that have their arms full of the latest fashions or freshest gelado without blinking twice at the deteriorating body crumpled on the ground to their side. I’m aware some people prefer and choose to live a life of homelessness. In fact, in CO when we were buying lunch for homeless people and listening to their stories- one woman I talked with said it’s the life she’s always had and she wouldn’t want a house, etc. The majority though, told stories of heart break and lives (gone wrong). Why do we turn a blind eye to those in need? How deep does the human spirit go? What does it take to break hearts that have been hardened by life? When we say Father break my heart for what breaks yours, do we mean it?

This is a music video that I love. It compels and challenges me. My Own Little World

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley

It has rained…and poured nonstop since I made it to class this morning. My madre gasped at the sight of her drenched pobrecita as I walked through the door smiling this afternoon. Little did she know it was the first time in almost 2 weeks that I was actually LOVING the weather. Don’t get me wrong- it’s gorgeous here- but my body was not made for 38-45 ◦C. My mouth wasn’t perpetually dry on the walk home, I couldn’t feel my cheeks burning from the sun beating down, and no sweat threatened to burn my eyes as it made its decent down my forehead…what did I have to complain about? : )

I almost made it to my room, leaving behind a little trail of water droplets on our tile floor, when my madre darted forward grabbing a chunk of snarly, soaked hair from both sides of my head in each hand and let out a “Dios Mio!” followed by an exasperated head roll, and wild eyes (…as if having wet hair may just kill the both of us.) It made me happy that I was the one who found/killed the cockroach in the bathroom yesterday morning. She may have woken the entire building.

Here you have to wear shoes in the house- and not wanting to warrant myself a double exasperated head rolling “Dios Mio!” – I kept them on. Before I could finish the water trail to my room and manage putting on a set of dry clothes she was back with a rough towel and hastily began wrapping my face and hair in it, wriggling my head around to make sure no water was left unattended to. Basically how I dry off our dog Sammy at home after he gets wet…except I didn’t try to sneak away haha.

Should be a perfect afternoon to snuggle in for siesta and finish my book. : ) Hoping the rain eases up in time for our Sangria Welcome Fiesta later!

Catedral de Seville (tower)

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

Free water. Air conditioning. Lotion. Lip gloss. Yummy gum. Free phone calls. Small insects. Simple communication. Personal space. Free ukuleles concerts… things I no longer take for granted :P

Thankfulness in Spain!

• CIEE friends who I can share crazy, “I’m clearly a foreigner” experiences with : )
• Beautiful women who: love the shade and apply sunscreen religiously, delight in chocolate gelato, laugh at incidents without becoming overwhelmed, have accents, and… put up with all my “photo op” stops
• Rachel Lisowe being SO close and SO incredible : ) Cannot wait to see this lady and make more Spain memories!!
• All of the encouraging words and updates from home- it’s only been a week or so but seems strangely longer
• My pride in being from such a fabulous state- sharing little things like bubblers, cheese curds and the Packers!
• Sarah, KK, friends and family that are going to visit me—so excited I’ll be able to share all of these adventure with you!
• The fashion. So many cute dresses and shoes- I may actually learn a thing or two here and come home wearing more than my workout attire
• History everywhere : )
• Being lost
• Street musicians
• Feeling empowered by almost everything. Everyday habits have become beautiful moments of accomplishment for me here haha- finding the flusher on the toilet, understanding my madre after only the 2nd “como?” finding the always hidden, half broken, misspelled street signs AND your location on the map, using a “mobil,” meeting up with friends at the right location and the right time
• TEX MEX Doritos!! Not the same as cool Ranch but I am one happy girl to be on the same continent as Doritos!
• Rain- Hallelujah! It sprinkled a bit today!! Daaaance time!
• Weekend trips to new places : ) 1st up- Granada!

La Torre de Oro

Plaza de Espana -2

Plaza de Espana

Ice cream in the park