January 31st–

I slept in (again) before going to this *familial* gym near my host family’s house with a friend of mine from the program. Surprisingly, the equipment did not break when we touched it, and there was some free space downstairs for abs, etc, so the close proximity will probably take precedence over luxury. (Not that equipment from the 1920s isn’t something I look for in every gym..)

I took a 20 minute bus ride each way to get a book for one of my classes, Spanish and Latin American Film. (Very high quality, comic sans-font, self-printed pages. Definitely worth the trip and 5 euros).

We took little Alvaro to soccer practice so he could show us how he was “the best soccer player ever”, just as he is the “best at everything”, which frankly is quite bold for a 7 year old (but I guess he does know everything…).

When we had to leave (because practice was over), he pouted for an entire hour about not getting to stay longer. I visited my first Spanish supermarket (Mercadona) which surprisingly had a lot of gluten free foods, including the best gf pizza. (My host mom said this is because the owner’s daughter has celiac disease).

 

February 1st–

Then, my host Mom and dog and I walked to pick up my host brother from school and it was so hot I ended up taking off my jacket (in January) for the mile there, and leaving it off for the mile walk back.

The entire program met up for a review of Spanish history before our first outing to Cordoba (especially the Arab influence in Andalucia, a region of southern Spain), including a video reconstruction of ruins. They definitely took some artistic license with some of the film, especially when they kept insisting certain people (like the visiting ambassador) would certainly have been tired, then confused, then anxious, then amazed. (This might be true, but not something I might have concluded from just the ruins themselves…)

My host dad came back from working in a different city for the week and brought the best oranges. Super sweet and juicy, very little pulpy covering.

After dinner, the group went to do karaoke in an Irish bar (super Spanish thing to do, I know). Thankfully (for myself and everyone there) this was a spectator event for me only. I took a taxi back home since I left “early” at 1:30 with a driver who said “American?” after I said “Hola” so that was great for my confidence in my pronunciation/accent/Spanish prowess. But oh well.

 

February 2nd–

*surprise* I slept in again and after 2:30 lunch met up with friends from the program at a coffee shop to work on applications for summer internships, funding for said internships, blogs (me), and so forth.

They had GF bread which was pretty yummy but, like the taxi driver (although this is likely because we spoke to each other in mostly English) the barista kept answering our Spanish questions with English replies…

I played more indoor soccer with my little host brother, worked on “sit” with the dog (or “seeet” as he only understands it with a Spanish accent) and tried to get all the dog hair off of me after he climbed into my lap.

I was going to go back to the *luxurious* gym but decided to do yoga in my room instead (as alluring as it was to walk all the way there, in the dark, for such quality).

 

Despite all the very adventurous things in the last few days (ie sleeping, the gym, more sleeping), the only new picture I have is of Neo, the dog, laying in my doorway so I couldn’t close the door and leave him in the hallway.

 

January 29th:

I slept in, after staying up later with three friends from my abroad program (since none of us have classes until Monday). After breakfast, I started walking up to the city for a meeting with the program coordinators. Luckily I left with almost an hour to spare since it took almost that long to walk all the way up to the office. (Workout for the day, check.)

I found out I placed into the level and program I was expecting via the placement test from the previous day (yay). I asked them to look into volunteer opportunities for me to do while in Spain, so we will see what I end up getting to do :).

Also waiting to hear on my finalized class schedule, but likely I will be taking (all in Spanish) Spanish speaking, marketing, politics of the EU, Spanish and Latin American film, and Spanish business. (A nice mix of things I normally wouldn’t study in the US, and hopefully will help with my Spanish language and culture skills, as well as expanding my knowledge base).

I *finally* got a bus pass, so I didn’t have to walk home for lunch (yum, as per usual). Afterwards, I took the bus back up (yay public transportation) to get more shampoo, etc (all things I didn’t bring full sized bottles, knowing I could get them here). Afterwards, I met up with friends in the program before we started walking back. On the way, we happened to pass stores for other things we were missing (a working straightener for me, contact solution for them, etc).

It was cool to see the city at night (peep the Christopher Columbus statue below) and walk by the river and see the street art.

All in all, I ended up walking 7 miles in Granada today….

 

January 30th:

Trip to Nerja/Malaga! (Nerja is a beach town next to Malaga, Spain, on the coast of the Mediterranean). I woke up a little after 7 today, eating breakfast and taking the the city bus up to the bus station to go to Nerja. I met two other friends and we slept (basically the entire) 2 hour bus ride. The mountains were huge as we drove through, around, and on them. I tried to capture a picture to give you an idea of the height, but I couldn’t fit the top and the ground in the frame.

Once there, we walked to the beach (pics below), including meeting Hugo (the Westie from England who loves, loves the beach). He flopped on his belly and let us pet him before laying in the sand and digging at the same time.

From there, we went to the Balcony of Europe (with a view of the ocean and the statue of King Alfonso– as shown with me below). After walking around, we got used books in a bookstore (mostly in Spanish) and then went to a vegetarian/gluten free cafe (the later for me and the former for my companions). I got GF cheesy pasta and later chocolate and tiramisu gelato. One thing Spain does right, besides all the food ever, is gelato. I’ve never had a flavor I didn’t love.

We saw certain monuments (the wonders of Nerja) like a rock from the caves below (pictured) and an old fishing boat (not pictured).

We walked around the city some more, stopping before at a cafe for tea before getting back on the bus and sleeping the 2 hours on the way back. I took the bus again back to my host family’s house for dinner. Afterwards, I played soccer with my little host brother (7 years old) and sat with Neo, the dog, who now follows me everywhere.

 

 

PHOTOS:

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January 27th, Sunday- Last day at the hotel. We had breakfast at the hotel before our last orientation meeting about classes, schedules, and such. Then, finally, we met our host families! Mine is a younger couple, both sweet and incredibly hospitable. They have a younger son who is 7 and loves soccer and talking.

During siesta, after lunch but before dinner, we walked around Granada with their Golden Retriever, Neo, for about an hour and walking the route to school.

My host mom is an amazing cook. So far we’ve had flavorful cod, salted and soft potatoes, and fruit. Olive oil browned chicken and turkey. Lentil soup and vegetable tomato salad.

Lunch here is at around 2:30 and dinner is usually late. Since the son has to go to bed, we eat early (8:30), but many start at 9 or 10.

 

January 28th, Monday- After breakfast, two other students and I walked with their host mom to school for our Spanish placement test. It took about 4 hours and was mostly to determine if we and chosen the right (of three) different programs here and, within those, what level grammar/language we should take.

Somehow, we found our way back on our own without getting lost, in time for lunch.

 

PHOTOS

Obligatory, artsy photo of tea, a latte, and chocolate croissant.

 

Neo the Golden Retriever

 

Fountain on a main walkway/park. Above the water you can see pomegranates, which is what Granada means in Spanish. 

 

The oldest building in Granada, now part of the University. 

 

 

Hola. Welcome to my travel blog! For those of you who don’t know I am studying abroad in Granada, Spain, this semester (Spring 2019).

January 24-25th I flew in to Madrid from Philly and was blessed with a two-seat row all to myself. Thanks to said row (and melatonin) I slept most of the way there (about 7 hours) and then the entire hour from Madrid to Granada. The second plane was so small we had to walk out, onto the tarmac, and hand our bags over before climbing the plane’s stairs.

The only issue we encountered was when asking directions to the Madrid gate, the airport employee thought we were asking about Canada instead of Granada (I guess they sound similar, but he did see our boarding passes so it remains a mystery).

Two other Swat students and I got a taxi to the hotel and somehow the driver managed to smoosh all 5 checked suitcases, 2 carry-ons, and 3 backpacks into the car. After a much needed shower (the best feeling after traveling for over half a day), the three of us found our way to a store for SIM cards (without getting lost, amazing) before a quick nap and then meeting the rest of the group for dinner. Until Sunday, when we meet our host families, we will stay at the hotel together.

There are around 18 of us, all Juniors. 15 from Brown, and the 3 of us from Swarthmore. Some speak basically no Spanish and others are fluent and taking University of Granada classes. In an effort to enjoy traveling and abroad with minimum stress, while still improving my Spanish, I am taking 5 classes in Spanish at the CLM– Centro de Lenguas Modernas– which is equivalent to 4 classes at Swat.

Everyone in the group is kind, funny, and easy-to-talk-to so far, which is a relief. It will be nice to travel together across Spain and to Morocco together, as well as doing weekly cooking classes with Spanish students so they can practice their English and we can practice our Spanish.

Dinner itself was amazing. Cheese plates with raisins and grapes and nuts. Tortilla de patatas (o tortilla española) made of eggs, potatoes, and deliciousness. Jamon Iberico (like prosciutto). Oranges and pineapple and strawberries. Croquetas and cakes for those of us who eat gluten (ie not me). (Croquetas are fried, breaded, balls of meat, cheeses, etc.) A great way to start to get to know each other and end the first day.

 

January 26th

Today was orientation. Many of us expected an overwhelming amount of information, confusion, stress, etc. But, como no pasa nada en Granada (meaning nothing “bad” happens/everything is okay), we started the day with a light breakfast at the hotel. As a group, we walked through the city to the program building where we were told about the city, safety, travel, etc, before having a break for coffee/tea and coffee cakes. Afterwards, we continued walking, seeing the Cathedral, main squares and streets, important monuments, future meeting spots, and so on, before stopping again for lunch.

Lunch was the most delicious paella (rice and either chicken, seafood, or vegetables) at El Aviso, along with a wonderfully peppery salad, thinly grilled chicken, and desert pastries (or fruit for me).

Afterwards, we were given free time before student-only dinner at the hotel. Basically the most stress-free, delicious orientation I’ve ever been to. Bonus points for the historical sites and great views.

 

I plan on updating this blog fairly regularly with my travel adventures and pictures.

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PHOTOS

The tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain. Granada was the last Arab stronghold on the peninsula, thus holding significance for them as rulers. So much so that they were initially supposed to be buried in Toledo but built this instead.

 

 

Getting all the luggage to fit in the taxi. This included strapping a hiking backpack into the front seat with a seat belt. 

 

Getting onto the tiny plane from Madrid to Granada. 

 

Madrid from above, in the morning.

 

The Granada Cathedral.

 

A typical Granada street.