With only 4 more days in Granada and 7 days left in Spain I am starting to get sentimental. I love Granada. I love my host mom. I love this trip. I love these people. I of course miss America, but I would love one more month here.
Things I will miss include:
* My wonderful host mom
* My friends here
* The ability to constantly be learning Spanish
* Free tappas
* Bunelos
* Flamenco lessons
* The beautiful Sierra Nevada
The view of the Sierra Nevada from my house
I can't believe how much I have grown to love my host mom in only a few short weeks. Despite our rocky start she could not be better to be. I can't imagine how hard it must be to find food to feed such a picky eater, but she is so good to me. Sopa y Pan have become an addiction that I hope to leave in Spain when I venture back to the states. I really believe I was very blessed with Conchi as my host mom. More and more I am starting to realize that a relationship with a host mom is what you put into it. If you sit in your room you won't get to know them. It takes a lot of getting out of your comfort zone and a lot of watching tv. Apparently, most host moms are widows who don't do much more than watch TV all day. It was very easy for me for me to judge this as laziness, but I have come to realize that my host mom might just be lonely. Her family visits often because as we have learned family is the MOST important thing to Spaniards. She loves Lauren (my roomate) and I well and I will be forever grateful for how she has loved me this month. I only wish I could speak more with her. Sometimes I help her practice English words. Dog is my favorite word for her to say. With her accent it sounds a whole lot more like duck. One time i asked her how she doesn't laugh at our accents and she told me it's because she knows that it must be very hard to learn another language. I am so thankful for her patience. Also the view of the Sierra Nevada from her house doesn't help how much I will miss Spain.
Bunelos have become an everyday snack that my body hates me for, but I will worry about that later. They are a Spanish treat that is similar to a mixture between a funnel cake and a donut. I am addicted. For two euros you can buy a big container. They boy that works behind the counter just smiles when I buy them as my friends and I joke that our 2012 study abroad is lifting Spain out of their economic crisis.
While in Granada we had to big adventures one to the beach and one hiking. La Salebrana (the beach) was beautiful. I we could not have made ourselves look more like tourists though. In the 67 degree weather girls were in bikinis and a couple even took a plunge into the freezing Mediterranean see. I put my feet in...I think that counts enough. The beach lifestyle here was very similar to the lifestyle of people who live by beaches in America. Very laid back and relaxed. It took almost 2 hours to order and each our food. I even ate some fries, one of my favorite American foods to eat at the beach!
Difficult trail
Hiking was beautiful too. We chose to do a more difficult trail. We hiked through Paque de Invierno. From the top of the mountain we could see all of Granada. I am going to miss these views.
We also had our last Flamenco lesson. :( I am going to miss the fun we had. Apparently, our flamenco instructor was a gypsie...at least that is what my spanish107 professor said. Flamenco was one of the most fun times here in Spain and I recommend it to anyone who visits!
The journey to Seville was by far my favorite. It was beautiful and had one of my favorite things about American CLEAN AIR. Oh how I have missed it. Before we had reached Seville we stopped at some old Roman ruins. On top the air being clean it was beautiful. My favorite part was the remains left from the Roman coliseum. I can't imagine a time where people fought in a cage to the death against animals and other people, much less that act being the best form of entertainment. A couple students even ventured around the ruins attempting to truly experience all they could.
Royal Garden
Once we entered Seville I knew I was going to love it. Not only did they have the MOST AMAZING SHOWERS ever but it was by far the most beautiful. Some highlights of the weekend were the showers, seeing my first flamenco show, the royal garden we visited and the park we visited. One of the first places we visited was a garden. The garden in part of the property the palace is on where the king (Juan Carlos) stays when he comes to Seville. It was stunning and had so many difference influences on the garden including Italian. It is interesting to see how gardens are often supposed to represent "paradise" in this country. They are meant to remind people of Eden before the fall. Like a little piece of heaven on earth.
After the gardens we went to lunch and what was the by far the best restaurant we could have gone too. I tried tomatoes and apparently like them! That's new. We ate that and pasta alone with delicious desserts. I just kept wishing we could stay in Seville forever. When we finished lunch Inma (our guide of Spain) took us to the Plaza de España. It was spectacular. This plaza not only includes a huge beautiful fountain but also includes detailed tile creations from every province in Spain. In Spain, we learned that regionalism is more common than nationalism so I can only imagine how much time each province must have taken to design their creation. Here are a few of the places we visited....
Plaza de Espana
Flamenco dancer
We also so an authentic Flamenco show! The show included a man on a guitar, a woman singing, and a female dancer. The style was more gypsie like than traditional dance, which is amazing to see because the dancer was so passionate. They way she moved her feet was incredible. She would alternated around on her feet from tapping to stomping. It sounded amazing. I was in awe for most of the performance because if that was me I would have fallen off the stage to my death. Everything you have can be used for the beauty of Flamenco. The dancers body and strength as well as the singers voice and hands. I love the passion all three of the performers had.
After watching the show we all went out to a tappas bar. Tappas are an amazing part of spanish culture When you buy a drink you get free food. That is in most areas, however, in Seville it is different. This is because they have the best tappas because it is where they began. It is a great way to try new things and just hang out with friends. Traditionally on weekend nights Spaniards go for tappas around 10 at night, go to a pub at 12 and go to the discotechas around 2. In America, I am asleep by two. At the tappas bar I tried my first baby DEAD squid. I liked it surprisingly, but I can't get past eating a baby creature. I probably won't be eating that again.
My trying baby squid
Amanda, me, and Kat
We have had amazing weather on this trip except for ONE day. The day we had to lug our suitcases 20 minutes away from our hotel. This called for desperate measures and I took a garbage bag and created an extremely attractive (NOT really though) hat to shield myself from the rain.
I have found that with every new excursion comes a new adventure very different from the one before. Cordoba started off with some laughs when I decided I had to try and orange. It took some help from my teacher and friend Loren, who cheer- leader lifted me up near the tree. Check it out.
I will get that orange!
GOT IT!
Just a warning for those who love oranges these DON'T taste like oranges. They taste like orange lemons, which for me is great, but if you don't you will hate them. But it is still worth the fun of trying to reach them.
Beautiful arches
Our time in Cordoba was made even more interesting by our British tour guide. He was by far my favorite tour guide, not just because he knew English, but also because of his sense of humor. He made what might have just seems like another cathedral interesting with how knowledgeable he was. He first took us on a tour through La Mezquita Catedral de Cordoba. We learned that this has originally been a church and then it was a Mosque and then eventually became a cathedral. It was stunning in the building. The arches of were used to give the building a greater perception of depth, but it didn't need it because it was so massive. I am always taken aback by how much religious history each building seems to have. I love observing the differing styles used to design the building which include some very obvious Muslims designs as well as Christian ones. Our tour guide said that there was a time when Muslims, Christians, and Jews worked together, even building each others religious buildings. I feel like that has been a very important part remark that nearly all of our tour guides have made. That at one point other religions coincided with peace and how there is a strong hope for that in the future. Be warned though, it is freezing in this building in winter. So remember to wear your jacket if you ever visit!
The beautiful Patios
Amanda and I attempting to stay warm
We also got to visit the patios which are beautiful white houses that have flowers all on the walls. We learned about them in class prior to our trip and I was really excited to get to see them. Even in winter families still displayed their flowers. The man that taught use about the patios told us that families often take pride in these flowers so in the warmer months they are flattered by you attempting to peak into their house. They will even invite you in! This is of course very different from an American response. I would love to come back one day during the spring to get to see the patios in all their glory.
The awkwardness of first getting off the bus probably can’t be beat. My heart was mixed with excitement and hope as I got off the bus and saw all the host moms and dads. I knew I was looking for a 50+ year old women, but besides for that, I was lost. So we all lined up with our luggage waiting for Inma (our guide while we are here) to call our names and match us to our families. She was so excited when she saw my host mom was Conception, apparently they know each other. The walk home was quiet because Lauren (my roommate) and me aren’t the best speakers just yet. When we got home we unloaded our stuff and our host mom asked us if we were hungry. When we said we were she cooked us croquetta’s, (which is basically a Spanish mozzarella stick) with ham and cheese and fried eggs with tuna and tons of mayo. I eat none of that. I tried to explain but failed miserably. She just kept saying this is what we eat here. That first night was the hardest of the trip. I kept listening to Ginny Owens “If you want me to” to remind myself that I have already been taken care of. That even if I had to have a stomach ache everyday for 30 days or even if my host mom didn’t like me I would make it. I could not let myself forget that there is refuge in the arms of God. I knew Conception had to want this job or she would not have signed up for it. I just couldn’t understand why she wasn’t okay with me not eating the food. So that night I stayed up late and wrote her a long note about the foods I eat and don't eat. I told her that certain foods hurt my stomach. I told her this is my first time off the east coast of the United States and that I wanted to try new things and learn the language but I need her to help me. I also included a list of things I eat, as suggested by my mom. That night Lauren broke the toilet. This woman really got some great college students, right? The next morning our mom, Conchi woke us up with huge kisses thanking us for the note and saying we would be able to go to store that day to pick out food that I like so I would be able to eat. It was like night and day. What an answer to prayer! Now I couldn’t imagine Conchi being anything but the biggest sweetheart. The language barrier is still hard, because I am terrible, but I am getting better with her help. That was the whole point of this trip. The best thing is that I get little reminders of my family back home, like when Conchi always tells me to put socks on my feet or I’m going to get sick. I can’t tell you how many times my mom and grandmother have said that.
Flamenco
Since being in Granada we have done so many fun things including flamenco dancing. I have the Spanish blood just like my mom and my grandmother. We LOVE to dance. I loved learning to relate to this culture through something that I already know I love. Our instructor was so patient and encouraging and though we weren’t exactly pros our class definitely had a ton of fun.
We also visited the Alhambra which means “the red one” in Arabic. From the top of the Alhambra you could see all of Granada. My favorite so far on the trip. It even beat out Toledo. Well, at least it did until our tour guide told us the “fog” we saw was actually smog pollution. The Alhambra was built for the Muslims but in 1492, when Granada was the last province to be conquered some parts were used for catholic rulers. It is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions. The details are exquisite. I can not imagine how hard it would be to create a building like that in these days much less in the 14th century. The second best part of our visit to the Alhambra was getting to visit the Generalife. It is a palace with some of the most spectacular gardens you will ever see, including many small fountains and a wonderful view of the Alhambra.
Segovia is where the feeling of being in another country first hit nearly everyone on the trip. Madrid, though beautiful, lacks the old world feel that most of us were hoping to experience in Spain. On the drive to Segovia we past part of the Spanish country side which was absolutely spectacular. There were also deep canons and mountains to the left of the roads. The beauty is something I will never get used to. With every new destination my appreciation grows.
The first thing we saw in Segovia was the huge Aqueduct of Segovia. It is one of the biggest Roman aqueducts left standing and working and it was built without any glue or cement! They however, would never use it in winter, because it would damage the architecture. The people of Segovia have an old story of how the aqueduct was built. A young girl had to walk many miles to walk to get to water so she made a deal with the Devil. They agreed that if he could build the aqueduct in one night that she would be forced to forfeit her soul to him. However, at the last minute she realized she had made a mistake. So the young girl prayed to Mary and Mary made the sun rise earlier. The Devil has one brick left to put on when the sun rose and the night ended. So the girl kept her soul and Segovia kept the aqueduct. It might not be the most accurate story but it is definitely interesting.
Isabel's Coronation
After the aqueduct we ventured to the castle. We saw many rooms and amazing paintings. This castle was the home of Ferdinand and Isabla lived, the famous King and Queen who not only unified Spain under Catholicism, but also were viewed as equal in power. The Spanish have a saying, "Tanto monta, monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando" Meaning equal opposites in balance.
The best and the worst part of the trip wrapped into one tower of 152 steps. Steep steps. I have been eating way to much “pan” to be climbing that many stairs. After five minutes of walking up a man saw me struggling and started to laugh saying only 83 more steps left. I seriously thought I was going to have an asthma attack. I apparently when I screamed up for someone to help me a kind gentleman really thought I was in trouble. They lovely people on my trip, though only knowing me for a short time, knew enough to tell him to just ignore me. Somethings never change. (That’s a shout out to you Emily Holian) I made it though, to the top of one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Pictures can’t even explain it. I would know, I took about 40.
View from the castle
Toledo
Toledo was by far my favorite city so far. Exactly what I had always dreamed a traditional Spanish city would look like. We drove around on the bus to a stop where we could get a panoramic shot of all of it. The city is built on a mountain with a beautiful river around it. I didn’t realized how mixed natural and architectural beauty was in this country. Many famous people were born and lived in Toledo, including El Greco, who painted some one the works we saw in the Museo del Prado (my favorite museum).
We also went to see a beautiful cathedral, San Juan de los Reyes. The details were amazing, but it was a little much for me. I am used to a simple church so I have mixed feelings on if billion dollar cathedrals are to honor God or to compete with other man made beauties. Either way, I can appreciate the amount of work people must have put in to make the cathedral as beautiful as it was.
The flight has landed and we are here. I am an American girl in a foreign land. Pero no hablo Espanol. However, I am strangely comfortable here. Madrid helps, of course, because it seems so much like a more beautiful NYC. Life in Spain takes getting used to, mostly the food. I foresee a lot of bread and cheese. The two words I have to remember not to forget. Pan y queso. This is how I will survive the month with maybe a little adventure mixed in. Despite the fact that I don't love big cities Madrid contains what I think will be one of my favorite stops, Museo del Prado. Art has always fascinated me, but the painting in this one museumsimply took my breath away. I was captured by so many things. My favorite painting by far was the La Condesa de Chinchon. Andreas (our tour guide) said that this was like the Spanish Mona Lisa. I appreciate this painting as much or more than the actual Mona Lisa. The details are AMAZING to see in person. Especially the technique that Goya (the artist) used to show how her dress reflected the light. He painted her as he saw her. A helpless pregnant 19 year old girl who did not really love the man she was married to. You can see it in her eyes, posture, but most of all her smile. Attempting to peak through, but barely existing at all. He even included small details like wheat in her head dress to symbolize fertility. Every detail seems to have been covered by Goya (both psychological and physical). My next favorite painting was the Three Graces by Rubens. What captured me about this painting was not so much the detail of why it was painted but rather how. These women represented beauty when this was painted in 1636. Yet when most girls look at this painting they see the fat and cellulite. Instead of embracing those things as beautiful people feel the need to state how imperfect their bodies were. Although nude paintings aren't exactly my favorite I LOVE seeing how different beauty was then and now. Girls struggle their whole life to feel beautiful...mostly because of weight...and here are 3 of the most beautiful women in the history of art....baring all their imperfections. I have to appreciate that.
But art is not the only thing that Madrid held. I was so thankful that time was allotted to just get to know everyone. Food may have not been my favorite part, but french fries are available in nearly every country. So thank God for that. I was thankful for the hot showers in the hotel, something I was not expecting at all during this month long trip :) The hardest thing to get used to is all the smoke. Next time I come to Spain I am bringing a gas mask.
Street Performer. Actual human!
The street performers are amazing as well. I can't really believe some of them. The craziest to me are the people that freeze in place for HOURS. I can't balance for more than 5 seconds on one foot. Much less for 6 hours on one foot, leaning forward and to the side. They are crazy. But so talented. As I wondered about the city the first couple of nights I was captured by how alive EVERYTHING was even at midnight. Musicians play beautiful Spanish melodies on the street, people are everywhere, and the discotecha’s hadn’t even opened yet. When they did we ventured to the discotecha Joy. We were advised to avoid “clubs”…it apparently isn’t the same thing as it is in America. I can only imagine what it must have looked like to all the Spaniards. Twenty American students going crazy and dancing like idiots because we can. Random people were just taking pictures of us. But it was an amazing time and I even got to have some conversations with people about their lives, who knew things like that happened in discotecha’s over booming bases. I have missed dancing all night and I feel like there will be a lot more of that going on.
Inside of Joy the Discotecha
But now on to more cultural experiences....
Spain has a celebration called Three Kings Day. It is meant to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men coming and delivering presents to Christ. It ends with a huge celebrations all over Spain, but there was a huge one in Madrid with hundreds of thousands of people. Some how our group managed to get right to the front of the huge crowd! They had a parade that concluded with beautiful songs, an acrobat doing flips with a huge balloon and rope, and fireworks. I am really starting to love this country.
I am so unbelievably thankful for getting the chance to be here. Yes, there are things I miss about America, but getting to spend a month in another country will never happened again. Unless I am doing a missions trip, which won’t exactly be the same thing. I am here to learn both the language and the culture, and I cannot imagine a better trip or better people. As far as random strangers go, I think we have a pretty great group of college students. I have to admit I was a little afraid coming to Spain. After all, I am a Christian who doesn’t drink, curse, or do most things that people don’t think twice about. I was afraid people would think I was boring or stuck up. But, praise God that is not the situation. People are so great here. They even ask about my beliefs and why I chose what I did. I love talking about it and I am so grateful that people here are interested in getting to know ME and don’t want me to be something I am not. It’s just like Psalm 34:4 says,
“ I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
Thank you to all the people that are praying for me. Thank you for all of your encouraging emails and facebook messages, they have helped me so much. I love you all dearly and I miss you so much.
Bunelos have become an everyday snack that my body hates me for, but I will worry about that later. They are a Spanish treat that is similar to a mixture between a funnel cake and a donut. I am addicted. For two euros you can buy a big container. They boy that works behind the counter just smiles when I buy them as my friends and I joke that our 2012 study abroad is lifting Spain out of their economic crisis. 
While in Granada we had to big adventures one to the beach and one hiking. La Salebrana (the beach) was beautiful. I we could not have made ourselves look more like tourists though. In the 67 degree weather girls were in bikinis and a couple even took a plunge into the freezing Mediterranean see. I put my feet in...I think that counts enough. The beach lifestyle here was very similar to the lifestyle of people who live by beaches in America. Very laid back and relaxed. It took almost 2 hours to order and each our food. I even ate some fries, one of my favorite American foods to eat at the beach!
