Granada

 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 14^th 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. 

Panoramic shot of Granada