Que bendito.
Let's start with the good shall we?
So today was the first day of classes. It went pretty well. The day started at 8:15, with breakfast, again, pan tostada y cafe con leche. Fue bien.
My first class was at 9:30, I was late... but it was fine. I couldn't understand my professor for the first 15 minutes of class, but after a while I understood. He seems like a cool guy, a poet at heart kind of deal. He's really into Spanish literature, which is a good thing, because that's the class he teaches.
After my first class I went home in the dry desert arizona hot as balls heat.
I got home, tired from the lack of sleep and laid down for about an hour, maybe more.
I woke up around 1:30 to the smell of paella. My. Favorite. Spanish. Food. The mom asked me if I was ready for lunch, and as I'm always hungry, my obvious answer was yes. A hadn't shown up yet from school so we started without her. Our host mom's brother showed up right as we sat down and he joined the table. Because I'm shy around people I just smiled and nodded when we were introduced. While we all were eating and talking about nothing important A showed up and showed me up a little by greeting the brother with a "Mucho gusto" which is the Spanish way of saying "Pleased to meet you."
So after that kick in the balls, I got my stuff ready for class. A and I walked together and made it on time for her last class and my last two. It was pretty awesome. My last two classes are taught by the same person and I really like her. She follows a lot of the same teachings that Paulo Friere talks about in Pedagogy of the Oppressed...never thought I'd reference that one.
Anyway, class was pretty awesome. I really like both of my teachers and all of the people in my classes seem pretty nice. :)
So after all the classes I tried to meet up with C and M. We've been trying to go out almost every day, but we haven't been able to for various reasons. We were going to tonight, but alas, I'm acquiring a sinus infection and the last thing I need is more fresh air, that and I couldn't get in touch with them anyway. So my room mate A showed up while W and I were talking at the school. She said that she, H and G were all going to tapas and cerveza and that I should meet them.
After a few minutes of talking with W we both obliged and headed down to sit with them. I tried to order the most amazing sangria ever again, but theirs sucked... so I didn't drink all of it. A, H and G were all pretty toasted by the time I got there and I didn't have the nerve to be around it so W and I left together because we live in the same general direction. She's in all of my classes so we have a very similar schedule. We just walked around talking and ended up agreeing that our college kind of sucks and that our professors need some scheduling help.
Then, in my room, I texted both my parent's and asked them to Skype so that I could talk to them about various issues I've been having and how I want to move in with my friend instead of living with A, because we do not really mesh well, but I really love my host mom. Her family is awesome, and she's such a nice lady, but I really can not live in the same room with this girl.
Ugh. I'm going to stop writing about it, if you want real details, ask me on facebook.
Now, ahora, I'm sitting on my bed writing for my faithful readers, whoever you are, and A keeps telling me that despite the fact that my brain might explode tonight I should totally still go our because everyone else is... right.
I love Espana, but this... kind of sucks.
Que es la vida.
Buenas Noches
<3
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Culture Shock and a Cool Urban Legend.
Okay, so while I admire the beauty of the language, geography and architecture in Spain... I can't seem to wrap my head around certain parts of the culture. I see why people in America think that people in Europe are rude. They're really not, it's just that in American we're so oppressed by the need to be politically correct that we forget that it's okay to not say 'excuse me' or 'sorry' when you bump into someone. Especially because nine times out of ten, it's their fault anyway.
My favorite word in Spanish is 'perdóname', meaning excuse me, or please let me through. Here, it's rarely said. People will nudge you out of the way, or simply tell you to move before they even consider saying perdóname... It's kind of sad really, but only because it's my favorite word.
I've really gotten accustomed to it though in the past two days. All the walking we've been doing and all the times I've tried to use perdóname effectively, and failed, have taught me that it's totally okay to not say excuse me.
Hear me Americans? It's totally okay.
And in restaurants! In America, it's all about customer service. Here, if you need a refill (which isn't gratis, free) you have to ask for it. They aren't going to come by with an endless pitcher of water. You better be ready to pay the extra euro,50 if you're still thirsty after the first one. And while in America the server will leave the ticket for you way before you're ready to leave, here they pretty much forget you exist, let alone your tab, so you have to ask for everything.
It's not rude. It's just the way that they are.
Time to break the stereotype people!
Flirting is the same. :)
Anyway, the really cool legend I was refering to in the title.
So at the Alhambra we talked about how the Christan's overtook the Muslims forever ago, I forgot which siglo (century).
So the legend goes:
When the Christian's took over the Alhambra, and all the Muslims fled the country, some stayed behind but went underground. While they were underground they fell into a deep sleep and are still sleeping there today.
The legend says that one day the ground will shake and open underneath the Alhambra and all of the sleeping Muslims will return to Spain and take their places again in the Alhambra.
... Granted, the woman who told me this legend said it with a lot more detail, but that's the basic jist of it all.
I'll write again tonight about my first day of classes, and hopefully about going out to a bar. Haven't done that yet... but I want more Spanish Sangria!!! :)
Bunas Tardes
<3
My favorite word in Spanish is 'perdóname', meaning excuse me, or please let me through. Here, it's rarely said. People will nudge you out of the way, or simply tell you to move before they even consider saying perdóname... It's kind of sad really, but only because it's my favorite word.
I've really gotten accustomed to it though in the past two days. All the walking we've been doing and all the times I've tried to use perdóname effectively, and failed, have taught me that it's totally okay to not say excuse me.
Hear me Americans? It's totally okay.
And in restaurants! In America, it's all about customer service. Here, if you need a refill (which isn't gratis, free) you have to ask for it. They aren't going to come by with an endless pitcher of water. You better be ready to pay the extra euro,50 if you're still thirsty after the first one. And while in America the server will leave the ticket for you way before you're ready to leave, here they pretty much forget you exist, let alone your tab, so you have to ask for everything.
It's not rude. It's just the way that they are.
Time to break the stereotype people!
Flirting is the same. :)
Anyway, the really cool legend I was refering to in the title.
So at the Alhambra we talked about how the Christan's overtook the Muslims forever ago, I forgot which siglo (century).
So the legend goes:
When the Christian's took over the Alhambra, and all the Muslims fled the country, some stayed behind but went underground. While they were underground they fell into a deep sleep and are still sleeping there today.
The legend says that one day the ground will shake and open underneath the Alhambra and all of the sleeping Muslims will return to Spain and take their places again in the Alhambra.
... Granted, the woman who told me this legend said it with a lot more detail, but that's the basic jist of it all.
I'll write again tonight about my first day of classes, and hopefully about going out to a bar. Haven't done that yet... but I want more Spanish Sangria!!! :)
Bunas Tardes
<3
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Granada, Day 4
Today was a great day.
I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night, so I'm really hoping that I get a lot tonight.
After minimal sleep, yet again, I woke up to my host mom asking me what I wanted for breakfast.
Por supuesto, I had café con leche and pan tostada. (Padre, this is where you say MAS PAN!) Ha!
It was so good! The marmalade here is so much better than in EEUU. (USA in Spanish)
I had strawberry jam this morning, I almost licked the jar. The daughter, "I", told me that she loves strawberry jam too, pero only a little.
We watched Phineas y Ferb, in español. :) 'Twas epic. :) Perry sounds the same, shocker there...
But the rest of the voices aren't as annoying as they are in the states, so it's watchable for more than like, 10 minutes. "I" made fun of me because I like all the things that she does... again, shes 7... I'm 20.
My madre asked me if we had plans today because she makes us lunch every day, which is amazing. I knew we had plans so I told her we should be back for Almuerzo but we had something to do after our classes... I was wrong.
A and I left for school on the 20 minute walk, up hill, both ways... yaddah yaddah, and made it to school just in time for our placement exams at 9:00 am, which weren't completed until 12:30 or so... it was long... que larga.
After, I thought we would have time for lunch, however our Directadora told us that we needed to meet at 2:00 for news about the day. So, I didn't have time for lunch with my family. I power walked back to the apartment to leave a note for the madre to tell her and then power walked my less than happy behind back to the school. I went to a café next to the school and bought pan tostada con tomates and café con leche.
Then we went into the escuela to talk to the profesora, then the directora de Granada University came in and talked to our profesora saying that it wasn't okay for us to miss lunch. Which it wasn't because I need food... mucho.
"You won't like me when I'm hungry."
So after this meeting we had the opportunity to leave, but we had to be back at school at 3:30... The meeting ended at 2:30.. so we had an hour. Mind you, I live 20 minutes away, and couldn't make it there and back with time for lunch in time to catch the bus. Que. Bendito. (Damn)
I was very upset, but another student at the school, W, showed myself and a few other students a small little cafeteria where they made toco style things? They were delicious, and pretty cheap. So overall, I only spend like, 7 E on food. Not bad.
After I got over my hangry-ness, I talked with everyone about what we were planning to do during the program for free weekends and what we wanted to do after the program. Everyone has really good plans, I like mine the best. Claro.
Anyway, we got on the bus to go to the "Al-hambra." It's a Muslim style palace that got converted into a Christian style palace later in history. It was so beautiful! The outside is sort of a facade. It's dark brown and dirty looking, and nothing spectacular. The front door kind of reminds me of Aladdin. Anyway, it was a complete facade. I walked through the doors and my jaw dropped. The room we entered was covered with tiles of different colors and styles and there was different types of architecture and I didn't know what to take a picture of first. Everything was so old, so antique, so different, it was amazing.
Anyway, there was a lot of that. It's a pretty breathtaking kind of place. However, it was such a big place with three palaces inside and copious amounts of greenery, with lots of gardens and other pretty things, and now I'm pretty sure I have blisters on the bottom of my feet, because the soles of my sandals don't go well with cobblestone walk ways.
I've uploaded a bunch of pictures to my facebook so that I can keep track of everything, but the internet isn't totally cooperating. If I need, I can just re-post all of them when I get home.
Anwyays!
So after the crazy amount of walking we did, I realized that I hadn't eaten much throughout the day and I'd burned a lot of calories. Hangry Megan strikes again!
So I sat on the bus. Grumpy. Tired. and Hungry. H, a guy in my group, started talking to me about really pointless things in Spanish, so I amused him, and watched the Españolas next to me stare in curiosity as we spoke in English and Spanish back and forth, switching between the two when we couldn't find the right words.
Jealous. Bitches. :)
So, when we finally reached our bus stop, everyone got out and we went to get Helado, at the only Heladaría that doesn't use leche! I got a Horchata, (Ethan, be jealous, it's way better than that powder junk) which was amazing, but it could have used a LITTLE cinnamon, and everyone else got ice cream.
Exciting hu?
After that we had to yet again return to school. We got our Horarios (schedules) and I'm pretty happy with the classes I have and the times! I have a really nice break between my first two classes. After we all got our horarios C and M and I were talking a little and I said "I can't wait for Corpus Cristi, the lights in the streets are really pretty." and then they both started laughing hysterically. I looked at both of them super self consciously and M replied with "We both thought those were Christmas lights that they never took down!" ...
Que Bendito.
So after an amazingly refreshing laugh, A and I returned to the apartment, the smell of dinner wafting down the hall, We had broccoli, and fried ham stuffed with cheese. Sound gross? It's not. It's delicious. I wanted to ask for more, but everyone else seemed content with their plate so I opted for two pieces of bread. (Again, Padre, this is where you say Mas Pan!)
I finally got a full shower in after Cena (dinner) which was amazing. CENTRALIZED WATER HEATER! And the Heavens opened and the angels sang. AMEN!
:)
I'm really starting to like it here.
Cadiz has my heart, but Granada... It's starting to take a close second.
Buenas Noches
<3
I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night, so I'm really hoping that I get a lot tonight.
After minimal sleep, yet again, I woke up to my host mom asking me what I wanted for breakfast.
Por supuesto, I had café con leche and pan tostada. (Padre, this is where you say MAS PAN!) Ha!
It was so good! The marmalade here is so much better than in EEUU. (USA in Spanish)
I had strawberry jam this morning, I almost licked the jar. The daughter, "I", told me that she loves strawberry jam too, pero only a little.
We watched Phineas y Ferb, in español. :) 'Twas epic. :) Perry sounds the same, shocker there...
But the rest of the voices aren't as annoying as they are in the states, so it's watchable for more than like, 10 minutes. "I" made fun of me because I like all the things that she does... again, shes 7... I'm 20.
My madre asked me if we had plans today because she makes us lunch every day, which is amazing. I knew we had plans so I told her we should be back for Almuerzo but we had something to do after our classes... I was wrong.
A and I left for school on the 20 minute walk, up hill, both ways... yaddah yaddah, and made it to school just in time for our placement exams at 9:00 am, which weren't completed until 12:30 or so... it was long... que larga.
After, I thought we would have time for lunch, however our Directadora told us that we needed to meet at 2:00 for news about the day. So, I didn't have time for lunch with my family. I power walked back to the apartment to leave a note for the madre to tell her and then power walked my less than happy behind back to the school. I went to a café next to the school and bought pan tostada con tomates and café con leche.
Then we went into the escuela to talk to the profesora, then the directora de Granada University came in and talked to our profesora saying that it wasn't okay for us to miss lunch. Which it wasn't because I need food... mucho.
"You won't like me when I'm hungry."
So after this meeting we had the opportunity to leave, but we had to be back at school at 3:30... The meeting ended at 2:30.. so we had an hour. Mind you, I live 20 minutes away, and couldn't make it there and back with time for lunch in time to catch the bus. Que. Bendito. (Damn)
I was very upset, but another student at the school, W, showed myself and a few other students a small little cafeteria where they made toco style things? They were delicious, and pretty cheap. So overall, I only spend like, 7 E on food. Not bad.
After I got over my hangry-ness, I talked with everyone about what we were planning to do during the program for free weekends and what we wanted to do after the program. Everyone has really good plans, I like mine the best. Claro.
Anyway, we got on the bus to go to the "Al-hambra." It's a Muslim style palace that got converted into a Christian style palace later in history. It was so beautiful! The outside is sort of a facade. It's dark brown and dirty looking, and nothing spectacular. The front door kind of reminds me of Aladdin. Anyway, it was a complete facade. I walked through the doors and my jaw dropped. The room we entered was covered with tiles of different colors and styles and there was different types of architecture and I didn't know what to take a picture of first. Everything was so old, so antique, so different, it was amazing.
Anyway, there was a lot of that. It's a pretty breathtaking kind of place. However, it was such a big place with three palaces inside and copious amounts of greenery, with lots of gardens and other pretty things, and now I'm pretty sure I have blisters on the bottom of my feet, because the soles of my sandals don't go well with cobblestone walk ways.
I've uploaded a bunch of pictures to my facebook so that I can keep track of everything, but the internet isn't totally cooperating. If I need, I can just re-post all of them when I get home.
Anwyays!
So after the crazy amount of walking we did, I realized that I hadn't eaten much throughout the day and I'd burned a lot of calories. Hangry Megan strikes again!
So I sat on the bus. Grumpy. Tired. and Hungry. H, a guy in my group, started talking to me about really pointless things in Spanish, so I amused him, and watched the Españolas next to me stare in curiosity as we spoke in English and Spanish back and forth, switching between the two when we couldn't find the right words.
Jealous. Bitches. :)
So, when we finally reached our bus stop, everyone got out and we went to get Helado, at the only Heladaría that doesn't use leche! I got a Horchata, (Ethan, be jealous, it's way better than that powder junk) which was amazing, but it could have used a LITTLE cinnamon, and everyone else got ice cream.
Exciting hu?
After that we had to yet again return to school. We got our Horarios (schedules) and I'm pretty happy with the classes I have and the times! I have a really nice break between my first two classes. After we all got our horarios C and M and I were talking a little and I said "I can't wait for Corpus Cristi, the lights in the streets are really pretty." and then they both started laughing hysterically. I looked at both of them super self consciously and M replied with "We both thought those were Christmas lights that they never took down!" ...
Que Bendito.
So after an amazingly refreshing laugh, A and I returned to the apartment, the smell of dinner wafting down the hall, We had broccoli, and fried ham stuffed with cheese. Sound gross? It's not. It's delicious. I wanted to ask for more, but everyone else seemed content with their plate so I opted for two pieces of bread. (Again, Padre, this is where you say Mas Pan!)
I finally got a full shower in after Cena (dinner) which was amazing. CENTRALIZED WATER HEATER! And the Heavens opened and the angels sang. AMEN!
:)
I'm really starting to like it here.
Cadiz has my heart, but Granada... It's starting to take a close second.
Buenas Noches
<3
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Granada, Day 3
First off, I can not believe that it's only day three in Spain.
I feel like I've been here a week, but in the best way possible.
I'm super tired, and super hungry, and getting that grimy feeling on my skin that I normally get after a regatta, only my rowing friends will understand that, and I'm starting to smell like Spain. Well, Spain with deodorant.
Let me start with why this week has felt so long.
It's due to the sleep habit that I've accumulated. Too much, too little, too often, not frequent enough. You name it, I have the problem. Three hour siestas and one hour at night... no bueno.
I've had weird dreams too. Some in Spanish, some just plain weird. I had one yesterday that revolved entirely around Avatar: The Legend of Korra... I've only seen three episodes of that one....
Anyway, the lack of sleep is part of it, also we do so much in one day. We haven't even started classes yet but I've learned SO MUCH!
Today we got on an Autobús and took the five hour journey from Madrid to Granada. Talk. About. Horrible. At least there wasn't a screaming kid in front of me. I got super carsick because Spain is so hilly. I felt like I was on the Goliath ride from six flags after the huge hill and just riding the small ones. BLEH!
After the strenuous journey through desert and mountain landscapes alike, which looked strangely like Arizona, we arrived at the Estacion de Autobúses. A and I, my new room mate here in Granada, got a taxi and headed out to our host familia. When we got here, I said "Hola, Sra. Teresa? Soy Megan -" "Ah! Benvenidos-" BRRRRRR. And we were welcomed in.
This. Place. Is. Huge.
The apartment complex itself 8 stories, with 10 apartments each.
The apartment we are in has 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room/dining room. There are two balconies and everything is a stone type floor. Each bedroom has 2 beds so that more people can stay here. (I've already been welcomed to return when I come back for the fall. ) A and I are sharing the 'Dormitorio Azul" -- Blue Room. There's going to be pictures on Facebook soon, keep a look out.
There are two other girls here, D and T, they keep to themselves, but we still have six weeks, who knows what's going to happen.
The Madre here is super nice! She cooks amazing food, and enough to fill us up. She seems to have a big heart and a welcoming personality. She speaks Spanish to me and I feel like she's slowly speeding up as she talks to me, hoping that I'll become more fluent.
Oh! My biggest pride booster ever, the daughter, I, who is 7 going on 8 in a few weeks, told me that I speak Spanish very well. I can't say that I've been more proud of myself.
When kids here say that you speak good Spanish, you know it's true because the kids don't want to talk to people who can't speak their language. Como in America, when I was a kid, if I couldn't understand your English, I didn't want to talk to you... same thing. :)
I'm proud.
Anyway, we had a pretty big lunch, pollo con patatas fritas. (Chicken and french fries) HOME MADE FRENCH FRIES! Mouth. Gasm.
It. Was. Delish.
After that A and I unpacked our stuff. A took about an hour, I took about 20 minutes, that shows the differences in how much stuff we both brought.
Then we went on a tour of Granada to find the Centro de Lenguas Modernas en la Universidad de Granada. It's about a 20 minute walk from our apartment, but it's not a bad walk at all. After being in down town Atlanta for two years, this place ain't got nothing on me. :)
But the place looks really nice. It's very similar to the school I was at Summer of 2010. Open air kind of place, a big courtyard surrounded by a two story building with open walk ways that lead to classes. Think small harry potter. Very. Small. Harry. Potter... scratch that. Hogwarts is awesome, this place is just cool.
But I digress.
On the walk back we found a Heladería, that had ice cream SIN LECHE!!! Lactose free ice cream. I've never been so happy. I ate some orange ice cream, that literally tasted like it was an orange frozen and pureed. It was awesome.
On the way back I found a shirt that I HAVE to get my brother. No spoilers, its a surprise. :)
Now we're back in our apartment, about to have dinner, and I'm heading to take a shower.
Placement test tomorrow and lots of actividades. :)
Me encanta España
Buenas Tardes
<3
I feel like I've been here a week, but in the best way possible.
I'm super tired, and super hungry, and getting that grimy feeling on my skin that I normally get after a regatta, only my rowing friends will understand that, and I'm starting to smell like Spain. Well, Spain with deodorant.
Let me start with why this week has felt so long.
It's due to the sleep habit that I've accumulated. Too much, too little, too often, not frequent enough. You name it, I have the problem. Three hour siestas and one hour at night... no bueno.
I've had weird dreams too. Some in Spanish, some just plain weird. I had one yesterday that revolved entirely around Avatar: The Legend of Korra... I've only seen three episodes of that one....
Anyway, the lack of sleep is part of it, also we do so much in one day. We haven't even started classes yet but I've learned SO MUCH!
Today we got on an Autobús and took the five hour journey from Madrid to Granada. Talk. About. Horrible. At least there wasn't a screaming kid in front of me. I got super carsick because Spain is so hilly. I felt like I was on the Goliath ride from six flags after the huge hill and just riding the small ones. BLEH!
After the strenuous journey through desert and mountain landscapes alike, which looked strangely like Arizona, we arrived at the Estacion de Autobúses. A and I, my new room mate here in Granada, got a taxi and headed out to our host familia. When we got here, I said "Hola, Sra. Teresa? Soy Megan -" "Ah! Benvenidos-" BRRRRRR. And we were welcomed in.
This. Place. Is. Huge.
The apartment complex itself 8 stories, with 10 apartments each.
The apartment we are in has 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room/dining room. There are two balconies and everything is a stone type floor. Each bedroom has 2 beds so that more people can stay here. (I've already been welcomed to return when I come back for the fall. ) A and I are sharing the 'Dormitorio Azul" -- Blue Room. There's going to be pictures on Facebook soon, keep a look out.
There are two other girls here, D and T, they keep to themselves, but we still have six weeks, who knows what's going to happen.
The Madre here is super nice! She cooks amazing food, and enough to fill us up. She seems to have a big heart and a welcoming personality. She speaks Spanish to me and I feel like she's slowly speeding up as she talks to me, hoping that I'll become more fluent.
Oh! My biggest pride booster ever, the daughter, I, who is 7 going on 8 in a few weeks, told me that I speak Spanish very well. I can't say that I've been more proud of myself.
When kids here say that you speak good Spanish, you know it's true because the kids don't want to talk to people who can't speak their language. Como in America, when I was a kid, if I couldn't understand your English, I didn't want to talk to you... same thing. :)
I'm proud.
Anyway, we had a pretty big lunch, pollo con patatas fritas. (Chicken and french fries) HOME MADE FRENCH FRIES! Mouth. Gasm.
It. Was. Delish.
After that A and I unpacked our stuff. A took about an hour, I took about 20 minutes, that shows the differences in how much stuff we both brought.
Then we went on a tour of Granada to find the Centro de Lenguas Modernas en la Universidad de Granada. It's about a 20 minute walk from our apartment, but it's not a bad walk at all. After being in down town Atlanta for two years, this place ain't got nothing on me. :)
But the place looks really nice. It's very similar to the school I was at Summer of 2010. Open air kind of place, a big courtyard surrounded by a two story building with open walk ways that lead to classes. Think small harry potter. Very. Small. Harry. Potter... scratch that. Hogwarts is awesome, this place is just cool.
But I digress.
On the walk back we found a Heladería, that had ice cream SIN LECHE!!! Lactose free ice cream. I've never been so happy. I ate some orange ice cream, that literally tasted like it was an orange frozen and pureed. It was awesome.
On the way back I found a shirt that I HAVE to get my brother. No spoilers, its a surprise. :)
Now we're back in our apartment, about to have dinner, and I'm heading to take a shower.
Placement test tomorrow and lots of actividades. :)
Me encanta España
Buenas Tardes
<3
Monday, May 28, 2012
Madrid, Day 2
Today started off very early. I went to breakfast with my room mates C and M. We walked around for a while to find the same place that we had Tapas the day before.
We found the restaurant "Casa Merina...?" No estoy segura. But we had a pretty good breakfast. I had a tortilla con patatas y pan (eggs with potatoes and bread) which was somewhat mediocre, but expected. We had a bit of a culture shock, because we're all used to the customer service in America. But here, it's not all about customer service... however, we were treated quite well at every other place we went to. C thinks it's a personal thing... que loca. ;)
Despues (after), we went back to the Hotel to meet up with the group and went to the Museo de Prado for a tour of the kings art collection. It was amazing. There were a few pieces that I really loved, como "la juicio de paris" or "the judgement of paris" where he chooses between three goddesses, the goddess of love, war and finance. Of course he chooses love, and ends up with Helen of Troy... go watch the movie if you don't know what I'm talking about.
http://sobreleyendas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/el_juicio_de_paris.jpg
^^ that's the image that I love.
When we left the Museo, we sat outside for a while and this man came up to us and asked us if we would help him make his big ball of yarn that over 1,000,000 people had already helped with. It was a ball of yarn standing about 2 feet tall weighing in at about 50 pounds, maybe more. A bunch of little kids were trying to pick it up and it took about five of them all together to lift it above their heads. So we started knotting together strings. A little boy, who thought himself a savant of knot tying, told a little girl to go away and that he could do it. When the ropes fell to the ground as he finished his "knot" the little girl said, stone cold, "perfectamente." HAHA! What an attitude right? He responded quickly with a 'callate' or something along those lines, and then walked over to criticize mine and M's knot... nice kids they got here in Spain.
After the Museo, we went as a group for Almuerzo, lunch, and found a nifty place that offered 3 courses and a drink for 10E. Which is 'barato' or cheap. So we all ate there. It was a quaint hole in the wall kind of place off of a road that didn't seem to get much traffic, except for the people who lived in the Hostel above the place. It held about 30 people max, and the kitchen was right there, beside the tables! Que preciosa!
The man serving our tables was so nice. He got our order, brought us our drink and without missing a beat brought us a basket of fresh bread and olive oil.
C and I got Arroz Cubano which we thought would be a side portion of rice. No. Amigos, we were served a place the size of my face filled to the brim with rice covered in a yummy meat sauce that was closer to sloppy joe's than spaghetti sauce, but it was way better than any of that, and on TOP of that were two fried eggs.
I. Was. In. Heaven.
I scarfed down my place in what felt like five minutes and before the words "Estoy llena" (I'm full) could leave my lips, my plate of Salmón reached the table. Dios Mio.
The look on my face when the plate arrived probably said it all. I now see why the Spaniards take about 2 hours for lunch. M and I both looked at each other in dismay and started on our plates of salmon. She had a salad though, so I think it might have been a little easier to eat. However, My friends were delicious. The salmon was better than I could have imagined and the rest of the food, ay dios. No tengo palabras.
Anyway, after lunch my room mates and I took a 2 1/2 hour cieseta. :) Viva España :)
After we woke up we went to the lobby to meet with the group to go to the park, and it was amazing. I felt like a total tourist because I was taking so many pictures! But the park was BEAUTIFUL! It was long walk ways with small jardins in the middle of all of the walkways with red flowers and fountains at every cross road. In the middle there was a pond.. lake? Something, large enough to row in, not like, olympic or anything, but lots of row boats.
There were lots of people, and a book fair going on, with 300+ vendors in the middle of the park! It was so awesome. I bought a book called "Perdona pero quiero casar contigo" which means, "Pardon me, but I want to marry you." It seems cute, and it's long enough to get me through the semester and then some.
After the book shop we all walked around to go find somewhere to get Tapas, or appetizers, and drinks to pretend that we were all Españoles.
We walked around and Doctora said she knew a place with great Tapas and good beer, so of course, we followed our profesora, who happened to be a local. When we got into the Barro we were greeted by a very nice young indian looking man, me gusta, who was very polite, me gusta muhco, and he showed us to our tables. He handed us all menu's and asked us what we would like to eat, I tried my best to eye flirt as I ordered in hopes of a free sample of something or other, and while I didn't get free food, I got a fun eye flirting session for the rest of the stay in the Barro.
After an AMAZING tortilla and even better Sangria, mis amigos y yo left the barro, after Mr. Guapo himself said a personal farewell and eyed me as I walked past. :)
Spain is now the city of love, screw Italy.
After we left we were swarmed by business men everywhere asking us if we wanted free shots, so we happily obliged man #1, and headed to this nifty bar right outside the Plaza de Santa Ana. After a Watermelon flavored shot and some awkward dance moves shared by all, we left for the Hotel.
We're now in the hotel. Swapping stories with families and getting ready to catch up on sleep, in order to prepare for the long bus ride for tomorrow.
Heading to Granada!!
Buenas noches amorados. :)
<3
We found the restaurant "Casa Merina...?" No estoy segura. But we had a pretty good breakfast. I had a tortilla con patatas y pan (eggs with potatoes and bread) which was somewhat mediocre, but expected. We had a bit of a culture shock, because we're all used to the customer service in America. But here, it's not all about customer service... however, we were treated quite well at every other place we went to. C thinks it's a personal thing... que loca. ;)
Despues (after), we went back to the Hotel to meet up with the group and went to the Museo de Prado for a tour of the kings art collection. It was amazing. There were a few pieces that I really loved, como "la juicio de paris" or "the judgement of paris" where he chooses between three goddesses, the goddess of love, war and finance. Of course he chooses love, and ends up with Helen of Troy... go watch the movie if you don't know what I'm talking about.
http://sobreleyendas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/el_juicio_de_paris.jpg
^^ that's the image that I love.
When we left the Museo, we sat outside for a while and this man came up to us and asked us if we would help him make his big ball of yarn that over 1,000,000 people had already helped with. It was a ball of yarn standing about 2 feet tall weighing in at about 50 pounds, maybe more. A bunch of little kids were trying to pick it up and it took about five of them all together to lift it above their heads. So we started knotting together strings. A little boy, who thought himself a savant of knot tying, told a little girl to go away and that he could do it. When the ropes fell to the ground as he finished his "knot" the little girl said, stone cold, "perfectamente." HAHA! What an attitude right? He responded quickly with a 'callate' or something along those lines, and then walked over to criticize mine and M's knot... nice kids they got here in Spain.
After the Museo, we went as a group for Almuerzo, lunch, and found a nifty place that offered 3 courses and a drink for 10E. Which is 'barato' or cheap. So we all ate there. It was a quaint hole in the wall kind of place off of a road that didn't seem to get much traffic, except for the people who lived in the Hostel above the place. It held about 30 people max, and the kitchen was right there, beside the tables! Que preciosa!
The man serving our tables was so nice. He got our order, brought us our drink and without missing a beat brought us a basket of fresh bread and olive oil.
C and I got Arroz Cubano which we thought would be a side portion of rice. No. Amigos, we were served a place the size of my face filled to the brim with rice covered in a yummy meat sauce that was closer to sloppy joe's than spaghetti sauce, but it was way better than any of that, and on TOP of that were two fried eggs.
I. Was. In. Heaven.
I scarfed down my place in what felt like five minutes and before the words "Estoy llena" (I'm full) could leave my lips, my plate of Salmón reached the table. Dios Mio.
The look on my face when the plate arrived probably said it all. I now see why the Spaniards take about 2 hours for lunch. M and I both looked at each other in dismay and started on our plates of salmon. She had a salad though, so I think it might have been a little easier to eat. However, My friends were delicious. The salmon was better than I could have imagined and the rest of the food, ay dios. No tengo palabras.
Anyway, after lunch my room mates and I took a 2 1/2 hour cieseta. :) Viva España :)
After we woke up we went to the lobby to meet with the group to go to the park, and it was amazing. I felt like a total tourist because I was taking so many pictures! But the park was BEAUTIFUL! It was long walk ways with small jardins in the middle of all of the walkways with red flowers and fountains at every cross road. In the middle there was a pond.. lake? Something, large enough to row in, not like, olympic or anything, but lots of row boats.
There were lots of people, and a book fair going on, with 300+ vendors in the middle of the park! It was so awesome. I bought a book called "Perdona pero quiero casar contigo" which means, "Pardon me, but I want to marry you." It seems cute, and it's long enough to get me through the semester and then some.
After the book shop we all walked around to go find somewhere to get Tapas, or appetizers, and drinks to pretend that we were all Españoles.
We walked around and Doctora said she knew a place with great Tapas and good beer, so of course, we followed our profesora, who happened to be a local. When we got into the Barro we were greeted by a very nice young indian looking man, me gusta, who was very polite, me gusta muhco, and he showed us to our tables. He handed us all menu's and asked us what we would like to eat, I tried my best to eye flirt as I ordered in hopes of a free sample of something or other, and while I didn't get free food, I got a fun eye flirting session for the rest of the stay in the Barro.
After an AMAZING tortilla and even better Sangria, mis amigos y yo left the barro, after Mr. Guapo himself said a personal farewell and eyed me as I walked past. :)
Spain is now the city of love, screw Italy.
After we left we were swarmed by business men everywhere asking us if we wanted free shots, so we happily obliged man #1, and headed to this nifty bar right outside the Plaza de Santa Ana. After a Watermelon flavored shot and some awkward dance moves shared by all, we left for the Hotel.
We're now in the hotel. Swapping stories with families and getting ready to catch up on sleep, in order to prepare for the long bus ride for tomorrow.
Heading to Granada!!
Buenas noches amorados. :)
<3
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Madrid, Day 1
Day 1:
Madrid.
Today we landed in the aeropuerto, got on a few different metro trains, which are very easy to navigate, and made it to our hotel. Liabeny Hotel.
It's an upper-class hotel in the center of Madrid, al lado de the Sol station. It's pretty nice. Hot water comfy beds, air conditioning... I'm expecting none of these in Granada.
Today we had a break from the time we go to the Hotel, aprox. 10:00 local time, until 3:45pm. Needless to say, everyone zonked out and slept until 3:00. A select few slept past then and were left behind.
At 4:00 we left and headed to the Palacio Real. Which is the Royal Palace in Spain. Home of the Rey y Reina. :) It was mildly boring, but pretty educational.
It's a big white palace resembling what I first thought the white house would look like, big, grandiose, large pillars lining the front, marble build, statues out front resembling saints, moorish architecture in the outlining walkways and stone stairs leading to the entrance. It was beautiful, covered with gold accents on windows and at balconies. The architecture was amazing and the art was as well.
There was a room which I loved in the palace which happened to be dedicated to planets, in an odd way. It was really cool. Pink walls, 9 statues representing the planets and pale pink accents everywhere... heaven. :)
The Armaria Real, located in the basement of the palace, was a little weird. Lots of suits of armors and lots of horses covered in armor as well... nothing magical, just historical. Interesting, but weird.
After that, since everyone slept through breakfast and lunch, we headed over to a place to find real Spanish food... which took way longer than expected. We finally found a place and sat down for about an hour talking, eating, and having fun. I had a calamari sandwich on a nice loaf of white bread and some coquettes de jamón.
Yumm.
After that we all kind of went on an adventure to find a park that we couldn't locate on a map well enough to find... so after walking for about 45 more minutes in the opposite direction of the Hotel we started to walk back.
Instead I headed off with two guys from the group G and H. We found a nice little bar, sat and talked over beers and just hung out.
On our way back it got dark, so needless to say we got lost... for about an hour.
Now I'm back in my room, much more learned about the geography of Madrid and ready to pass out. Talking to C and M about what we're doing tomorrow for desayuno.
:)
Jet lag sucks. Spain does not.
Buenas Noches
<3
Madrid.
Today we landed in the aeropuerto, got on a few different metro trains, which are very easy to navigate, and made it to our hotel. Liabeny Hotel.
It's an upper-class hotel in the center of Madrid, al lado de the Sol station. It's pretty nice. Hot water comfy beds, air conditioning... I'm expecting none of these in Granada.
Today we had a break from the time we go to the Hotel, aprox. 10:00 local time, until 3:45pm. Needless to say, everyone zonked out and slept until 3:00. A select few slept past then and were left behind.
At 4:00 we left and headed to the Palacio Real. Which is the Royal Palace in Spain. Home of the Rey y Reina. :) It was mildly boring, but pretty educational.
It's a big white palace resembling what I first thought the white house would look like, big, grandiose, large pillars lining the front, marble build, statues out front resembling saints, moorish architecture in the outlining walkways and stone stairs leading to the entrance. It was beautiful, covered with gold accents on windows and at balconies. The architecture was amazing and the art was as well.
There was a room which I loved in the palace which happened to be dedicated to planets, in an odd way. It was really cool. Pink walls, 9 statues representing the planets and pale pink accents everywhere... heaven. :)
The Armaria Real, located in the basement of the palace, was a little weird. Lots of suits of armors and lots of horses covered in armor as well... nothing magical, just historical. Interesting, but weird.
After that, since everyone slept through breakfast and lunch, we headed over to a place to find real Spanish food... which took way longer than expected. We finally found a place and sat down for about an hour talking, eating, and having fun. I had a calamari sandwich on a nice loaf of white bread and some coquettes de jamón.
Yumm.
After that we all kind of went on an adventure to find a park that we couldn't locate on a map well enough to find... so after walking for about 45 more minutes in the opposite direction of the Hotel we started to walk back.
Instead I headed off with two guys from the group G and H. We found a nice little bar, sat and talked over beers and just hung out.
On our way back it got dark, so needless to say we got lost... for about an hour.
Now I'm back in my room, much more learned about the geography of Madrid and ready to pass out. Talking to C and M about what we're doing tomorrow for desayuno.
:)
Jet lag sucks. Spain does not.
Buenas Noches
<3
Planes, stars, and awkward situations
So I made it on the plane. Yay.
I'm also cramped into an economy class seat with basically no recline setting next to a guy who seems to. E afraid of any form of physical contact.
I'm surrounded by adorable but annoying Spanish babies everywhere and Spanish women looking at me like I should strike up a conversation with them? Tia.
The flight leaves much to be desired on the comfort levels, but it'll do. I'll be in Spain soon anyways right? Right!
I'll be sleep deprived and hungry. But I'll be in Spain. Malnourished and exhausted but in Spain I'll be.
Ready to learn, adapt, and love.
The stars are lovely from the sky.
Buenas noches
( I'm listening to 'only want you for the weekend' by the wanted, Christian Grey would be proud)
I'm also cramped into an economy class seat with basically no recline setting next to a guy who seems to. E afraid of any form of physical contact.
I'm surrounded by adorable but annoying Spanish babies everywhere and Spanish women looking at me like I should strike up a conversation with them? Tia.
The flight leaves much to be desired on the comfort levels, but it'll do. I'll be in Spain soon anyways right? Right!
I'll be sleep deprived and hungry. But I'll be in Spain. Malnourished and exhausted but in Spain I'll be.
Ready to learn, adapt, and love.
The stars are lovely from the sky.
Buenas noches
( I'm listening to 'only want you for the weekend' by the wanted, Christian Grey would be proud)
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
It's happening!!
I'm saying my final goodbye's to everyone. Family, friends, and people I don't really know.
I'm making spread sheets of my itineraries and packing lists like crazy.
I'm looking at hostels around Europe. The one's in Paris are super nice.
The one's in Spain are really nice too, thank the mighty powers above!
I'm still looking for Visa information abroad so that I don't have to come back to the US or anything...
Here's for hoping!
I can't wait, 10 days.
WOO 10 days!
I'll be updating from Spain next time. :)
Places to go, people to see? Let me know!
Any ideas for Hostel bouncing?
PLEASE let me know! :)
Buenas Noches!
xoxo
I'm making spread sheets of my itineraries and packing lists like crazy.
I'm looking at hostels around Europe. The one's in Paris are super nice.
The one's in Spain are really nice too, thank the mighty powers above!
I'm still looking for Visa information abroad so that I don't have to come back to the US or anything...
Here's for hoping!
I can't wait, 10 days.
WOO 10 days!
I'll be updating from Spain next time. :)
Places to go, people to see? Let me know!
Any ideas for Hostel bouncing?
PLEASE let me know! :)
Buenas Noches!
xoxo
Sunday, May 6, 2012
So the count down begins.
I've got about 20 days now until I depart. I'm nervous as hell and losing sleep as we speak.
About my visa, thank the lord above or whoever that I have friends of friends in very high places. Hopefully everything is being taken care of. Hopefully.
As for an update on how things are going...
I'm still working out the logistics of where I'll be staying and for how long for the month that I have between my programs. Any suggestions would be awesome.
I'm working on how to finance everything while I'm over there, I mean, am I allowed to get a job? Or is that dependent on yet another visa...? I honestly don't feel like going through that hassle again.
I'm looking at Naples, London, Paris and maybe Bali. Bali only because I'm reading Eat Pray Love.. cliché, I know.
Honestly, I'm really just hoping that where ever I land that I find myself.
I remember the last time that I was in Spain. I was 18 and extremely naive. I'd never really been outside of the U.S., unless you count the most northern border of México, which I don't. I'd never spent that long of a distance away from my family without being able to contact them via phone or text. It was a whole new experience for me, and I thrived like a newly sewn flower in the fields during the best harvest of the decade. It really was a magical summer.
Now I get to go back, and find myself again. I get to experience the joy and livelihood of everyone and anything that I can.
Needless to say, I'm excited.
Estoy animada!
I'm also nervous. And can't completely control my sleep schedule at the moment.
I'm hoping this passes soon.
However, I am on European time now. ;)
Buenos Días
<3
About my visa, thank the lord above or whoever that I have friends of friends in very high places. Hopefully everything is being taken care of. Hopefully.
As for an update on how things are going...
I'm still working out the logistics of where I'll be staying and for how long for the month that I have between my programs. Any suggestions would be awesome.
I'm working on how to finance everything while I'm over there, I mean, am I allowed to get a job? Or is that dependent on yet another visa...? I honestly don't feel like going through that hassle again.
I'm looking at Naples, London, Paris and maybe Bali. Bali only because I'm reading Eat Pray Love.. cliché, I know.
Honestly, I'm really just hoping that where ever I land that I find myself.
I remember the last time that I was in Spain. I was 18 and extremely naive. I'd never really been outside of the U.S., unless you count the most northern border of México, which I don't. I'd never spent that long of a distance away from my family without being able to contact them via phone or text. It was a whole new experience for me, and I thrived like a newly sewn flower in the fields during the best harvest of the decade. It really was a magical summer.
Now I get to go back, and find myself again. I get to experience the joy and livelihood of everyone and anything that I can.
Needless to say, I'm excited.
Estoy animada!
I'm also nervous. And can't completely control my sleep schedule at the moment.
I'm hoping this passes soon.
However, I am on European time now. ;)
Buenos Días
<3
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