Week Two!

Oh man. This week has been a bit more of a struggle. I am really embracing the siestas and I really try to go to sleep early, but its just so hard because we don’t even leave for tapas until 930 so by the time we wander around I rarely, as in I haven’t, gotten back to my room before midnight. I really have been making valiant effort, but its just so hard to say no to churros con chocolate! I think I got really thrown off my sleep patterns on Sunday because of the Super Bowl, which, thank God, I got to see. To be honest, I only really saw the first half, and then I was just too tired. But I wore my Ravens jersey and represented b-more, and got free drinks from a group of excited locals!

             I’ve made it a point to try to meet a new group of people every night, at least to talk to for a little bit. So far, I think I have met at least one new person a night. Last night I kinda cheated and am going to count the waiter at the churros place because we bonded over my inability to divide the bill properly. He told us to come back again and I told him we were going to become best of friends because the churros were so amazing. Although I do enjoy churros and tapas, I have to say that my favorite meals are still the ones cooked by my host mom for lunch. When I told her that she said that it was because she put a little bit of heart into everything she makes. Everything that I have had has been really interesting, not interesting in a bad way but really different. We have soup that I believe is made from blended vegetables, and then today we had a dish with potatoes and pumpkin. Here, people eat a lot faster than in the United States, and I am always the last one finished each course because I want to savor everything.

            This week, we have continued to have a long orientation class in the morning to practice Spanish and also to learn about the culture in Granada. Everyday we have a different assignment that involves going up to people on the street and asking them different questions. One day we had to ask people about different political leaders and their opinion of them (mostly negative). Yesterday we had to go to a market and ask people how to make different popular Spanish dishes. We also stopped by a paneria (they sell bread) and the guys working there gave us all some free bread. Today, we went to a university and asked students about their classes. I cannot get over how nice everyone here is. Although they all have their own worries and agendas, they will never hesitate to stop and help you out. No pasa nada.

            I had an interview today for my internship that starts next week.  I am going to be interning at UIM (Union Iberoamericana de Municipalistas). Basically, my understanding is that this is an organization that works with local governments in Latin America to teach them about how to better work within the governments and to promote democracy. I am not sure exactly what I will be doing, but I am excited because I feel like this is something that I could see myself working with one day. It was intimidating to have an interview in Spanish, but I think it went okay.

             I also have been taking Spanish placement tests to figure out where I should be placed. Although it’s totally nothing to be worried about, I’m glad that they are over with! And, because I’m really nerdy, I can’t wait for my classes to start. Plus, it will be nice to get into more of a routine.

            This weekend, we are taking a trip to Sevilla y Ronda, which I’m sure will be incredible. I won’t lie though; I am more excited to take a long, hot shower. Showering here is actually my least favorite thing about this entire experience. Because utilities are so expensive here, showering is not for pleasure. It’s only to get clean. So we are supposed to turn the water off a lot and such. I know I’m not only saving the environment but also saving my host family money, and I really shouldn’t complain, but I’m just saying that everyone in the good ole US of A should enjoy your showers, I know I will when I get back!

OH MY GOSH I almost forgot to talk about the MOST exciting this about my week thus far! Emily Burnett (my friend from LOGOS/God camp) is here studying in Granada too and she lives RIGHT next to me! And we have been able to meet up, and today we were talking in Spanish drinking café con leche and it was really surreal. Plus, bless her adorable little heart; she took me to the supermarket! It’s actually incredibly close to my house, I just had no idea where it was, but thanks to her, I do now! Which is good because I was craving cereal!

 I got to walk around the gardens at the Alhambra yesterday and learned a little about the history, and I went to trivia night with some friends and we totally we’re losing, but then we ended up sixth so that was pretty exciting. And I got a scarf from a little shop down an alleyway and it makes me feel really Spanish. Two people today asked me for help with directions, I obviously couldn’t help them at all, but it felt good to be asked.

Hmm, well I’m positive that there is more to tell, but this is already really longer than I meant it to be. I miss all of you guys a lot and would love to hear about your lives so PLEASE facebook message me or email me