Sadly, that title is both metaphorical AND literal. I decided to take a new route home from school last week to explore a bit and see more of the city. While looking around at the plaza around me I forgot to look at where my feet were going and face planted into a construction zone. Awesome. The construction worker nearby didn’t make it too embarrassing, though I think I did see him smile a bit at the ‘torpe extranera’ (clumsy foreigner). It was kind of funny actually, only took me a week before my real self came out. What makes it even funnier is that not 30 seconds before I got my first ‘chica guapa’ call from random passing guy while walking. If only he saw me a minute later haha. The two put together seem like an initiation into the city or something--welcome to the city! you are now covered in it and have been cat called as is inevitable for any woman in a Latin country.
I really am getting to know Spain better though, liking it a lot more too. That first week was kind of tough with the cold, culture shock, and Spanish. Now that I’m familiarizing myself with the city and getting to know some of the other students things are looking better and I’m finally getting myself out of my wonderful bed to explore. Seriously, when it was snowing outside Melissa and I were being pretty pathetic and sat in bed all day because it was the warmest place to be. It’s getting warmer now, about to Tacoma weather which is normal for me. There are several cultural aspects that are growing on me. For one, I’m pretty sure siestas are the best thing ever invented. I never knew how great a break in the day could be, naps are needed sometimes. And the food is a-mazing (Meli, I’m starting to talk like you, this is scary. I don’t even want to know where we’ll be by the end). Sacra, mi mama, has made it her personal mission, it seems, to stuff us with as much food as possible. It’s all delicious though, that’s the problem. She’s taught us that healthy food can be delicious, something unheard of in America (Fitness Grill/Lean Cuisine/Sugar-free anyone? ick). Not to mention I found myself some dulce de leche at the market the other day. It’s my favorite food on Earth. First found it in Chile, was amazing to find it again. May or not have been eating it every night this week…
Spanish is coming easier already. With intensive grammar for hours a day and being surrounded by it it’s no wonder that I’ve improved. I can’t wait til I get to the point where I start thinking in Spanish, it’ll be the sign to me that it’s become second nature and I’ve reached my goal. Then I’d be able to talk to my mom! And everyone else in Granada! If anyone would like to practice, I’d be more than happy to talk with you!
Spring break is looking amazing! It’s going to be epic! Right now, it’s looking like a ten day tour of Italy with a Eurail pass, stopping at Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, and Milan. We’ll see how it works out, but I couldn’t dream of anything more exciting than taking the train and seeing gorgeous landscapes roll past for hours on end. Not to mention the cities! Ah!!!! Any suggestions for travel are welcome. It’s so exciting to actually have those ‘what ifs’ happen. Cheesy as it sounds, it’s a dream coming true.
Please pray for the people in Haiti, they need help more than anyone right now.
I miss you all tons!
Shout outs:
Mo-thank your mom for the hat again!
Kristina-I found a nice burrow taxi for you :]
Desta & Alex- met my first Spaniard (story if requested)
I really am getting to know Spain better though, liking it a lot more too. That first week was kind of tough with the cold, culture shock, and Spanish. Now that I’m familiarizing myself with the city and getting to know some of the other students things are looking better and I’m finally getting myself out of my wonderful bed to explore. Seriously, when it was snowing outside Melissa and I were being pretty pathetic and sat in bed all day because it was the warmest place to be. It’s getting warmer now, about to Tacoma weather which is normal for me. There are several cultural aspects that are growing on me. For one, I’m pretty sure siestas are the best thing ever invented. I never knew how great a break in the day could be, naps are needed sometimes. And the food is a-mazing (Meli, I’m starting to talk like you, this is scary. I don’t even want to know where we’ll be by the end). Sacra, mi mama, has made it her personal mission, it seems, to stuff us with as much food as possible. It’s all delicious though, that’s the problem. She’s taught us that healthy food can be delicious, something unheard of in America (Fitness Grill/Lean Cuisine/Sugar-free anyone? ick). Not to mention I found myself some dulce de leche at the market the other day. It’s my favorite food on Earth. First found it in Chile, was amazing to find it again. May or not have been eating it every night this week…
Spanish is coming easier already. With intensive grammar for hours a day and being surrounded by it it’s no wonder that I’ve improved. I can’t wait til I get to the point where I start thinking in Spanish, it’ll be the sign to me that it’s become second nature and I’ve reached my goal. Then I’d be able to talk to my mom! And everyone else in Granada! If anyone would like to practice, I’d be more than happy to talk with you!
Spring break is looking amazing! It’s going to be epic! Right now, it’s looking like a ten day tour of Italy with a Eurail pass, stopping at Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, and Milan. We’ll see how it works out, but I couldn’t dream of anything more exciting than taking the train and seeing gorgeous landscapes roll past for hours on end. Not to mention the cities! Ah!!!! Any suggestions for travel are welcome. It’s so exciting to actually have those ‘what ifs’ happen. Cheesy as it sounds, it’s a dream coming true.
Please pray for the people in Haiti, they need help more than anyone right now.
I miss you all tons!
Shout outs:
Mo-thank your mom for the hat again!
Kristina-I found a nice burrow taxi for you :]
Desta & Alex- met my first Spaniard (story if requested)
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