Madrid!

Sorry I have not blogged in a few days I have just been soo busy! Well I met my host mom Patricia who is the sweetest person ever. I love her already shes young and so much fun (Thank you Jamie!!) Madrid is soo different than Granada its big with people always in the streets and vendors everywhere. I really like it I never thought I was much of a city girl but now I find myself figuring out the metro station and finding faster ways to get to school. The public transportation is incredible soo easy HUGE difference between metro here and the metro in New York. I live in Salamanca my professor described it as the "posh" barrio. It is beautiful but soo expensive the shopping however is amazing. Yesterday I did some damage but it was very worth it. The only thing I am getting use to is the no snacking rule. In Spanish culture you don't snack in between meals. Well lunch is at 2 and dinner is at 9:30 in my house so i get hungry! But maybe I'll lose some lbs by adapting to the Spanish appetite. Tomorrow I have one class and then next week I have all my classes so that is when the real work begins. Now for a little update on the nightlife. It is soo different from the states. At home people head home at 10/11 but here they're just getting started. On average people don't get home until 2am on the weekends. That includes adults. My parents got to experience a taste of this and I am sure they won't forget it! Well, my parents left today which was very sad but inevitable. Someone very special once told me no matter how far away you go you always bring your love ones with you. So in a way they (and everyone else from home) is with me here in Madrid. Whenever I get homesick I think of that and makes me feel so much better. I'm going to head to bed, buenas noche y te quiero.

xoxo

Vamos a la playa!

This weekend was packed with tours. The Alhambra is HUGE the complete tour took a little over dos horas, granted our tour guide stopped and talked for about 45 minutes every two seconds but nonetheless it was beautiful. Then we saw a private Flamenco show in a gypsie cave! That was so amazing the gitanos are such talented people and flamenco is a stunning dance especially when it is like a foot in front of you. They chose three people to dance with them at the end and guess who was chosen. ME! I wasn't good but it was an experience. On sunday we toured another cave this one very deep underground. Apparently it is in the book of world records for a really really big rock (obviously I wasn't paying that close of attention) Afterwards we went to la PLAYA. It was so amazing. The mediterranean is beautiful. I went into the water which was very very very cold but soo worth it! Granda as whole has been incredible and I recommend it as vacation to everyone. Tomorrow I meet my host mom in Madrid! Missing everyone soo much!

p.s I will eventually post pictures I just have to find time!

xoxo

Cambios

Hola! Hay muchas cambios en mi vida ahora entonces porque no cambio un otra cosa..mi pello! English translation: There have been a lot of changes in my life recently so tonight I felt why not change another thing my hair! For those who have seen me recently my hair was very very very long which is why any kind of haircut is an event haha no worries its not a pixie cut or a bob there is still some length but it feels great to have a new start personally mentally and now physically! It was very nerve wrecking to walk into a spanish salon especially since I have heard the trends in hair include mullets. However, here in Granada I have noticed no mullets so I felt I little safe and with much coaxing from my mother I did it. The girl did an increible job and me encanta mi nueva pello. Tambien, yo compre the most beautiful hand made leather bag. I am now ready for Madrid. I have to thank Hannah for her rain dance because today was the first day it has not rained! Muchas Gracias! Manana nosotros vamos a la Alhambra so it is going to be a longgg day. Missing everyone! xoxo

Tinto de Verano

The past few days have been packed with typical tourist trips. We went to the Cathedral in Granda where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were buried. I have seen quite a lot of churches but this was by far one of the most beautiful. Pictures will be coming very soon. Today we toured one of Federico Garcia Lorcas house. He lived about 15 minutes ( by car) from where we are staying. The trip was informative and it was interesting but I was glad we only stayed an hour. Unfortunately it has rained everyday since we have been here, usually at night which literally puts a damper on things. But, I have been using it as an excuse to get some much needed rest. This weekend we will tour the Alhambra. It will be very cold but hopefully worth it! I cannot wait to arrive in Madrid and take in a new city but I really am enjoying in Granada I would love to come back in the spring. I would also love visitors (Hannah Berkman) so everyone book their trips now! Well I am going to venture and get some churros con chocolate see below post for details. Missing everyone!! xoxo

Churros con chocolate

Now that I have had time to explore Granada I can really appreciate all it's charm and beauty. Tomorrow we have a a tour of the Cathedrals which I am actually really looking forward to. We also are taking classes in Granda at a universidad aqui. There are two classes Contemporary Spanish Literature and History of the Spanish Civil War. Both professors are extremely similar to the ones at Wesleyan. They're energetic and love class participation. I wonder if the professors in Madrid will be similar. Everyday we have lunch at this trendy vegetarian resturante. I am not a huge fan of tofu or sietan sooo its not my favorite. Overall though the food is increible. My new favorite food is Churros con chocolate. I have always liked churros but introduce it to the most delicious rich hot chocolate every made and it really is a small bite of heaven. It just may become an integral part of my diet in Spain. Tomorrow is another busy day so buenas noche. xoxo

Adios Los Estados Unidos

Day One in Spain! After a very long day we have arrived in Granada and were welcomed by SNOW. It is currently very cold and snowing. There are lemon trees in the Hotel courtyard the snow around them creates an oxymoron effect..very peculiar. In addition to the snow the Iberia Airline lost one of my bags I guess 3/4 is not bad and the bag was not the most important one but still not a perfect note to start on. So far I've noticed an old charm about Granada it is not a bustling city but more historical. It is January so it not exactly the tourist time, however I look forward to learning more about it. I'm EXHAUSTED but still have a night of tapas ahead of me. So I guess that is all for a small update. Missing everyone from home already!

xoxo