Oy vey. I don't really want to do anything today...but I must! I have finals coming up (one this Thursday--Grammar, two on Monday--Lit and Latin America, and one of Tuesday--Islam) so I really need to get my butt in gear! Good thing there is nothing to do today since it is a holiday, and nothing is open, and it is Sunday anyway. But that's alright. I only have 11 more days. Yikes!
The trip I took to the Sierra Nevada's was excellent. I put pictures up, so go check them out! There aren't too many (less than 30) and there are other people in them! :) We took the 10:00 bus there, and it only took about an hour to get up there, though the way was really curvy and was making everyone sick. I feel asleep, as usual, but Anne woke me up when there were some cows eating grass in the snow on the side of the road! It was cool.
Once we got up there, we wandered around for awhile, and then went on this snow roller coaster type thing, which was hilarious. Anne had to hold my backpack in her lap when we were going and I had to control the breaks and accelerator! After that, we checked out the skating rink, but didn't skate because the rink was kind of really awful and needed a zamboni really badly.
Then we went up to the top of the mountain on the ski lift, and it was really beautiful. The entire place was really beautiful! But then Tanya, Anne, Sara and I wandered around for awhile, and then Tanya, Sara and I left Anne and the girls from her program up there to head back down and get something to eat.
We ended up taking the 6:30 bus home, and by the time we were leaving, the sun was going down and it was FREEZING cold. The rest of the day had been just fine...maybe a little chilly, but nothing too awful. I came back and was exhausted and ended up falling asleep on the bus, AGAIN!
I hadn't planned on going out last night because I was so tired, but Tanya and Bri talked me into it. We ended up checking out this one bar (called El Perro Andalus, after the Dali movie [which we watched in class the other day...]) that our friend Katie suggested. She said it was pretty cool, and the drinks were cheap. When we got there, we found out that it was one of those heavy-metal rock type bars, which had posters for bands like Ironmaiden and Megadeth on the ceiling and walls. It was interesting, and we definitely didn't fit in, but it was still fun. Then we went to a couple of other bars we had never been to and it was a good time.
So thus continues my long weekend. I should probably get going...but check out my pictures if you get a chance, and even drop me a line and say hello!
Adios.
Showing posts with label Lovely Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lovely Weather. Show all posts
24.11.08
The excitement continues
So the other day I posted about how there was a cockroach in my room.
WELL.
I guess my Senora did not locate the bugger like she said she would. And, well.
I found it.
I picked up a stack of papers that had been on the floor, and bloop. There he was, dead, sitting next to me on my bed! I shouted, ran out of my room into the living room where my host family was sitting watching television (as always!) and they asked what was wrong, and I explained. My Senora then went to the kitchen and returned with a broom and a dustpan, and scooped him up, and then insisted on getting me a new comforter for my bed, which she did, and then that was that.
And then a pigeon almost flew into me on my walk back to school. Had I not ducked...well, it would have been a bad situation.
I hate birds.
BUT!
This weekend I was in Sevilla and Cordoba. I love love LOVED Sevilla. It was very charming, and beautiful, but somehow it had more of a big city feel than I found even Barcelona had. I don't exactly know why. Maybe it was because the streets were more what I am used to at home, and not the dark, winding roads of Granada. They certainly did wind, though, because we got lost a lot! Even with a map!
Cordoba was what I was expecting it to be. I have always been told that it isn't anything too exciting, and it really wasn't. The mosque was beautiful, sure, but there wasn't much outside of that to keep us occupied.
But, just like always, there are new pictures up.
I even have pictures up from my class trip to San Jeronimo on Friday.
Not much else is new. I only have 24 days until I come home.
Too weird.
WELL.
I guess my Senora did not locate the bugger like she said she would. And, well.
I found it.
I picked up a stack of papers that had been on the floor, and bloop. There he was, dead, sitting next to me on my bed! I shouted, ran out of my room into the living room where my host family was sitting watching television (as always!) and they asked what was wrong, and I explained. My Senora then went to the kitchen and returned with a broom and a dustpan, and scooped him up, and then insisted on getting me a new comforter for my bed, which she did, and then that was that.
And then a pigeon almost flew into me on my walk back to school. Had I not ducked...well, it would have been a bad situation.
I hate birds.
BUT!
This weekend I was in Sevilla and Cordoba. I love love LOVED Sevilla. It was very charming, and beautiful, but somehow it had more of a big city feel than I found even Barcelona had. I don't exactly know why. Maybe it was because the streets were more what I am used to at home, and not the dark, winding roads of Granada. They certainly did wind, though, because we got lost a lot! Even with a map!
Cordoba was what I was expecting it to be. I have always been told that it isn't anything too exciting, and it really wasn't. The mosque was beautiful, sure, but there wasn't much outside of that to keep us occupied.
But, just like always, there are new pictures up.
I even have pictures up from my class trip to San Jeronimo on Friday.
Not much else is new. I only have 24 days until I come home.
Too weird.
17.11.08
Algo poco raro...
Hola hola! I have returned from the marvelous city of Barcelona. Let me just tell you—it was probably the best city I have been to in Spain so far. Madrid was fun, Ronda was, well, BORING, Malaga was fine but nothing too extraordinary, Almunecar was the beach (so obviously beautiful, but not like Barcelona), Algeciras was creeptastic, and I have yet to visit Sevilla or Cordoba (that’s next weekend!) so they cannot be counted. Cataluña definitely is its own separate entity from the rest of Spain. Not only do they speak their own dialect of Spanish (Catalan), which is not even CLOSE to the Castellano Spanish that I have been learning since 8th grade, but their lifestyle is far different from the relaxed, warm lifestyle in Andalucia. No matter, the trip was wonderful, and I would’ve loved to spend more time there, but alas!
As always, I am going to remind you that I also have put up pictures from this trip, so go check them out! I know, I know, there are an obscene amount (more than usual, actually), BUT you should all be excited because there are some photos with actual PEOPLE in them (being me, Anne and Sara, mostly)!! This is a remarkable event for me, I know. But never fear, my usual scenery shots are there too. I hope you like them.
The trip itself was filled with one wonderful experience after another, all the while throwing in the usual snoring suspects (I cannot travel anywhere without them!!). We took a free walking tour of the Gothic Quarter on Friday morning with a girl named Claudia from Australia who was actually a guide in training because our real guide ditched and didn't show up. We got to see many cool places, including where Picasso's father taught, and learned that the Gothic Quarter didn't have electricity or running water until 1992 when they had to gear up for the Olympics! how crazy!
We also got to see many of Gaudi's beautiful creations, like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Park Guell, and his own house. We even took a cooking class to learn houw to make Sangria and Paella! So if you ever want me to cook for you...let me know! :)
I really wish I had more time to spend there because the weekend just didn't seem like enough. Now that I am back, I am glad to be back, as always, but you know how it goes...Next weekend is my last weekend of travel. My program is going to Sevilla and Cordoba, and I am very excited even though I have heard mixed reviews of Cordoba. It's weird to think that tomorrow I have exactly one month left before I head back to the States. I am ready, but at the same time, I and definitely not ready!! I do not want to go through culture shock again once I get home.
Not to mention is will be ungodly cold in Illinois. It's already snowing, I'm told. Yuck. I would much rather stay here in the 60 degree weather. With warm sun.
BUT! The "algo poco raro" (something kind of weird that happened today was that the television in my host family's house isn't working. Now, that doesn't seem like the biggest of deals to most, but let me tell you...everything, everything is centered around that television. We watch it during lunch and dinner, and then my host family watches all afternoon, and all night until they go to sleep. My host father was absolutely furious, and I found it remarkable how mad it made him. He almost was to the point of pouting, and I just found it very interesting. We ate lunch in complete silence, and it was so uncomfortable.
Here's to hoping that it gets fixed. Keep your fingers crossed, otherwise tonight's dinner could be just ass bad, or worse. Eep!
I got a letter from Lexie today, too, which was amazing. Included was one for Peter as well, and it made me very happy. So thank you (in the event that you read this!!)
But yes, I should head back for dinner time. Besitos a todos!
As always, I am going to remind you that I also have put up pictures from this trip, so go check them out! I know, I know, there are an obscene amount (more than usual, actually), BUT you should all be excited because there are some photos with actual PEOPLE in them (being me, Anne and Sara, mostly)!! This is a remarkable event for me, I know. But never fear, my usual scenery shots are there too. I hope you like them.
The trip itself was filled with one wonderful experience after another, all the while throwing in the usual snoring suspects (I cannot travel anywhere without them!!). We took a free walking tour of the Gothic Quarter on Friday morning with a girl named Claudia from Australia who was actually a guide in training because our real guide ditched and didn't show up. We got to see many cool places, including where Picasso's father taught, and learned that the Gothic Quarter didn't have electricity or running water until 1992 when they had to gear up for the Olympics! how crazy!
We also got to see many of Gaudi's beautiful creations, like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Park Guell, and his own house. We even took a cooking class to learn houw to make Sangria and Paella! So if you ever want me to cook for you...let me know! :)
I really wish I had more time to spend there because the weekend just didn't seem like enough. Now that I am back, I am glad to be back, as always, but you know how it goes...Next weekend is my last weekend of travel. My program is going to Sevilla and Cordoba, and I am very excited even though I have heard mixed reviews of Cordoba. It's weird to think that tomorrow I have exactly one month left before I head back to the States. I am ready, but at the same time, I and definitely not ready!! I do not want to go through culture shock again once I get home.
Not to mention is will be ungodly cold in Illinois. It's already snowing, I'm told. Yuck. I would much rather stay here in the 60 degree weather. With warm sun.
BUT! The "algo poco raro" (something kind of weird that happened today was that the television in my host family's house isn't working. Now, that doesn't seem like the biggest of deals to most, but let me tell you...everything, everything is centered around that television. We watch it during lunch and dinner, and then my host family watches all afternoon, and all night until they go to sleep. My host father was absolutely furious, and I found it remarkable how mad it made him. He almost was to the point of pouting, and I just found it very interesting. We ate lunch in complete silence, and it was so uncomfortable.
Here's to hoping that it gets fixed. Keep your fingers crossed, otherwise tonight's dinner could be just ass bad, or worse. Eep!
I got a letter from Lexie today, too, which was amazing. Included was one for Peter as well, and it made me very happy. So thank you (in the event that you read this!!)
But yes, I should head back for dinner time. Besitos a todos!
10.11.08
Return to Granada, Once Again.
So. I have returned from a weekend in Paris. It is my second time ever being there, and I loved it just as much as the first time. This is a good sign. However, I now really wish that I could speak French, but alas! I cannot.
We spent two completely packed days seeing as much as we could. In Peter's words, we "took Paris by storm." Love it. It was quite the journey, I must say.
On Thursday, my Grammar class (which usually lets out 10 minutes early) was let out 5 minutes late, and then I had a heck of a time getting home quickly. So then we needed to take the bus to the bus station. We didn't have tickets for the bus yet, and we missed the 1:30 bus by minutes, and then had to buy tickets for the 2:00 "Supra" bus to Madrid (it's like flying first class in a plane...I swear!) that makes no stops, but costs 32 euro a person. But we got there in one piece. Then we needed to take the Metro to the airport terminal, and we didn't look at our tickets, and went to the wrong terminal (my bad!) and then had to take the Metro BACK to Terminal 1. It was a good thing we already had our tickets already printed out, because my the time we ran (literally) past the check in counters, they were already all closed. Then we proceeded to speed through security, and made it to the gate, only to find everyone still standing there. Thank God. So we made it to Paris, a little more exercised than before, but in one piece. And thank you Peter for not killing me. I like to keep things exciting...
Then when we arrived at the hostel, we found we had a lovely amigo staying in the 6th bed in the room. He was so grumpy and kept yelling at us for things, including Hallie finding a fork and butter knife in her bed (thanks to Justin!). He even had the nerve to ask us if we thought the room was a playground...which obviously it is not but we were being just normal people in their hostel room. Nothing extreme.
And then he proceeded to snore allllll night long. It was awful! Good lord, it was projecting everywhere, and I thought for a minute it was Anne! But it was not, obviously. We really could have done without him, but thankfully he was out before the sun came up, and we only needed to sleep.
We moved to our new home: "Grand Hotel Magenta", which would lend you to believe it is a classy, high end hotel, but really. Budget hotel to the extreme. The beds were bowed in the middle!! That proved to be great for the back at night. :)
We went on the Free Walking Tour of Paris (like the one I took in Munich and Berlin...) and it took almost four hours, but it was wonderful. And our guide was so energetic, Peter was convinced he was on crack. And Hallie was in love. And Justin, Anne and I were just along for the ride. After that finished, we met up with Brett (!!!!) at the Louvre because it was FREE for people under 26 that night until 9:45. Hooray! Then we ate some dinner, and went to bed.
The next day we were up and out the door by like 9:15/9:30 and went up to Montmarte to see the Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge, after eating Crepes for breakfast (its the only way to do it, I have decided!). After that, we walked on down, and visited the Opera House where the Phantom of the Opera is supposed to take place. Then came lunch, and then going inside the Notre Dame. It was probably the most wonderful cathedral ever. I cannot even describe the caliber of beauty it holds. If you ever get the chance to go, GO! And I mean it.
Then we met up with Brett and with to the Musee d'Orsay, and I GOT TO SEE LOTS OF VAN GOUGH! It made me very happy. There are pictures of everything we did and saw while we were there, so no worries! They are now up! Hooray!
Now I am back in Granada, and the weather is actually beautiful again. It was up to 20 degrees centigrade again (about 60ish degrees)!!! I am happy to be back, but exhausted. Very exhausted. Midterms are this week, but I only have one on Thursday. The rest are next week, and I am not excited. You mean I have real school to attend to? I was not aware...
I got a letter from Brooke today (that I think came on Friday) with a coloring book page, and an actual letter!!! I was so so so excited! And I taped the coloring book page up on my wall...love it!
This weekend I am going to Barcelona with Anne and Sara! And then the weekend after that, to Seville and Cordoba with my program. Then I am done with traveling for the rest of the semester, which is a weird concept. Very weird. That means I am past the halfway mark, and closer to going home than not. I will be glad to go home, that is for sure, but I will be sad to leave here. I love it so much.
I better go home for dinner since it is already almost 8:30, and dinner is at 9. I have a good 20-25 minute walk ahead of me. Entonces, hasta luego!
We spent two completely packed days seeing as much as we could. In Peter's words, we "took Paris by storm." Love it. It was quite the journey, I must say.
On Thursday, my Grammar class (which usually lets out 10 minutes early) was let out 5 minutes late, and then I had a heck of a time getting home quickly. So then we needed to take the bus to the bus station. We didn't have tickets for the bus yet, and we missed the 1:30 bus by minutes, and then had to buy tickets for the 2:00 "Supra" bus to Madrid (it's like flying first class in a plane...I swear!) that makes no stops, but costs 32 euro a person. But we got there in one piece. Then we needed to take the Metro to the airport terminal, and we didn't look at our tickets, and went to the wrong terminal (my bad!) and then had to take the Metro BACK to Terminal 1. It was a good thing we already had our tickets already printed out, because my the time we ran (literally) past the check in counters, they were already all closed. Then we proceeded to speed through security, and made it to the gate, only to find everyone still standing there. Thank God. So we made it to Paris, a little more exercised than before, but in one piece. And thank you Peter for not killing me. I like to keep things exciting...
Then when we arrived at the hostel, we found we had a lovely amigo staying in the 6th bed in the room. He was so grumpy and kept yelling at us for things, including Hallie finding a fork and butter knife in her bed (thanks to Justin!). He even had the nerve to ask us if we thought the room was a playground...which obviously it is not but we were being just normal people in their hostel room. Nothing extreme.
And then he proceeded to snore allllll night long. It was awful! Good lord, it was projecting everywhere, and I thought for a minute it was Anne! But it was not, obviously. We really could have done without him, but thankfully he was out before the sun came up, and we only needed to sleep.
We moved to our new home: "Grand Hotel Magenta", which would lend you to believe it is a classy, high end hotel, but really. Budget hotel to the extreme. The beds were bowed in the middle!! That proved to be great for the back at night. :)
We went on the Free Walking Tour of Paris (like the one I took in Munich and Berlin...) and it took almost four hours, but it was wonderful. And our guide was so energetic, Peter was convinced he was on crack. And Hallie was in love. And Justin, Anne and I were just along for the ride. After that finished, we met up with Brett (!!!!) at the Louvre because it was FREE for people under 26 that night until 9:45. Hooray! Then we ate some dinner, and went to bed.
The next day we were up and out the door by like 9:15/9:30 and went up to Montmarte to see the Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge, after eating Crepes for breakfast (its the only way to do it, I have decided!). After that, we walked on down, and visited the Opera House where the Phantom of the Opera is supposed to take place. Then came lunch, and then going inside the Notre Dame. It was probably the most wonderful cathedral ever. I cannot even describe the caliber of beauty it holds. If you ever get the chance to go, GO! And I mean it.
Then we met up with Brett and with to the Musee d'Orsay, and I GOT TO SEE LOTS OF VAN GOUGH! It made me very happy. There are pictures of everything we did and saw while we were there, so no worries! They are now up! Hooray!
Now I am back in Granada, and the weather is actually beautiful again. It was up to 20 degrees centigrade again (about 60ish degrees)!!! I am happy to be back, but exhausted. Very exhausted. Midterms are this week, but I only have one on Thursday. The rest are next week, and I am not excited. You mean I have real school to attend to? I was not aware...
I got a letter from Brooke today (that I think came on Friday) with a coloring book page, and an actual letter!!! I was so so so excited! And I taped the coloring book page up on my wall...love it!
This weekend I am going to Barcelona with Anne and Sara! And then the weekend after that, to Seville and Cordoba with my program. Then I am done with traveling for the rest of the semester, which is a weird concept. Very weird. That means I am past the halfway mark, and closer to going home than not. I will be glad to go home, that is for sure, but I will be sad to leave here. I love it so much.
I better go home for dinner since it is already almost 8:30, and dinner is at 9. I have a good 20-25 minute walk ahead of me. Entonces, hasta luego!
17.10.08
Tra la la
I love not having classes on Fridays! I got to sleep in, go to the park and read after breakfast, and now I am here writing you all of you lovely people. :)
Half of my group is visiting the Alhambra right now. Tomorrow we go to Ronda and take an all-day walking tour. I am kind of excited because I have heard that it is absolutely wonderful. I will have lots of photos to put up I am sure. Then Sunday, I get to go to the Alhambra. I cannot wait!!
Speaking of pictures--I walked around with Chase yesterday and took a whole bunch of pictures of some really incredible graffiti art that is near and in one of the parks. I know, so specific. But I forgot to put them on my computer before I came here...so they cannot go up now. Ah well.
It is BEAUTIFUL outside. I really want to go to El Parque de las Ciencias this afternoon, since apparently I will be in Paris (by hook or by crook!!) the weekend my program is supposed to go. We shall see I guess.
I better head back to my senora's house. It is almost lunch time. Yum yum yum. Every day is a surprise.
I hope all is well. I haven't heard much from anyone on here lately, so drop me a line.
...and all of you people who said you would write me letters here are a bunch of liars! I have only received things from my own mother! LAAAAME!! :)
Love you all,
M.
Half of my group is visiting the Alhambra right now. Tomorrow we go to Ronda and take an all-day walking tour. I am kind of excited because I have heard that it is absolutely wonderful. I will have lots of photos to put up I am sure. Then Sunday, I get to go to the Alhambra. I cannot wait!!
Speaking of pictures--I walked around with Chase yesterday and took a whole bunch of pictures of some really incredible graffiti art that is near and in one of the parks. I know, so specific. But I forgot to put them on my computer before I came here...so they cannot go up now. Ah well.
It is BEAUTIFUL outside. I really want to go to El Parque de las Ciencias this afternoon, since apparently I will be in Paris (by hook or by crook!!) the weekend my program is supposed to go. We shall see I guess.
I better head back to my senora's house. It is almost lunch time. Yum yum yum. Every day is a surprise.
I hope all is well. I haven't heard much from anyone on here lately, so drop me a line.
...and all of you people who said you would write me letters here are a bunch of liars! I have only received things from my own mother! LAAAAME!! :)
Love you all,
M.
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