Hola otra vez!
Today has been a very weird day. It seemed to drag, and now I am completely exhausted. I was planning on going for tapas but now I am not because I am too tired. Sorry Peter and Chase.
I tried my first Spanish Christmas goodies today, thanks to our Granada Seminar professor, Jose. The first is called Alfajor de Almendra, and it reminded me of a soft almond crescent, with a hint of lemon. I liked it the best out of the two.
The second is called Rosco de Vino, and its shaped like a donut, and tasted remotely of black licorice. No thanks.
Today we also had our very last meeting with Veronica (except for the full group meeting next week, and the “bye-bye dinner” [as she calls it]), and it was very bitter sweet. We talked about going home and all that, and she gave us this form to use to organize our thoughts, and I think I will share it with you:
1. When I think of leaving, I feel…conflicted. I really want to be home with my friends and family, but it almost seems too soon to be leaving. I still feel like we just got here, but yet it feels like I’ve been here forever.
2. My experience here has been…absolutely wonderful. I have learned a lot about myself, and have gained a greater appreciation for the little things I took for granted at home.
3. For me, Spain has been…a learning experience. I have broadened my food horizon a ton, learned that I am a lot tougher than I thought, and have learned a ton about Spanish culture and the language.
4. The things that I will miss are…being able to relax a lot more and not worry about things so much. Siestas. Traveling. Tapas. The friends I have made. My host family. Too many things…
5. The things that I will be happy to leave behind me are…the creepy, leering Spanish men. How no one knows how to walk on their side of the sidewalk. Dog poop everywhere on the sidewalks. All the second-hand smoke. The freezing house at night.
6. When I talk to other students about leaving…we cannot believe it is time to leave! It is even harder than when I had to come to grips with leaving for the semester!
7. When leaving a place, I usually…try to fit in too many things, see too many people. I keep to myself and get very reflective at times too. Many times, I cry, even though it is embarrassing.
8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be…returning to my family and friends that I’ve missed, and the food I have been craving that they do not have in Spain.
9. Before I leave, I really want to…visit the arab baths. Parque de las Ciencias. The Cartuja. Explore more. Get tapas again. Visit Federico García Lorca’s house…too much.
10. The ways I think I have changed are…I learned I am a lot more independent than I realized. I am a lot more open to change, and have become more patient and grateful for what I have.
11. The most stressful part of leaving will be…getting to the airport for my 7am flight! And saying my goodbyes…
12. When I think of returning to my country I feel…excited but overwhelmed. I have A LOT to go back to and throw myself back into! I am happy to see my family and friends again, though, but it will be a tough adjustment.
13. The ways I think my friends have changed are…I have no idea. Life goes on even while I am not there. They’ve probably matured and changed in their own ways. I will only notice when I get there.
14. I will be going back to…lots of family. Christmas. Kappa Delta. Bradley. Internship applications. Books. Classes. Real lilfe.
15. I think my family will expect me to…tell them everything, show them all of my pictures, and be really upbeat all the time. Be an entirely new person, which I am, but I am not.
16. I expect that my friends at home will…be excited I am home, but also have to adjust to my return themselves. They will have changed too.
17. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be…adjusting to the life I missed the semester before with the people who lived it without me. Food times. The scenery!
18. I think the easiest thing for me to handle will be…the food! I can’t wait. Being with my family because they are always there no matter what.
19. I am really looking forward to…Christmas with my family. The 3rd Annual Bradley Family Dinner. Ana’s visit. Home food. Baked goods. Working out (who knew?!). Having no language barrier. My own room. My doggies. My comfy bed. Soft laundry. Being in Kappa Delta again. The Banambra!
And that concludes that. Now to go over some more Islam slides…
Showing posts with label Travels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travels. Show all posts
2.12.08
30.11.08
Turkey(less) Day, (fake) Black Friday, and the best Tapas I've had
Oh, hello there! :)
Now that the festivities and I am stuck doing my homework and starting my study ventures for finals, I thought this would be the perfect time to update about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and yesterday! Oh the life of procrastination. It has followed me, even here. Oops.
My program had Thanksgiving dinner up in the Albycin and this really wonderful restaurant, whose name I do not recall. We had a delicious 6 course meal of the following:
1: Salad and fruit (there will be a picture of this when I put the pictures up!). There was a weird vinegar drizzle over everything, which made the kiwi taste absolutely awful but that's alright. The rest of the fruit was delicious and very welcome.
2: Assorted meats and cheese, like chorizo, which some people made sandwiches out of, haha. It was normal tapa food.
3: Bring on the fried fishies and shrimp. There was shrimp (which were delicious), medusa (I was not even aware this was a real kind of fish), anchovies (I didn't partake, I am sick of them by now. Thanks Senora!), and some other thick fish I do not know the name of that you need to prepare with lemon juice and cut into chunks because it is fried. It was my favorite out of all the fishies.
4: Ham croquetas and pasta salad. The pasta salad had zero taste at all, but the croquetas were absolutely delicious. I have only ever had chicken and beef croquetas at my senora's house, so this was a nice change. I still like the chicken ones best, however.
5: The main meal. Instead of your proverbial turkey-filled Thanksgiving meal, we had, uh. Pork chops. Yes, pork chops. For those of you who know me well, you know the problem with this, and for those of you who don't...well, I abhor pork chops. Absolutely. But I ate them. Pork chops with a Marsala glaze and 2 raisins, and french fries instead of turkey and mashed potatoes. Who knew?
6: Dessert (is stressed spelled backwards...)! We had this flan-type dessert, which was the best flan I have ever had in my ENTIRE life. It was so delicious, and it wasn't really bitter on the bottom like it usually is. I was so full at this point, but I made room because there was just no other option!
And then we also could have water, wine, beer, and pop with our meals. It was a wonderful time, and then afterwards our program directors took us out with them to this nice bar called Gustav near Plaza Nueva. It was so much fun.
Then came Black Friday. In the true spirit of the craziness going on in the states, Anne and I spent the day wandering around in shops and doing some shopping. No shoving was involved, thank goodness, but now I have all of my Christmas shopping done! Hooray! Well, close. I have one or two things left to get, but I am waiting until later to see if somehow the prices go down, and if not, well, I will re-evaluate. :) But I got a wonderful new winter jacket from Mango, as well as a sweater, and a sweater dress from Zara for myself. And the a bunch of stuff for everyone else. I spent too much money, but it was worth it.
Last night Anna, Peter, Sara, Ben, Tanya and I went to this tapa bar called Poe (with the umlaut over the e) and they had the most wonderful tapas ever! They actually had some spice! We spent quite a bit of time there enjoying ourselves, and then headed to this bar called (feel free to laugh, I did) L'Escandolo and it was actually really nice and fun. After getting a call from Becky and Shay, we left to go meet up with them at Hannigans, but then left shortly after that because we were tired and it was late. It was raining the entire walk home, and I think I had more water in my shoes than not. It was gross.
Now I am here wasting time instead of doing homework, even though I really should. I will, but right now, no.
But that's all I've got, so yeah. Have a wonderful dayyyy! Hasta pronto (en 18 dias!)!!!
Now that the festivities and I am stuck doing my homework and starting my study ventures for finals, I thought this would be the perfect time to update about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and yesterday! Oh the life of procrastination. It has followed me, even here. Oops.
My program had Thanksgiving dinner up in the Albycin and this really wonderful restaurant, whose name I do not recall. We had a delicious 6 course meal of the following:
1: Salad and fruit (there will be a picture of this when I put the pictures up!). There was a weird vinegar drizzle over everything, which made the kiwi taste absolutely awful but that's alright. The rest of the fruit was delicious and very welcome.
2: Assorted meats and cheese, like chorizo, which some people made sandwiches out of, haha. It was normal tapa food.
3: Bring on the fried fishies and shrimp. There was shrimp (which were delicious), medusa (I was not even aware this was a real kind of fish), anchovies (I didn't partake, I am sick of them by now. Thanks Senora!), and some other thick fish I do not know the name of that you need to prepare with lemon juice and cut into chunks because it is fried. It was my favorite out of all the fishies.
4: Ham croquetas and pasta salad. The pasta salad had zero taste at all, but the croquetas were absolutely delicious. I have only ever had chicken and beef croquetas at my senora's house, so this was a nice change. I still like the chicken ones best, however.
5: The main meal. Instead of your proverbial turkey-filled Thanksgiving meal, we had, uh. Pork chops. Yes, pork chops. For those of you who know me well, you know the problem with this, and for those of you who don't...well, I abhor pork chops. Absolutely. But I ate them. Pork chops with a Marsala glaze and 2 raisins, and french fries instead of turkey and mashed potatoes. Who knew?
6: Dessert (is stressed spelled backwards...)! We had this flan-type dessert, which was the best flan I have ever had in my ENTIRE life. It was so delicious, and it wasn't really bitter on the bottom like it usually is. I was so full at this point, but I made room because there was just no other option!
And then we also could have water, wine, beer, and pop with our meals. It was a wonderful time, and then afterwards our program directors took us out with them to this nice bar called Gustav near Plaza Nueva. It was so much fun.
Then came Black Friday. In the true spirit of the craziness going on in the states, Anne and I spent the day wandering around in shops and doing some shopping. No shoving was involved, thank goodness, but now I have all of my Christmas shopping done! Hooray! Well, close. I have one or two things left to get, but I am waiting until later to see if somehow the prices go down, and if not, well, I will re-evaluate. :) But I got a wonderful new winter jacket from Mango, as well as a sweater, and a sweater dress from Zara for myself. And the a bunch of stuff for everyone else. I spent too much money, but it was worth it.
Last night Anna, Peter, Sara, Ben, Tanya and I went to this tapa bar called Poe (with the umlaut over the e) and they had the most wonderful tapas ever! They actually had some spice! We spent quite a bit of time there enjoying ourselves, and then headed to this bar called (feel free to laugh, I did) L'Escandolo and it was actually really nice and fun. After getting a call from Becky and Shay, we left to go meet up with them at Hannigans, but then left shortly after that because we were tired and it was late. It was raining the entire walk home, and I think I had more water in my shoes than not. It was gross.
Now I am here wasting time instead of doing homework, even though I really should. I will, but right now, no.
But that's all I've got, so yeah. Have a wonderful dayyyy! Hasta pronto (en 18 dias!)!!!
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.
23.11.08
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!
13.11.08
Going to Barcelona this Weekend!!
...is anybody out there? Nadie ha dicho ¡hola! a mi por mucho tiempo...
(Nobody has said Hello! to me in a long time...)
(Nobody has said Hello! to me in a long time...)
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!
31.10.08
Happy Halloween from across the pond!
Hello hello.
I figured I would give you a regular update of how things are going. It's currently pouring rain--for somewhere that is supposed to be dry and desert-like, it sure is raining a lot lately!
We filled out our midterm program evaluations yesterday. We had to tell them what we thought about all of our teachers, and our host families. It was weird doing that for my host family because, even though I like them a lot, we do always get the same rotation of meals, and we even had this disgusting meal of thin sliced, raw ham and melon.
That's it.
The ham was so incredibly salty...it was awful! And my senora kept telling us to eat it with the melon, but that just made it taste worse! Yuck, yuck, yuck. I could really live without that meal ever again. That, and the gross cabbage and almond soup she makes far too often.
And I decided this morning that I hate weekend breakfasts because by then we are always out of the normal, delicious toast bread (which is like baguette bread, not the square kind at home), and instead I get these little cake things. It is just far too sweet to eat in the morning.
BUT! Enrique called Allison and I his "hijas de America" when his son popped in the other day, and it made me smile. I like it because, even though at first my host family seemed really stiff, and a lot of times Isabel seemed like she was scolding us, they are warming up a lot more. Isabel is just a spunky 75 year old woman, and she really never was doing any scolding. I honestly hope I have have that much life in me still when I am her age. That would be amazing.
It's not so scary to try to communicate with them either anymore. They're really patient, and do correct us if we make mistakes, which is helpful.
It's hard to believe we are already half way through the semester. I only have a month and a half left here. How did this happen?? Where did the time go?
I will never know.
I am so happy because I got mail from my parents AND a card from Stephanie! Brooke also said she sent me a letter!! Hooray!
My trip to Paris is slowly approaching...I am super excited to see Brett and Hallie (for the second time!!!).
I really wish it would stop raining. But alas!
I watched Barack Obama's 30 minute infomercial yesterday, and for real guys, it made me tear up. I want him to be president so, so badly that I cannot even understand how anyone could not think that he would be the best decision for our nation's future. Mairead really pinpointed my sentiment in her blog, and you can go read it here. If McCain is elected, I will never forgive the American public. Never.
And you have my word on that.
The number of un-sent, un-opened absentee ballots sitting in the mailboxes here upsets me. But what can you do? American's are notoriously politically apathetic.
In other news--I have gotten some major gift shopping out of the way! I only have 3 or 4 people left, which considering the list, is quite impressive! Hooray hurrah!
I better get a move on. Hasta pronto.
I figured I would give you a regular update of how things are going. It's currently pouring rain--for somewhere that is supposed to be dry and desert-like, it sure is raining a lot lately!
We filled out our midterm program evaluations yesterday. We had to tell them what we thought about all of our teachers, and our host families. It was weird doing that for my host family because, even though I like them a lot, we do always get the same rotation of meals, and we even had this disgusting meal of thin sliced, raw ham and melon.
That's it.
The ham was so incredibly salty...it was awful! And my senora kept telling us to eat it with the melon, but that just made it taste worse! Yuck, yuck, yuck. I could really live without that meal ever again. That, and the gross cabbage and almond soup she makes far too often.
And I decided this morning that I hate weekend breakfasts because by then we are always out of the normal, delicious toast bread (which is like baguette bread, not the square kind at home), and instead I get these little cake things. It is just far too sweet to eat in the morning.
BUT! Enrique called Allison and I his "hijas de America" when his son popped in the other day, and it made me smile. I like it because, even though at first my host family seemed really stiff, and a lot of times Isabel seemed like she was scolding us, they are warming up a lot more. Isabel is just a spunky 75 year old woman, and she really never was doing any scolding. I honestly hope I have have that much life in me still when I am her age. That would be amazing.
It's not so scary to try to communicate with them either anymore. They're really patient, and do correct us if we make mistakes, which is helpful.
It's hard to believe we are already half way through the semester. I only have a month and a half left here. How did this happen?? Where did the time go?
I will never know.
I am so happy because I got mail from my parents AND a card from Stephanie! Brooke also said she sent me a letter!! Hooray!
My trip to Paris is slowly approaching...I am super excited to see Brett and Hallie (for the second time!!!).
I really wish it would stop raining. But alas!
I watched Barack Obama's 30 minute infomercial yesterday, and for real guys, it made me tear up. I want him to be president so, so badly that I cannot even understand how anyone could not think that he would be the best decision for our nation's future. Mairead really pinpointed my sentiment in her blog, and you can go read it here. If McCain is elected, I will never forgive the American public. Never.
And you have my word on that.
The number of un-sent, un-opened absentee ballots sitting in the mailboxes here upsets me. But what can you do? American's are notoriously politically apathetic.
In other news--I have gotten some major gift shopping out of the way! I only have 3 or 4 people left, which considering the list, is quite impressive! Hooray hurrah!
I better get a move on. Hasta pronto.
28.10.08
Prague, how I love you...
So this weekend, I traveled to Prague with Peter, Chase, and Chris, and met up with Hallie and her friends a couple times, and Justin even graced us with his presence! And can I just say, that city is absolutely amazing! Its probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and I am sure that when I return to the United States, I will look at the industrial-look of Chicago, and be like "ew, gross" no matter how much I love the city. It just isn't the same. It was wonderful, yet cold, AND NO RAIN FOLLOWED ME!
I am putting pictures up as we speak, if you don't believe me. :)
The first night we were there, we went to the hostel that Justin suggested, and lo and behold, there were no rooms available for us, and Peter had not made any sort of reservation, and I thought to myself, "Oh God...not a repeat of Germany, please!!" But the man at the desk called another hostel for us, and we ended up staying at a pretty cheap place, that was actually really, really nice. We met up with Hallie and her friends Stephanie (who goes to Bradley too) on Charles Bridge, and then just went to a bar and hung out for awhile.
The next day, the boys and I attempted to go to the Jewish cemetery (not realizing that DUH it would be closed on Saturday) and then proceeded to walk around Old Town, and then hiked up to Praha Hrad (or Prague Castle). We were highly disappointed in the fact that the castle itself was closed for 3 days (and we were only going to be there for 3 days!!) and the Powder Tower was closed too somehow, so our little visit was not only short, but also highly unsatisfying for the amount of money we had to pay to get in.
After that, we walked around a bit more, headed back to the hostel, siesta'd, and then went bar hopping again, where I stole yet another beer stein (huzzah!!) and then we called it a night.
Sunday we hopped on the train and headed to Karlstejn castle, which was about 45 minutes outside of the city. Oh my goodness, this castle was amazing, as well as the countryside surrounding it. We weren't allowed to take photos inside the castle, but the grounds were beautiful! When we got back, we went to try to go to the Jewish Cemetery again, but alas! They were closing in 20 minutes. Just our luck. So we went back to the hostel, napped, and then proceeded to eat Chinese Food for the second night in a row. It was delicious, if you must know.
We were on our way to meet Hallie in Old Town Square, when we heard some whistling at us. My reaction, thanks to Spanish men, is to avoid at all costs, but when Peter looked over, Justin was sitting on the curb, waiting for us! I guess he got bumped from his plane so he couldn't meet us the day before like he had originally planned, and yet we somehow found him! It was incredible.
Then we all met up with Hallie and the people from her program, and went to this jazz club. After that, we smuggled Justin and his ENORMOUS backpack into our hostel, and then conked out. In the morning, we tried ONE LAST TIME to get into the Jewish Cemetery (thinking it would only cost 40 crowns)...but it cost over 200 crowns, so we called it a day, and wandered and shopped instead.
Then came the next 13 hours of traveling on metro, bus, and plane for, uh...13 hours. It was gross, and we got home at 12:30 in the morning, but it was definitely worth it.
I finally voted and I am so excited for the election oh my goodness! And I got two letter from my padres, and a package of goodies! Hooray! So all you people who said you would write...hop to it!! :)
I need to go read and go to my Tutorial. I love you all!
Hasta pronto,
M.
I am putting pictures up as we speak, if you don't believe me. :)
The first night we were there, we went to the hostel that Justin suggested, and lo and behold, there were no rooms available for us, and Peter had not made any sort of reservation, and I thought to myself, "Oh God...not a repeat of Germany, please!!" But the man at the desk called another hostel for us, and we ended up staying at a pretty cheap place, that was actually really, really nice. We met up with Hallie and her friends Stephanie (who goes to Bradley too) on Charles Bridge, and then just went to a bar and hung out for awhile.
The next day, the boys and I attempted to go to the Jewish cemetery (not realizing that DUH it would be closed on Saturday) and then proceeded to walk around Old Town, and then hiked up to Praha Hrad (or Prague Castle). We were highly disappointed in the fact that the castle itself was closed for 3 days (and we were only going to be there for 3 days!!) and the Powder Tower was closed too somehow, so our little visit was not only short, but also highly unsatisfying for the amount of money we had to pay to get in.
After that, we walked around a bit more, headed back to the hostel, siesta'd, and then went bar hopping again, where I stole yet another beer stein (huzzah!!) and then we called it a night.
Sunday we hopped on the train and headed to Karlstejn castle, which was about 45 minutes outside of the city. Oh my goodness, this castle was amazing, as well as the countryside surrounding it. We weren't allowed to take photos inside the castle, but the grounds were beautiful! When we got back, we went to try to go to the Jewish Cemetery again, but alas! They were closing in 20 minutes. Just our luck. So we went back to the hostel, napped, and then proceeded to eat Chinese Food for the second night in a row. It was delicious, if you must know.
We were on our way to meet Hallie in Old Town Square, when we heard some whistling at us. My reaction, thanks to Spanish men, is to avoid at all costs, but when Peter looked over, Justin was sitting on the curb, waiting for us! I guess he got bumped from his plane so he couldn't meet us the day before like he had originally planned, and yet we somehow found him! It was incredible.
Then we all met up with Hallie and the people from her program, and went to this jazz club. After that, we smuggled Justin and his ENORMOUS backpack into our hostel, and then conked out. In the morning, we tried ONE LAST TIME to get into the Jewish Cemetery (thinking it would only cost 40 crowns)...but it cost over 200 crowns, so we called it a day, and wandered and shopped instead.
Then came the next 13 hours of traveling on metro, bus, and plane for, uh...13 hours. It was gross, and we got home at 12:30 in the morning, but it was definitely worth it.
I finally voted and I am so excited for the election oh my goodness! And I got two letter from my padres, and a package of goodies! Hooray! So all you people who said you would write...hop to it!! :)
I need to go read and go to my Tutorial. I love you all!
Hasta pronto,
M.
20.10.08
More photos added (surprise surprise) and how about a monsoon to help your day along?
Hello hello!!
I am currently taking refuge inside the school, thank goodness. Mother Nature totally just decided to overturn her bathtub all over Granada. And I would've been caught right in the middle of it had I not decided to walk to the school 2 hours before my next class starts.
I just added more photos from this weekend. There are quite a few, as always. I just need to add captions as then I will be all set.
This weekend I am going to Prague with Peter, Chase and Chris. Sara didn't get her ticket in time, so now its $400 instead of $290...I am kind of disappointed, but hey, that's life I guess.
Wow, its taking me too long to post this, and I am sorry there is not much substance, but I will try again later!
I am currently taking refuge inside the school, thank goodness. Mother Nature totally just decided to overturn her bathtub all over Granada. And I would've been caught right in the middle of it had I not decided to walk to the school 2 hours before my next class starts.
I just added more photos from this weekend. There are quite a few, as always. I just need to add captions as then I will be all set.
This weekend I am going to Prague with Peter, Chase and Chris. Sara didn't get her ticket in time, so now its $400 instead of $290...I am kind of disappointed, but hey, that's life I guess.
Wow, its taking me too long to post this, and I am sorry there is not much substance, but I will try again later!
14.10.08
More photos and a lot of Morocco
Hello! I just returned from my trip to Morocco. And let me tell you, it was probably one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life. I don't even know if I can put it to words, and even though I didn't go into the trip expecting anything in particular, it was completely different than I could have imagined it to be.
The people of Morocco are so welcoming and warm, and I couldn't help but want to stay there when it came time for us to leave, despite my yearning to return to Granada, where things are familiar. I made some good friends both in other programs in Granada, Sevilla, and Madrid, as well as some Moroccans, who honestly said that if I ever return to Morocco, I will have a place to stay. And the most incredible part--they truly mean every word.
The most memorable part of the trip, except for, uh, everything, would be when a group of us walked around with two girls and this one guy started bashing Americans, and Bush, and the two Moroccan girls completely went off on him. They told him that just because Bush is the president of the US, doesn't mean that all American's love him, or support him, or are all the same. They completely stood up for us, even though we had only known them for maybe ten minutes. If not less. They truly and deeply cared for us just upon meeting us, which I think most Americans could not even fathom. Their lifestyle is just so much different from ours back home.
I have added more photos. So check-check it out! Included are: my journey on the back of a camel, the homestay family's home, and lots of beautiful scenery. Get excited!
I need to get moving to class. I love you all!
M.
The people of Morocco are so welcoming and warm, and I couldn't help but want to stay there when it came time for us to leave, despite my yearning to return to Granada, where things are familiar. I made some good friends both in other programs in Granada, Sevilla, and Madrid, as well as some Moroccans, who honestly said that if I ever return to Morocco, I will have a place to stay. And the most incredible part--they truly mean every word.
The most memorable part of the trip, except for, uh, everything, would be when a group of us walked around with two girls and this one guy started bashing Americans, and Bush, and the two Moroccan girls completely went off on him. They told him that just because Bush is the president of the US, doesn't mean that all American's love him, or support him, or are all the same. They completely stood up for us, even though we had only known them for maybe ten minutes. If not less. They truly and deeply cared for us just upon meeting us, which I think most Americans could not even fathom. Their lifestyle is just so much different from ours back home.
I have added more photos. So check-check it out! Included are: my journey on the back of a camel, the homestay family's home, and lots of beautiful scenery. Get excited!
I need to get moving to class. I love you all!
M.
9.10.08
Oh Life...
Ay dios mio! Now that I am back in Granada, the craziness that was our trip to Germany has finally started to settle in. The pictures are up, so have a look-see, but beware, chaos ensues.
I was so so SO glad to return to Granada, even if the weather has cooled considerably since I left. At least it is still sunny and NOT rainy and cold (and here’s to hoping it stays that way!!) The only way I can possibly describe our adventures in Germany would be to tell them to imagine the craziest movie they’ve ever seen of a group of people traveling, and all of the ridiculous, crazy things that happen to them, unfortunate occurrences, etc. that all seem like they’re blowing things out of proportion, and don’t actually happen in real life: and then believe that Sara, Joanie, Susanne, and I lived it during this past week. I don’t think I will ever be the same again. Nor do I think that I need to be working on my FO at all anymore. I definitely got my flexibility on, and couldn’t turn it off, otherwise I would have snapped.
And trust me, I almost did. Though I think that mostly had to do with my being sick. Speaking of my tonsils…they magically are better, and I feel back to normal. How odd. Maybe it really was just the climate change, and the cold that was throwing me off. Who knows. Anything is possible.
We had our first “week” (meaning two days) of classes…and I absolutely love both my POE (writing and speaking), and Literatura de Siglo XX classes, but I am not so happy with my Civilizacion y Cultura Hispanoamericana class at all. I literally zoned out for the entire 2 hours, and really didn’t miss anything. Ah well.
My grammar class wasn't so bad today either. The professor reminds me a lot of a spanish version of Adam Sandler. And Joanie is in my class, so its nice to know someone for once. And I am not sure how my Islam class will be, but we shall see I guess, huh?
We finally booked tickets to go to Prague today. To be honest, I wasn’t so happy because instead of going Thursday-Sunday like I wanted, we have to go Friday-Monday so the tickets aren’t so expensive. They were 290 USD round-trip, which isn’t so bad I suppose, but I am kind of upset I need to miss classes. I am excited, though, because now our group has expanded to Sara and Chase too, along with me and Peter.
We are still on the lookout for tickets to Paris in November to meet Hallie and Brettsky, and maybe Annie will come if she wants to come too (YES PLEASE!!), and I know Sara wanted to come just to go to Paris and meet my friends, and Ana may just be flying with us because she just wants to go to France, and Chase wants to go to France too, and wants to go to London during the same trip. Madre mia! So much travel.
I am leaving to go on my Morocco trip tonight! Huzzah! We are taking the bus to Algeciras, and spending the night there since we have to meet up with the program at eight in the morning to take the boat across the Straight of Gibraltar to Tangier. I really cannot wait! It is going to be yet another experience of a lifetime. I will be sure to document accordingly (remember! Look at my photos from Germany—I split up the albums for easier perusing!) and post when I return. Never fear, I will not be gone long!
Oh life. What a hoot.
Much love,
M.
I was so so SO glad to return to Granada, even if the weather has cooled considerably since I left. At least it is still sunny and NOT rainy and cold (and here’s to hoping it stays that way!!) The only way I can possibly describe our adventures in Germany would be to tell them to imagine the craziest movie they’ve ever seen of a group of people traveling, and all of the ridiculous, crazy things that happen to them, unfortunate occurrences, etc. that all seem like they’re blowing things out of proportion, and don’t actually happen in real life: and then believe that Sara, Joanie, Susanne, and I lived it during this past week. I don’t think I will ever be the same again. Nor do I think that I need to be working on my FO at all anymore. I definitely got my flexibility on, and couldn’t turn it off, otherwise I would have snapped.
And trust me, I almost did. Though I think that mostly had to do with my being sick. Speaking of my tonsils…they magically are better, and I feel back to normal. How odd. Maybe it really was just the climate change, and the cold that was throwing me off. Who knows. Anything is possible.
We had our first “week” (meaning two days) of classes…and I absolutely love both my POE (writing and speaking), and Literatura de Siglo XX classes, but I am not so happy with my Civilizacion y Cultura Hispanoamericana class at all. I literally zoned out for the entire 2 hours, and really didn’t miss anything. Ah well.
My grammar class wasn't so bad today either. The professor reminds me a lot of a spanish version of Adam Sandler. And Joanie is in my class, so its nice to know someone for once. And I am not sure how my Islam class will be, but we shall see I guess, huh?
We finally booked tickets to go to Prague today. To be honest, I wasn’t so happy because instead of going Thursday-Sunday like I wanted, we have to go Friday-Monday so the tickets aren’t so expensive. They were 290 USD round-trip, which isn’t so bad I suppose, but I am kind of upset I need to miss classes. I am excited, though, because now our group has expanded to Sara and Chase too, along with me and Peter.
We are still on the lookout for tickets to Paris in November to meet Hallie and Brettsky, and maybe Annie will come if she wants to come too (YES PLEASE!!), and I know Sara wanted to come just to go to Paris and meet my friends, and Ana may just be flying with us because she just wants to go to France, and Chase wants to go to France too, and wants to go to London during the same trip. Madre mia! So much travel.
I am leaving to go on my Morocco trip tonight! Huzzah! We are taking the bus to Algeciras, and spending the night there since we have to meet up with the program at eight in the morning to take the boat across the Straight of Gibraltar to Tangier. I really cannot wait! It is going to be yet another experience of a lifetime. I will be sure to document accordingly (remember! Look at my photos from Germany—I split up the albums for easier perusing!) and post when I return. Never fear, I will not be gone long!
Oh life. What a hoot.
Much love,
M.
6.10.08
Going Home Tomorrow
I officially cannot wait to go back to Granada tomorrow! Cannot. I mean, I liked Germany and Austria and everything, but I am so over being cold and wet and rained on. I really am. Its ridiculous.
So tomorrow we fly to Malaga, and then take the bus into Granada. Then classes start tomorrow, and I am kind of excited. I have my Latin American studies class and my 20th Century Spanish Lit class tomorrow. Huzzah!
But this is going to be short, and that is all. Hasta luego cuando estoy en Granada!
M.
So tomorrow we fly to Malaga, and then take the bus into Granada. Then classes start tomorrow, and I am kind of excited. I have my Latin American studies class and my 20th Century Spanish Lit class tomorrow. Huzzah!
But this is going to be short, and that is all. Hasta luego cuando estoy en Granada!
M.
4.10.08
Death is Inevitable...
This trip in Germany has been completely insane. So many crazy things have happened, and the hits just keep on coming. I do not know if I will make it out alive. I may or may not be coming down with pneumonia because it is freezing cold and rainy here all the time, and there is no way to ever get the sleep that I need. It is awful.
Not to mention that the z and y keys are in the opposite spots on the keyboard and it is really bugging me because I never realized how much I actually use each letter. Its a really strange sensation.
I am now in Salzburg, Austria and let me tell you...I CANNOT WAIT to get on the train to Berlin tonight and sleep for the 10 hour train ride all night. I am exhausted. Today I think we are going to brave the ice caves, and maybe check out the Eagle's Nest (something to do with Hitler) and hopefully the whole day will be taken care of then. If I can even last that long.
I got one hour of sleep last night. One hour.
See, we have been winging this trip, as you all very well know. And every moment so far has been an adventure, and I will for sure remember this trip for the rest of my life. BUT! Apparently Austrians celebrate German holidays as well? Who knew! So we take the train from Munich to Salzburg, Austria on this said holiday. And there are no rooms ANYWHERE! None. Unless we want to pay 145€ for a double room.
As Patrick would say...Hell. To. The. No.
:)
So we went out, had a few beers, and slept in the train station. No wait, let me re-phrase that. We "slept" in the train station. I probaby got an hours worth of sleep.
So today should be an interesting day.
However, we did run into this nice guy from England who lives and runs a hostel in Budapest who hung out with us last night and slept in the station with us because he too had nowhere to go. In fact, he is still here with us at the internet cafe.
Which, might I mention, is outrageously priced and 3€ for an hour.
Whatever, I need this time for myself.
And I guess the Bradley class schedules are up for the Spring, so I neeed to get cracking on that. Sick.
I almost want to book a flight home early. But who knows if I will.
I think this is all for now. Sorry its so depressing. No worries, its just been a rough night and will be a rough day. I hav honestly enjoyed everything up until now. And Oktoberfest was insane.
Besitos,
M.
Not to mention that the z and y keys are in the opposite spots on the keyboard and it is really bugging me because I never realized how much I actually use each letter. Its a really strange sensation.
I am now in Salzburg, Austria and let me tell you...I CANNOT WAIT to get on the train to Berlin tonight and sleep for the 10 hour train ride all night. I am exhausted. Today I think we are going to brave the ice caves, and maybe check out the Eagle's Nest (something to do with Hitler) and hopefully the whole day will be taken care of then. If I can even last that long.
I got one hour of sleep last night. One hour.
See, we have been winging this trip, as you all very well know. And every moment so far has been an adventure, and I will for sure remember this trip for the rest of my life. BUT! Apparently Austrians celebrate German holidays as well? Who knew! So we take the train from Munich to Salzburg, Austria on this said holiday. And there are no rooms ANYWHERE! None. Unless we want to pay 145€ for a double room.
As Patrick would say...Hell. To. The. No.
:)
So we went out, had a few beers, and slept in the train station. No wait, let me re-phrase that. We "slept" in the train station. I probaby got an hours worth of sleep.
So today should be an interesting day.
However, we did run into this nice guy from England who lives and runs a hostel in Budapest who hung out with us last night and slept in the station with us because he too had nowhere to go. In fact, he is still here with us at the internet cafe.
Which, might I mention, is outrageously priced and 3€ for an hour.
Whatever, I need this time for myself.
And I guess the Bradley class schedules are up for the Spring, so I neeed to get cracking on that. Sick.
I almost want to book a flight home early. But who knows if I will.
I think this is all for now. Sorry its so depressing. No worries, its just been a rough night and will be a rough day. I hav honestly enjoyed everything up until now. And Oktoberfest was insane.
Besitos,
M.
2.10.08
I am never going to get sleep ever.
It is really really late here (try after 3am!) and I just wanted to give you a quick update again before I do not have radio contact again until October 8th (did you catch that Apollo 13 reference??)
I am off to Munich and Oktoberfest tomorrow, so I better go get sleep. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves, where ever you are, because we sure are here in Germany. I watched two of my friends earn their Bierdiplom's (meaning they drank 3 liters of beer over the course of 2 hours and in all, tried 10 different kinds!) and now we are off to be hooligans for a day and night in Munich.
It worries me that we dont have a hostel or anything planned still, but I am working on my FO afterall, aren't I? (According to this survey we took, I need to work on my flexibility/openness...being like able to wing things and not get stressed out and need things really organized, so hence FO...and look where it has taken me!)
This trip has been amazing so far, and I am sure there are a LOT of more adventures in store for us the rest of the week. I cannot wait!
Besitos,
M.
I am off to Munich and Oktoberfest tomorrow, so I better go get sleep. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves, where ever you are, because we sure are here in Germany. I watched two of my friends earn their Bierdiplom's (meaning they drank 3 liters of beer over the course of 2 hours and in all, tried 10 different kinds!) and now we are off to be hooligans for a day and night in Munich.
It worries me that we dont have a hostel or anything planned still, but I am working on my FO afterall, aren't I? (According to this survey we took, I need to work on my flexibility/openness...being like able to wing things and not get stressed out and need things really organized, so hence FO...and look where it has taken me!)
This trip has been amazing so far, and I am sure there are a LOT of more adventures in store for us the rest of the week. I cannot wait!
Besitos,
M.
1.10.08
GERMANY GERMANY GERMANYYY
I am currently using my friend Joanie's friend Mackenzie's computer right now to use the internet but I just wanted to check in and say hello because I AM IN GERMANY RIGHT NOWWWW!!
...that is where the Wahl clan comes from, afterall. :)
It is rainy and way colder here than in Granada, that's for sure. I was expecting that, though. Coming here on the bus from Frankfurt (Hanh)...NOT the usual frankfurt airport...long story, it was betweek 9 and 12 degrees Centigrade. Lets hope it is sunnier tomorrow!
I like it here though. Its night to be out of a big city for a little while, especially after Madrid. I loved Madrid, though, and I PROMISE once I get back, I will post more photos.
...even if there are already a billion.
Anywho, its definitely bed time after 12 hours of traveling...a glass of whine, a bottle of beer, and a cider at the Irish pub near the campus here. Eek. So buenas noches, and maybe you will hear from me again soon!
...that is where the Wahl clan comes from, afterall. :)
It is rainy and way colder here than in Granada, that's for sure. I was expecting that, though. Coming here on the bus from Frankfurt (Hanh)...NOT the usual frankfurt airport...long story, it was betweek 9 and 12 degrees Centigrade. Lets hope it is sunnier tomorrow!
I like it here though. Its night to be out of a big city for a little while, especially after Madrid. I loved Madrid, though, and I PROMISE once I get back, I will post more photos.
...even if there are already a billion.
Anywho, its definitely bed time after 12 hours of traveling...a glass of whine, a bottle of beer, and a cider at the Irish pub near the campus here. Eek. So buenas noches, and maybe you will hear from me again soon!
22.9.08
I Hate Money
So...here´s the deal.
I want to travel too much.
...this is not good.
Here is what I mean. The following weekends are the weekends I will be here while studying in Granada:
September
27-30: For my program we are going to Madrid this weekend, hooray! That´s covered and all that good stuff...no worries here.
Fall Break, 30-Oct. 7: I want to go to Athens since it is far, and I have more time. However, the cheapest tickets I have found, round trip, are 269€, not even including where I would stay. And if I can get people to go with me.
October
9-12: Morocco Exchange. Its 320€ for everything. I cannot wait. :)
17-19: My program is going to the Alhambra and to Ronda this weekend.
23-26: Going to Prague and Vienna with Peter and whoever else. The cheapest tickets to get there THERE are 382€ not including accomodations. But Justin Beal will be there, and I am sure he knows where the best and cheapest places are. Afterall, he´s been there like six times.
30-Nov. 2: Nothing. I think I want to stay in Granada. However, a bunch of my friends are going to Dublin for Becky´s 21st birthday, and I would love to go. But I don´t think I can swing it, especially since I was just there in May. Sigh...
November
6-9: Nothing.
13-16: Barcelona with Anne and Sara! We got cheap round-trip tickets for 50.40€!! Hooray!! Now we just need to find somewhere to stay...
22-23: My program is going to Sevilla and Cordoba. All planned, taken care of, and set to go. Excellent.
27-30: Nothing, yet. But Peter and I were thinking of meeting up with Hallie in Paris this weekend. But we shall see. We looked at tickets and they look like 27€ each way, give or take a little.
December
4-7: Nothing. Maybe stay here, or travel somewhere else in Spain? Who knows.
11-14: Definitely staying in Granada.
...and therein lies the problem. I know, I know. What an awful problem...but still! Planning is stressful, and too much money is being thrown about.
I best get a move on. ¡Hasta luego!
I want to travel too much.
...this is not good.
Here is what I mean. The following weekends are the weekends I will be here while studying in Granada:
September
27-30: For my program we are going to Madrid this weekend, hooray! That´s covered and all that good stuff...no worries here.
Fall Break, 30-Oct. 7: I want to go to Athens since it is far, and I have more time. However, the cheapest tickets I have found, round trip, are 269€, not even including where I would stay. And if I can get people to go with me.
October
9-12: Morocco Exchange. Its 320€ for everything. I cannot wait. :)
17-19: My program is going to the Alhambra and to Ronda this weekend.
23-26: Going to Prague and Vienna with Peter and whoever else. The cheapest tickets to get there THERE are 382€ not including accomodations. But Justin Beal will be there, and I am sure he knows where the best and cheapest places are. Afterall, he´s been there like six times.
30-Nov. 2: Nothing. I think I want to stay in Granada. However, a bunch of my friends are going to Dublin for Becky´s 21st birthday, and I would love to go. But I don´t think I can swing it, especially since I was just there in May. Sigh...
November
6-9: Nothing.
13-16: Barcelona with Anne and Sara! We got cheap round-trip tickets for 50.40€!! Hooray!! Now we just need to find somewhere to stay...
22-23: My program is going to Sevilla and Cordoba. All planned, taken care of, and set to go. Excellent.
27-30: Nothing, yet. But Peter and I were thinking of meeting up with Hallie in Paris this weekend. But we shall see. We looked at tickets and they look like 27€ each way, give or take a little.
December
4-7: Nothing. Maybe stay here, or travel somewhere else in Spain? Who knows.
11-14: Definitely staying in Granada.
...and therein lies the problem. I know, I know. What an awful problem...but still! Planning is stressful, and too much money is being thrown about.
I best get a move on. ¡Hasta luego!
21.9.08
It's Been Awhile, huh...
Yikes. It is now the 21st of September, and I haven't posted anything here in awhile...oops. I've been here my first full week! It seems like I have been here forever, yet at the same time, I haven't, and the time just goes so quickly! It's weird.
By the way...HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!
So this week we just continued doing the same old same old in regards to our orientation classes from 4-7 each night, but we also went on a couple excursions. The first was a trip to El Albycin, where the gypsies are. The hike was intense because it was such a steep climb up lots and lots of steps, but the trip was amazing. The next day, too, we went to Sacramonte, where caves are. People live in houses that are built into these caves, which is sweet, but I wasn't as impressed with the final destination as I was with El Albycin. The climb itself was so spectactular. The mountains here are some of the most beautiful things in existence, I think. I am posting pictures of the first week as I type...so be sure to look at them. There are a lot of them, I know, but it will be worth the wait. :)
Anne and I booked a trip in November with my friend Sara to Barcelona!!! The flight tickets were FREE on Ryanair.com, but you just had to pay for the tax, and that's it! So the final total for a round trip ticket to Barcelona for the weekend was just a little less than 40 Euro. We just need to book our hostel, and then we're all set! I cannot wait!
This weekend, I went with a group of people to Almunecar to go to the beach. Those pictures will be in the photos I am putting up too. It was a wonderful weekend. Originally, it was supposed to rain, so we were not sure if we were going to go. But we did, and we couldn't have asked for a better day at the beach yesterday. It was sunny and warm, a little breezy, and the water was warm enough to swim in, yet cool enough to help you beat the heat. I swam out to this raft/buoy thing that has a little slide and diving board with Brianna, Chase, Peter, Heather and Sara, and we sat out there and enjoyed being in the Mediterranean Sea. The only problem, however, was how salty the water was! By the time we got to the raft, we were all incredibly thirsty. It was awful.
There was a cliff side at one end of the beach that I walked to with a couple people, and we climbed around and took pictures and it was amazing. I didn't want to go home today, even if I was a bit sunburned and being in the sun for another full day wouldn't have been a good idea. :)
I really love it here, even though I miss my friends and family a lot.
I think Sara and I are going to look into what we should do during our week off coming up. I also need to figure out when I want to go on the Morocco Trip and who I want to go with. We shall see, we shall see. And I need to discuss with Peter going to Vienna and Prague. Gah! Too much planning!! (And NO I am not complaining!)
I love you all and now that I have found a good place for internet, I am sure these will come up a little more frequently!
Much love,
M.
By the way...HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!
So this week we just continued doing the same old same old in regards to our orientation classes from 4-7 each night, but we also went on a couple excursions. The first was a trip to El Albycin, where the gypsies are. The hike was intense because it was such a steep climb up lots and lots of steps, but the trip was amazing. The next day, too, we went to Sacramonte, where caves are. People live in houses that are built into these caves, which is sweet, but I wasn't as impressed with the final destination as I was with El Albycin. The climb itself was so spectactular. The mountains here are some of the most beautiful things in existence, I think. I am posting pictures of the first week as I type...so be sure to look at them. There are a lot of them, I know, but it will be worth the wait. :)
Anne and I booked a trip in November with my friend Sara to Barcelona!!! The flight tickets were FREE on Ryanair.com, but you just had to pay for the tax, and that's it! So the final total for a round trip ticket to Barcelona for the weekend was just a little less than 40 Euro. We just need to book our hostel, and then we're all set! I cannot wait!
This weekend, I went with a group of people to Almunecar to go to the beach. Those pictures will be in the photos I am putting up too. It was a wonderful weekend. Originally, it was supposed to rain, so we were not sure if we were going to go. But we did, and we couldn't have asked for a better day at the beach yesterday. It was sunny and warm, a little breezy, and the water was warm enough to swim in, yet cool enough to help you beat the heat. I swam out to this raft/buoy thing that has a little slide and diving board with Brianna, Chase, Peter, Heather and Sara, and we sat out there and enjoyed being in the Mediterranean Sea. The only problem, however, was how salty the water was! By the time we got to the raft, we were all incredibly thirsty. It was awful.
There was a cliff side at one end of the beach that I walked to with a couple people, and we climbed around and took pictures and it was amazing. I didn't want to go home today, even if I was a bit sunburned and being in the sun for another full day wouldn't have been a good idea. :)
I really love it here, even though I miss my friends and family a lot.
I think Sara and I are going to look into what we should do during our week off coming up. I also need to figure out when I want to go on the Morocco Trip and who I want to go with. We shall see, we shall see. And I need to discuss with Peter going to Vienna and Prague. Gah! Too much planning!! (And NO I am not complaining!)
I love you all and now that I have found a good place for internet, I am sure these will come up a little more frequently!
Much love,
M.
13.9.08
Longest Day Ever
So I have arrived, and it was quite the fiasco...and I am already late meeting other people for dinner (by like 20 minutes!!) so I will tell you all about it but I didn't want you all to worry about me! I got here safe and sound, if completely exhausted, dehydrated, and starved. :)
BIENVENIDOS A GRANADA EVERYBODY!
BIENVENIDOS A GRANADA EVERYBODY!
12.9.08
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