Time Flies

Here I am in the final week of my study abroad experience, wondering where the time went but also feeling like I've been in Spain forever. Looking back to the month of January when I first arrived, I remember clear as day waking up to an unfamiliar room and hearing the voices of my new Spanish family chatting downstairs, speaking a language I thought I knew (until I got to Spain and heard people actually speaking it). Laying in bed, I would give myself a pep talk to start the day. Just go downstairs, eat your breakfast, and it's okay if you barely understand a word they're saying. It was nerve-wracking and frustrating and so confusing at times, but every day it got better. Although it didn't feel like my comprehension of Spanish was improving, it most definitely was. 

Reflecting on these past 4 months, I can't help but be proud of myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone and flew across the ocean to live in what felt like a completely different world. I have not achieved fluency in the language, but I have learned more here than I could have ever imagined. 

Although it is bittersweet to be leaving, I'm excited to return home and take with me all the knowledge I have gained abroad. That being said, this week is one of reflections on all the good times, and I want to recount some of the most memorable moments. Living on Spain time has taught me that meeting times are more often than not merely suggestions, tener prisa or "to be in a hurry" is generally unheard of and procrastination is the norm. Staying true to Spanish ways, I have put off posting on this blog for quite awhile now. Although Spain has a much slower and more relaxed lifestyle, time still flies, especially when the country is filled with big cathedrals and old palaces, and it sometimes feels like a fairytale. So as the reality of leaving this beautiful place sets in and I start to feel a little nostalgic, it seems like the right time to put my experience here into words. 

This is just the beginning.

I have been in Granada for almost 2 weeks now and continue to learn more and more about the culture and style of living here every day. 

Today, I learned that Granada translates to pomegranate in English. So, basically the city is named after a fruit. Pomegranates grow here in the city in the fall, as my host parents explained to me. In addition to pomegranates, Granada also has many orange trees. I asked my host parents if people pick them off the trees, picturing myself eating an unlimited supply of oranges while walking through the city's streets. However, they informed me that these are bad oranges that will make me feel sick. The trees are still pretty though. 

As for local culture, I have yet to shake someone's hand because here the custom is to give "dos besos" whenever you're introduced to someone new. It's a little strange at first when an unfamiliar face comes toward you to kiss both cheeks, but it is a friendly gesture that is very common not only in Granada and the rest of Spain but in other parts of Europe as well.

I am still getting used to life in this city. Yesterday, I was searching for a café that I was sure I knew the location of because I have walked by it numerous times. Nevertheless, I got lost. I decided to ask a woman on the street for directions, expecting her to say "a la izquierda" (to the left) or "a la derecha" (to the right), but instead she responded "debajo." Debajo? I looked at her confused, so she repeated "debajo" but more slowly this time. However, that did not help because I already knew exactly what she said. She said "below." I stood there for a minute wondering if it was even possible to go below the cobblestone street, and then decided to go to the left. I later learned that above and below are commonly used here as directional terms, although I still don't understand it. 

So far, my favorite part of Granada is the city's pride and joy, La Alhambra, a beautiful restored old palace.

This is the well-known Patio de los Leones, the main courtyard found in La Alhambra. 

The views from the top of the palace are simply breathtaking.

Pictured here is the Albaicín, the Arab Quarter of the city. 

In the other direction, you can see the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Not too far from La Alhambra, there is another palace called Generalife. This palace served as the summer palace.

This is the Patio de la Acequia, found in Generalife.

Granada is located in southeastern Spain, about an hour from the Mediterranean Sea. I visited the town of Nerja to see the beautiful beaches and coastline.

Overall, my first 2 weeks here have shown me that this city has a lot to offer. From the history to the mountains to the spectacular views to the food and the local people, I know that there are many great experiences coming my way, and I couldn't be more ready for them.