Brief update of the past four days: I turned 21 while sleeping in a plane at some point over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Madrid, then took bus to beautiful, 60-degree Granada in southeastern Spain. We stayed at the Hotel Macia Monasterio de los Basilios for two nights. It's located at the base of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains, right along the Genil River that runs through the city.
Well, I had my first café con leche (really good coffee), churros (basically fried dough), and tapas (sort of like Spanish appetizers). I've also watched more fútbol (soccer) that I have in my entire life. Sadly, though, I found out that being surrounded by the sport does not automatically make me good at futbolín (foozeball).
On a happier note, I have now officially been living with a fellow traveler and my host family for eight hours. Everyone is amazing, and I can feel my Spanish improving already. My English-speaking housemate and I were trying to explain to our Señora (host mom) what a lacrosse stick is, but we didn't know the right word for stick or net. And she had no idea what lacrosse is. It's simultaneously funny and frustrating - kind of like language charades.
Another adventure - I went to mass at La Iglesia de San Francisco, which was awesome. I had some trouble following along and saying the right things, but it was amazing how similar it was to what I am used to. They even had big signs in the church that said things like "Es mejor celebrar juntos - ¡Acercate! (It's better to celebrate together - Move closer!)" which reminded me of our campus chapel initiative to get students to sit in the front pews at mass. (yeah CCM!) Family and faith really make me feel more at home in a totally foreign place.
Well, that's all for now. Until later, enjoy a few pictures. ¡Hasta la vista!
Christmas decorations were still all over the place! This was on the Epiphany; the night before was the celebration of the "Reyes Magos" (the Three Wise Men), which is when the Spanish version of Santa Claus brings presents for the kids :)
The lovely river (although it doesn't look too good for fishing).
If you squint really hard you can see the white mountains in the background
behind the super cool Moorish architecture.
The courtyard at our hotel - yes, that is a lemon tree.
And yes, there are oranges growing on that lemon tree.
