"The only source of knowledge is experience." - Albert Einstein

If I've learned anything during my few weeks here, it's that I have so much to learn. That's the beauty of life, though.

After taking years of Spanish class, coming here has made me realize that participating in day-to-day conversations and writing ten-page research papers are two completely different concepts. Also, formal speaking and colloquial communication are almost different languages. Not only am I learning Spanish, I'm also learning to appreciate something I have taken for granted for my entire life: English. Languages can be difficult. The other day my thirteen-year-old brother, who is learning English, and my host dad, who speaks a good bit of English, were trying to figure out the best word for the opposite of "nice." My host brother thought it was "horrible." So they asked me, and I said "mean", trying to explain that horrible is a very strong word to use for something that's not nice. Then my host dad said, "Oh...like when you say 'what do you mean' do someone?" I had never thought about it like that. English doesn't make much sense sometimes.

My sixteen-year-old host brother is also learning English. The other day he asked me to read over a paragraph he had written for English class. Not only did I get a taste of how frustrated my Spanish professors must feel when they read what I write, I realized that I don't know everything about English either. It was a very humbling experience.

Speaking of humbling, one day at the soup kitchen a volunteer showed me a large serving spoon scooper thing and asked me what the English word for it was. I basically said something like "large serving spoon scooper thing", and he thought it was somewhat ridiculous that I couldn't come up with one good, descriptive word. Ay caramba.

Although my Spanish listening and speaking skills are improving, communication can sometimes be a bit challenging. During lunch one day my host mom asked me if my brothers had a "pleigh". I just sat there thinking to myself What in the world is a "pleigh"? And DO my brothers have one? Maybe it has something to do with sports...Apparently unable to bear the awkward silence, my sixteen-year-old host brother chimed in with a well-enunciated American imitation: "PLAY-STAY-SHUN". It all made sense. I quickly replied that no, my brothers don't have a Playstation, but they do have a Wii.

Inside the Cathedral

In front of the Cathedral

Church update: Since my last post I've been to La Catedral and La Iglesia de San Matias for mass. The Cathedral is a huge tourist attraction; there were security guards inside the church who had to shoo out all of the people taking pictures so mass could begin. It was the first church I've been to that had music during mass - something I really love. The architecture is awesome, but it's a bit drafty inside. San Matias is in the process of undergoing some renovations, but was beautiful nonetheless (and they had space heaters running throughout mass). As a side note, here's the reasoning behind the magnificent churches: back in the day, kings and queens lived lavishly and were decorated with elaborate riches, dwelling in fancy castles and such. God was seen as "above" the monarchy, so the fitting thing to do was create tributes to God that surpassed the wealth of the kings and queens (see pictures).

One of many stunning views from the Sierras

 Yesterday we went to the Sierra Nevada mountains, which was absolutely positively gorgeous. I didn't ski, but in addition to taking pictures there was a lot going on to keep busy. We rode the Trineo Ruso, which is sort of like a mini roller coaster, but you control your speed on the descent - pretty fun, but I'm relatively certain the concept wouldn't fly in the states due to safety concerns. Anyway, it's amazing and somewhat unreal that Granada is less than an hour away from the mountains, but also the same distance to the beach. And it's all so beautiful.

Today was our last day of the Intensive Grammar class! This week we're going to Salamanca, Segovia, Madrid, and Toledo, and then next week our classes begin.
So much to do, so much to learn!


"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."
                                        - Albert Einstein