If you didn`t hear, Spain won against Germany in the European World Cup, where they were not favored to win. A tight game, 1-0 win, but a win all the same!
I just wanted to spread the good news with all of you! Now to step back to Thursday before this all started.. .!
Thursday night was the second to last game for Spain, so of course, me and Stephanie had to go support our favorite team against Russia! I quickly ran out to buy myself a Spain futbol shirt to support the team, and then we went out for a brief tapas for dinner. After a quick dinner, we then met up with our English buddies Harriet and Robert. From there, they lead us to a sports bar that had come to their knowledge as highly recommended- And that wasn`t without saying that it was definately worth the visit!
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The place was packed with Spaniards! There was barely enough room for us to squeeze through, but it wasn`t necessary as there were at least 5 televisions, (ranging in size from very big to medium) all over the place! We clustered with the large assembly around the larger television, and watched the intense game. The atmosphere was a bit smokey, so at about halftime we ventured outside to grab a cheaper tapas at the resturant next door, and enjoy some fresh air. The waiter definately liked my t-shirt, because I didn`t order anything, and still got a free tapa sandwhich. Que bueno suerte!
After the game, with a victory for Spain 3-0, we ventured outside into the cool night breeze, the city becominga alive with the sound of hundreds of excited fans. Stephanie had left the underground area ealier to grab herself a cola nearby, as the smoke had been making her eyes water a bit. I ventured over as Harriet and Robert bid us goodbye for the night, and hung out with her as she finished off her tapas.
I wasn`t waiting long as a tap on a shoulder, and a friendly Spaniard asked me if I liked Torres (the name of the player on the back of my shirt.) I cheerfully replied that I did, and I guess my accent must have given me away, because he then asked where I was from! I explained I was a student from the United States, Florida, which for that he smiled at the name of the familiar state. I cheered Podemos! the rallying cry of Spanish futbol, and he was extremely happy I knew the cheer! He then went back to rejoin his girlfriend for tapas, and me and Stephanie made our way out into the night.
Cars were honking every which way, people were waving flags in the street, and screaming to friends in excitement. It was insanity! Everywhere you looked colors of red and gold blended as if Granada had been transformed into a giant red flag! We were going to head home from there, (Stephanie had an exam the next morning) But literally the large group of gathered people were all walking down the main road to a nearby fountain. Wanting to see where everyone was going, we followed! And this is what greeted us went we finally made our way down:
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Hundreds of people all gathered around the large fountain plaza, with younger adults and teens at different levels on top of the fountain! Flags were waving, flags were drumming, as the tunes of Spanish cheers rang out into the night. We stood and watched, cheering along with the words we could pick up, as nearby cars honked into the night. Finally we decided to make our way home, cheering at cars that would honk at walking passerby. Even a couple of locals approached me and we all cheered in Spanish for Spain! Stephanie mentioned that she had to get herself a Spain shirt, which I heartily agreed! All through the night the excitement permeated the city, and it definately took a while to tune out the constantly honking horns! But all the same, it meant Spain was going to the finals!
The next day was back to class, as we reviewed for the exam on Friday. Our teacher told us not to worry about it- she graded more on class participation and overall review on how we progressed in class, and not so much on how the final went. Needless to say, the atmosphere was still tense, as all of us United States students were used to a do or die grading system! But we all unwound with our traditional music video Friday, and by the end we were all feeling ready for the weekend!
After yet another yummy lunch by my host mom (the joke is, she always asks Stephanie what she will eat, and never asks me, because I eat everything! Including fish- which by the way ,is VERY good here!) I whipped out my trusty map, and studied the roads to find out how exactly to visit Granada`s large cementary. My host mom had recommended visiting it, citing how it was very pretty to walk around and look at all the statues and trees. As I like reading about people long gone, I had to make my way over there!
I set out as Stephanie bade me farewell, (she opted to go shopping instead) walking along familiar roads I had explored perhaps two weeks ago. The heat was definately intense, and I was very glad I had toted along my water bottle. After aabout 15 minutes of walking, I made it to a large roundabout, then looked at my map. The roads around that area weren`t very clear on the map, but the general idea was to go north. I looked up....and found a large incline slope upwards. Gulping my aprehension at the long climb, and setting in my determination, I began to climb!
It took me about 45 minutes to get up, on an all uphill climb! The way was through a neighborhood, even a small dog at running over and barking at me! But I wouldn`t give up so easily, and it was definately tough as I hadn`t climbed uphill in several months! But I was soon rewarded for my toil, as I then reached the summit of the neighborhood, and a nearby sign read `cementary.`I was so close, I could taste it!
I followed the sign, which pointed upways. I looked up to see a road winding around a large hill, and a hiking path. I became confused, was this the way? I had heard that the graveyard was indeed up a ways. Maybe it was on top of the hill? I looked around the area, only seeing what looked to be an enclosed palace-area, and decided going up would be my best option. Wouldn`t I logically find a bunch of graves up there? So up I climbed!
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My lungs were wheezing from exhaustion , as the city grew smaller below me. My legs throbbed in pain, and my sweat fell like bullets. I hoped that I would finally make to the garaveyard, as I had been climbing uphill for nearly an hour!
But my climb wasn`t rewarded with a graveyard, but instead a tall enclove of trees. I stood there for about 10 minutes in disbelief, and looked at my map again. Where could this graveyard be!?
I walked through the spread out trees, the hum of cicadas dimming as I came close to them. My enthusiasm was waning- I had climbed all this way, and no graveyard? I finally reached a road after 15 minutes, and looked around my surroundings. Not a grave in sight. In fact, besides trees and dusty ground, there wasn`t anything..except a nearby sign. I sucked in my breath, and jogged over into the shade, reading:
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My face fell. This wasn`t the graveyard, this was a recreational area! My spirits fell, and I decided to head back home from there. I was hot, tired, and a tad disappointed as I turned and followed the road down. A bicyclist zoomed by me on the dusty road, and a park ranger slowly passed me, giving me an odd look. I did look a bit out of place, as I was wearing my jean skirt
However, my dull spirits were lifted when I spied a small animal watching me from a nearby rock:
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A small spanish squirrel! My first non-domesticated animal sighting! (pigeons don`t count, they are practically tame rats) He was extremely interested in what I was doing way out in his home, and thus he let me grab a quick picture. I felt a bit better about my disappointing trip, as I did get to see some cool sights outside of the city!
After walking a bit more, I came up to a main road, where a sign clearly pointed. `CEMENTARY PARKING.` I wasn`t sure if I could take another sign leading elsewhere, but I figured if it was close enough, I would go. My efforts were finally rewarded, as a large, gothic gate loomed towards the end of the parking lot, a giant stone statue of a cross at the entrance. I had finally made it!
I walked forward in awe, my camera slowly being lifted to take a picture, as I suddenly heard a ¨Perdona!¨I turned in my spot, as a security guard quickly walked over to me. She politely asked if I would refrain from taking pictures, and I complied, a bit confused on my part. Wasn`t this a historic cemetary? But after putting my camera away, and walking a few feet into the cemetary, I saw why- not only was this the old cemetary, but it was also the new- this was Granada`s cemetary for all of the deceased!
The beginning portion was what I expected- large statues of angels, crosses, and mini-buildings with fabulous sculptures and stained glass, remains of a time long gone. I enjoyed walking through this part immensly, as the sound of the busy city below seemed to fade away in the stillness. But my eye caught to what looked to be a multi-plaqued wall, and I made my way to the side to inspect it closer.
There, with dates a bit more modern, were hundreds of graves. The closest example I could come up with would be like going to a store with hundreds of stacked boxes of shoes-on top and to the side of each other. This is how the modern graves were-hundreds of plaques, where the graves were placed in their seperate space, but all stacked near each other in the wall. I realized this was the palace -like area I had seen before- I had been looking for an American-style graveyard, and it had been under my nose the entire time!
I spent a good hour just walking through the graveyard, enjoying the beautiful flowers and trees that were spread all over the place. It was mostly quiet there, but at one point I heard a mumbled speech of words from far off, and saw a family paying respects to someone who had passed on. Different names, years, and ages were displayed all over, a testament to the long history of Granada`s people. I really found interesting was there was a small stream that ran through the graveyard, and that Spaniard legend associates ghosts with running water. Definately a thought that was in my mind the rest of that afternoon!
Finally, it was time to head home, as I had toured what I wanted to see. I stopped in a nearby building to utilize the ATM, as I was a bit tired to try and walk all the way home. From there I waited for bus 13. (Interesting number, huh?) I waited about 25 minutes, fanning myself in the hot temperature with my beloved abanico. (fan) Finally the bus came, and me and other visitors walked on to a fast trip back to the city. I headed home for a 9pm dinner, then soon fell asleep from my very busy day.
The next day I woke up around 8 AM, and began to pack my clothes, bathing suit, and towel away in my backpack for a 10 AM trip to.. Nerja!
We met Inma at Correos at exactly 10 AM, and then we walked a bit into the city to find a suitable place for Jaime to pick us up. We were going in style in Jaime`s car- apparently, we were the first group to go this way, which was super cool!
Our small group finally found a good place, and Jaime pulled up in his car, and we all loaded our things in the bag. Lunchbox, backpacks, towels, and some beach umbrellas later, we were all loaded in the car and off to Nerja!
It took about an hour and a half to get to Nerja, and the trip wasn`t anything boring, with the beautiful scenery of a European countryside- sloping mountainsides, large bridges that lead into deep and dark tunnels- it felt like driving through a movie half of the trip!
But sooner than later, we were driving alongside the ocean side. Large cliffs that dropped into a rich blue sea, with little white houses littered all over the coast. Tiny specks of people at the beach, which would soon be all of us!
We finally pulled into our hostal, and checked into our rooms. The place we stayed was very pretty, with an outside mini-patio right outside of our rooms:
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We put down all of our belongings, opting to only grab our bags, I putting on my swimming suit and grabbing my towel and sunscreen. Not a half an hour later after checking in, we were walking down the street to head to the beach.
We first stopped at a plaza in Nerja, which overlooked a gorgeous view of the ocean. Here is where I took most of pictures, just because it was that great of a view:
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(more, as always, on my photobucket!)
After touring the plaza, we then walked a ways down the nearby street to get down below. Nerja reminded me somewhat of back home, as it was a definately beachy town with towels and inflatable toys every which way you looked.
We then came up to a stone staircase, with Inma leading ahead, the rest of us following dutifully behind. As soon as she approached the beach, she took off her sandals, and the rest of us quickly copied- opting to walk on the pebbley beach. The beach in Nerja isn`t like a Florida beach with sand-instead, it`s covered mostly in small pebbles which definately tickle your feet the whole way! The water was much warmer compared to Malàga, and the clear ocean blue much cleaner as well!
Our group walked down the beach for about 10-15, then we finally stopped nearby a local restaurant. Me and Inma put down our towels and set up our umbrellas, opting to leave them down then carry them anymore. We grabbed our bags, and then walked over to the restaurant not a few yards away.
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There was a large outside cooking portion of the restuarant, where Jaime explained to us where the Paella was made. Paella, which we all had minus Stephanie, is a very famous dish in Spain- it is pretty much the most typical Spanish meal you can get, from Pamplona to Granada. I was very interested in it, so of course I ordered it.
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Paella was fire-cooked rice with pieces of chicken, fish, shrimp, clam and a mini-lobster- it was almost like a dinner surpise-hidden in the rice were small little sea critters! Me, Scott, Jaime and Inma had a great time eating it, and it was delicious, as all the food I`ve had here!
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(You can see I really liked it!)
After enjoying the tasty Spanish meal, we then all decided to go our seperate ways for our free time- Stephanie has a cold, so she wanted to go back to the hotel to rest for the afternoon, and Jaime had a bit of computer work to do himself. So me, Inma, and Scott all headed for the beach!
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It was definately a relaxing, but very hot way to spend the afternoon! Several times me and Scott ventured into the cool ocean to cool off. It wasn`t as cold as the water in Màlaga, and definately was a lot cleaner! I particularly had a lot of fun diving in and out of the cool water, then running up on dry land to lie down, dry off, and then repeat! Scott left after about 2 and half hours, me and Inma were there for around 4-5 hours. I definately got a bit burnt, but happily mostly tan! I can`t wait to show off my new skin color when I get home!
After the beach venture, I headed back with Inma to the hotel. From there we ran into Stephanie, who was heading to the beach. She thankfully gave me the keys, so I could get into our room! I went back to hotel, and as it was free time, and dinner was our own to plan, I took about an hour worth of a bath. My homestay doesn`t have a bath, much like my college back home, so I enjoyed the relaxation!
Afterwards, Stephanie texted me, and after asking Scott to come along, (he had packed a sanwhich, so he wasn`t hungry) we went out for dinner! We walked around the stores for a bit, then headed into a nearby Indian restaurant. The town is a very English-dominated part of Spain, which was reflected in the fact our waiter had an English accent! But the food was very good, and I`d never had Indian food before, so it was definately a new experience. From there, we headed home, as I was exhausted from a long day at the beach.
The next day we got about at about 9 AM and packed up our things for the day, Stephanie taking a quick shower. Our breakfast was at 10 AM with Jaime and Inma again, they taking us out for some tasty churros! Yum yum! After the churro breakfast, we then stopped in an everything-is-2€ -shop! They had a lot of nice things, where Inma bought herself a pretty little fan, and I bought myself a cute bracelet.
From there, we checked out of the hotel, and then discussed what to do for the day- Jaime and Inma were planning to return to the beach, but being sunburned from the day before, I wanted to hang out in the shady parts of Nerja! Scott and Stephanie were of the same mind, and the three of us decided to go and explore a bit on our own. Jaime and Inma then told us to meet at the plaza at 2, and we waved them good-bye as they went back down to the beach!
We walked for a bit, but Stephanie then decided she`d rather explore a bit on her own, and try to find a cyber-cafè. The two of us watched her go, and we walked a bit around Nerja-but eventually ended up walking in a circle back to the start point! Scott had been to Nerja before and remembered a fountain he had liked, so we decided to try and go find that fountain again.
When we got there, the fountain wasn`t running, but we found a shady bench, where we sat down and enjoyed the nice shade. A stray cat was nearby, and we enjoyed giving the very friendly cat lots of pets:
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After hanging there for most of the afternoon time we had, we petted our friendly cat good-bye, and then headed up to meet up with the rest at 2 PM. We had lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant, I having tasty spaghetti for lunch: the rest enjoying crispy pizzas. After lunch, we walked over and had some excellent ice cream on such a hot day. Finally it was coming on 4 PM, and to make it back to Granada in time for the futbol game, we piled back into Jaime`s car, and made the way back home, after a successful weekend at the beach.
As soon as we were dropped off near our house, me and Stephanie walked into our homestay to the bright colors of red-and-gold: the excitement of the futbol game, the final of Spain versus Germany! All three of the children had Spanish t-shirts on, and their faces painted with red and gold. The air was all of anticipation, and I quickly shucked off my t-shirt to put on my own Spain t-shirt. My host mom offered to paint my face with colors as well, and of course, I couldn`t refuse!
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Spain`s biggest fan.. right!?
After a quick siesta, and our family heading out to watch the game over at a family member`s house, and me and Stephanie were back out on the road again! We had a quick tapas dinner at a nearby restaurant, and from there we picked up Scott and two new buddies of his. They were with another program, but they were living in the same house as Scott, and were decked out in shirts and flags-as-capes. We all got along famously as if we`d been friends the whole time, finally heading to the sports bar we had been the night before.
It was the same atmosphere from before, but there was definately a new instensity to the game as we watched the game play out. Germany was favored to win, and the beginning made it look that way as they began to shoot on the goal. But soon enough, Fernando Torres (my favorite player!) shot on goal, and the whole room went crazy! We all jumped and screamed in Spanish for our beloved team, and we all ooooed and aaahhed at every missed goal, every near shot, and every foul. It wasn`t just a game, it was drama in action! And soon the game was over, 1-0 Spain, and we all screamed and hugged each other, dancing in a circle to the tune of Spanish theme songs. They even played ´We are the Champions, which was fun in that everyone sang in English!
From there, we left the bar and grabbed Stephanie, who had watched it upstairs to get out of the smoke of the downstairs area. We then walked down the streets to the insanity outside- like the night of the last game, cars were honking, fireworks were cracking every which way, and everyone in red and gold went running into the streets, cheering ESPAÑA! We walked down to the fountain, which was once again a scene of crazyness, young people climbing up it, waving flags, cheering in song, as the well won victory of Spain echoed through the night.
Walking home was just as exciting, as cars honked, and people cheered from everywhere. It was a great night to be a Spain fan, and the celebration went on long into the night, as evident by the continous honking outside of our room!
This morning was a early getup for me, as it was exam day! I ate a quick breakfast, reviewed over my notes, and then headed to class with my headed running through past tenses and imperative forms. The test itself wasn`t too bad, there were definately parts that made my brain rack through answers, but all in all, it was throughly comphrensive test. After our test, we then went back to class to watch a couple of Spanish music videos, and she let us out early at 11.30 AM, to the delight of everyone. We all hugged her and said our good-byes, as not only had we had class everyday, but we did have a lot of fun too.
Lunch was at 2:20 PM with tasty rice and pork, and afterwards I headed back to the computer lab to begin writing my blog entry for the weekend`s activities! I got a break from typing when my parents called me, and as always had a great time catching up with them with my world and their world. I miss them alot, and I always look forward to having my weekly phone call! (Why does that sound like I`m in prison? ha ha ha!) And during the middle on my phone call, the overcast morning had turned into my first Granada rainfall! Lightning and thunder rumbled through the CLM building, the rain tapping the rafters. It was pretty exciting, as it does not rain here very much!
Tonight I am unsure of what my plans out, but my roommate mentioned perhaps going out to explore as we don`t have classes tommorrow, due to the new arrivals testing into their classes. I`ll have to explore my map tonight to plan myself a day trip, because I can`t miss out on an opportunity of no class! Maybe do some shopping.. that sounds fun! Wednesday will be a tour into Granada`s famous Cathedral, so as always, will have my trusty camera on me!
Also, this journal entry marks the halfway point of my stay in Spain! It`s hard to believe I`ve already been here a month, and I am extremely thankful I`m lucky enough to have another! I`m definately looking forward to meeting the new people that are coming into our program, and the fun and excitement this new month will bring! Spain is so fantastic!
So.....until next time!
