So Friday I left off with my going to a museum and also visiting some original Arab baths! After posting my blog, I left the school to meet up with Stephanie, and from we began our afternoon trip!
We first went in search of the original Arab Baths, (not the nice modern ones we went to!), and it took us a couple of minutes to actually find the place. Only by turning around and looking into what looked like an abandoned construction site did we finally find our baths:
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There was a nearby gate, but it was sealed shut with a huge lock. We were a bit confused to why it would be locked away, but according to a nearby tea house it was only opened during the mornings. But I was happy just seeing it, as it still was better than not finding it at all!
From there we only walked a matter of minutes before finding a local Archealogical musuem:
It cost us 1.50 Euro to get in, (not free since we aren`t members of the European Union) but it was super cheap to see all the things that we got to:
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(more on photobucket!)
There were different exhibits documenting different periods of time: examples included the Copper Age, Bronze age, and different periods of time where civilization was conducted differently. We spent about two hours just walking through the exhibits, seeing things such as old arrowheads and bone tools, large plates and vases for remains. I definately felt a bit more knowledgable about history after seeing all the exhibits this museum had to offer!
Afterwards Stephanie decided to go head to Granada`s bus station to buy a ticket for the next morning.. at 3 AM! She had been thinking about visiting Cartagena all that week, and after some inquiries with Inma and our host mom, she ultimately decided this was the weekend for it! She had already been to Cordoba, so the timing couldn`t have been better.. even though her ticket was to leave so early!
From there I took a leisurely stroll around town, visiting some stores and browsing for the rest of the afternoon. It was nice to simply enjoy a walk through town, and relax after a first week of school. I headed home at about 9 PM for dinner, and right afterwards went asleep, as to be able to wake up the next day at 7 AM!
The next morning I woke up, and Stephanie was long gone for Cartagena. I quickly dressed myself and grabbed breakfast, throwing a filled waterbottle and my trusty camera in my much loved Abroadco backpack, and took off to meet Inma at exactly 7:40 AM at Correos! (I use my small bag so much the interior is becoming ratty!) Scott was a mere second in front of me, Inma a minute after me. Brendan (name confusion from earlier- I heard it pronounced like`Devan`- but its really Brendan!) and Evelinne arrived exactly on time, and soon the five of us were walking to our bus location, everyone chatting of how their Friday night had gone. (Like me ,the consensus was early to bed!)
We made it to the bus 10 minutes earlier, and Inma went to chat with our profesora, (Marie Carmen, venga venga!) as we all took our seats in the middle of the bus. There were only 30 people on this trip, so it seemed a lot smaller as compared to the Seville trip. 8:10 AM rolled around, and soon we were on our way!
The trip took about 2 hours, including a brief stop to a local rest station. Marie Carmen lead the way as our bus rolled into the parking lot of a historic site, keeping up with her Venga-ing. We weren`t in Cordoba yet, but we were in a city all its in own.. the ruins of an ancient Moorish city!
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We spent about a good hour just touring through the old ruins, Marie Carmen explaining different parts, such as guard`s quarters and where the Caliph, the long dead ruler of this old place, would have lived:
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(not a bad place to be caught in, huh!)
The weather was pretty hot out, but there was luckily enough shade to duck under the trees to escape the heat. Our tour was only for about an hour, as we had to quickly pace through a good portion of the complex to do the rest of the day`s activities. But soon enough we were all back on the bus, with another head count by our profesora, and then we were headed into town!
Along the way our teacher began to talk about bullfighting, (and how she was passionately against it) and a look out the window revealed why- out in the pastures were several large groups of bulls! It was very incredible to see all of them out there, as these were the very bulls fated to meet their ends in the bull ring. It was also surreal in the fact I have recently purchased a bullfight ticket.. I wonder if those same bulls I saw will be participating in the 27th of July match?
From the Moorish ruins we headed into the city, and made our first stop in the city`s famous Cathedral/Mosque, la Mezquita! A combination of both Muslim decorating as well as Christian adorned the walls- it was strange to see such a fusion of religions inside this interesting building!
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(a slightly ironic painting of a Moor bowing down to a Spanish King.. somehow I don`t think that`s the way it exactly happened.)
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(as always, more on photobucket!)
The history was diverse as the place itself-originally an ancient Christian Chapel, it was then converted into a Mosque by the invading Moors- in turn, was turned back into a Christian Chapel when the Reconquista took over. Thankfully the reigning invaders didn`t change much of this old Church-opting instead to add on what had already been started.
2:30 PM rolled around, and lunch time with my host mom`s delicious bocadillas was just the thing for the warm afternoon. Me, Scott, and the newbies toured into the souvenir shops, Evelinne buying herself some pretty postcards, while I just browsed. An hour later an optional tour was held by our profesora, who lead us to a couple of the more recent, (Baroque-recent) parts of the city:
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We weren`t in these parts long, because a poor girl in our group had developed a continous nosebleed! Our group spent the rest of the time waiting for her troublesome nose to cease, and we were all feeling sorry for our companion-but I guess this just demonstrates how hot that afternoon really was!
After our afternoon tour, we all met once again to hop on the bus to return home to Granada. Everyone slept the whole way there-the bus was nice and quiet, and a good respite for the missed siesta. Two hours later from there, we were all safe and sound back in our university town. As my host family was out for the night, the newbies and I decided to get some churros for dinner, which they hadn`t had before! It was fun watching their delighted expressions at the chocolatey treat-and not a bad time either, since I am quite fond of them too!
We chatted about our trip and ourselves for more than an hour, and a yawn indicated it was well time for bed. The three of us waved each other off, as the night sky gleam in the awakening nightlife.
Sunday morning was another relatively early getup of 9 AM, and a hasty shower and dress later I was out in my dress. Why.. well that morning I decided to attend Mass... at the Cathedral!! I was definately excited to go into my favorite Church and spend some more time staring at the huge altar!
I then made my way into the kitchen where a new sight greeted me- a new member of our homestay, a boy of 12 years old! His name is James and he hails from Hong Kong.. and he came all by himself! James went to explain (in excellent English) that he was fond of math and sciences, and all sorts of strategy games (very smart!) but he was weaker in languages, so he came to Spain to improve Spanish. He didn`t know any Spanish at all, so for the first time since I got here, I got to take a role of a translator! My host mom wanted to ask him some questions and him likewise, and for several minutes I helped the conversation along. Hurrah!
But soon I had to get going, (and my host mom told me I looked great in my dress, she is just so nice!) and I bid my host family farewell, taking off to go meet at Correos. We had discussed the previous night about going, and the time that came up was 9:35 AM. I was five minutes later at 9:40, but to my surprise, no one was there! I hastily searched my bag to inquire on my cell phone.. and realized I had left it home to charge! Malo suerte!
I waited for about 15 minutes, but no sign of anyone approaching, and the clock was ticking towards 10 AM. (I had thought the service was at 10) I wondered if I should go by myself, or choose another day? Well, I had went through all the trouble of getting myself all dressed up, so I clacked my heels and headed on!
My arrival at the Church was greeted by the same old gypsies that hang around trying to sucker tourists into buying their rosemary, but within a minute of harassment they went off, not getting me! Being their so often makes me experienced with the heckling, so I usually tell them a firm no and pretend I`m deaf afterwards. It seems to work well!
I walked up to the locked church gate, and a sign told me why: 10:30 AM. I had an half an hour to kill, so I looped around the Cathedral, taking a longer route than normal. That only took me about 15 minutes, and when I returned to the steps, the doors were opened! Two old ladies preceeded me, and I waited for them to enter- I wasn`t sure if there was anything I should do when I entered, so I hung behind them to mimick!
The three of us entered the dim church, it dismally empty for 15 minutes before service. The two older women slowly made their way up, I lingering towards the back, watching their every move. They finally picked seats towards the very front, and with a kneel, entered in their respective seats. I chose a couple of rows behind them, (to observe!) and did a kneel as well, and sat in my wooden pew.
About 5 minutes later more people began to enter in the church, and some lights began to flick on, highlighting paintings of saints and clergy. When the doors finally shut and the service began, there were definately a little more than a handful present, but not as many I assumed would be. I would guess it was because it was the first service, or because it`s summer!
Soon a priest and a assistant came in, and everyone rose- me a second behind to figure out what was going on. The priest then began to speak in Spanish to the entire assembly, but his voice was a bit muffled, so I had a bit of trouble understand what was going on most of the time-but I di hear some things I could hear and understand: for example was a Spanish version of the Lord`s prayer, which was awesome to listen along and interpret!
Several times the assembly would kneel and cross themselves, and say chants in Spanish along with the head priest at different points in the sermon. I definately was putting on my best mimicking act as I tried my best to fit along with the crowd, oftentimes mouthing along to not seem too out of place! All in all I felt I didn`t stick out too much, which was of course a good thing.
After a final communion, (I opted not to participate as I wasn`t sure how it would go-but I wasn`t alone, so I wonder if other people there weren`t locals either!) Church was let out after an hour worth of Mass. The only disappoint I had was that I was hoping for some church music, which I had heard was very beautiful! Not too sure if it was the service I was in or just special occasions.. but one of these days I have to figure when they play organ music!
Finally being let out into the warm summer air, Brendan and I opted to do a bit of souvenir shopping, as the Cathedral is just a few steps away from the huge touristy shop section in Granada. We both bought a few things for friends and family, and about an hour and a half later, we broke off for our seperate lunches.
That afternoon was a return trip to the graveyard, as Evilenne and Brendan, ( as well as Scott!) expressed interest in visiting. We walked the cool, shaded way through the park, much unlike the frying pan route I had took a week ago! It was definately an easier way, and we spent a good two hours simply walking through the quiet graveyard. Afterwards, we walked back down to the city, running into my host mom, Eloisa, and our newest resident, James. My host mom, (who shares the name Eloisa with her daughter) then took the three of us, (Scott took off-as he likes to do!) out for ice cream! She was very happy to talk to our new buddies, and everyone got on famously as a group of friends... family!. Afterwards was a head home for dinner, and a few tapas to celebrate Scott`s birthday. All in all, a successful weekend!
Monday was back to school, and afterwards I came home for lunch, then back to work on my blog. Two hours into typing, and not achieving much, (writer`s block, ahhh!) I decided to go for a relaxing walk. I walked about two hours, going farther than I had ever gone outside the city`s limits. I stopped eventually, luckily not venturing too deep into the outskirt`s more dangerous area, but I encountered no problems. 9 PM came rolling around, so I headed home to enjoy dinner and my tales of the afternoon!
Today was class in the morning, and now I`am here in the CLM lab, typing up my blog! Today I am doing some research for what city I am going to visit this weekend, as I dont have any activities for the next couple of weekends=ample opportunity to go outside of Granada. So wish me luck as I try to find the best, (and cheapest) way to go on a mini vacation!
Tommorrow of course... is the Juanes concert! Hurrah! Brendan, me, and two other people are all going to go together to hang out at the concert in the Plaza de Toros! I am way excited...a concert of a famous Spanish singer, in Granada! A very great experience for all of us, for sure. 8 PM the doors open, 10 PM Juanes comes on stage. Wheeeeeeo! Ill have lots to tell in the next entry!
Until next time!
1 comment:
I was waiting for an update!!!!
It all sounds so special!!!!
<3
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