Hola, amigos! It`s a Friday afternoon here at the CLM, as I begin to type up a entry that`ll recap all the different things I`ve been doing this week! It`s my last Friday here in Granada, but luckily not my last day yet!
The week started off with Monday, which was back to class in the morning, learning about future tenses and giving advice. I`m a little overwhelmed by all the new stuff that`s been crammed into this last month, (the previous class felt like a review) but a bit excited since now I have at my fingertips other ways of communicating! Example: talking about stuff I hope and desire, the future, the past, the past of the past... somehow it doesn`t make sense in English, but it does in Spanish!
After class I went home and ate lunch, and tried to take a siesta.. that ended up being very successful, as I didn`t wake up until about 8 PM. Aich! But I really needed the sleep, as I was still exhausted from my weekend excursion. My biggest adventure was going for an hour`s worth of a walk, trying to get in my daily Granada walkabout.
Tuesday I was determined to start and finish my blog, which that afternoon took me well over 2 hours to accomplish that goal, on top of uploading my photos and writing. A quick message from Brendan, (he had called the day before, but I had been sleeping!) and we both agreed to meet up at the CLM to go to the Albacìn! This week`s kind of been a `What do I have to do once more before I leave Granada?` week! I really wanted to explore into the Albacìn again, and Brendan was more than happy to join!
We set off the usual route, climbing up the large incline of stairs, and briefly viewing the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas. But we weren`t there for long, as I wanted to go into the heart of the Albacìn itself. So we continued on, my memory getting a bit fuzzier- as while I had the Mirador de San Nicolas route burned into my mind, going further not so much- I had only done it twice before, in my first month.
But my memories weren`t too saturated- we found the main plaza with ease. But Brendan`s luck wasn`t with our find, as one of his sandals decided to break off right smack dab in the middle of the plaza! Yikes! Needless to say I was worried that we`d have to cancel and go back to Granada in case of glass, but Brendan took it like a trooper and continued on, barefoot.
We wandered up and down several roads, as I really wanted to take Brendan for caracoles, and I had wanted to find that snail restaurant again- the first month when me, Scott, and Scott`s two Hong Kong buddies attempted it, we came up empty handed. I was kinda feeling the same as we went down several roads, none of them yielding results. However, we did get to see some fantastic views of Granada, and attempt to figure out where all the famous buildings were in the large complex of buildings.
I was beginning to lose faith that the magical caracol casa even existed, and mentally decided to try one more road, and then just give up my neverending quest to find this place. I was glad I did decide to try that one last road, because it ended up somehow being the winner! (note: I`ll probably never find it going that way again, but hey!) The restaurant wasn`t open yet, but I was just happy we had managed to stumble onto the place.
The two of us found a bench nearby to wait for the restaurant to open, and I stared off into the fountain, as Brendan stared at his feet. My eyes looked over, and I began to laugh. Why so? Well, there`s a certain type of people on the street of Spain, I suppose you could call them `grunge punks.`They like to have their hair up and done like something out of Jamaica, and they never wear shoes. Groups of them with dogs mill around all over Granada, sometimes selling their handmade crafts, more times simply playing on their old guitars. For whatever reason, they`re here in Granada, and the Spaniards call them Pies Negras, or blackfeet for not wearing shoes!
So as you can see here, Brendan has assimilated into the grunge punk culture.. notice the cute red handbag... that`s mine!
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/natalia_en_espana/IMGP5127.jpg
We sat in front of the fountain, chatting about how our weekend trips had gone, as random passerby walked through the plaza- one guy even dumping his dog into the fountain for a quick cool off. (It was pretty funny) It was nice to relax and here about how Evelyn`s and Brendan`s Morocco trip had went- and from what I heard, it sounded like everyone had a blast!
The hour passed by quickly, and by 8:30 PM, the caracoles restaurant was open. I sent a quick text message home to my host mom, saying I`d be late, and we both sat down, and ordered our drinks.
Moments later the drinks arrived, and not even 5 minutes later, the famous tapas of caracoles. I instructed Brendan on how to eat them, and I immediately began chowing down, him following in suit:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/natalia_en_espana/IMGP5129.jpg
Yum!
Surprsingly, unlike the first time I ate snails, I had no reservations about eating them this time around! Maybe it`s because I`ve eaten squid here, or maybe it`s because I`ve eaten snail before...... whatever it is, I simply ate at them like any snack- and it didn`t hurt that they were really tasty too! Brendan had no reservations either, being hungry as well, and the two of us managed to down the whole bowl:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/natalia_en_espana/IMGP5130.jpg
No more snail left for leftovers!
The snails were very tasty, and the whole thing cost under 3.50 Euros, so we definately got a bargain for our buck! (or for our Euro... )
The sun was beginning to set on Granada, and my dinner was still at hand, so the two of us managed to take the slightly easier path down into Granada (Brendan`s feet thanked us for that!) We both parted ways, me memorizing the path we took so I could find the snail restaurant again, and I headed home to my host family. Needless to say, I had lots of fun telling them my new favorite snack was snails, and while they were a bit creeped out, (not everyone likes them) they seemed pretty happy I`ve developed a like for them!
Wednesday was back to class, (always back to class!) for the morning, and the afternoon was divided between working on my Toledo entry, and printing up the bus schedule for next week. Why so? Well there is an Airport bus here for about 3 Euros, as compared to taking a taxi for 20 Euros. I`d like to save the nice bit of 17 Euros, so I`ve figured out the bus system to the airport via the ever helpful google search!
After doing my regular bit of blogging, I headed out of the CLM to go find something to accomplish. I hadn`t planned much for that day beyond getting a bit of blogwork done, so I was stumped on what I should do.. but nothing beats empty planning like shopping, so I decided to go visit some stores rather close to the Alhambra, as I hadn`t visited them since I went there all those weeks ago!
I stopped into about every single store there, checking out to make sure there wasn`t anything I couldn`t live without. The only item that ended up being brought home was a 15 Euro summer dress from a Moroccan store. I`d been seeing this little summer-esque dresses being hung up in every single Moroccan store, and I`ve always wanted one, but never had enough time or thought to pursue one. The store clerk let me try it on in the back, (which was pretty much a broom closet, but better than nothing) and finding it fit me, I made my purchase! So, now I have a dress! For... some.. reason!
Thursday was class in the morning, where the subject delved from learning new tenses, to starting into review. My exam is on Tuesday, but I`m only one of 3 taking it that day- most people opted for Monday or Friday. Why Tuesday? Well, I`m just one who`d like that extra day to study, so the opportunity for it wasn`t going to pass me by! Review handouts and 4 hours later, I was done with class, and heading home for lunch.
I finally completed the Toledo entry with relish, (I always feel a surge of happiness finishing them! Accomplishment!) and then planned my afternoon trip- I was going to visit the Sacromonte. A nice walk to the edge of the Sacromonte sounded like a fabulous idea, and despite the heat, I headed out around 6 PM to the white, cave houses beyond.
The Sacromonte was quiet as usual as I entered, only maybe 1-3 persons making their way down the road. I supposed there wasn`t too much going on on such a hot afternoon, but it was all the same nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. I fit into the silence myself walking down the winding roads, only making noise when two backpackers approached me! One of them walked up to me, asking me in Spanish if there was anything of interest in the Sacromonte. I did a double take, realizing once again someone had mistaken me for a local! The funny thing is, this does happen on a regular basis- but this was the first time a tourist did!
I explained back in Spanish what I knew of the Sacromonte, unsure if these two backpackers knew English, or were from some other European country, or maybe even the States! Wherever they were from, I never found out- all they wanted to know was what to do. I mentioned there were the cave houses and a musuem to my knowledge, but beyond that was the city center and the Albacìn at the end of the road. They thanked me for my help and continued on, and I watched them go- I suppose even now they must think me a local, but I guess it`s unusual for a foreigner to walk around by themselves without a map!
I continued down the road of the Sacromonte, looking up at the cave houses, and watching as the scenery became more and more rural. I walked for about 45 minutes, only a few cars passing by me, speeding along the way. The few locals I saw either ignored my presence or cast a curious glance on where I was headed to, in which I didn`t even know- I just wanted to see if the Sacromonte had an end. But I`m not sure where the end is, or maybe I did eventually cross it- but I did stop when I realized it was all farm fields and roosters running around, and I didn`t want to end up in the middle of nowhere!
So from there I headed back into the city, it being around 8:45 PM when I finally made it back home. Dinner was out and ready as soon as I came home, and me, the kids, and James all chatted respectively about what we had done the day. A piece of paper floated around the table from earlier, as a joke pencil had been laid out for trial by unaware persons, but all the same, a real pencil had made it on the table. As my family well knows, I particularly enjoy drawing, (especially dragons) and when the paper inched over to me, I drew a little caricature, and set it aside.
Sergio, the oldest boy in the family, glanced over at the paper, and picked it up, studying it. He then stared at me in amazement, realizing that I had indeed drawn that. He then showed it to his mom, and the two of them went off on how cool and artistic it was- I simply shrugged at their impression, as I don`t think I`m that good. But I guess they did, because Sergio then asked me if I would draw a dragon on his hand!
Sure.. why not! I replied to the inquiry, and he hustled off to go find some markers.
I then proceeded to `tattoo` Sergio`s hand, as my host mom Eloisa watched me in interest, remarking so often at my talent. I felt a bit proud of my work, since I usually only draw for myself, and it`s always nice when someone compliments! A large red dragon soon graced Sergio`s hand, and the little doodles I had done had made their way onto the family`s fridge.
I thanked Eloisa as usual for the delicious dinner, and then retired to my room to continue my drawing. I was elated that they seemed to really like my art, so I felt the need and want to draw them a larger, fuller scale picture. As I can practically draw dragons in my sleep, it didn`t take me too long to finish the picture.
I went hunting to give Eloisa the better picture, and I peeked into the living room, where daughter Eloisa, Sergio, and James were all watching tv. They happily invited me to join them, and when Sergio showed off his hand`s work, Eloisa Jr. (as Stephanie named her to differentiate between the two) pleaded if I wouldn`t draw her one as well. I smiled and informed her I would need markers, and she ran off to go find the pack of them.
My host mom soon entered, and I gave her the drawing I had sketched up- she was very impressed and happy with it, and the family all took turns looking at it, all remarking of how cool and artistic it looked. All I could do was sit there and feel complimented- I`m no Picasso, but I definately felt like him! My host mom went off with the picture, and Eloisa Jr. returned with the markers. The kids wanted their hands, legs, and even arms and back done- I made them promise to scrub it off afterwards.
Dragons, butterfiles, vampires, pegasus, birds.. you name it, I drew it! They were very happy with their new temporary tattoos, and soon the clock chimed 11, and I bid them all farewell for the night. Natalie, the Spanish tattoo artist! (my parents cringe at this)
Today was getup as usual, as I briefly saw my host dad before he took off for work. I ate in the dark of the kitchen, (I like eating in the dim morning light for some odd reason- maybe it`s because I like to pretend I`m still asleep?) when my gaze drew over to the fridge-
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/natalia_en_espana/IMGP5134.jpg
Yep, that`s my picture up there!
I grinned at the picture, happy my host family liked it that much! So from there I set off to school for another review day, a trip home for fish and rice, and a hour and half siesta!
So now I`m here at the CLM, finishing up my blog for this week`s adventures! Tonight I will be getting together with Brendan and hopefully Evelyn, (she`s been a bit under the weather this week!) to go do some more organized wandering, for sure! Tommorrow, Saturday, all of us Abroadco kids, Inma and Jaime, are all going to the beach! Hurrah beach! I`ll get to try out my summer dress with my bathing suit, and hopefully catch a couple of a rays too!
But the one thing that`s really got my hopping excited about this week is Sunday... BULLFIGHT!!!!!!!!!! Finally, after weeks and days and 2 months of waiting in anticipation, I finally we go see the bullfight I`ve been so eagerly wanting to see. It`s 7:30 PM Sunday night in Atarfe, (15 minutes away from Granada) and needless to say, I am psyched to go! I`ve seen several bullfights on television but.. seeing it face to face! Hurrah!!! Matador versus bull in a fight in the ring... that rings of Spanish lore!
On the other hand, this will also be my final weekend in Granada, so I`ll defiantely have to make the best of it, despite the final days ticking down. Wednesday is my go day, so techincally Tuesday is my last day here... Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday... 4 days left to go! I`m a bit sad that it`s finally at the end, but I`m excited too- I`ll get to go home and relate all my adventures to all my family and friends, and soon head back to school!
But it`s not over yet, and the day is still young! I`ll return back next week to recount this weekend`s adventures!
So... until next time!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment