A Rockin Concert, Divine Baths, and a weekend getaway!

Hola amigos! It feels nice to be relaxing and writing down after a busy week, and now preparing for a busier weekend! But I have nothing urgent this afternoon, so my blog finally comes front and center. Hurrah!

So I left off from Tuesday afternoon, and I`ll start from there!

Tuesday, after typing my last blog and trying to wrestle with the school computers, (apparently, it now makes me click and upload every single one.. grr!) I was ready to just chill and relax. Walking downstairs I ran into Scott, and a quick call over to Brendan and the three of us just sat in the CLM and chatted. Perhaps not the most exciting activity in the world, but I was happy to be able to relax and socialize after doing so much those past couple of days, and in the future days to come. Dinner was again at 9, and soon after I went to sleep, to make sure I had enough energy for the next day!

Wednesday was back to school in the morning, and for the afternoon me, Scott, and Brendan all headed over to Carrefour to take the traditional Scott-lead tour. We showed Brendan how to get to the Parque de Ciencias, what roads to take, and of course, navigated him down the lond road to Carrefour! It was a bit hot when we left around 3:30 PM, but the cool airconditioning of the Walmart-like store was just the thing to cool off on a hot, summer afternoon. The three of us wandered down the aisles, Scott and Brendan buying themselves things they needed, while I opted just to look at Spanish labels.

The three of us then broke up to do our own looksee around Carrefour, and I of course went to stare at the Fish market! As in Spain, everything is fresh, (Spaniards consider anything less than fresh not worth buying) so all the sea food you could imagine was sitting on a large table of ice, the melting water dripping onto the plastic mats below. Studying the fish, octopus, and other assorted critters-imagine my surprise when studying a lobster, and it`s claw arm slightly rotated downwards. I guess you don`t get any fresher than that!!!

Finally it was time for us all to leave Scott`s favorite store, and we walked the shady route back home. We all went our seperate ways home, as in two hours was the go time for.. Juanessss!!!

7:00 PM soon rolled around, and me and Brendan agreed to meet at Correos to walk together to the concert. Two other students from Scott`s homestay, Tharron and Stephanie, agreed to meet us at the Plaza de Toros so that we could all go as a group. But as soon as I was preparing my leave, a quick text message came in to ask about Juanes. Then I remembered- back at Robert and Harriet`s bon voyage, I had met a girl from Czech Republic who was also going to the Juanes concert! She was going alone, so we had exchanged numbers to get in touch when the concert time rolled around. I quickly texted her back with the info, and with a smiley faced reply, she agreed to meet us at the concert. So the time was set, and off I went!

Brendan and I met at Correos, and we walked the long road of los Reyes Catolicos. (Of course, bidding a hello to my very Granada-centric statue, Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus!) The walk itself only took us about 20 minutes, as we are both relatively quick walkers! But we soon knew exactly where the Juanes concert`s entrance was, as a long line had begun to form from one of the many bullring`s entrances. The two of us hopped in the line, and I took a quick snapshot to show exactly how it looked like:

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The air was definately filled with excitement, as several groups of people came clad in Columbian colors- Juanes` home town. We were relatively early at 8 PM, but the ticket said the doors would open at 8... but of course, they definately weren`t open yet!

Tharron and Stephanie joined us about 15 minutes later, and we all waited in the long line- idly chatting about our seperate experiences in Granada, as the line kept growing longer and longer behind us. Finally, at around 8:47 PM, the line began to move! A security guard yelled for only those who were in the standing section, and that meant us!!!!

A quick searchdown, and a rip of a ticket later, we were inside the bullring. It was a bit smaller than I expected, but all the same an incredible view. I could only imagine being a bull in this ring and coming in with hundreds of people watching, or a matador out ready to do his performance. It was definately a surreal feeling... but I`m sure the two bullring stars never had one of these in the ring:

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A huge stage was set up, with lights, hanging ropes-nothing short of a mechanical maze for sure! We hustled in close to the stage, surprised and excited that we were very close to where Juanes would be singing that night. Early bird gets the worm, and early patrons get the best spots for Juanes! About 15 minutes later, a cell phone ring indicated that Petra was here, and me and Brendan both waved our hands in the air simultaneously, and she found us easily through the crowd. She chatted with all of us, everyone interested in her home country, as the sun soon began to disappear over the horizon-thankfully, because it sure was hot out!

10 PM rolled around, and the anxiousness began to permeate through the crowd- when was the show going to start? Soon? Another hour? 45 minutes? But a mere 15 minute wait was all it took, and the band came up on the unlit stage. They began to play, and suddenly a last person came up- the crowd beginning to shriek in excitement. He came up to the center stage, guitar in one arm, the other hand grasping the mike. The lights came on, the crowd roared, and there was JUANES!

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To say the crowd went nuts is an understatement for how excited everyone was. And so close to him too! The loud sounds the speakers played as he sang wonderfully into the mike, with the support of his entire band- it was a sight to behold, seeing such a famous Spanish singer in our hometown of Granada!

He played lots and lots of songs, some of the more well-known including La Camisa Negra and Me Enamora- but the concert was definately a late one, going well into 12 AM. I took several pictures and video of the concert, so you can get a feel for what it was like that night:

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(More photos and videos on my photobucket account!)

With a following encore, the band thanked everyone for attending, and with a bow and cheers from the crowd, the Juanes group made their way off the stage. We then walked out with the huge crowd, all glad we had picked the standing spots to be that close to Juanes. It was definately a very fun way to spend a Wednesday night, and soon we all broke our seperate ways, Juanes songs playing in my head as I made my own way home.

The next morning was definately a challenging get up, as I personally do not function well without at least 7 hours of sleep. But I made it to class, despite feeling a bit out of whack the whole morning! I got to show off my new Juanes shirt to my classmates, who were definately impressed. 1 PM rolled around, and I all but ran home-still exhausted from the night before!

Lunch was a delicious serving of small fishes. I thought I didn`t like fish- I think I like fish, but it`s gotta be fresh Spanish fish! Yum yum! I chowed down on my small fish, leaving only it`s small bones and tail. Eloisa makes the best lunches, for sure!

My afternoon was mostly spent sleeping, as I was waaaaaay tired from the Juanes concert. I`m not used to taking siestas like many Spaniards, being always active, but I definately enjoyed mine that afternoon! I went outside for about 2 hours, walking around to get some of my daily long walk in my schedule, and then headed home for dinner of meatballs with mashed potatoes. 9:40 rolled around, and I bid farewell to my host family as I hurried to another Abroadco trip, a repeat one, but one of my favorites.. the Arab Baths!

I went solo, as my roommate Stephanie had class that night, (her class ends next week, and her teacher couldn`t make Monday, so they made the class up Thursday night.) Brendan and Evelinne were there waiting, and they cheerfully both greeted me as I approached. I don`t get to see Evelinne very often, as she has afternoon classes, and I morning classes! The news with her was she got to move in with a host family, and was very happy with her new residence! (She was in the dorms before.) Soon Inma arrived, with her relative Natalia along with her! (I think she was her cousin? I`m not sure!) We all exchanged greetings in Spanish, Inma verifying with me Stephanie wasn`t coming. A quick call to Scott revealed he would not be attending either, so the 5 of us were soon on our way!

I talked to Inma as the newbies chatted in the back, telling her I would be gone this weekend. I`d been debating all week on where to finally go, and I had a plan and a schedule for her: I would be going this weekend first to Càdiz, and afterwards Gibralter. She was excited for me to go, and said I would have a lot of fun while there! I heartily agreed- there hasn`t been anywhere in Spain I haven`t had fun at, and I`ve really wanted to go see the rock of Gibralter since I`ve arrived!

We all arrived at the Baños Arabes at 10 PM, and the friendly reception ran the instructions of the Baths by us again. I explained again to the newbies what they had missed, and soon we were all bathing suited up, and back in one of my most favorite spas! Once again two hours of relaxing in hot tubs, the cold pool, drinking the tastiest tea, and another 15 minute massage. The trip was definately a great respite from the excitement and energy spent at the Juanes concert, and definately helped me relax and unwind!

Soon 12 rolled around, and we all exited the baths, changing back into our clothes, and feeling overall refreshed. Inma wished us all a good weekend, and reminded us of our trip next week to see a play Wednesday night- Poeta en Nueva York!

The three of us walked us from the Baños, and I lead the two of them back to Correos, so they could navigate their ways home. We got on the topic of the weekend`s plan, and a suggestion to the Parque de Ciencias later, they planned to go this weekend to the Park! I am very happy they are going, since I had *so* much fun when I went! Alhambra tour is for them on Sunday, at 3 in the afternoon- so they`ll definately be having an action packed weekend! After our short conversation, I waved them a Hasta Luego for the night, and went home to fall asleep.

This morning was back to class, and I left class early to go buy my bus ticket to Càdiz. I was a bit confused- my Let`s Go! Book said there were 4 times, ranging from 7 in the morning to 3 AM, and the Andalucia tourist page said there were only two times, both in the afternoon. I crossed my fingers that the Let`s go! Book was right, as I wanted to get the 3 AM time- it`s a five hour bus ride, and I wanted to save a night on a hostel!

I took a bus ride over, and after waiting a long time in the huge line, (the afternoon on Friday is crazy busy at the bus station.) I was finally buying my ticket! However, I had to get a reprint- I asked for 3 in the morning, (tres de la mañana) but in Spain, 3 AM is considered tres de la noche. Ai! At least I now know, and I have the right ticket for tommorrow morning!

I walked home from the bus station, and lunch was a meatball mix with chopped potatoes. From there, I headed to the CLM to write a blog! Hurrah!

My game plan for this weekend is to leave 3 AM from Granada to Càdiz! From there, I`ll spend all day in Càdiz, and go hostel hunting for the night. The next day, dependant on bus times, (my Let`s Go! book has been very helpful, helping me guesstimate my trip!) I will take a bus over to Algeciras, and from there La Linea.. to the Rock of Gibralter! Hurrah! Sunday will be in Gibralter, and from there I`ll head to Màlaga, and Màlaga to home! Needless to say, this weekend is going to be very busy!

So, I`ll update next week with my story of this weekend, and of course, my photos! With that, I wish everyone a buen fin de semana, and a hasta luego!

Until next time!