New places and some new faces!

Blog time ago, Nati reporting live from Granada, Spain- Why Nati, you say? Well, you`ll just have to read on and find out!

Regression time!

So Monday night after typing my blog entry, I was stumped on what to do. Tuesday was a day off from classes for me, so I definately wanted to go out that night and sleep in the next day.. but what to do!? I decided to first go for a bit of shopping, and actually spent a good hour plus just looking in the touristy section near the Catedral. It was enjoyable to look at all the different souvenirs on sale, and buy some different things to bring back home!

But I wasn`t there for as long, because soon I got a quick text from Stephanie asking if I wanted to go out to eat that night, since there wasn`t any school the next day. I replied, `por supuesto!`(of course!) She texted back to meet near Corte Ingles at 8:15, and 20 minutes later, I was on the road heading towards the large department store. Corte Ingles is a store much akin to Burdines or Macys- however, I`m pretty sure that Macys doesn`t have fans for sale! Also of interest- Corte Ingles translated means `Cut of the English-`describing the special kind of cut English clothing imported would have. Nifty eh?

Me and Stephanie then met behind Cortes Ingles to go ahead and wait for our English buddies Robert and Harriet. A quick phone call later we finally managed to run into them, as they had gone to the restaurant first. They leave on the 4th of July, so we are trying to spend much time with them as possible before they go back home!

We decided to go out for some Mexican food, which was pretty OK, as I`m not a huge Mexican food fan. I decided to nibble on some nachos, as you can`t go wrong with cheesey chips. We had fun just talking about classes ending, and the rest of the month for all of us, as the sun began to set in Granada. Next time I see them this week, I will grab some pictures of them for you all to see!

After eating our dinner, I was still a tad hungry since I had only ordered a small appetizer. The general consensus was to go out for a quick tapas at a place we knew served great tapas, so we walked down the central road a ways out to the calle of los tristes, where I had visted way back in my first weeks in Granada. There we got to view the beautiful Alhambra at night, and eating some mini-sanwhiches and chips in the cool air. We had a lot of fun just talking and sharing our experiences in Granada, and I`m definately going to miss them when they leave! When we finally decided to head home, they told us they were going up to visit the Sierra Nevadas for about 2-3 days, and come back and leave the 4th of July.

So hopefully I`ll see them tommorrow, to extend some sad farewells- But, we`ve all decided that when we all visit each other`s own countries, we`ll all come stay with each other and eat all the food. So it`s all good in the end!

Tuesday morning I had the enjoyment of sleeping in until 9 AM in the morning. Nothing beats getting up without hearing the chime of an alarm! I had a quick breakfast and shower in the morning, as I very much wanted to return to the tourist shops to go ahead and look around a bit more! It was a lot of fun going in the morning, as the stores were all open, but it wasn`t very crowded. I spent all of my morning just browsing around, all near my favorite church, the Cathedral!

I then went home for yummy lunch of fried pork, which was of course veryyyy good! (The kids love saying veryyy gewwwwd in English. It cracks me up!) Stephanie was just getting up as she`s still recovering from her cold, and we all had a great lunch together, our host father joining us for lunch as well. We all chatted about our trip to Nerja, and our classes coming up, and of course, when were the new Abroadco students coming in? We were certain that Tuesday they were registering for classes, but we weren`t going to see them until Wednesday at the Cathedral.

I then brought up the question of where to buy concert tickets- because a very popular and famous Spanish singer, Juanes, is coming to Granada next Wednesday as part of his concert tour. I felt I definately had to go see him while he was here, and my host family was of the same mind! They recommended that I go visit the Corte Ingles to go buy tickets, as most of concert events were sold there. So right after lunch, I went straight over-a few floors of clothing later, and I finally found the area where they sold tickets.

Some pensive thinking later, and asking in my accented Spanish, I found out that they were only selling tickets to Juanes Màlaga concert. I instantly became fearful that were none left- but they then said that the tickets were being sold at the nearby teatro (theatre) de la Reina Isabella. So soon I was back outside, making my way over. (But not until I had bought an album of Juanes to enjoy!) But the hour on a nearby building read that it wasn`t open until later in the day, at about 6 PM. So what was I to do until then? I decided first thing first- as I always have my Ipod in my ears while walking around the city like most young adult Spaniards, I was going to go home and upload my new disc to my Ipod!

I came home, the house dark and quiet for the afternoon siesta. As my roommate will attest, I never, ever take siestas. I`m too active to sleep at anytime that isn`t night! I quietly made my room into my room, where Setphanie was getting up to go out and explore a bit, and for some afternoon shopping. I went ahead and started uploading my music to my Ipod, all the while doing some activities that needed to be done indoors, such as organizing my books for the next day of class!

Soon my ipod was full of Juanes songs, and I was ready to go out again. But I still had about an hour and a half to kill until the theatre opened again. So where to!?

I ultimately decided to go revisit the Neptuno Mall, which is very close to my house. The mall reminds me of the Casper mall in Wyoming- it`s pretty small, and hardly any brand name stores inside. But I did enjoy walking around for at least 35 minutes looking in store windows- half of them were still closed for siesta, so I did mostly window browsing. Three floors of exploring later, and stoppping by and eyeing the front inside movie theatre, I was back outside in the hot Spain air. But I still had a little under an hour.. what to do now?

I looked beyond the mall, and decided to walk to the back of it to see if there was anything of interest behind the huge exterior. I quickly paced to the back, only seeing a busy road and a bridge from a highway. Some memory pulling seconds later, I realized this area is was my taxi had taken me from the airport into Granada for the very first time all those days ago. It was definately cool to see it again!

The traffic was heading to the right, so I decided to follow the cars along the sidwalk to see if I could find anything interesting. Juanes was jamming into my ears, so I barely heard the small sound of a honk. Turning my eyeglassed eyes over to the road, a family had sided along the road in their car to ask me directions. They asked where to find a certain street name that I hadn`t heard of them, so I replied back that I didn`t know where it was. I`m pretty sure my accent gave me away, but it always tickles me when I get mistaken for a local! I then watched them drive up a few yards and ask some other adults, and from the looks of it, the family did get the directions they wanted!

I then saw a sign nearby that read Palacio de los Patos. My eyes locked on that, as my brain processed it through.. a duck palace? Where? I definately had to see this. I crossed the road to where the sign pointed, and walking along a gated enclosure, I finally found the entrance.. to the most beautiful public park I`d seen since I`d got here:

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Huge trees, dozens of flower patches, and shaded benches provided me with all the eye candy I could ask for. I simply walked up and down the long roads of trees:

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and taking advantage of a park bench:

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(taking a self photo here.. go me!)

This place was incredibly large! I decided to veer to the left hand side first, because I had definately seen a palace looking structure as I walked on the outside of the park. And my efforts did not go unrewarded, as I found a beautiful lake, full of ducks!

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Quaaaaaaack!

After visiting the ducky palace, I then walked through the rest of the huge outdoor park. I took a lot of pictures in sheer amazement, so I`d say you`d get a pretty good idea what it was like if you stop by my photobucket :http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/natalia_en_espana/

Shady pathways, large trees, fountains, and the chirping of nearby birds made this mini adventure a definate repeat trip in my mind!

Soon it was heading on 6:15 PM, and I wanted to make my way back to the theatre to buy some Juanes tickets. I silently bade the beautiful park good-bye, but it`s so close to my house, I know I`ll be back! That place just made me want to bring a book and sit on a cool bench and read all day.. but with so much to do in Granada, I think I`ll stick through walking through!

15 minutes later had me back at the theatre near Correos, and walking into the labeled Cultural Center, I quickly enquired if this was definately the place where they sold tickets. They replied no.. next door! AUGH!!!!! I went next door to the large theatre, (which I had assumed only opened when they had events) and a small sign with times said they were only open from 9AM-2PM, and not on afternoons. Needless to say I was a bit frustrated with myself! But I made a definate mental note to return the next day, straight after class!

It was heading on 7 PM, and it was still about two hours away from dinner time. I decided to head over to the CLM to quickly check my email messages, and I was outta there by 8 pm. I had gone mostly to see if I had recieved an email about my classes the next day, because Inma had told us there was going to be an email sent out telling us all where to go. The email hadn`t been sent yet, so I just mentally reminded myself to check the next morning.

I left the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, and was back out on the street, making my way past Correos to head home early... When all of the sudden I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turning around, there was Inma! She was all smiles as usual, and we greeted each other- I of course, asking what the heck she was doing at Correos! Inma then explained that in a matter of minutes, the new students were coming over, and she was going to give them a small tour of the city like she had done with us so long ago! She then asked if I was interested in coming along.

Well you know what I said!

We waited on the steps for only about 5 minutes, then a young man and woman appeared out of the crowd, Inma pointing and telling me who they were. They beelined for Inma, not recognizing me at all, (I could be a Spaniard for all they knew!) and a few seconds later, I met Devan and Evelinne! (still unsure on name spelling..!) They explained to me in Spanish they were both from the United States, and both from California-but they lived in different cities. The two newbies were all smiles and friendly exchanges, so right off the bat we all got along!

Inma then lead us on our tour, which revisted the hospital de San Juan de Dios, the law school, the music school, around the Cathedral area, and finally the area where students could go to do sports. Inma got a call from Jaime in the midst of the tour, and then told me where my class was for Wednesday. I was to go back to the far off building again, in the exact same room as before! I was confused-wasnt I going to a new class? But apparently it was a new class-just strangely in the same exact room!

All of the places we visted yesterday I did my first weeks here, so it was fun to redo the mini tour, all the while getting to meet the new Abroadco students. Devan is staying here until August 16th, while Evelinne is staying for two months. So they`ll get to wave me good-bye when I head home at the end of July!

We ended our tour at the Sports complex, and Inma then lead us back to Correos, cheerfully thanking me for coming along and helping. But of course for me it was a fun trip, (In which I did get to do some practice tour guiding!) and sooner than later the three of us were waving Inma goodbye for the night.

I quickly texted my host mom that I was running a bit late for dinner, as I was still meeting with the extremely friendly new students! They were all ears to everything I had to say, and were eagerly inquiring to everything about Granada! I couldnt answer everything as I had to head home for dinner, but a question of what to do later and a discussion later, we all agreed to meet up at 10:15 PM and go out for some delicious tapas! I had just the place in mind- the place me Stephanie, Robert, and Harriet had all gone the night before! I was sure the newbies (My favorite word of the week) would love to get some traditional tapas, and view the beautiful Alhambra at night!

I then went home, and chatted with my host mom, who was extremely happy that the new students were very curious and wanting to do lots! I then told her of our plan, and with a hearty agreement I was quickly snapping up my dinner. I mentioned the plan to Stephanie and asked for her participation, and she then went aheaded and dialed Scott as well-as I called Devan and Evelinne to reaffirm our plans. Less than twenty minutes later, me and Stephanie were back outside in the cool night breeze, going to Correos to meet Scott, Devan, and Evelinne for a tapas and a Alhambra viewing!

We all met up at 10:15 PM, Scott and Stephanie introducing themselves to the newbies, them in turn introducing themselves. Everyone hit off from the start, and by 5 minutes we were all chatting like old friends. They are eager to learn, and to explore- as Stephanie remarked, I have some more people to join me in my organized wanderings!

We walked along the main road as the lights lit up of the night, the two new kids snapping pictures of everything to share with their families. As we passed different stores and parts near the main road, we all chipped in our suggestions and recommendations of the best places to visit, or the best places to find ice cream, or even just a good place to sit down! It was a lot of fun explaining stuff to them- at the moment I felt like I actually was a permanent resident in Granada!

Our small group stopped several times, I stepping in as an acting tour guide, pointing out stuff of interest that they definately enjoyed. We finally made it to the calle of los tristes, and the looks on their faces at seeing the lit up Alhambra made the late night venture all the worthwhile! They snapped lots of pictures, the three oldbies watching in recollection of our first view nights exploring Granada. It was like watching a movie of yourself all but a month ago- a glance into the Twilight Zone!

We then walked over to the tapas resturant from the night before, la Bella y la Bestia (ring any bells of a famous Disney movie?) Our group settled down at a vactated table, and began to dine on our drinks and traditonal tapas plates. Devan and Evelinne then began taking pictures of the three of us, and I was only seconds behind them to take some pictures of them!

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We all chatted about how much fun we three oldbies had been having our first month and how much the newbies were going to love it- in turn, the newbies telling us about their first few hours in Spain, and more about themselves. Finally 11 oclock hit, and I was beginning to feel a bit tired myself. So from there we all walked home together, everyone all smiles and a happy atmosphere. It was fun getting to meet the new kids a bit more in a little informal tour!

Today was my first day of class at 9 AM sharp, in the same exact room as before! I now have two teachers instead of only one, and I am in the higher intermediate level as well! Whats really nice is that this class pretty much picks up right where my first one ended..awesome for me! Everyone minus two other people are new in the class, and Im sure as the days go on we¨ll all bond like my last class did!

One cool thing in lecture I learned was with my first teacher, who was very interested in my name, since I shared it with one of her best friends. Apparently, Natalie, or Natalia, has a nickname form in Spanish.. Nati. Later on in the second half, when we were doing a verbal excercise, one my classmates called me that, to the delight of the 2nd teacher. Im thinking Im going to have that name stuck with me for the rest of the semester... but I definately dont mind, as its a neat name!

After class, I headed over to the theatre to go and buy my tickets for Juanes! Devan and Evelinne joined me as well, as they were possibly interested in attending as well! I was happy to learn that Evelinne had gone shopping in the tourist shopping area I had recommended, but saddened to learn that the University only offered an afternoon class for her level..on the other hand, she gets all the morning to sleep in and enjoy Granada at a less hectic rate!

As 2 oclock was fast approaching, the three of us made our way over to the ticket booth inside the now open theatre. I questioned inside, and a matter of minutes later, I had a standing centered ticket for 45 Euros to go see JUANES! I was definately estatic, as I had been worried there wouldnt be any left this close to the concert! The other two didnt buy the tickets as they really didnt know much about Juanes, but as I told my host mom, Im sure to make some new friends in the pit at the concert!

I then went this afternoon for a quick lunch, and then afterwards.. the Cathedral!

I dont have enough time to write about the Cathedral this entry, (heading on dinner time as I type) so the next entry will beabout all the interesting stuff I did Wednesday afternoon and night! However, the pictures from the Cathedral are up and running on my photobucket, so if you are curious, you can definately stop by and peer at them! ´

Tonight I am going to take my new friends up to look at the Sacromonte and Alhambra after dinner, as Im sure they are going to love the fantastic view! Its so great to have some new friends that love exploring and learning about Granada as much as I do!

So.. until next time!!