Mi Propio Patio Trasero

Una Semana de Películas de Disney (A Week of Disney Movies)
I've found the one of the best ways to practice Spanish is by watching movies that I know best. These happen to be childrens movies from the 90's (mostly) but I don't care. It is so much fun to hear my favorite lines/songs from these movies in Spanish. And since I already know them in English, it makes for perfect practice. Some of my favorite lines from these movies thus far:

*if you want to test your Spanish/your knowledge of Disney movies- see how much you understand*
Mulan : "Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you... dishonor on your cow" 
Enredados: "When will my life begin"
Aladdin: "Prince Ali"

Esta Explorando Albaicin (Exploring Albaicin)
In my last blog post I wrote about how Albaicin was my backyard, but with the exception of my school I didn't really see much of it. I took a day this week to explore Albaicin and even though I got lost, it was really cool to see the influence of Moorish culture in all of the buildings and houses. To get up to the top of the Albaicin is a trek, and i thought the bottom of the hill was beautiful enough for me.






However, when I got to the top my eyes opened to such a magical view I thought I was dreaming for a second. The city can seem so small when you're in the center of it all just going from place to place. Getting a birds-eye-view of the city really put into perspective that I have so much more of this city to see and appreciate.

¡Viva La Virgen de las Angustias! (Long Live St. Angustias!)

This week St. Angustias was celebrated in Granada. People from pueblos all over and EVERYONE who lives in Granada was out to celebrate and give their offerings to the Virgin. We started the celebrations last week, when floral offerings were presented at the church in Granada. Then this weekend on Saturday we attended afternoon mass, which was in Latin, and the Virgin (to the right) was there for everyone to see. On Sunday night the whole town and more was here to see the procession of The Virgin. Over 300 people marched through the main streets of Granada, including a full band, to officially celebrate the Virgin. It was a lot bigger than the celebration I went to two weeks ago, but it was a learning experience just the same! It ended at the Cathedral where everyone broke out into song and yelled  '¡Viva La Virgen de las Angustias!'.  

Feliz Cumpleaños a Sarah (Happy Birthday Sarah!) 

Finally, to end this weekend, we celebrated the birthday of a girl in our program who was turning 18. In Spain, 18 is the 21st birthday equivalent in the U.S. Needless to say, it was very fun. Nightlife in Spain is very different. People leave at 11pm (or later) and then go to the discotecas around 3am. I fell asleep long before then, but it was nice to let loose for a bit and not worry about homework!   

This week is going to be so busy! The Alhambra tomorrow, work all week, and a trip to Sevilla and Cordoba next weekend!

Until next time.... nunca es tarde para aprender (It's never too late to learn)

Otra Semana De Mucho Trabajo

Intensivo de Español = Cansado Emma (Intensive Spanish = Tired Emma)

Celei, my school for three months, is an incredible program with the most wonderful professors. However, learning the entire Spanish language in 8 weeks is hard. It helps to have supportive professors, and sisters who let me watch Disney movies in Spanish! My school is in Albaicin (to the left), one of the oldest cities in Andalucia, and it is so incredibly beautiful. Sometimes it makes it hard to pay attention in class, but I like to think I'm putting my anthropological skills to work by people watching instead of engaging in class.


¿Dónde está el helicóptero? (Where is the helicopter?)


I like to think that I'm not directionally challenged, but sometimes it gets me. I always find myself asking random people along the street where the helicopter is as a focal point to get myself home. Getting lost has made me late to lunch a couple of times, but I feel like I am truly getting a hang of the city I am calling home for the next three months.






Encontrar Consuelo en un Pub Irlandés (Finding Solace in An Irish Pub)

Off the beaten path my friends and I have found a pub where the bartenders speak English and they play American football. This is our new "spot" where, whenever we feel a bit homesick, we can come, speak English, and relax. It is a small, dark little pub but we find it to be comfortable and a different atmosphere than the bustling discotecas and tapas bars that crowd the streets of Granada. Nightlife here is a big part of the culture and I'm really loving meeting so many people from all around the world over drinks and tapas.




Mi Trabajo, Mi Vida (My Work, My Life)

A large component of this program is community service. For the next three months I will be working in La Hospital de San Rafael with sick children. I haven't been told much, I start work on October 1st, but I've heard from most people that many to most of the patients are terminal. I don't know how I will be able to emotionally handle this work every day, but I am excited to work in such an important environment. I can't wait to see what my first day is going to be like!


These weeks are going by so fast! Until next time...  el timpo lo cura todo (time heals all wounds)

Mi Fin De Semana en el Pueblo

Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta (Party, Party Party) 

I went with my two hermanas (sisters) to their father's pueblo to celebrate St. Augustine the Virgin - for three. days. straight.

Dia Uno: Cabalgata (Day One - Parade)

The first day we arrived at the pueblo after lunch, and jumped right into the parade. The parade consisted of a bunch of different groups dressed up in crazy costumes. Everything from ladies in the shower to pirates were represented and most everyone was only mildly intoxicated. I learned quickly that to celebrate the virgin you drink a lot and stay out very late. The parade ended around 10pm (6 hours is a long time for a parade!) in the center of the pueblo with dancing and singing traditional Spanish anthems. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of- even if I did not really understand what was going on. After the parade we walked home to relax and eat dinner before it was time for the party to start. People do not normally leave their houses until 11:30 or midnight, and that is just to go to the bars. At midnight everyone (infants included) were out in the streets to watch the beautiful fireworks show to end day one of the fiesta. 

Various costumes at the parade - funny and equally hilarious! 

Mis hermanas and friends in the pueblo

Dia Dos: Duerma, Coma, Fiesta (Sleep Eat Party)

The strange party habits consume your entire day - with sleeping. As I am used to sleeping until 2pm every day, it was a nice change from having to wake up at 7am during the week. The second and third days consisted of religious processions to honor The Virgin. They were such a learning experience and so incredible to be a part of. The little altar boys came out first in their white robes to lead the procession, followed by priest of the church, and then the large statue of The virgin carried by at least 20 men. The band followed and classic catholic hymnals were played, and the rest of the town followed holding candles. They walked around the whole pueblo, and at the end there were fireworks and festivities. Overall my experience in the pueblo was a real treat, and I can't wait for the celebration of the virgin in Granada at the end of the month!

Me and my sisters - I love these girls :)


Until next time... en las malas se conocen a los amigos (a friend in need is a friend indeed)

Un Dia en La Vida

Since day one my host family has been incredibly welcome and so kind. My mother, Adela is a wonderful cook and helps me a lot with my spanish. My sisters, Natalia and Belen are around my age and it is so fun to hang out with them - we laugh a lot together! 

P.S. The color of my room here is the same as my room in the US - it's a nice coincidence :) 

Emma's Daily Routine Thus Far

7:00am- Alarm goes off (for those who know me, I'm not lying I do wake up this early every day)

7:30am- Walk into the kitchen, my host mom has toast and coffee waiting for me - I'm getting spoiled

8:00am- Walk to the bus stop (1 hour commutes normally not fun, but I never get tired of the view)

View from my bus/classroom - how am I supposed to concentrate when I can look at that for 6 hours instead?

9-2:30pm- Class, Class, Class. Since I'm in a language intensive program, I have Spanish for 3 hours a day, 15 hours a week. It's more than intense, but I am learning a lot.

3:30pm- after I get home I eat lunch with my mom and sisters. Yes at 3:30pm. It took a while to get used to, but eating late has its perks.

4:00pm- Perk #1 of eating late - after lunch, because it's the biggest meal of the day, it's completely acceptable to take a long nap!

7:30pm- After waking up from my siesta I go to the gym! I joined a gym here. The first thing I tried was spinning. It's hard but since I have a lot of downtime it's nice to have a constant thing to go to everyday.

This tapa is a piece of bread, chorizo, and potato chips. A perfect lite fare before dinner

9:00pm- Normally I go out to a tapa or two with friends. A spanish tapa - in Granada at least - is a free small plate of food you get gratis (FOR FREE) when you buy a drink. The food is so delicious no matter what they give you and I am fully thankful for the tapas.

10:30pm- Dinner with my family - we eat a lot of meat, especially pork. One of my favorite meals is called salmoreja - a tomato based cold soup blended with bread, a green pepper, and garlic. It's perfect.

11:00pm- Watching the news after dinner is the perfect way to wind down after a long day, catch up on current events, and learn a little Spanish!

Until next time.... todos los dias se aprende algo!

My school at night. Just kidding that's actually The
Alhambra, but my school is right across the street
from it! 

My city at night :) I can't get enough of it.
So enchanting. 

(A man will learn wit everyday)

Una Semana Muy Ocupada

Comida, Comida, Comida (Food, Food, Food)
Many things have happened since my last blog post, including but not limited to travelling to three different cities in Spain. I can happily say that I have been to the oldest restaurant in the world (according to Guinness Book of World Records). It is called Sobrino de Botín, and it is on La Calle de los Cuchilleros (the street of the cutlery). This is because the specialty of the restaurant, and Spain in general, is whole little pigs and they use special cutlery for cooking and eating. Obviously, being the avid vegetarian I (sometimes) claim to be, I had to try it. The taste was flavorful, like bacon, and the texture was chewy. There is so much meat, especially pork, in Spain that sometimes it is hard to handle. But it is all part of the culture!

                                                         Some friends and me trying a                                                                shot of liqueur special to Madrid                                                          (la madrona) in a cup made from                                                          a waffle and chocolate

^A Cochinillo (little pig) - specialty of
Madrid, but does not look appetizing to me








Toledo: Cuando Las Princesas en Vivo (Toledo - Where the Princesses Live)
Before my trip to Toledo, did not know the history or culture of the city. Lucky for me, I found that Toledo is in enchanting city with incredible architecture and such a mix of cultures - it is fit for a princess. Toledo was a big change from Madrid, because Madrid is a big, chaotic city that is busy with work and construction during the day and is a major a party town at night. Since Toledo is also a tourist town, I figured it would be filled with people from all over the world and long lines. However it was so nice and quiet and when I walked in the streets, I felt as if I went back in time.

While there, my friend Brittany and I ended up taking a wrong turn down the Don Quijote path and ended up on the other side of the city - the view was worth it!

                                   

The portal to the city - I pretended I was a princess.                                        The entrance to a cathedral

 Another gorgeous view of the city - these are just a few of the reasons I can't believe I'm actually here!

Now I'm off to Granada - my home for the next 3 months! Until next time... barriga llena, corazon contento! (A full belly, a happy heart)

Dos Días Locos

Un Comienzo Desigual (A Bumpy Start)
Imagine losing your gadgets, having your car not start, getting stopped by security at the airport and almost missing your connecting flight and searching for almost two hours for a meeting spot. You can't imagine it? Well neither could I, but it all happened. Within the first 24 hours of my journey I had a plethora of bad juju thrust upon me, but it all worked out in the end and I AM HERE! I cannot believe how wonderfully beautiful Spain is. Yesterday I arrived in Madrid jetlagged and smelly, but so excited to be here. The culture-rich streets and incredible food are just two things I noticed right off the bat.

From Monday to Friday we will be in Madrid (B), touring, eating, and getting to know one another

Buenos Amigos and Buena Comida (Great Friends and Great Food)

Everyone on my program is so nice. We have a group of nine people from all across the country, but it seemed a lot smaller once we made connections. I am here with one other girl from my school; it is so nice to see a familiar face and it didn't hurt for maneuvering our way through the Madrid Airport. Additionally, another girl from DC is here and as we were trying to figure out if we knew any of the same people, the first person she mentioned was Sarah, my best friend from home. It gives the saying "small world" a whole new meaning!

The food is incredible, but so filling. I eat a lot in general and I really have a love for all foods. However, with el menú del día (menu of the day) you get two plates of food (for example you could get a bowl of soup and a piece of fish), sangria or wine, and dessert. It fills you up fast, and I have gone into multiple food comas since I have been here.

Some of the wonderful friends on my program!

 Cómo Se Dice... (How do you say...)
It is difficult from going to all-English all the time to all-Spanish all the time. Our program director speaks only in Spanish to us, and we are encouraged (required) to speak in Spanish to each other unless we have a question we can only say in English. I find myself saying comó se dice (insert English word here). Lo siento if I start using "Spanglish" en mis blog posts porque I am required to think and hablar en Espanol todavia.

That's all I have for now...

"Quien no pasa por la pasa no se casa" - If you don't walk on Raisin Street you won't marry" 

*Raisin Street used to be where you got your marriage license... hence the saying 

One Week, 7 Days, 168 Hours, 10,800 Minutes

That is how long I have until I leave for Spain. What?! I don't even have words to describe how much excitement/anxiety/cluelessness I am feeling right now. From Takoma Park, MD to Madrid is only 10 hours of my life, but that 10 short hours will put me in a different time zone, a different culture, and a different lifestyle for the next semester. I am going through SIT Study Abroad for exactly 3 months and 15 days to Granada, Spain, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

However- I am also a little terrified. 3 months and 15 days in a country, in a continent that I have never been to. I am only a little familiar with the language, and by the end of my program I will have written and presented in Spanish. But what better place to learn the language than in Spain!

Living in Granada will be an amazing experience, but I am also excited to get to go to places like Madrid, Seville and Cordoba, and Morocco. This is the trip of a lifetime, and I am so excited to share it with whoever is reading this blog.

I'll try to keep this blog updated with whatever crazy adventures I go on throughout this semester! Until next week...

"Mas sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo"
Spanish proverb meaning: There is no substitute for experience