The Pomagranet

Granada has made it to the top of my favorite cities list after my trip there this past weekend. The city is surrounded by beauty and history. The city has a perfect back ground of the Sierra Nevada Mountains with snow on top year round. Every road has narrow cobblestone winding roads, which provided for a really scary bus ride around the city. Those bus drivers have serious talent and I felt like I got a rollercoaster ride for 1.20 EUR. Granada is one of the few cities in Spain that still has a huge visible Muslim influence. The tourist stores were all packed with hookah, Arabic writing and tapestries. The Muslim architecture is beautiful. 

 

Click here to see my video of the Alhambra!

The first day we arrived, unpacked at the hotel and got prepared for our 4 hour tour of the Alhambra. Our hotel was located right next to the Alhambra which was really awesome to walk next to when going to other places. The Alhambra is the most incredible palace I have seen so far in Spain. It is so huge that it was once its own city. The Alhambra was first a Moorish fortress that later the Christians conquered (like most things in Spain) to make the King’s place. At least they were nice enough to leave the architecture. Each room of the Alhambra had its own story: the king’s favorite wife room, the lucky room, etc. My favorite was the plaza inside which had a large fountain that symbolized eternity. The water coming out of the fountain was birth and the flowing of water the continuing of life. Each color in the Alhambra signifies something different- green for the Gods, blue is water, etc. It is amazing to me how detailed and intact everything is. 

Later that day three girls and I headed to the market, which was so fun to walk around. It got me excited for Morocco this weekend because I feel like that is how it is going to be lots of junk and haggling. I bought a scarf that is very Sevilla looking. I got asked for directions yesterday by some Spanish tourists, I guess I am really starting to look like I fit in.

The next day we visited a typical Granada neighborhood. It was beautiful, all white and close together. They style there is to have plates and ceramics put on the walls. It is giving me ideas for my Spanish themed room next year, be prepared.

I am very excited for this week. Last night I went to a flamenco show at the Teatro Central. I took the bus for the first time to get there and it was a success! The show was incredible. It had five dancers in total with 2 guitarists and 3 singers. Today I am meeting with my intercambio for the first time. We are going to 100 Montaditios, which on Wednesday has 1 EUR drinks and sandwiches (a montaditio). On Friday a group of us are going to Jerez, a town about an hour away from Sevilla. They are famous for their Sherry, flamenco, horses, and motorcycle racing. An odd combination. When we are there on Friday there will be a flamenco festival so we will definitely be participating in a workshop and seeing shows. We are also planning on going on a vineyard tour. Friday night is a hip-hop show in Sevilla that benefits Haiti. On Saturday I head to Africa to Morocco! I’m not every sure what to except, but I’m extremely excited for this once in a lifetime experience, especially the camel riding. We will be there from Saturday to Monday. Monday we don’t have class because of the Puente (holiday) Dia de Andalucía.

We finally finished booking all of our hostels for Italy. I can’t believe I have been here for over a month. Everything is finally so comfortable and I feel at home. I cherish every minute I am here in this beautiful city and can’t wait for more adventures! 

PS- Window shopping here is quite the art. Shoe stores have all of their shoes on displays outside the store. The only reason you go into a store is if you see a shoe you like and have a serious desire to buy it.

Mucho amor,

Elena

Flamenco and Zebras

There is something about traditional flamenco singing that makes me cringe. I realize it is all about passion and expression; however I feel like they are in terrible pain when they sing. Watch below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxClJJxlbVs

 I have grown a big appreciation for the dancing and guitar playing. My favorite class so far is my flamenco class at the university. By the way I am astonished that I get to go to class everyday in this building:

The class is split up into two parts: learning the history and different styles and rhythms of flamenco and the second part practicing. The rhythm is so different from anything I have ever heard. It is so difficult to pick up that I am amazed by the skills of these flamenco dancers and guitarists. Flamenco started in Andalucía and I’m so lucky to be able to learn it and then go out and fully experience the culture of it.

On another note, this past weekend I went to Aracena and Cadiz for Carnaval. Aracena was a great little city that I felt I didn’t get enough time to experience. We first went to a mine close to Aracena. I’m not really sure the point of the tour of the mine. The only great thing was we got to see the only river that is red, el Rio Tinto. In Aracena we saw Gruta de las Maravillas, the most visited caves in Spain. Later that day we ventured back to Sevilla to get ready for Carnaval. We left Sevilla at 8 PM and when we arrived it was one of the craziest things I have ever seen. I dressed up as a zebra for the occasion with a mask and tail. There were thousands of people crammed into one city. I’d like to think of it as a grown up Halloween.

This weekend I’m going on my first overnight trip to Granada. The past few weeks have been packed with trying to plan every trip. Italy was booked last week, today I booked Morocco and Paris is in the works. I’m so excited to start my European travels. I feel like the time here is going so incredibly fast. I could do an entire year here no problem.

I have started to accomplish my list of “85 things that must be done in Sevilla” little by little. I went on an adventure by myself after class yesterday to Plaza de America and to the archeology museum. I spent over 3 hours exploring parts I haven’t seen yet. I got incredibly lost coming home, but the beauty of this city hit me. I always wonder if the beauty and history of Sevilla has become jaded on Sevillians. I hope I don’t get to that point while I’m here.

 I’m going to my first play tomorrow with my interest group. The show is called “El Orfelinato” and I’m only hoping for positive things mostly that it doesn’t all go over my head.

Miss all of you!

Besitos,

Elena

A otra cosa mariposa!

Highlights from this past week:

1.       Seeing the Cathedral and climbing up to the top of the Giralda. The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral. We went up 36 flights to see the beautiful view of Sevilla. 

2.      Going to Cordoba. A really beautiful town with one of the oldest synagogues. My favorite part was the Mosque now Cathedral. The architecture is incredible and so detailed. The mosque is made up of over 113 red and white marble arches. Cordoba used to be a very Jewish town, but our guide told us that now there aren’t any that live there. 

3.      Finally finding the Calle Feria Market after 3 times and trying my first Spanish olives. They were grown in the owner’s back yard and delicious.

4.      Going to a Flamenco show. Monday night 5 of us went to this wonderful show. I’m not sure that I could ever find the place on my own again. We took a bunch of small streets and ended up at what looked like an apartment with a red door. We walked in to find a room full of people in absolute silence watching the show. We ordered tinto con limon and sangria and took it all in.

Things I’ve noticed:

1.       Dogs. They are weirdly well trained here. No one has them on a leash but they follow right behind their owners. When the owner goes into a store the dog waits for them outside. I have tried a few times to trick the dogs into coming with me but they won’t leave. Also, no one picks up the dog poop. They poo on the sidewalk, no one will say anything.

2.      Your wedding ring goes on your right hand

3.      The walking pace is perfect for me. Slow slow slow.

4.      Men yelling profane things is not something to fuss about.

5.      There is so much PDA here.

I’m auditioning tomorrow for the Universidad de Sevilla choir. The audition process should be really different being in all Spanish. It is a relatively big group of around 50 people. I know it can’t compare to Singers, but it is some way for me to sing.

Heading to the Mueso de Bella Artes right now with a friend!

Hasta pronto!