Life Was Good Everywhere

This past weekend on Saturday we went hiking, again :).  It is seriously just so pretty, that you couldn’t possibly get bored.  This time we went to the same town of Monachil but we ended up taking a different route.  At first I wasn’t as impressed as I was the first time we went, but of course I ended up being totally blown away towards the end of our hike.  In the beginning you’re walking through these winding roads of houses but towards the end I literally did not think I was in Spain.  It felt more like Ireland with this huge field surrounded by mountains.  Obviously it was so pretty. 

 

Then on Sunday we went to this flamenco festival up in the Sacromonte.  The atmosphere alone makes anyone who was unsure about flamenco before, absolutely fall in the love with the dancing.  I only saw little girls dancing, so maybe their adorableness made up for my lack of appreciation for flamenco, but when they were on stage it was just so much fun to watch.  The whole crowd is dancing and singing along, and it just makes you appreciate everything so much.  It’s one of those moments when I couldn’t believe this was actually my life. 

The more I am here, the more I also realize how relaxed people are in Spain.  It odd, probably just because things in the United States are so busy all the time, but people really do enjoy living their everyday life.  There is not nearly as much pressure to succeed professionally, which I think makes people really appreciate all the little things.

Hippies!

After a week of exams and homework, tonight I am finally off to Amsterdam, Prague, and Dublin!  The first airline we are taking will only allow us to bring 11 lbs though!  I thought it was a cruel joke at first, but it is not.  Haha but I finally understand the term of backpacking through Europe.  Even if I am only allowed 11 lbs though I still can’t believe this is my life right now.  So happy.

Super Fresh

The more I am here, the more I fall in love with Spain and being abroad.  It was difficult at first and it still can be from time to time, but it's the moments when I stop to look around for a second that make me so thankful to be here.  Just yesterday I went on a run and the view alone was incredible.  I probably looked like such a foreigner because I just started jumping up and down and yelling because I was just so happy to be here; I can't help but being like damn this is awesome.  Most days I seriously can't believe this is my life.  

On another note, while Granada is amazing most days, the food that I have been eating this week has been very questionable.  I am all for fresh food but, in my opinion, there is also such a thing as “to fresh.”  For instance a couple of days ago I was literally given a plate of raw meat for lunch.  Now I am in love with sushi but when meat resembles hearts and other animal parts I do not want to eat, I am not a fan.  I swear I could see the aortic valve on the lump of meat that I think was an animal heart, along with the pulmonary valve on the back of it (and yes I aced anatomy in high school.)  The biology part of lunch I enjoyed actually, but the eating part was just downright disgusting.  I did humor my Senora by eating a tiny bit but I got so sick later that I wish I hadn’t.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, the same meat then proceeded to be in my soup for the next three days :(.  It was extremely unfortunate to say the least.   Then just as I was thinking the food situation couldn’t get any worse, it did.  It all happened when I was at this bar enjoying a casual beer with some friends.  I was mid conversation when I looked up and noticed something very appalling behind the bar.  I immediately grabbed my camera and turned into tourist Barbie as I snapped away at an animal leg (hoof still attached) in a meat cutter.  Needless to say I am on the fast track to becoming a vegetarian.  

 

 

Aside from my regrettable experience with the food, the rest has been enjoyable.  Two of my sorority sisters, Wendy and Stephanie, both visited Granada this week and it was so good seeing them.  I had a blast catching up and taking disgusting shots at a chupiteria.  We even took a shot called Chicago :).   

I honestly love every minute here and this upcoming week I am finally going on my first vacation!  Thursday we leave for Amsterdam, Prague, and then Dublin.  To say I am excited would be an understatement, I seriously can’t wait!  Time already feels like it is going by so fast, I wish it would slow down a little; so far though I couldn’t ask for a better time.