Sunday, September 7, 2008

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

¡¡Ya estoy en Granada!! I've been here since Wednesday, and I love it already!! We arrived in Málaga, a larger city about 1 1/2 hours away on Tuesday and had a little bit of cultural orientation Wednesday before we took a bus to Granada Wendesday night and moved into our homestays. The first day or two in Granada were pretty overwhelming. We are supposed to speak Spanish whenever we are in the house or with anyone from our program, which leaves very little opportunity to speak English. It's frustrating not being able to express with ease what I want to say. I can't tell you how many times I've considered going to find some tourists in the street and ask for directions just to make sure I don't forget that there was a time I could understand what people were saying to me. For the first week and a half (until next Monday) we are in intinsive language and culture orientation from 9-2 every day and usually a few hours in the afternoon or at night. I tested into a far too advanced language class (Good test-taking skills: a blessing or a curse? You decide.) which just added to the language frustration. That has gotten better because in addition to the fact that my Spanish has improved, after few hours of me responding to my teacher's questions with a blank stare, she asked me (in front of the class) why I always look at her like I don't know what's going on. I told her it's because I don't know what's going on. Ever. Now she talks to me a little slower. Friday, we spent most of our class time exploring the city, and we walked through this beautiful public park below the Alhambra that had lots of gardens and fountains and rivers and even ducks, swans, and peacocks wandering around. There were also some trails with benches and deciduous trees that I know will be really nice in the fall.

So yesterday, our program took a trip to Cabo de Gato, a national park about 2 hours from Granada. We were prepared for what they described as a "nice, relaxing walk, stopping at beaches every few hours" from the town of Retamar to San José. Only after 9 hours of hiking 16 kilometers, up and down a few very steep mountains and sand dunes, and scaling a rock face or two (all in my Chucks... not a wise decision.) did we finally make it to San José and get to relax in a nice little Italian pizzaria, where the waiters were very drunk, but the food was delicious. It was absolutely beautiful, but I didn't take many pictures because I was too busy trying not to get blown off the mountains by the 50 mph gusts of wind. However, the pictures I did take are up on Picasa... so you can take a look. Did I mention all the beaches were nude? They were. I am pretty sure that they made us do that just so we would bond...

I decided to go to a church that someone recommended to me this morning, and it was possibly the best decision I've made yet. The church was small, and the service was pretty much exactly like the ones in Costa Rica, which was so fun!! I understood some of the sermon, and most of the songs, and was able to speak with the locals fairly easily. There were about 15 other American students there (they were all studying at other schools) and a lot of Granadinos around our age, and I met an American family who are missionaries here and was invited to their house (only about 5 minutes from mine) for lunch next Sunday. I wrote my name on some list, but I'm not quite sure what I signed up for... I'll let you know when I find out.

I've pretty much learned how to get around the city (it's small) and don't even worry, I already have a frequent buyer card from the coffee place on the way to school. I am having a little trouble finding alone time (my roommate and I are in the same orientation group, sowe always go everywhere together.....), so I am looking forward to starting classes and getting into a routine. If you want to see where I live, I put some pictures up of my apartment and neighborhood (called Realejo). There are also some pictures from a long walk we took with my orientation group through the Sacromonte and Albaycin neighborhoods, which are two really really awesome neighborhoods where all the hippies and gyspies live. After that walk, I really fell in love with Granada. It's such a great city... everyone should come visit me so I can show you around and introduce you to my gypsy friends.

3 comments:

Annie said...

Eli!!! What a fun few days! I am SO excited for you finding a church and a missionary family to get connected with, wow, and so quickly. I miss you so much! I am open for a skype date.... Does afternoon or night work better for you? Love you!!

Unknown said...

eli, that sounds awesome- i want to meet real gypsies! that is awesome, your pictures are beautiful, again. It was so good talking to you the other day....i just wish i could see you :( maybe you could befriend a "MACer" and use theirs, yeah? I love you and am praying for you, cant wait to hear more - especially about the church you are going to! that is awesome! yay God

love and miss you

Waud said...

AHHHHHHHHHH eli! all of this sounds absolutely amazing! i miss you like crazy and am so jealous of the time you are having abroad! i think i decided i am headed to australia this summer...weird...but kind of exciting. you inspired me...haha...well...i need to go get ready for church but i love you and miss you and we shall skype soon (since i finally got it and all...i'd hate for it to go to waste!)

love love