And so it has begun. After a somewhat rough start (losing my luggage, missing my bus from Madrid to Granada, etc.) I’m feeling settled and comfortable here.
In the United States, I am what I like to call a ¨relaxed vegetarian¨. I prefer not to eat meat, but if it eating it means avoiding awkwardness, I’ll do it. I figured that while I´m in Spain, I will at least try everything. Two days ago, Elvira, my host mom served something that made me feel as though I was on Fear Factor: Shell fish. But not just shell fish, ENTIRE shell fish, with faces, eyes, antennas, legs, tails, everything. I was more nervous when I saw those things on a platter (awaiting ingestion) than I was when my flight was seven hours late, or when my luggage didn´t turn up, or when I had no where to stay in Madrid. If I have accomplished anything on this trip so far, it is my ability to suspend all logic and eat six of those disgusting shell fish with the little black eyes.
I want to try and describe the unique architecture in Granada, because that will really give you a sense of the city and its character. The architecture is one my favorite parts of the city, with buildings crowding the narrow streets that were not made for the cars that drive down them. Of course while many of the buildings are old (and very wise), there are new buildings that have been constructed with affection for the old style. The architecture of Granada reminds me in a way of one big family, with grand parents, great-grandparents, children, etc. The “old folks”, are comprised of buildings such as the Church of Isabel and Ferdinand, and the maze-like streets and buildings of the Albayzín district. The newer buildings have been built with a respect for the style of the “old folks” while still maintaining a sense of modernity. I don’t find a stark difference between the young generation of buildings and the old; Granada has a beautiful but subtle contrast between history and modernity.
Granada is a city rich in character. One of my professors of Spanish told us that Granada is known for its “mal character”. I haven’t really noticed that, but apparently that is the reputation. It’s understandable, however because Granada has overcome painful periods such as the Reconquista and the Inquisition. While there is a brutal past (all the Jews and Muslims were kicked out), the architectural influence of its victims is still very present. The Alhambra overlooks the entire city, and is one of the most powerful sites I’ve seen, with the river Darro (as in “dar oro” or “give gold”) running past the hill on which it is built. The Alhambra, constructed by the exiled Muslims is ironically (and deservedly) one of Spain’s most beautiful and revered historical sites.
Anyway, I thought I’d give you a little taste of the city and what it looks like. Hopefully for those of you who haven’t been here you can imagine it a little better now. I am lucky enough to have a twenty minute walk to class everyday, where I get to go through two beautiful plazas (the city is covered in plazas, many of which have fountains) and make my way down the narrow streets. Right now I’m taking four hours of Spanish everyday, rightly named the “Intensivo” before classes start up in February.
Tonight, I am going out to a “discoteca” with some friends, and I hope to finally meet some locals!
Hasta luego,
Mikayla