Spring's Sprung! (Kinda)

First of all, I'd like to apologize for being neglectful spice. I've been on some whirlwind adventures the past few weekends which I shall account for in this post to my trusting and loyal readers.

Second of all, I hope I didn't jinx the good weather that we've been having with my title - last time I said that we left the cold weather behind a cold front moved on through leaving Granada freezing and soaking wet for a good week.

**my internet connetion is ridiculously slow so I'll upload pictures to go along with my antics soon-ish.

Where to begin? So much has happened. So I made my return visit to Sevilla with the AIFS program which was really great. Our hotel was a bit out of the way... but we happened to be right across the street from this amazing club called "Abril". I would highly, highly recommend it. Free entrance and a huge dance floor with really really good club music. The only thing I would advise against is getting drunk before you get there (I believe drinks there were 7-8 euro). Other than that we were basically a 30 minute walk from the downtown center (as opposed to when I stayed with the CofC program being a matter of minutes). It was nice though, I got to see the Alcazar as well which I wasn't able to visit my first time around and we had an amazing tour guide.
Sevilla, however, was not the first stop on our weekend in Andalucia Occidental. We trekked down to Gibraltar first! One word: Monkeys. Granted, the monkeys weren't the only awesome thing in Gibraltar (fish and chips, wind, the amazing view, signs in ENGLISH, etc. etc.) but they were definitely worth the visit. I had my hand held by one and then I was promptly slapped in the face a few seconds later as it wanted to get on the top of the van and saw my head as the perfect stepping stool. We arrived in an awkward fashion: we were dropped off on the "linea" separating Spain from Gibraltar from which we went through customs and then walked across the runway. We were then left to run around Gibraltar for about an hour to eat/do touristy things. During this time I found some amazing(ly tacky) post cards. Some with dolphins terribly photoshopped into the water and then another one with a scientific book sketch of a monkey superimposed on a drawing of the Rock (of Gibraltar). Needless to say I bought one and then got a real post card. We then got on these old old buses (similar to those I will be riding in Malta, it seems) to do a tour of the peninsula (but seemed much more like an island after what Franco put it though). Our first stop was Europa point with the Trinity lighthouse, the mosque and the amazing view of the Rock, the Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean, Africa and Tarifa. It was really unbelievable. After that we then rode up to St. Micheal's Cave. This was extremely impressive, I wish I had some good fotos of it that I took, but they all came out blurry. Try to google it though. It was really fantastic. This cave, unfortuantely, was then followed by what our program director in her bad English accent calls "zeh maahnkees". Upon seeing these creatures I completely forgot about the cave until I got back on the bus for Sevilla. They were really great and some girl on our program even got attacked by one!! Dinner AND a show! Unfortunately we only spent a very, very short time in Gibraltar and then headed to Sevilla [see above].
After Sevilla we went to Cordoba which I was extremely underwhelmed with. It was all way too touristy and very, very small. Much smaller than Granada. Not to mention I saw not one. Not two. But three gypsy's breast feeding their children in practically the middle of the street. The ones who weren't had stains on their shirts.... gross. I know it's natural but. I don't know. For what it is worth, the Mezquita was very very pretty and I enjoyed my time in there. In all it was an awesome weekend.

Other things that've been going on have included:
-Not doing anything in the majority of my classes. I didn't know studying abroad would be this easy! The only class that I'm having major issues with is Arabic. But I think that may warrant it's own post when midterms come up. I've really lucked out on everything else though... most of my friends are having to write 3 page papers like every week. Know how many papers I've had to write? 1. Count it!

-The weather has been absolutely amazing. The sun isn't strong yet and I've actually gotten a good base tan for Spring Break! (Note: Said tan may or may not be in the form of a farmers tan). There has hardly been a cloud in the sky and the temperature has been hovering around 28 degrees C.

-I've signed up for my classes for next semester upon my return to Charleston. I finally have to face calculus even though I've avoided it for these past 3 years. This is going to be damn hard. BUT I'm also finishing my biology major with a semester to spare. I'm taking Cell Bio lab, Parasitology, Intro. to Environmental Studies and then some tacky philosophy class that counts towards my envt. studies minor. It's only 15 hours. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.

-I'm going to Morocco and Western Sahara this weekend! I'm so so so so so excited I can't even begin to tell you. I leave at 4:30 in the morning on Thursday and then get back Monday during the evening. I'll make sure to take a lot of photos. If you want to preview where I'm off to: Tangier, Meknes, Fez and Laayoune. I'm also excited to try and practice my Arabic, which will be extremely difficult because of the drastic differences of dialect. Meh. After that I'll have midterm week and then I'll be off to Sardinia with my (practically) tour guide, Matt! All in all I'm very excited with what is to come, not to mention we're below a month now for the countdown for my 21st. Sure it may not be important here, but yall back in the states feel free to make an excuse to drink heavily.

That's about all I have patience for. I got back from the clubs last night at 7. Err.. I guess that would make it in the morning. Regardless. I then woke up at 10. But at least I got some tostada out of it. I am such a tostada feind.

Stay tuned for fotos. I cannot spell. I'll need English lessons upon my return.

Because I'm entitled to.

Thing 1 and Thing 2.
...I'm not talking about these guys.

Thing 1. I know I complain about my senyora enough and I do really love her company. But enough is enough! Today I got home from class around 1:30 to Apartment 3e smelling like delicious paella. Needless to say, I was pumped. I greet my senyora and say how great it smells and then walk to my room to put my stuff down while replying to her, "Ran (the closest she can get to my name), Quieres comer?!" I quickly put all my things away and hung my jacket to dry and go to sit down. Soon after sitting down I realize that she had made a ridiculously large amount of paella and salad. I knew this was bad news for me as Ana, being Ana, doesn't eat. So I get a serving of paella for myself which I finish and grab about three more spoon fulls, which barely puts a dent in the paella from hell. After she realizes that I've moved on from the paella to the ensalada she takes a look at the paella bowl and gasps. I knew I was in for it. This then releases the drama-filled flood gates that is Ana Manzano. She goes on how she never makes paella for just two people because it seems like such a waste, but she loves me so much and likes that I enjoy it. Continuing on about how it's so extremely time consuming and that it costs so much money for her to make. I'm furious right now and am trying to rebut to the best of my ability but am inevitably losing the battle. I've told her on numerous occasions that I do not need to eat what "other boys" in the house have eaten. I've told her that I, unfortunately, last semester lived off a sole box of bran flakes for 5 days. I've told her that she doesn't need to spend money on food of the "highest quality" for me. Unfortunately, my senyora is turning out more and more to being the equivalent of a Sith Lord. She refuses to listen to me, while still wasting so much money on food (apparently) and making a ridiculous amount. I feel like I'm twisting all my sentences now in a bad-English induced rant. I'll move on to Thing 2 now and leave this alone.

Thing 2. I'm planning an awfully ballsy escape while in Morocco. I'll leave it at that just so that my plans remain confidential and that the AIFS program and the Algerian secret service have no solid evidence of my super-secret plans (whoops, I let it slip!!).

Impulsive Rhythm Nation

I would always like to think of myself as someone of a rather exciting nature. Oftentimes, however, that is just not the case. I’m rather not as spontaneous as I would enjoy being and I do like sticking to a plan (even if said plan is just time marked out for “wandering around” time). Incognizant, I seem to have been working on this lack of excitement that I’ve always desired to have. I have, with in the last three weeks made a few “last minute” decisions that I would otherwise never find myself doing. One: Cadiz. The other: Sevilla.

Now as I last left off, I was toying with the idea of going to Cadiz for Carnaval. This trip was composed of a 20 Euro round-trip-over-night-bonanza that was bound to be anything but uneventful. I later realized I would never, ever be more correct in my life. Between not wanting to be a stick in the mud, almost choosing Cadiz to study in and the wise words once spoken to me by a former professor wise beyond her years which went a little something like, “Go to Cadiz... it'll be more blogging material than you'll know what to do with. That is a big PRO,” I chose to march my way over to the travel agent and demand my ticket to Carnaval. To my dismay, they were sold out. I then convinced the man, who, smoked at least 6 cigarettes during our conversation and picked up the phone at least two times, to take my name and number and let me know if any “plazas” opened up. Fortunately enough for me, one did! So, easy as that I was off on my way to Carnaval in Cadiz. Dressed as an Indian (Native American), no less!
I also recall from my last post of predicting a number of terrible things. Going back reading it now, there was no fallout between friends, no one missed the bus, and no one (to my knowledge) got in a fit about there not being enough to do (because there was entirely TOO much to do). Some people did however: got mugged/pick pocketed and had to go to the hospital (not me, phew!). Lists of injuries included falling/walking on broken glass and a 40oz. Cruzcampo bottle to the face. Noice. Unscathed, I am able to have a rather positive outlook on carnival despite a few hours that are still not entirely clear to me. I managed to lose my costume (?) and get myself a couple of sweet bruises the size of Texas on my hip and shoulder. In all, everyone had a great time and thankfully everyone made it back.

As for my latest stint into trying to make myself content with my level of excitement had come hand-in-hand with a visit of the College of Charleston study abroad group and a few teachers I thoroughly enjoy (no, I don't mind stroking y'all's ego since you both happen to be avid, or so I hope, readers). The group was in the middle of their Tour de Andalucia when it landed them in Granada. So of course I am not going to pass up the opportunity to hang out with some awesome people and show them some of the things to do around town. Their last night in Granada, I was invited to Sevilla with the group. Now, this was after three glasses of wine and a few beers, so I of course said, "Sure, why not?!" I soon left the group so that they could get their beauty rest and I could make it to the club "Mae West" for a few moments for my friends birthday. The next, quite groggy morning I realized what I had agreed to and was shocked. Not only had I not followed my programs rules by letting them know the exact whereabouts at every given second of the moment I step foot out of downtown Granada, but I had also agreed to a not-so-small weekend vacation. Regardless, I had the time of my life. Everyone in the group from CofC is so unique and brings their own "flair" to the group. Not to mention both of the professors keep everyone ridiculously grounded. So awesome and definitely mad props you two.

As for everything else that is coming up in the near future, I'm having Sevilla: Round II this coming weekend. I've been designated "Tour Guide" as I am one at school and am now, apparently, an aficionado of Sevilla (who knew?!). We're also going to Cordoba during one of the days, Gibraltar and then finally Tarifa. I'm very, very excited. And things should be rather calm. Hopefully. Then I get a weekend off and then I'll be off to Morocco! I'm extremely excited about this trip and really thrilled to put my Arabic to use. Then following that I'll be off to Sardinia for a fun-filled European Vacay with my host family (practically) in Barcelona.
I'm also looking for one more trip to take, I'm trying desperately to make it to Prague to visit my friends Emily and Jenna, but it's looking more and more impossible. Damn being in Granada (just kidding I love you)!

OH! Before I forget. My first Junta de Andalucia bus ride was today. It definitely merits some sort of discussion. First and foremost, I wish I was lying about this entire experience. So CofC and friends leave the Hotel Catalunya Giralda at about 12:20ish in the afternoon which allows me to get lost in Sevilla and discover a few nooks that I otherwise would not have found since my bus left at 2:30. I go to the bus station and buy my ticket with the 20 Euro I have left to my name until I returned back to Granada. So this left me with .20 Euro for food (and we all know how much I LOVE food) so that kinda stunk. So I end up sketching in my sketch book and reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (which I am not too impressed with) to keep me busy and keep my mind off the fact that I have no money in the rare, but likely case something were to happen which required money. When I get on the bus, the seats aren't numbered even though there are assigned seats on our tickets. Everyone on the bus realized this and let it affect them to a minor extent. Two people, however, were extremely distraught by this "shake up". This old man and his wife are some of the last to get on the bus (not to mention the lady right next to me smelled like she had not showered in years) and they cannot come to terms with the fact that the bus has no numbers even though they were assigned numbers. The old man then stops to a 20-something year old man right behind me and demands that he move because these seats must be his. The boy gets into an argument which then sends the older man (I'm guessing 70's). Up to the bus driver to protest. The bus driver then tells the older man that there, in fact, are no numbers on this bus and that he just has to do the best finding a seat close to his wife if they want to sit together. Long story short, he makes a person move so that the old couple may sit together. Strange occurrence number two: a seemingly homeless man had somehow made it on the bus and had thrown a jacket over his head in an attempt, I'm assuming, to appear asleep and that the conductor wouldn't mind him. The girl right next to the man with the jacket over his head goes up to the front complaining about how the man next to her smells and is wearing no shoes. The bus driver then gets up again and removes the man from the bus. Fortunately, the 2 hour bus rude went by so smoothly UNTIL we get to Granada. Our bus driver (who must have been a last minute replacement) drives by the exit for Granada. He pulls off the carretera and then heads back to the exit that he just missed.... and ends up missing it again. I wish I was joking. Finally, after the entire bus yelling directions we made it to the Estacion de Autobuses in Granada in one piece (and unfortunately it's about an hour and a half walk away from my house here). Regardless I ran across some absolutely gorgeous parks and buildings that I did not know existed before my forced march back to Calle Rey Abu Said.