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.

What do you get when you...

...cross a Southerner who hasn't much seen snow over half an inch in his life with a bad Madrid snow storm??

SNOW BUNNY


Everyone was on the bus still for the most part being grumpy about the snow ruining our days activities and ranting how "Ugh, I see too much snow all the time."
Well you know what. Grant - 1, Northerners - 0. Time flew by real fast, too (all 7 hours of being stuck on the interstate) :).

Nom nom nom.

Unfortunately my first class, Islamic Culture, was cancelled today which ruined any hope of me actually wanting to go to my Varieties of Spanish class. See, the thing is, I need the "high" of the Islamic Culture class to carry me through the Varieties class, especially on a day like today when it's cloudy and dreary after it's been so beautiful for a week.
This cancellation (and lack of desire to sit through a class that I had huge hopes for) has unfortunately opened up time for me to read, draw, think and mope. It has also given me time to partake in my senoras power trip (helllllz yes!). There are 3 others staying with us this week, 2 British boys and a French girl. I'm lead to believe they're all 16 or 17. Fortunately, as resident resident at this household, I'm treated with just a slight amount more of respect and given a little more "special treatment" than the others who just come for a week or two. So I get all the gossip and even some power trips that are handed down to me from the head matriarch of the family, Ana Manzano Arellano. 'Cause after all, I am her nino.
To highlight, when I came to the house, there were some advisory notifications posted here and there throughout the house. All in Spanish for obvious reasons. Some of which included, but I'll paraphrase, "Showers need to be quick as there is little hot water for all. Keep the bathroom clean. No showers after 22 hours," "Closet doors need to stay closed when not in use (This one makes me feel like I'm in the house portrayed in the others)," and last but not least, "Leave nothing in your rooms plugged in when not in the house." However, with this new batch of younger students (let me assure you dinners consist of us sitting there looking at each other and feeling ridiculously awkward [Please see Will Ferrals SNL skit where he mentions the Dodge Stratus]. One of the British boys, Oliver, will respond and actually make conversation but the other Brit has no knowledge of Spanish and the French girl has responded in French 80% of the time), I have been given the responsibility to rewrite each sign and then translate it to English and French (I'd love to see my signs end up on some French website of bad translations). I also get to hear about a lot of the gossip. Some of the hot topics between Ana and myself include: one of the British children coming home last night wasted. Ha. So that's been a big deal for her and must therefore be a big deal for me. Also, the French girl being extremely needy and, "even more wasteful than most of the American's I've had here." To which I had to bite my tongue and then use it as an excuse to throw in some awkwardly worded patriotic remark.
So with all my signs written and without further ado, I get to focus on my real draw to Blogger: my grumpy "weather induced" rant/retrospective. First and foremost: Friends. Now, for most of you who're reading this, you had the pleasure of not knowing me as a child. Many of you had the pleasure of meeting me in College (which henceforth will be known as the "Wonder Years"). Many of my social skills, or lack there of, stem from often the most traumatizing years of a child's life: middle school. Without going too far into it, I was awkward. Which isn't too hard to imagine being that I'm a science major (I blame this for the social awkwardness) and had almost chosen to design school if it weren't for my father saying no (I blame this for the slightly autistic self - think the gay brother from wedding crashers). And being how middle school is, fat & awkward = no friends. Thus, leading to my awkward issues today with making friends, I thought I escaped it but it's striking back here in Granada (I thought I had escaped but is obviously still hanging on somewhere). In part my distance away from everyone in my program in Granada, I still feel partially "meh" to everyone here. I know during your study abroad months, people say that you'll make friends faster than you could ever dream, which I don't doubt (the second day in London my best friend here asked me to share her Starbucks, inseparable ever since, awwwe) but at the same time I keep examining the relationships I have here with people. I, by no means, am a "solitary" person. I would much rather be with someone even when not having to communicate (i.e. watching a movie or something). Something about another, familiar body is relatively relaxing. But more often than not, I am choosing to go off by myself, take a run by the sad excuse of a river here in Granada or stroll around looking at the absolutely stunning examples of graffiti here. It's strange, the vast majority of people here are not people who I'd hang out with in Charleston or in Atlanta.. or maybe I'm just keep telling myself that? But as for my effort to become more "involved" I'm planning on doing much more with the group. This weekend a large number of people are going to Cadiz which sounds like a lot of fun, but a lot of trouble. This is why: 1) It's an overnight shitshow 2) There is NO lodging 3) No one has experienced Carnival before.
We basically get on a bus Saturday morning and then get on a bus back Sunday afternoon. This could be bad for a number of reasons. And from what I've seen with the group we have I'm convinced someone/people is/are definitely going to be mugged and/or lost. I'm also positive at least one of the following will occur: a major fight between two bff's, someone will get WAY to drunk and either miss the bus or cause aforementioned fallout, people will get angry because they expect Carnival to have activities at every waking moment and find out that an all-nighter isn't always a good idea. Especially in a city no one is familiar with.
Regardless, the bus ticket there is 20 Euro... and it's basically due by today, so I'm going to do some major pro's and con's. Money is becoming such an issue. Ugh.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good:
-I've been sent a package by my parents that arrived while I was away in the whirlwind adventure to Madrid, Germany and Barcelona. I got two issues of Discover, one National Geographic, Swedish fish and tootsie rolls.. I don't even like tootsie rolls?
-Four day school weeks are so ridiculously amazing. What is College of Charleston doing wrong?
-It was 19 C today!! To bad I had the chills (soon to be explained in "The Bad" or "The Ugly" - I haven't decided.
-None of my classes were canceled today - and my Cultura Islamica en Espana and Practica Oral y Escrito looks extremely promising (he's already planned days for us to "dar un paseo" around Granada, Get Churros (Interestingly enough [supersidenote] churros in Catalan is Xurros), and then get tapas... during class time. Ballin'.
-We have to leave for Semana Santa, Places actually doable include: Romania (the cheapest option, but so weird and sooo post communist), Sardinia (and maybe Corsica!), Venice or Rome andddd finally Lisbon. Any suggestions?

The Bad:
-Paying 40 Euro for a doctors appointment to hear what I had already diagnosed myself (i.e. a viral infection).
-Actually giving in to going to the doctor to buy what I could have on my own. And now having my senora dance around me and my bruised ego saying "Te dije! Ahora sabes que es mejor a escuchar a tus mayores!!" My pride is wilting at an alarming rate.
-Not being able to combat my senoras anti-American slurs and I told you so's to the best of my ability is really getting to me. By April I'm making it a goal to practice my debate skillsz.

The Ugly:
-If it looks like EmergenC, smells like EmergenC and vaguely tastes like a Spanish knock-off of EmergenC would.. it probably acts the exact same way AS emergency. Especially if they advise that you take 4 packets a day. A day. If you catch my drift.

Pelicans are Spaniards

I'm back in Granada after what seems to be a seemingly long hiatus. I've been up to far too much while at the same time far too little. I've been quite the traveler the past two weeks - and quite proud of myself for really getting a grip on traveling and finding loop holes in most European traveling establishments (which, for the most part, are extremely greedy and frivolous). First off, I've finally finished my intensive Spanish class that lasted a good part of January. I did quite well in the class (not to "toot" my own horn, but I got a 9,7 out of 10). I will genuinely miss my two professors, however I will miss Carmen much more than Montserrat.
After our intensive classes ended on the 28th of January, we were then free until the 10th of February (I've just realized how awkward thar 'r' is between the b and u). Regardless, our program had a group trip planned to Madrid from the 30th of January to the 2nd of February. This trip definitely had it's ups and downs. We got into the Prado, Reina Sofia and the Royal Palace for free, had my first Mexican food experience in more than a month (and it was sooooooo good), had our boat hijacked (boatnapped?) by a group of Germans while in one of the parks and partook in a number of hotel parties. I also managed to see La Duda (Doubt) while in Madrid. It was so great. Our program had also planned day trips during our stay in Madrid to El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo. Unfortunately, as I have said over and over again, Spain is having a strange winter which obviously spells disaster for us. These day trips were no different. On our way to El Escorial and Segovia it started to snow ridiculously hard. This then lead to a closing of all highways in and out of the mountains - unfortunately leaving us, well, stuck on the highway for 7 hours. Although this was a little (fine, a lot) miserable, I did manage to 1) build a snowman on the side of the highway 2) learn every card game imaginable. Toledo the next day was absolutely fantastic. I'll see if I can manage some pictures on here...

The Germans who commandeered the boat

The Glass Palace
The day following my return to Granada met with a lot of surprises and angry airline employees. I left for the Granada-Jaen airport at 5:25 in the morning for my flight at 8:15. I then had a layover of a lifetime in Barcelona for about seven hours. Fortunately, Barcelona has a entire shopping mall in their airport which was both great for distractions and bad for my wallet. Another bummer was the fact that my plane was delayed (ultimately leading to me missing my train in Frankfurt and dropping another 58 Euro). None the less, I finally was able to make it to Goettingen that night where I'd spend the next few days with my friend Bianca. We also had a trip up to Hamburg the last night I was there. That was definitely a treat. A lot of hookers with fanny packs, what could be better?

One side of the Reeperbahn
The same day I was in Hamburg I then took a train back to Goettingen, then another train to Frankfurt and then finally my flight to Barcelona where I would force friends to play host and show me around "their" city. The first night consisted of going out to the cheap restaurant which didn't have such terrible food, but rather terrible service. The waiter, who Americans abroad affectionately call Frankenstein, took the two others orders and decided that I didn't need to eat. Fortunately my friends got his attention again so that I could order. After asking for an empanada and partially murmuring the word "Lasagna" the waiter walked away again. Long story short, I did finally eat that night. The next day I made my host show me around to Parc Güell and the Sagrada Familia. I then also got caught-up in some flash mob sorta thing. Regardless, it was good being with someone who was familiar with the area, because upon my return I learned that another group of friends who went to Barcelona had a series of unfortunate events (from being mugged to getting separated at clubs). And for what it's worth, I brought a lot of experiences back with my and a ridiculous amount of memories.
I also "started" my semester today. I'm in theory taking 5 classes: Variedades de Espanol, Cultura Islamica en Espana, Practica Oral y Escrito, Cultura y Civilizacion de Espana and Arabe. Now, I have my Arabic placement exam tomorrow, but from the looks of it I might not be taking the class as the past semester the class was at 8:30 - 10:30 at night. Sick. I only have one class on Mondays and Wednesdays (Civilizacion y Cultura), and ironically enough my first class of this semester was canceled due to my professor being in a meeting. So I was able to leave as soon as I had arrived and head to the Farmacia to get some drogas to help combat this little fever and sore throat I've managed to pick up. Speaking of being sick, my senora has finally cut down on the food because I haven't had an appetite - COULD this finally be a way to do some damage control on the ridiculous amount of food I get?! One could only hope. I'm telling you though, I do sorta miss being a starving college student.