La Corrida

So Sunday evening I went to a Bullfight (una corrida del toros) with API.  I was a little unsure on whether or not I wanted to go, but since it was free and since bullfight has been so prominent throughout Spain's history, I thought I might as well check it out.  

Apparently the bullfight that we went to was like the "minor leagues" so the colosseum was pretty empty.  It was interesting to see that outside the colosseum, there were Spaniards protesting it and from talking to other Spanish people, it seems like a lot of them nowadays do not approve of bullfights anymore.  It seems like many of the younger generation view it as a thing of the past.  However, once we got inside and the bullfight started, it was really strange to see the people, even little kids that were there, cheering at the torero stabbing the bull.  We stayed and watched 4 out of the 6 bulls, which was more than I thought we would.  I got to learn a little about the sport (if that's what you call it?) which turned out to be pretty interesting.  All in all, although it was hard to watch at times, it was definitely an experience that I won't forget.  

Teteria pictures

I finally remembered to bring my camera to Pervane last night and I was really excited because we got to sit in the upstairs room with all the floor pillow/cushions.  Last night I tried Japanese Cherry tea and it was reaaally good.  So far I haven't tried a tea that I don't like there.  And on the walk back home, I found a shop that sells bigger bags of the teas that are served in the teterias, so I have to make a trip back to stock up on tea to bring back home!

Eating Out

Hola!  So tonight Marieta (my host mom) invited Halee, Liz and I to a little cafe for dinner and to meet some of her friends.  Apparently Marieta has known the owner of the cafe since she was little, so I'm guessing that it is a place she visits often.  When we got there, she introduced us to three of her friends, one being a gypsy who started to play us some flamenco guitar.  Marieta, being the character that she is, got up and started dancing flamenco while he was playing.  It definitely was a great experience getting to talk to her friends and hearing flamenco guitar played right in front of us.  Also, while Marieta was dancing, she noticed a table of young french girls sitting across from us and invited them to eat with us.  Marieta speaks French as well because she studied in France when she was younger.

It turns out though that the three french girls are also studying in Granada this year.  So within our group (Spanish, French and American) we were all able to speak Spanish and understand each other, which was a lot of fun.  We even got into a little bit of a political discussion, which was very interesting seeing everyone else's viewpoint.  We spent about three hours there just talking, eating and getting to know each other.  It was great getting to meet more Europeans and hearing someone speak Spanish with a French accent.  

The picture above is from a couple nights ago when Doug, Halee and I ordered some "tropical" sangria (and of course the tapas that came along with it).  It was so good...very sweet with lots of fresh fruit in it!  Hasta luego! 

Graffiti

Here's some really cool graffiti, which can be found on most buildings in Granada (outside of the center of the city at least).  

Just a few reasons why I love Spain...

Of course, the food in Spain is amazing, but the desserts here are to die for!  Churros y chocolate, a famous little Spanish treat, are pictured above.  Basically you are served a plate of hot, long and fresh doughnuts with a side of thick, rich chocolate.  However, contrary to American churros, these churros are not sugary at all and neither is the chocolate.  To sum it up, it is the perfect combination of a hot, crusty on the outside but doughy on the inside treat dipped in delicious chocolate.  Now, I view this food as a dessert to be eaten after dinner, however the true Spaniard (as my host mom tells me) would eat this treat either in the late morning around 11am or before dinner from about 5-6pm.  She says that Spanish people would never eat churros y chocolate after dinner to avoid to avoid dense, fried foods before bed.  Unfortunately I still crave sweets after dinner rather than before...I guess I have a thing or two to learn while I'm here!  The other picture is of a chocolate crepe con nata (with whipped cream) that we tried one night.  It was also delicious however much sweeter than the churros y chocolate.  Crepes are also a very popular item at most cafes, however not nearly as famous as churros.    

San Jose

Here are some pictures from when I went to San Jose two weekends ago.  Luckily we went the weekend right before the weather started to cool off.  The first day we went to Playa de los Genoveces, which is a very secluded beach that is about a thirty minute hike from town (the third picture).  The second day we went to the more popular beach in San Jose (first and second picture).  

Pervane

I just woke up from a very satisfying siesta, which I took after eating some amazing paella made by my host mother.  The Spanish way is life is one that I could definitely live by!

Anyways though, two days ago Halee, Doug and I were walking around trying to kill some time before dinner and we decided on trying one of the many teterias that Granada has to offer.  A teteria is basically a tea house that has a very strong Arab influence and a laid back atmosphere.  We ended up going to one that our director, Pablo, suggested to us called Pervane.  This place was amazing! 

So when you walk in you immediately see some old wooden tables with some pillows and chairs around them.  Then you walk to left to go up the staircase and realize that the little wooden staircase goes up about five floors with just little rooms with about two to three tables on each floor.  Also, each floor was completely unique as some just had pillows with a little table in the middle, others had regular tables and chairs and one just was a private balcony room surrounded by plants.  It was such an intimate and cool atmosphere, I recommend stopping by and getting some tea to anyone visiting Granada.  I think that it is such a great picture of the mixing of cultures that is in southern Spain, especially in Granada.

Once we were seated we started to pick out our teas.  Of course, they had tons of middle eastern types of teas and coffees so it was really fun picking out something new to try.  Halee ended up getting chai tea with milk and Doug got a really good black tea that started with "a" but I can't remember the name.  I got a black tea called "mil flores" and it was amazing.  It had the typical black tea taste, however at the same time it had a very distinct sweet flavor as well. I'm planning on buying a couple bags of it in one of the shops in Albaicin to bring back home!  

So all in all Thursday was a pretty cool day.  I can't wait to go back to Pervane and try something else, the desserts there also looked to die for!  Next time I'll be sure to bring my camera so I can post some pictures.   The picture above is from another teteria in Albaicin, however Pervane had a much different look than this place.

Spanish Guitar

So tonight I am going to a flamenco guitar concert with Doug, Halee and some other friends. Seeing a flamenco concert is on my list of things to do here Spain, so I'm really excited.  It will be interesting to see how the "real" flamenco is compared to the videos that I've watched in class.  

I took this photo last week in Albaicin, which has some of the most amazing views of the Alhambra.  Love the white suspenders too!

La Alhambra

Today I visited the Alhambra, which is the famous palace built by the Arabs and then later conquered by the Catholics that overlooks the city.  It was truly amazing there.  I took so many pictures, and even though it was a cloudy day some of them turned out alright.  All day it looked like it would rain and then at the very end of our tour it started to downpour!  Unfortunately I didn't bring a jacket or an umbrella, and I had about a 25 minute walk back to my apartment.  I don't think I have ever been so soaked before in my life.  But it was definitely something that I will never forget.  I hope you enjoy the pictures...

On the bright side though, Halee and I got to celebrate our host sister's birthday when we got back.  We ate some delicious chocolate cake from a local bakery.  Happy 16th birthday Claudia!

Spain: First Impressions

Sorry for the late post, but I have been in Spain for about two weeks now.  It is absolutely amazing here.  From the style of the people, to the the flavors of the food and the exquisite architecture, Spain is simply breathtaking.  

Doug and I arrived in Madrid first and spent a week there.  Then we were off to Granada to meet our host families, who we'll be living with for the next four months!  My host family is really nice and I enjoy living with them, it is a nice combination between experiencing Spanish family life and having the freedom to do what I want.  Can't wait to see what the next four months bring!