Recuerdos de la Alhambra--Granada

Note: I've done a pretty bad job with updating lately, many apologies! Our Granada trip was Feb. 19-20.

As our last trip with the UNC program, we took a weekend journey to Granada, a beautiful city nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia. Granada is also home to La Alhambra, the renowned Islamic fortress that dates back to the mid 14th century; as one of our professors put it, it is truly a city inside of a city.

In Granada, we went to visit La Capilla Real, the final resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella or Los Reyes Catolicos. Additionally we went to the Cathedral in Granada, another beautiful spectacle of the city. I have generally enjoyed traveling around Andalusia, because there are so many differences even between cities. Compared to Sevilla, Granada was a wonderful oasis away from the bustle--it is still a big city but because of it's proximity to the countryside and the mountains, it maintains a small town feel. As we walked the authentic cobblestone streets, peering at the various graffiti and hopping into tapas bars, I felt very consumed by the true Spanish lifestyle. The first night, our professors also took us on a mini-hike to the top of the city in order to see the beautiful view of the Alhambra. Like many of my adventures so far, it felt unreal. But after our official tours with the group, we had some free time as well. Saturday night we went to a tea shop for some DELICIOUS Pakistani tea that was infused with cinnamon, milk and a monton (means a lot in Spanish) of other things as well as some hookah. Although several people in our group decided to club it up that night in Granada, it was super relaxing and nice to just have a chill night with some friends.

Ferdinand y Isabella

La Catedral

Streets of Granada

Sierra Nevadas in the background

Granada graffiti

Sunday was the day of La Alhambra. But before we jumped on the bus to go to the fortress, a few friends and I decided to utilize my guide book in order to make good use of the day. We ended up going on a fantastic little tour of writer Federico Garcia Lorca's former (summer) house, where he wrote the majority of his work! It was so neat to see this house, which was built in the beginning of the 1900s with all of its original furniture as well as original artwork and diary entries from Lorca. It was honestly one of the best parts of the trip!

Outside Huerta de San Vicente (Lorca's house)

And finally we went to La Alhambra, the ancient Islamic stronghold that is nestled in the heart of Granada. Honestly, going there was such a fantastic experience that it is hard to put into words. My Dad has forever been enamored with Spanish guitar and one of his favorite songs is actually the title of this post; as I wandered around the fortress, I couldn't help but be entranced, just as I was by the beautiful song. Let these photos do the talking.

Problem solving across the Atlantic

Hopefully you remember my wonderfully successful, problem-solving adventure to the Sevici office that resulted in my cleared account. Well I am here to tell of another experience I had in which I also exercised my adult abilities (hey! I'm proud of it). And in a foreign country to boot!

Since forever, I have basically been a walking medical problem--between my allergies, asthma, back issues, migraines and sensitive skin, traveling can appear to be especially cumbersome sometimes. I arrived to Spain with all of my necessary meds (supply of 6 months), basically the equivalent of a small pharmacy, and made sure to tell my señora about some of my issues, especially with detergent. However, despite my preemptive efforts, two weeks ago, my skin kind of freaked out due to a still unknown cause (hypotheses include having dirty sheets/clothes, since laundry isn't exactly a weekly thing here), and it progressed into a little bit of a monster.

Last Tuesday, I took it upon myself to go to Medicur, our clinic for all medical problems, and basically demanded to get a prescription for Bactroban since I thought it was bacteria-oriented. I also managed to figure out how to get to the clinic by myself, and it is always nice to learn a new part of Sevilla. And I will say it can kind of be nerve wracking to go to a clinic by yourself where they don't speak English. But after marching in, giving over my passport/insurance info, I saw the doctor within 5 minutes and was able to effectively explain to him what I thought was my problem. Then I went to the pharmacy next door and got both of the medications immediately! It was very impressive how quick this venture was and definitely gave me a boost of confidence when it comes to medical ordeals in Spain. A boost of confidence that ultimately sent me back to the clinic a few days later...

Although I was confident I had correctly diagnosed my current rash, I was wrong. After two more days of extreme itching and the appearance of leprosy on my neck, I realized that I needed to return. This time, I went to talk to our program coordinator who had our other advisor meet me. I did most of it on my own again with the new doctor, explaining the rash, but it was nice to have someone there who could help me with any translation. Basically it was determined that I had an allergic reaction to something, and I was sent away with more meds. Another thing about having to deal with medical problems abroad is that the prescription equivalents can make you feel a little unnerved, especially since there is no FDA here. But after some research, I realized I received prednisone, which is guaranteed to clean this mess up. So here I am now, after two successful and confidence-boosting trips to the clinic and 4 Spanish prescriptions healing right up! So I have no excuse not to give credit to the Spanish medical system now!

You might wonder why I decided to post about this personal experience, but I can assure you there is a true purpose. In my moment of vanity with this post, I will say that I have always prided myself with my ability to problem solve and take charge independently--things I COMPLETELY attribute to my parents and their childrearing (thanks Mom and Dad!) as well as Leaders' Club with the YMCA. And when opportunities arrive in real life for me to exercise these traits, it really makes me proud of myself for handling the situation. And for being a grown up in some ways. Here in Spain, where some days can be quite tougher than others and ultimately lost in translation, it is nice to have little successes to round out my abroad experience, especially when they involve various aspects of life

So as I trek through month 2 of living in Spain, already with a bunch of adventures under my belt, here's to being young, growing up and experiencing Spain in new ways!

Guilty pleasures.

If there anything that flows abundantly here in Sevilla, it is most certainly dulces (sweets) and postres (pastries). My addiction has reached its peak and there is definitely no turning back. I've mentioned the beloved Croissanteria on my street, where I can get hot, delicious croissants that melt in my mouth for just .80 euro! However, la palmera de huevo (above) is my number 1 sweet (until I find something that is possibly better)! It is basically a heart-shaped layered flaky pastry that is topped with a to die for egg-like custard--so sweet and rich, but so good! They also have them in I had one today simply because I couldn't resist. There really are so many other types of pastries here as well, however, I am completely smitten with this one. The fact that they sell them EVERYWHERE does not help me resist either. As a warning, if I come back 20,000 pounds heavier, you will most certainly know why :)

Until the next sweet I discover, I hope this satisfies (or more likely intensifies) your craving for la comida española!

Never fear...

...there's PEANUT BUTTER here!

Capitán Mani has saved the day!

Dusk on the Guadalquivir

The progression of a sunset, Thursday evening by the river. I think I have found one of my favorite spots in Sevilla. Simply gorgeous.

This is Sevilla.

FDOC, Spain style. check.

This week marked FDOC or first day of classes (for those of you reading this who are no longer in tune with the college lingo). Classes started on Tuesday for me, and let me tell, you what an experience it was. But I can now successfully say I've made it through my first week of Spanish university!

First off, I have a pretty good schedule considering the limited options. I have 4 classes, three at the university and 1 at EUSA, the hybrid university school where I took the introduction course. Mondays and Wednesdays are by far my busiest days because I have all four classes (unfortunately I have yet to endure a full schedule like this because of shortened/cancelled classes this week, oh the schedules of Spanish university). And I have early classes Monday through Wednesday, yikes. But I think it will be just fine, even though I'm not a morning person whatsoever. My first class looks like it might be my favorite! It is the history and technique of photography, and so far the one I understand the best at the university. The professor lectures with powerpoints and also repeats himself a lot, probably to help all of us international students. I also have it with three other UNC kids, so we can definitely all study together. It's an hour and a half long, but after I have a three hour break until my next class...political and social thought of the 20th century. In which I (along with all the Americans) AM COMPLETELY LOST. I am pretty sure our professor knows it too, as he is always staring at us with a funny little smile. I really need the philosophy credit for gen. education at UNC so I am determined to stick it out. I asked a Spaniard for her notes the other day so hopeful I can get that rolling next week. Until then, I guess I'll just smile and nod, as I listen to something about the bourgeois, 1848 and a revolution.

After lunch, I have the Archaic Mediterranean, another class I have to take if I want to knock out more of my gen. education requirements. The professor is super nice and has been helpful to me, but once again I feel like a lost puppy in this class. I catch some of the stuff, but like my previous class, my notes probably are just rambles. Luckily the girl who I asked for notes for my other class is also in this class with me, so hopefully I can get caught up in both! This class is especially nerve wracking because I am the only American! I get pretty nervous when I'm in there but hopefully it will get better. :/

My fourth class is my class at EUSA which meets Monday and Wednesday night. I am so excited about the professor! It's a class about Spain and the European Union so it has potential to be a little dry, but our professor rocks! And our first assignment was to make a map of Europe, can't be too hard now, can it? This class is also structured much more like UNC classes, so we will have more work than the classes at the university. At least with this class, I won't be so far removed from the UNC class style when I return next semester.

Tuesday I have my three university classes and on Thursday I only have my political thought class. Which leaves Friday with NO CLASSES. Despite the intense beginning of the week, it will be nice to have long weekends!

I definitely notice the differences in Spanish university system already. Classes are pretty relaxed and usually are just lecture-based and the evaluation system usually entails a final exam and maybe 1 paper. Not too bad. I just have to learn to understand what is going on!

Here's to one week down, and 4 months to go!

Saturdays are for Ronda

This past Saturday, a good-sized group of us decided to day trip to Ronda, a small, lovely town in Andalucía located about an hour and a half away by bus from Sevilla. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, I was amazed by the sheer beauty of Ronda --additionally the weather was gorgeous for a day trip and made it that much more perfect! We picnicked up in the hills with our bocadillos (sandwiches) and juice box vino (wine), walked over deep, terrifying yet breathtaking gorges and generally explored this treasure of a town before it was time to jump back on the bus. Absolutely beautiful. I think I'll let the pictures do most of the talking for this one--there's no doubt about it, I desperately want to return here later this semester.