Now that I’m no longer in Spain, I wish I never left. Sure the last month had been a bitch and Matt and I have been met with more then our fair share of shit, but I finally have over come my fear of speaking to people in Spanish and thinking about it too hard. Now conversations are flowing out of my mouth and I comprehend things without a blank look sweeping across my face for a couple of seconds before it get it.
I also know that Matt and I just picked a rotten time to come to Granada. Especially in August everyone is “Cerrado por vaccaiones” because it’s bloody hot and there is no business. I can almost guarantee that if we would have shown up in September or Janurary/Februray just when school had been starting for the semester our experience may have been a lot different and I guess one could argue a lot more authentic. Still, I’ve gotten lost all around the albycin and been to the chupiteria and have botellón-ed at paseos de los tristos. I’ve seen the sights, but also I have lived here. I’ve gone to the grocery store and the local tapas bars. The guy at the little corner shop with internet and phones recognizes my face every time I pop in there. I’ve experienced the crazy way Spanish people love their rebajas and zapatos and bolsos (sales, shoes, and handbags). This is the only place I’ve been that decides to have a sale at every single shop in the city for two solid months in the middle of summer. Seriously…shoes for 5 euros, sweaters for 4 euros, and dresses for 12 euros (that were originally 40)…even with our shitty US dollar it’s a bargain!
Sure people don’t always say “excuse me” and “thank you” and they give you funny looks when you say “perdon” and “por favor” but it’s their culture. And most definitely the andalucians have a horrible accent and if they know you’re a foreigner they will sometimes talk that little bit faster and will drop a couple more “s” and “d” then necessary, therefore “mas o menos” becomes “maomeno” and “Granada” becomes “Granaa.” I just keep telling my self that that is why Spain is Spain and if you don’t like it then leave.
Matt and I are talking about returning next summer, but I’m not so sure I’m keen on the idea. If I had the opportunity to come during the school year, I would most definitely take it, but the summer is too sleepy and hot. I would also love to experience a winter in the shadows of the Sierra Nevada….it would be awesome!!!!!!!
Speaking of snow…I met this girl who lives in the French Alps and has invited me there anytime. She’s live in the bay area before and is thinking of studying abroad for a year at Berkeley. I told here if she ever needs a place to crash in Tahoe, that she had a couch with her name on it. I expect she’d do the same for me in France.
Anyway…not so sure what else to write. I feel like my reflections on Spain should have been saved until my last blog entry, but oh well…I’m sure I’ll find something brilliant to write about. As usually is hot here…about 46 degrees Celsius I believe…you don’t even want to know what that is in Fahrenheit. But luckily for us there’s a storm coming!!!! I never thought I’d be so happy to have rain!!! Supposedly it’s supposed to be a big one with thunder and lightening and hail…the works…but we’ll see!
That’s it for now…hugs and kisses!!!
