Well, I finally made it into the Alhambra (on Feb 20th but I am very behind on posts as usual). It is much larger than I thought. We got to see the gardens and all three palaces. Here is a glance..
During our weekend in Madrid, we also made a day trip to Segovia. Fortunately, it was a much nicer day than it had been in Toledo so I have more pictures! We were able to take a tour of the Patronato del Alcázar de Segovia which is a castle now made into a museum. And of course we saw the Aqueduct of Segovia which was as massive and impressive as it looks in photos. This time I don’t plan on talking your ear off. Let me just get right to the pictures.. there are a lot.. sorry if some are sideways. It’s 1:21am and I gotta get to bed so it was all I could do just to get them on here! Goodnight!
Shortly after boarding the bus in Toledo, we arrived in Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was especially interesting for me because I had just been there two weeks prior for the Hozier concert. It was almost like a bad case of Déjà vu. We got ourselves to the hotel and threw our things in our rooms and headed out to see Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Another night, though now they are all blurred together in my head, we went to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. All of us went to see Picasso’s painting “Guernica” first and after that most left, but a few of us stuck around to look at more paintings. I was happy to find a good amount of paintings by Salvador Dali of whom I am a big fan. I also found other artists that I was planning to look up afterwards but of course forgot all of their names when finally I was back in Granada. Other than that, walking around Madrid was a good time. I went shopping, saw some famous monuments, and went out for tapas with friends. On a free night, Sharissa and I went to see Phantom of the Opera at a nearby theater on the main street. It was amazing. Granted, I didn’t understand too much of what they were saying, but because I already knew the story and music well, it was easy to follow. It was really cool to see it on stage for the first time and very interesting to watch the story carried out in another language.
On the last day, I woke up feeling very sick but was hoping it would pass. We made our way to Museo Nacional del Prado. Unfortunately, I had to sit out the tour because of how terrible I was feeling. I ended up spending the day in bed with the flu. That night, however, we went to a Real Madrid soccer game at the stadium. Although I was still feverish and feeling terrible, I admit it was pretty fun. The stadium was huge and everyone had a good time. Because of how late the game was, we didn’t end up getting to Granada until about 5am that Monday (first day of classes). Turns out I had another week and a half of sickness waiting for me but I am happy to say that today I am healthy and hoping to stay that way! *knock on wood*
So now that I have written enough to bore you, enjoy some pictures!
This is LONG overdue, sorry guys. So the last weekend of January my program took a weekend trip to Madrid just before the start of classes. On the way there we stopped in Toledo and saw the sights there. Needless to say, it was very cool. The town had a very antiqued feel and the architecture was stunning of course (though seems like all of Spain has that going for them). Toledo is very famous for its metal-working industry. There are lots of stores selling hand-made swords, knives, shields and jewelry. After walking around, we stopped for a big lunch with two main courses and desert and then boarded the bus again for Madrid. Unfortunately, it was a pretty rainy day, so I didn’t take many pictures but here are some to give you an idea 🙂
Hey all. I have been known to be slow putting pictures up. I think I have done alright so far, but there are still pictures from the first week here in Granada that I took with my camera and am finally transferring to my computer now. Without further ado.. here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. La Alhambra dominates again.
Yesterday was a blast. Started the day with a stunning view of the sun just about to peak over the Sierra Nevada mountains from my patio (our apartment is on the 6th floor).
The group met up and boarded a bus with the beach on their minds. We first stopped in Almuñeca and climbed the hill that led to El Castillo de San Miguel. The castle was beautiful with a breathtaking view at the top.
Then we boarded the bus again and soon arrived in Nerja where we walked through la Cueva de Nerja, which is a huge cave with walking paths. I could have stayed in there for hours just marveling at the patterns of ribbon-like rocks and vast caverns. Though unfortunately, the walk was meant to be rather quick as we had to get back up and eat lunch at the attached restaurant.
Back on the bus to zoom down to the beach, still in Nerja. Right away, us who were bravest took a plunge into the icy ocean. The air was warm and we climbed some large boulders and then lay on the beach, dozing off slightly. It was so wonderful and relaxing and I cannot wait to return! I cannot believe that it is January. What a great trip with absolutely perfect weather.
Great news! After searching online for a women’s rugby team in the area and asking at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (where I will be taking classes), I have found a team to join and play with for the semester! I went to my first practice last night (1/21/16) with a friend, Sharissa, from UNH and it was fantastic. We got a little lost on the way, but eventually found it and jumped right in. There were about 14 or 15 other girls at practice, all speaking in rapid Spanish and Sharissa and I were keeping up the best we could. It must have been much harder for her though, because she has never played rugby before and is learning for the very first time, in Spain, with Spaniards, can you imagine?! So proud of her.
Practices will take place from 9:30 to 11pm Tuesday and Thursday nights and I am still trying to figure out when games will be and how that works. All of the girls on the team were so welcoming and nice and didn’t seem to mind at all that Sharissa has never played. They remind me a lot of my team back home which I miss dearly. I did not, unfortunately, bring my rugby gear thinking that I would not be able to find a team. But worry not! My dad will be sending me my rugby stuff in the mail so hopeful that will get here asap!
Overall, what a crazy experience already. I am so happy and thankful to have the opportunity to continue playing this semester with a group of great girls. Stay tuned, I am sure there will be more rugby news to come in the future.
Yesterday the group met back up to go for another tour around Granada. I didn’t take too many pictures, but here are a few from la Iglesia San Juan de Dios, a gigantic church here with detail you have never seen in your life. Supposedly, long ago the church was decorated elaborately because the kings of that time had all sorts of nice things and palaces and such and the church believed that God is above the king and therefore they adorned the church with decorations and gold; most is just paint, but that definitely made it a sight to behold.
Got the ball rolling right away. The first night I was here, we went to a soccer game between Granada and Valencia. Although I hadn’t slept at all the night before, I had a blast. It was a good game, but unfortunately Granada lost. There was a cheering section on their side that was chanting, cheering, and singing for the entire game. I wish I had known the chants so I could have joined them.
I have already been to see La Alhambra more than once and it is as beautiful as the pictures show. I have walked so much and couldn’t love it more. I have seen so much of the city already and have so much to see still.
AND I also have already made a trip to Madrid for a night to attend a concert. I went with three other girls from my group to see Hozier and it was nothing short of amazing. and the venue was great. If you are ever in Madrid and want to see a concert, I recommend going to Sala Riviera. Also we of course walked around beforehand, got some coffee, and visited la Plaza Mayor and la Puerta del Sol. La Plaza Mayor is the most famous in Madrid, complete with street performers and artists and surronded by shops ans restaurants with a bronze statue of King Phillip III at the center of the square, created by Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca in 1616.
All packed and ready to go. My dad will be home from work any minute now to bring me to JFK! Flying to Madrid first and then to Granada from there. My host mother, Elena, will be picking me up from the airport and bringing me to my new home for the next 4 1/2 months. Nervous, excited, and curious, I am setting out on this new adventure and I can’t wait to see what is in store for me. Well, my dad just walked in the door so off I go! Next post will be from Granada!!!
jacqui2granada 