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The Alhambra, Albaycín, Sacromonte, and more!
A review of my first two weeks in Granada, including many touristy activites, and those of a quasi-normal college student.
Yes, I finally decided to get with the European style and buy boots!
Granada city from the Alhambra.
Tip #1:
Be prepared to spend a LOT of money.
In terms of buying things from home you miss (such as peanut butter), treating yourself to the occasional churro con chocolate, and planning adventures to other countries, remember the value of the euro in comparison to that of the U.S. dollar.
My roommate, myself, and Alex eating chocolate con churros in Cafe Futból.
Tip #2:
Along those lines, limit visitations to tapas bars and discotecas.
Nightlife is part of the Spanish culture, and is definitely to be experienced by foreigners. However, the price of drinks and entrance to discotecas can add up fast. Cover charge, for example, can range from 8-10 euros.
El Camborio. A popular nightspot in Barrio Sacromonte.
Tip #3:
Take advantage of free tours and services offered by your university.
Even if your program is scheduled to visit the historic sites in your city, consider going on your own time as well. I visited the Alhambra first with my university, and used that visit to tune out a lot of what my guide was saying in order to gape with awe at the decorations and take photos. My second trip, taken with my program, allowed me to relax a bit more and take in the history of the Alhambra.
Detailed ceiling of a palace of the Alhambra.
A view of the gardens outside the palace.
Tip #4:
Be ready to change your daily routines.
I am lucky enough to have a homestay mother (madre) who is rather flexible and less traditional than most. She prefers to eat early (American hours of dining), and eat normal foods, such as soup, sandwiches, salads, and the occasional pizza with french fries. Others on my program of spoken of having to eat a lot of strange foods, such as blood sausage and a ton of fried foods, and complain of odd dining hours. Thus, you never quite know what to expect.
The room my roomie and I share...pretty normal-looking, huh?
A subject that does apply to all, including myself, are store hours. Traditionally, they open at 10am, close from 2-5pm, and re-open from 5-8:30pm. Don't count on finding 24-hour supermarkets. Tapas bars and restaurants tend to stay open late for late-night eaters. Spaniards truly are late-night people! Discotecas don't open until midnight, and aren't full of people until 3 or 4am.
At this point, I feel pretty well assimilated. I don't get as lost as before, and if I do, it takes me less time to find myself. I make less mistakes when conversing with others in Spanish, but have learned to laugh off and head correction. At times, it is tiring to attend intensive language courses (Intensivo) for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, but in the long run, the review is practical and useful.
This is our last week of Intensivo, followed by a program trip to Coroba and Sevilla, and a 4-day break before classes begin. During the break, various groups of my program have gathered to go to different places. There are groups going to the Canary Islands, Portugal, Rome, and Paris. I am hoping to visit Morocco, but we shall see if and how that plays out. With that, here is a photo of the Barrio Albaycín from the Alhambra, and one of the Alhambra from the Barrio Albaycín.
Barrio Albaycín.
The Alhambra!
cHeErs!
