Granada and a birthday - Week 8

Time is flying by WAY to fast!!  I’m trying hard to live in the moment and not think about the future, but it’s sad to think that I already have less than two months of my program left.  I’ll continue to soak it all up, enjoying every minute as I am! :)

This week was filled again with lots of sun which meant a lot of studying on our terrace and being quite happily warm, yet we continue to have soup as one of the plates for lunch :)  Oh the food here, I think I’ve increased my capacity to eat by at least three times.  I’m amazed at how much I am able to consume in one meal and still be plenty ready for the next!  Thankfully I walk and ride bike all the time here to help even it out :)

This weekend I went on an overnight trip to Granada with the school.  We stayed in a nice hotel and all the meals were included which was really nice.  We visited the Generalife and Alhambra which is a garden and an 800 year old Islamic fortress.  It was beautiful!  The second day we went and saw the Caspilla Real where the Reyes Católicos (Isabella and Fernando) are buried.  Isabella is the queen who gave Christopher Columbus permission to sail to find a new route to Asia (and he encountered the Americas).  The tour was ended with seeing the Cathedral in Granada which is the 4^th largest in Europe (the 3^rd largest is in Sevilla).  Both days we had free time and my group of friends wandered around Granada and saw different parts of the city and the markets.  We also went to the look-out called Mirador de San Nicolas which as a great view of Alhambra looking over the river.  We also stopped and had tea in one of the tea shops which had a fun atmosphere – though I split a delicious crepe with a friend. :)

Friday was Rosario’s birthday so Grace and I bought flowers and made a card that we left on the table for her to find in the morning (as we left for our trip to Granada that morning).  Today (Sunday) Rosario made a special meal which consisted of chicken, french fries, bread, cold pasta salad, meat and cheese.  Then she also had bought a cake so Grace and I attempted to sing “Happy Birthday” in Spanish to her (we didn’t know all the words) and she made a wish and blew out her candles.  It was quite fun and sweet. :)

Another week begins tomorrow and will fly by.  This coming weekend I’ll be going on a trip with friends to Barcelona.  The traveling just keeps going and the time keeps passing – Spain is definitely capturing my heart!

Enjoying the city, river, and ice cream in Granada :)

La Alhambra - Islamic fortress

Generalife - garden next to the Alhambra

Roomie picture!

Cathedral

Reyes Catolicos - Isabella (left) y Fernando (right).   The artist made Isabella's head sink farther into the pillow to signify that her head was heavier and to hint that she was more intelligent!  ha ha ha

The Cathedral

Tea time

Flowers and card left to surprise Rosario for her b-day!

Happy Spanish family celebrating Rosario's b-day!
She pointed out to us the candle that she put on her cake "0" years! :)