Pictures from the Alhambra!

The pictures don't do justice for the incredible details of the palace.  To supplement them, I included historical information regarding its various features.   Hope you enjoy!

Bars and Palaces and Art, Que Guay! (How cool!)

Ay dios mio! (My God!) It’s been a week since I last posted, yet it feels like a month just flew by! 

In the past seven days, the GRIIS students and I experienced a unique weekend compared to the authentic night life in Spain, learned more about Spain's Arabic history, wrote papers (in Spanish might I add) about the Cathedral in Granada, gawked at one of the most famous monuments in Granada: The Alhambra, and explored the city through conversations with Spanish citizens, via class assignment.  With non-stop activities, Jen (roommate) and I kept our minds and body in check by embracing another aspect of the Spanish culture: taking siestas (naps). 

Our eventful weekend technically began last Thursday night, when a small group of Boston College students went to a bar a student's madre suggested.  The familias (families) have been great with recommending Tapas restaurants, bakeries, and discotecas, and one cute madre received coupons for a fun place located in the center of the city.  Excited to celebrate our first weekend night and drink some free mojitos, we arrived at the bar, only to find out that the party was hosted by a Dermatologist Company specifically for elders (which explains the invitation sent to our friend's madre).  After we laughed at the circumstances, we accepted the awkwardness, the free drinks, and the brochures, and spent some time listening to the Spanish tunes. 

After dancing to America’s (and Spain’s?) latest favorite hit "Call Me Maybe,” we left and walked around the city, hoping to find people our own age.  We had no idea where we were going and found very few places that were hopping.  By happen chance, we found a cute bar called “Poe” hidden amongst the streets of the central shopping area and enjoyed speaking in English with the London owners for the rest of the night.  Both were completely unexpected events, yet both fun and certainly memorable!

On Friday night, we took the safe route and joined in on our fellow GRIIS students’ plans.  We went to our first discoteca (club) which was hosting a “Welcome to Granada” party for all the American students.  The club played a mixture of Spanish and American songs and served free drinks until 12:30.  Que bueno! (How nice!)  It was really fun to hang out with more GRIIS students, to meet other American students, and to feel like we weren’t outsiders crashing in on someone’s fiesta (party)!  The discoteca also has a beautiful view and is located in the Albaicin, a place we visited the very next morning!

The Albaicin is the oldest neighborhood in Granada.  Our advisors took us on the walk which was absolutely gorgeous and by far one of my favorites so far!  Filled with beautifully built buildings and artistic paintings, the neighborhood is pleasing to the eye everywhere you look.  (See attached pictures)  During our walk, we learned about the formation of the neighborhood, which began when gypsies decided to avoid Christian rule, and toured the Christian Church, famous for its weddings.  In love with the view and the Muslim street art, the students and I took a TON of pictures and ended the night at a fun and cheap Tapas place in the neighborhood.  Fun and informative, the trip made me want to go back soon!

Monday morning, our teacher surprised us with a pop-scavenger hunt.  The students were divided into different groups and given different places to explore. These places included the library, the City Hall, Tourism Offices and University of Granada.  My group was assigned the City Hall and Tourist Offices and while we had no idea whether the people would respond well to our visit, we were certainly excited to get out of class early!  It ended up being a fun experience in which everyone was challenged to speak with foreign faces and with different vocabulary.  It also gave us a big confidence boost when we recognized where we were going around the city and spoke pretty clearly to complete strangers!

Our school week also consisted of a field trip to the beautiful Alhambra.  The Alhambra is a palace that was built by a Muslim king who dreamed of the Prophet Muhammad’s home.  Wanting to recreate what he imagined, the king ordered for the palace’s construction.   Throughout history, different kings, both Muslim and Christian, lived in the  palace and added to its magnificence.  At one point, the building was forgotten about and many artisans who were unable to pay their rent resided there.  Although it was raining and foggy during our visit, the Alhambra exceeded my expectations!  Everything about the building was breathtaking, from its intricate ceilings to its large reflective pools.  The Muslims were known for their artistic abilities and detailed architecture, and the Alhambra is by far one of the best testaments to this statement.  (Pictures are too come).

The week was filled with fun times, silly moments, and a whole lot of art and history.  Each day here is filled with something new and informative, and  I’m really enjoying my experience so far the various areas!   I’m excited for another weekend in Spain, and for our next school trip to the City of Ronda. Hopefully, the sun we’ll shine for the visit tomorrow and that we can experience some authentic Spanish night life tonight! 

Until my next post, hasta luego!

Jen (roommate) and Johnny dancing up a storm at the Dermatology Fiesta.

Starting our walk in the Albaicin

BC students in front of the Alhambra

 The Alhambra- more photos to come!

 La Iglesia

Their waiting list for wedding lasts 3 years!

Inside La Iglesia. We were able to climb the Church tower!

 The Best Bakery in the Albaicin

Some of my favorite photos from the Albaicin!

 Roommate shot at a beautiful look out point 

with our BC friend Titi and new friend from University of Delaware Bridget!

 Granada at night

Y ahora nosostros sabemos. (And now we know)

It’s only been four days since I’ve arrived in Spain, and already, I’ve learned so much.  From different types of food to Granada’s history to new Spanish vocabulary, the culture in Granada continues to surprise me with new información (information)…..and I’m not going to lie, my head is kind of spinning!  To keep the learning experience more fun and less stressful, my roommate and I created a saying that perfectly describes our first week in Espana. “Ahora yo sé.” In English it means, “And now I know.”  With moments such as saying horrible instead of delicious and learning from experience that Spaniards don’t follow “To-go" coffee trend, the students from the U.S. have all had our silly moments, and we've certainly made Granada aware of our arrival :). 

On late Monday night, I arrived in Granada with a few other students and headed to my house, where I met my new madre Ana.  After a couple of quick kisses, she quietly showed me my room and my new roommate Jenelle.  Jenelle is actually a classmate and close friend from Boston College.  She has also studied Spanish for the past two and a half years, and therefore has officially been appointed Bridget’s Spanish translator, for when Bridget needs mucho (a lot) of explanation pronto (now).  I would have to say the the language barrier has been the hardest to adjust to.  I took Spanish my freshman year in college, after 6 years of classes in high school and grade school, and my Spanish is muy (very) rusty.  I’m told I’ll pick up the language bit by bit, though, and I just pay attention to people as much as possible. 

My favorite time to utilize my Spanish is when Jenelle and I are hanging out with the family.  In addition to our loving Spanish mom, Jenelle and I live with three children: 16-year old Carlos, 15-year old Anita, and 10-year old Jaime.  We love getting to know the children and ask them about anything and everything, from what they like to do to Spanish words we can’t remember.  We’ve played games, shared food, and watched their favorite television show: The Simpsons.  Jaime, Carlos, and Anita are a huge help with teaching us Spanish slang and with telling us words that are invalid in Granada, both not covered in our previous Spanish books.  Jaime especially likes to correct our grammar.  He also thinks Jenelle and I are “LOSERS”(insert Spanish accent) for liking Justin Bieber, or what he calls being “BELIEBERS,” but I think that’s just a culture thing :).  Including Jaime, the family has welcomed us into their home, and while we're a long way away from ours, Jenelle and I have graciously appreciated it!

Our study program, which is through the Granada Instutute of International Studies, or GRIIS for short, is organized to help students get the most out of their experience in Spain.  We’ve already taken two trips around the city, where we’ve learned more about the city’s history, where to buy the best churros, and how to avoid getting hit by a moto (mo-ped).  (Hint: it has something to do with avoiding streets.)  Today, we went to the city’s center and visited the Cathedral.  With beautiful architecture, both inside and out, the cathedral is a large historical artifact in the city.  It was extremely interesting to learn about the religion’s influence in the city during the time it was built, as well as it political significance!

Lastly, the students and I have begun to explore the city on our own and have discovered some beautiful sites and really fun bars.  (See pictures from our adventures below.) 

Overall, the first week has been an intense but exciting learning experience!  We have some more time this weekend to relax and enjoy the city’s social life, and we plan to take a trip to the city’s older neighborhood tomorrow. 

Until my next post, hasta luego!

Our first trip around town with our advisor Theresa

BC Students- Go Eagles!

Jenelle discussing her knowledge on Arabic architecture

First bar and first tapas!

La Catedral

What we found while taking a walk after class.  

Found on a wall during our walk.  

Translation: "Who will save ourselves" 

Churros and Vino at Cafe Futbol!