Now I can look at friends and family from the US of A. Always good. Wish I had more space.
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Piso compartido
In other news- I have an apartment!! I am living with all Spaniards in a great part of the city. Mi domicilio (address) is:
C/ San Francisco de Asis, 3, número 3, Granada, España 18005
It’s about a 25-minute walk to the parada del autobús (bus stop) to get to my school in Santa Fé, but very close to the city center. The piso consists of a salón (living room), decent kitchen (with an oven- that’s rare here), four bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry room, terraza (terrace) and a patio on the roof to tomar un café or read. I’m currently in the process of attempting to do my laundry- not quite sure where to hang underwear.
Tapestry bought yesterday at a street market
More decorations are much-needed
My roommates are Rebeca (24), Davíd (29, Rebeca’s brother) and Antonio (30, Davíd’s friend). They are really nice and relaxed- all of them work, but they are still young (at least, in Spanish terms of young—“un jóven” is anyone under 30 here). Rebeca’s novio’s mom is actually from New Jersey, so he speaks English. He lives in Madrid, but has been hanging out at the apartment and told me he has taught English to all ages. I’m thinking I’ll consult him on lesson plans.
Rebeca cooked lunch yesterday, and I told her she has to teach me. Which reminds me, Mom (or anyone who has ideas)- I need to somehow make them an American dish that’s tasty and relatively easy to make. Suggestions? My friend recommended meatloaf- classic American dish. Also, I’m sure they’d get a kick out of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Might as well fatten them up on some good food. However, the part about “good food” does require good cooking - so, Mom again, expect a phone call where detailed instructions are necessary. I wonder if I can find normal ground meat here, though. Based on previous trips to the market here, their meats are not the same. At least, their lunchmeats are very questionable.
Speaking of food. Yesterday, Claire (another auxiliar from CIEE) and I went to a Thai restaurant that (I’m sorry Dad and Ian) was so much tastier than Thai Noy. Best Pad Thai I’ve had. The reason we went there, though, was because Claire is vegan. Normally, you would think that lifestyle choice would be nearly impossible to maintain in this Iberian-ham-filled country. “What you mean, you don't eat no meat?” (or dairy, for that matter). Wrong. Surprisingly, there is a plethora of vegetarian and vegan options in Granada. And let me tell you, I have never eaten more vegetarian dishes in mah life. All of them were really tasty, but I’ll admit- by the end of the meal (or tapas), I’m left wondering… “but, where’s the meat?”
So, my goal of having Spanish roommates: Complete! I do speak only Spanish to them and they say that I speak really well. Vocabulary still escapes me way too often. The other day I couldn’t think of the word for scared (asustado, duh) and consequently couldn’t get my point across at all. Fail. Davíd says that, with my level, in three months I shouldn’t have any trouble speaking fluently.
Last night we watched a dubbed movie with Natasha Richardson and Ralph Fiennes. Not a great movie, but I understood it. Rebeca says she’s not bothered by dubbed movies (peliculas dobladas) because they’re so common in Spain. However, I just can’t get used to them so I’m going to make a point to go to the cine (movie theater) to see a Spanish film. Rebeca suggested one she heard was good. Maybe that will be tonight’s plan…
Just as I was going to post this entry, Rebeca offered me some ham. There is an entire leg of it in our kitchen. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but it sure is "rico," as they say.
Döner Kebab? Demon Kebab.
Welcome to Granada, Kate! Here, have food poisoning (intoxicación alimentaria). And a fever. And we’ll throw a cold in there.
It started with Kebab. I knew something was wrong when that man put corn and cabbage on the kebab. The kebabs in Bilbao didn’t have that nonsense. The kebabs in Bilbao also had a sauce that I’m pretty sure was made by the Gods. This strange Granada kebab wasn’t given this blessed sauce. Instead of the sauce, the Granada kebab had something that is now trying to kill me.
Yes, there is a demon living inside my stomach.
Another auxiliar living in Granada who had the same kebab with me- Josh, who's jewish (yes, it's relevant)- went back to the store and asked for our money back. I think he referred to it as the “perfect Rosh Hashanah gift: A Jew beating an Arab in an argument” after 30 minutes of confrontation with he who shall not be named.
Luckily, I have great roommates. Antonio showed me to the Farmacía yesterday, even though they could only give me medicine for the cold. Update on the apartment/roommate situation still to come.
Not to worry, though! I feel a lot better now. Almost back to the old Kate, and almost ready for another kebab.
Update:
Food poisoning could have been an incorrect diagnosis. But two other people are feeling the same as me here. Adjustment to the food maybe? It's Saturday now, and I'm feeling fine.
Motivación.
CIEE suggested that we write down a list of goals for this year so as to not lose track of them. Here goes…
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- Push myself to speak Spanish and improve my speaking skills as much as possible (I will have Spanish flat-mates, so that’s a step in the right direction)
- Develop as a professional and as a teacher
- Not to get discouraged when things get tough- whether it’s with the job or living in a foreign country
- Make lasting friendships and be open to different people- being open to new things really should be the motto of this adventure
- Bond with my students, friends, and flat-mates
- Explore Granada and really become a part of the city and its culture. I’d love to have places around the city that are my places- whether it’s a certain park to read, a café to relax and drink coffee, or my friends’ and my favorite bar.
- Travel across Spain, and a few other countries if the paycheck allows it!
Make the most of every moment
Places I want to visit in Spain:
- Cárnaval in Cádiz (Feb 16-26)
- Fallas de Valencia (Mar 19)
- Feria de Sevilla (Apr 24-29)
- Bilbao to reminisce
- Barcelona, because it’s gorgeous
- Madrid to give it another shot
- Málaga to see Eddie and go to the beach
Places I’d like to visit in Europe:
- Scotland
- Portugal
- Germany
- Croatia
Not a bad start-- With Claire & Helene, fellow Granada auxiliares
¡Venga!
Life is… different in Spain. More relaxed. I knew this before, but during orientation in Sevilla our teachers really spelled it out for us. One of our orientation coordinators, Helena, used meals to exemplify some differences. Not only do Spaniards eat at different hours of the day, but the way they eat is different. Breakfast consists of bread, bread, and strong coffee. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and everything (shops, businesses, basically everything- as an American- that you might want to be open from 2 to 4) stops to cater to this meal. Dinner… small portions and late at night (and in Granada, free tapas with every drink! Dinner and drinks in one = win).
At restaurants in America, you don’t choose your table, you eat for about 20 minutes, get a free glass of water that keeps getting re-filled, and tip a good 20% at the end of the meal. Not in Spain. In Spain, you don’t tip… for anything. You don’t get free water (which I miss… I wonder how everyone here isn’t dehydrated). And the camarreros seem to forget that you’re there at all. People relax, sip on their cafés, beers, or tinto de veranos and take their time chatting and enjoying themselves. If you want another café: ¡¡Perdone!! If you want to take a look at the menu, you have to ask. And when you’re done, ask for the cuenta (check).
As Helena said, if you want anything in Spain you have to ask. From experience, this is true. No one will offer their help…except perhaps if look completely desperate. However, I still think I could stand in one spot for an hour with a map in my hand and no one would ask if I needed help. I suppose it’s the same with the waiters. I don’t think it’s a question of rudeness (I hope not), but just one of custom.
Plaza in Sevilla filled with people drinking- "Normal"
Useful phrases:
If you want to order something, just say it! Don’t say… “could I please have” or “can I trouble you for…”. “Una cerveza por favor” or “Quiero una cerveza por favor” will do. Spit it out!
If you’re a foreigner, like me: “Puede hablar más lento/despacio por favor” - comes in help when speaking on the phone, I've found. That and "Vale."
“Disculpe” or “Perdone” to get someone’s attention and ask them a question.
Words everyone says: “Vengaaaaa” (said to someone who is leaving), “Vale” (OK), “hasta luego” (pronounced “hahtaluego”), and "hasta ahora" (still not sure about that one- other than "ahora" is before "luego")
"Ir en marcha" - To go out to bars. Holler.
Flamenco
I can say now that there is nothing like the flamenco in Andalucía. Wednesday night consisted of tapas (bigger plates = raciones) at our CIEE guide's favorite bar Coloniales and... Flamenco! La Casa de la Memoria had a small stage surrounded by candles and only two rows of chairs. Needless to say, it was an intimate setting.
Once the spanish guitarist and singer began the performance, we were immediately drawn in. Completely enthralled. Then the dancer came out in full flamenco attire and a face full of concentration. Her dance moves were like nothing I had seen before- or maybe I had just never been close enough to see them!
I'll admit, the day was a long one. The guitarist's solo was beautiful, verging on a lullaby. All I needed was a blanket.
Flamenco is a must when visiting Andalucía- a hint for people to visit me, perhaps?
Orientation in Sevilla
I’m alive! Just thought you all should know that. Also, I’m in Sevilla!
Hesperia Hotel Room in Sevilla
Sevilla
The weather is amazing- a bit hot in the afternoons, but nothing unbearable. I’m pretty sure Granada will be cooler as it’s surrounded by mountains. Last night was a cocktail hour meet-and-greet where we had a chance to bond not only with those auxiliaries working/living in Granada but with teachers placed throughout the province… I’m looking forward to having someone to visit on the coast (Málaga or Motríl). The girls here (yes, there are mainly girls) seem really great- especially those living in my city. We’ve already planned a tapas outing to a bar called Bella y Bestia, my first ski trip in the Sierras, a possible Ibiza excursion, and Helene is going to try to teach me to cook. That will be very necessary. Also, we’re going to learn to tango… that should be interesting.
Next week will be crunch time in trying to find an apartment. Margaret (my contact in Granada) told me about a live-in nanny position that would be rent-free and an amazing opportunity. However, I’m still waiting to hear back about the job and can’t really sit around waiting.
In any case, we’re headed to a Flamenco show here in the city after a tour of Sevilla and tapas with some local CIEE guides. Over and out- I mean, ¡Hasta luego!
PS- to anyone looking to Skype, this hotel (while nice) has terrible internet. I’ll let you know when I’m connected either in the hotel in Granada or my hypothetical apartment.
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