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.