Mi Granada

First impressions are often times false. 

When I first landed in Malaga, I was completely overwhelmed. I understood almost nothing the people were saying and I couldn't help but feel lost. I didn't know where I was and I had no one to help me get to where I needed to be. I longed to be back in London, a place I had just vacated and could easily navigate. I obviously wasn't from around here, couldn't speak the language, and nothing was familiar to me.

Ahora, just a week later, I'm sitting in one of my new favorite places. It's a little bench only a couple blocks from my house. I have a great view of the Alhambra, I can hear beautiful music being played, and I understand about half of what the locals are saying as they walk by. I'm wearing my American clothes but I like to think I don't stand out too much as a tourist.

(Pictures will come later! As soon as I figure out how to add them...)

It still amazes me how quickly I've adapted and how similar yet different things are here. The food is amazing and very different, but we still watch tv during meals. I don't always understand my host family but we share a similar sense of humor and I find myself laughing at things I wouldn't have understood only a week ago. Facial expressions and hand movements are the same in both cultures and when I don't understand what they're saying, I can still understand the context. I didn't expect that my first day here. 

Difficulties with the language aside, I've already made so many great memories, with my fellow classmates, my host family, and some locals I've made friends with this past week. From exploring the streets to finding the river near the Alhambra, to my host mother commenting on my tan lines and realizing that I can still have meaningful conversations here, I've been having a great time. Pienso que estará mejor pronto. 

I do wish I had thought to pack more clothes. In my attempt to pack light, I only packed enough for about two weeks and many of my clothes are casual, something I'm trying to avoid here. I suppose it'll give me an excuse to go shopping! 

I look forward to seeing what the next five weeks hold for me. It should be fun!