Primeras impresiones

So far, I absolutely love Granada. The city is beautiful and has so much to offer. To begin, the family I am staying with is so incredibly kind. I am living with a senora, Maria, and her eleven-year-old daughter, Patricia. I truly feel like apart of their family and I think the fact they make me feel this way says a lot about how I am treated here. I know it can be hard to open up your home and life to someone you don’t even know, but they have made me feel so incredibly comfortable and welcomed. I am not ashamed or embarrassed to ask for anything and they are so patient in allowing me ample time to understand and respond in the language. They have an apartment right in the city, directly in front of a gorgeous park. Some mornings, I get up early and go for a run in the park and cannot believe I am spending time in such an amazing city. The park is filled with flowers and has an outdoor gym! It is very different from any park I have seen in the United States. Walking around the city, I believe it is a mix between Chicago and New York but with more history and character. The streets are small and usually filled with people. There are so many interesting shops. Yesterday I walked by a shop that was completely open and had a man playing the piano. It was so incredibly beautiful. My senora’s sister is also hosting a student in my class, James. Her son Carols took James and I around the city yesterday and I got to see some incredible views of Granada. We went to these beautiful gardens surrounding the Alhambra and we went inside a palace, Carlo’s Palace. As far as the food, I am enjoying trying new things. Almost every day my senora’s parents make me lunch and they teach me how to make different authentic dishes from Spain! They do not speak any English, which I love, so I am judging how fast my Spanish is improving on how well I can understand and communicate with them.

Two funny things that I find different here in Granada than in the United States:

1.     We always wear shoes! Even in the house. I never realized how much I take off my shoes, or walk around barefoot. We learned the first day here it is considered very rude to take off your shoes when in public. I was at a café studying and before I knew it, sure enough my shoes were off and I was deep in concentration before I even realized my feet were freely hanging out! In the house also, slippers are always worn.

2.     We drink more wine than water. In my house in the United States, we always drink water with every meal; juice, milk, alcohol are “extra” beverages. Here, wine and juice are always placed on the table and water is almost an after-thought. I have to remind myself to drink water constantly because it is never really offered! I never realized that I drink so much water back home because it is right in front of me, so here it is almost like out of sight out of mind (haha).

The only things I wish I had brought from home are my friends and family! I talk with them everyday and try to explain how profound my experience has been so far, but the uniqueness and character of this city cannot be explained. 

I cannot wait to see what the next five weeks to offer. I truly feel blessed to have this opportunity.

Until next time!

Emily Pardington