Son las cosas pequeñas. - Iza Zant

Son las cosas pequeñas. 

When I first arrived in Granada, I was told that I would start to experience "culture shock."

Culture Shock: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation.

 I thought that culture shock was a little overrated to be honest because although I haven't traveled as much as some, I've been to two other continents besides my own. I thought I had everything under control, but I guess I was wrong. I don't believe I've experienced the worst culture shock there is, but I think that this past week has been a bit overwhelming, not to say it hasn't be amazing as well. I've been spending so much time comparing and contrasting my two lifestyles, and I realized that it truly is all about "the little things." 

5 Cosas Pequeñas that helped Granada feel like my new home:

1. Hugs and Kisses

I know this is going to sound so unbelievably silly, but the affectionate culture was actually one of the things that made me feel the most comfortable. For those who know me well, I usually hate being touched. I like my personal space more than the average joe, and I only hug on occasion, or when I feel it's warranted or socially necessary. In the United States, people usually shy away from personal contact. I know that if someone stares at me for too long, grabs my shoulder, touches my arm, stands just a bit too close, I often feel uncomfortable. When I arrived in Granada, I was immediately greeted by cheek to cheek kisses from my family and CEA staff. Although hugs aren't common in Spain, my family hugged me alarmingly tight when they first met me, probably to show that they respected my customs and where I was from. Either way, I live life being kissed by friends, strangers, and my family on a daily basis, and it's not weird. In one week alone I've become more affectionate, and I'm very surprised. I think that the displays of emotion here are fascinating overall, and usually I wear my heart on my sleeve anyways. Part of the reason I love Granada is because people are so honest, and I believe this honesty has lead me to respect the way they show their love, care, and acceptance physically. 

Obviously this isn't my picture but I think it shows the classic Southern Europe kiss-kiss greeting very well. 

2. Pizza and Ice Cream

As an American, I pride myself on my unconditional, irrevocable love of my two basic food groups: Pizza and Ice Cream. Coming to Granada, I was expecting something vastly different from what I found. In fact, I had expected a lot more "country type" wide open spaces, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The city is crawling with bares, tabernas, heladerias, restaurantes, discotecas, etc. As I said in my last post, I was informed that my family owned a pizzeria upon arrival. As I explored the city the last week, I've found that pizza is vastly popular here. There's a pizzeria here nearly every few blocks. Secondly, there's also so many places to buy helado (ice cream). It's been so hot this past week (about 90 degrees F), that eating a bit of helado every now and then is a necessity. The ice cream here is also about 375x better than in the states. 

Today Niyati and I went to "Los Italianos" the most famous heladería in Granada. It's known for its Cassata, which is an Italian neapolitan ice cream dessert with candied nuts and a few other things. It was pretty great, but we don't think it beats the local place just down the street. 

3. Ir De Compras

To my surprise, and probably the surprise of all of my friends, I have yet to actually "purchase" anything in Granada (besides food). I have walked in and out of stores several times thought the day because I pass about 7 Zara stores everyday. Shopping has become a sort of therapy (not that it wasn't my therapy in the US too). What's great about shopping is that it is lo mismo no matter where you go. You see something. You like it. You buy it. You leave with the satisfaction of a new purchase. Culturally chicas here seem to like to shop as much as my friends and I do back home. Whenever I'm in doubt of a converation started it's easy to ask, "Cuál es tu tinena favorita?" I'm excited to buy some new clothes so I can truly attempt to assimilate because despite my efforts to buy clothes before the trip, the Spanish just dress so much nicer than me. 

Side Note: I was very excited that when I went to H&M, because I already knew the dressing room limit. It was 7. I guess somethings truly are cross cultural. 

4. The Selfie 

I'm usually not one to post "Selfies" at least not just of myself because I feel awkward putting a picture out into the world that says, "I took this of me. Look at it. I like it. Don't you?" Then again, that's hypocritical because I often take selfies of my friends and I together when we don't have someone to take our picture (I'm a walking contradiction). Either way, I've found that the selfie has invaded Spain. I don't know why but I guess I had this idea that it was a totally American thing to post selfies or even take them. However, I see girls alone, girls with friends, girls with boyfriends, girls with coffee, girls with sangria, girls shopping, girls eating ice cream, and the occasional boy/man, take a selfie. I know it's a bit tanto (silly), but for some reason this little cultural cosa (thing) has made Spain seem a little less different than home. Everyone everywhere wants to document and share their lives. 

This is a "Selfie" of my host sister, Lorena, and her friends. She's the blonde in the middle. She's really awesome and so sweet. I'm sure I'll post about her more in the future. 

5. Anonymity 

Whenever I come back to Rockford after living in Ann Arbor, I always feel like I'm in a tiny bubble, and it feels a bit awkward. In Ann Arbor I often see people I know but the campus is large enough to enjoy alone time. In Rockford, however, wherever I go, I see someone I know, and it's a bit suffocating (This is not to mean I don't love Rockford, because I do). Here I feel like a little fish in a big pond, and I love that feeling of being completely anonymous. I look different than most of the people here because I'm taller than almost all of them, and I wear heels often which makes things a bit more complicated. My hair is also highlighted and most people here have darker hair (but not all). It's safe to say people often stare. People in the US often ask about my heritage and are confused, so I can only image how confused people are here as well (except when I know every word to "Uptown Funk" at the club - then they know I'm American.) It's a little nice to feel different and even "mysterious" in a way. I enjoy the idea of being part of something larger, and I like trying to find my niche. I'm excited to find new places that I like, and hopefully become a "regular." The openness and the unknown aspects of living here make it seem more like an adventure than anything else.

Just one photo that captures the beauty of the streets of Granada. The architecture here is amazing. There's so many colors and textures. I love simply walking through the city.

 I know that these things are very minor, but it really is amazing how the littlest thoughts can continuously cross your mind. I hope you enjoyed reading, and I'll post again soon about mi Vida as a Granadina. 

chaochao,

Iza