Here in Granada, my host family and the house I am living in are very different from my family and house in Michigan. In Michigan, I live with my mom, dad, and brother Jack. My sister, Claire, lives in New York City and my brother Max is in Traverse City.
My family
My mom Lisa, John Jr. (aka Jack), my dad John, Claire, Max and me
Here in Granada, I live with my señora, Maria Dolores, and her eleven year old daughter, Patricia.
Patricia, Maria, and me
Maria is the absolute best señora I could have asked for. She is extremely kind and loving and has made me feel right at home. I feel comfortable getting food when I am hungry, asking her for help when needed, and talking to her about everything. She reminds me a lot of my mom in many ways. She just has a nurturing, loving aura and you cannot help but love her. She works with a fruit company right outside Granada, cutting fruit for individual packaging and ensuring the crops are doing well. This is awesome for me because we always have the freshest fruit in the house.
Patricia is extremely cute. She is in grade school and loves drawing. She is always drawing me pictures or we are drawing pictures together. She has even done my nails.
Patricia's drawing and doing my nails
Maria is awesome in showing me around the city. The first day, she showed me all around Granada and two weekends ago, she took me to Frigiliana, Spain. This is a small little town in the mountains. It is extremely old and quaint, but with the most incredible views. I had the best time. After we walked around this tiny city, we got wine and cheese at a small café. It was an awesome day.
Frigiliana, Spain
I am excited for this weekend because many students are traveling to Barcelona, Madrid, or Morocco but I am staying in Granada to experience Corpus Christi. Maria has many things planned for us, so I cannot wait to see more of the city.
La Casa
My house in Michigan is located in a neighborhood right outside Ann Arbor. It is big and spacious. Here, my apartment is located in the city. I live on Buenos Aires, a small and short street right next to a large park.
Buenos Aires and the entrance to my apartment in Granada
I live on the fourth floor. When you first enter the apartment, the kitchen is to your left and a hallway to your right. The kitchen is large (I think) for an apartment and contains the laundry machine. There is also a large window that has clothes lines stretching from the kitchen window to a wall on the other side of a small hole in the middle of the apartment complex where clothes are hung to dry.
Kitchen and laundry
About half way down the hallway is two bathrooms, one I use and one for Maria and Patricia. I am extremely grateful and lucky to have my own bathroom (thank you Maria!!).
My bathroom
As you continue down the hallway, you approach a larger open area, the family room. Here is where most of our time is spent. While breakfast is usually in the kitchen, we eat lunch and dinner in this room. This is also where, at night, we watch TV or Maria reads while Patricia and I draw or play games. A large balcony is connected to the family room and it has an awesome view of the park.
Family room and view from the balcony
If you continue past the family room you walk into my bedroom. My bedroom is very nice. It is not huge, but not small; a perfect size. I have a desk, WiFi, a bed, and a large closet.
My bedroom
While we were gone this weekend, I began to miss this apartment and my host family! It has begun to feel like home. I love my family here in Granada and my little apartment. I miss my family in Michigan and cannot wait to sleep in my own bed soon, however I know I will miss my host family here and this apartment that has been my home for this spring semester.
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