Money

So people here are really weird about their money. Unlike the U.S., everyone uses cash to pay. Most places I don't even think you can use a credit card and at the places you can use one, they probably would look at you oddly and kind of be annoyed. When you pay with cash though, they are very picky about it. If what you are buying only costs one euro and you pay with a 5, they will ask you if you have anything smaller. I am pretty sure that a 5 is pretty small so I don't know why they keep asking. I mean if I had the one euro, I would pay with the one euro and not break out the 5. It seems like every time I pay for something, this happens. Like I bought floss yesterday and they asked me for a smaller denomination. Does everyone here just always have the exact change? I don't know, this is ridiculous though. I almost feel like I should just be carrying around one euro coins. That would be weighty.

Word of the day: Hilo - floss

Phrase of the day: ¿Tiene suelto? - Do you have change/lower denomination.

Hiking

So I went hiking in the mountains this weekend. It was an excursion run through my program and it was lovely. We walked about 10km and half of it was uphill so it was pretty tiring. There were some spectacular views though as you can see if you click on the link to my photos. I get a free shirt for going too which is exciting but they won't be ready until Friday. I will be sure to post a picture of the shirt for all to see. So that was pretty much the only thing that I did this weekend worth noting. I have a funny story from this morning though. I was putting toast in the toaster (not bandaids) and when I was done, I turned around quickly to put the bread away and my eye landed right on the corner of the vent that is over the stove. It wasn't my eye dead on, but it was right beneath it and it really hurt. Thank goodness I did not get a black eye from it. I only have a little bruise. Oh well, this stuff happens.

Miserable walk home

Ah!!!! The rain won't let up! This makes me cranky. The half hour walk from the school to my apartment was absolutely awful. My pants got so soaked as did the back of my jacket and my shoes. I think the shoes being wet was the worst part. The streets have the water flowing rapidly down them because Granada is a big hill so when you step out onto the street, the water flows right through your shoes. It is an interesting feeling that I hope I never have to experience again. My cloths are out on the terrace now drying. I think it might take a week for them to dry. This rain might ruin any plans for tonight because no one wants to go out in the rain, especially me. This stinks. Well on the bright side, if I don't go out, I save money! Woot. I would rather go out. :-(

Word of the day: Triste - sad

Lluvia, lluvia, lluvia

So it is supposed to rain all day today, or at least that is what weather.com is saying. I hate the rain and it is usually extremely rare here but this is the 2nd time in about 3 and a half weeks. How lucky! When the sidewalks get wet here, it becomes real slippery and you have to make sure you are careful. I am supposed to be watching a movie in one of my classes today so that should be fun. I hope it is a good movies. I also hope that this rain does not ruin the chances of going out tonight. Obviously I can still go out even though it is raining but I might not want to deal with getting wet. We shall see how things shape up. Weather.com has been known to lie quite frequently.

Making progress

So today was a normal day unlike any other. We had an optional culture shock meeting today at the office where we talked about how we were liking Spain so far and such and we also got some free pizza. It wasn't as good as the pizza in the States but it was decent. At the meeting I found out from Paula, the resident director, that my host mom, Maribel, has a daughter. I was also told that her daughter got married this past summer. So this evening while getting ready for dinner, I asked Maribel about her daughter and the wedding. She was so excited so she showed me a bunch of pictures from the wedding. First of all, her daughter's name is Natale (not entirely sure on the spelling). She lives in Brussels right now but in November, she is moving to London. Her husband is from Paris and his name is something like Jean-Francoise. She is a lawyer and he is a sociologist or something of the sort. Maybe he teaches sociology. Oh well that doesn't really matter. The wedding was in July and it was in Granada. The pictures were gorgeous and her daughter is really pretty. I also found out that because Maribel was hosting a student during the summer, she got to be in the wedding. How lucky is that?! I want to be in a Spanish wedding. Apparently for the first dance, they newlyweds did not do a waltz but an Argentine tango. I want to learn how to dance the Argentine tango! My goodness, it looked and sounded like so much fun and I am so glad that I had a somewhat long conversation in Spanish. Not to sound too corny, but I think this strengthened my relationship with Maribel because now she knows that I am interested in her life. I hope this leads to many more conversations with her and eventually maybe it won't be such broken Spanish on my part. :-)

Words of the day: Galleta - cookie
Sello - stamp

Why they are the WsOD:
Maria got sent some cookies from home and she let me have some. They are really good.
I bought 3 stamps today. Do you think you are one of the lucky ones that will be receiving mail from me soon?

Eventful weekend

I stayed in Granada this weekend and ended up doing many things. Friday and Saturday night I went out for tapas which is always lots of fun. Saturday morning I went to Sacromonte with Maria, Karen, and Jenny. Essentially what we did was walk around for 2 hours on a big hill. We walked to the top of one hill to see a church and there just happened to be a wedding going on. Anyone can just go into the church so I took a picture but it is kind of fuzzy. Sacromonte is also where the gypsies live and they mostly live in caves. After walking around and lunch, there was a festival thing for the patron saint of Granada. It seemed like everyone in the city was there and the ceremony was in front of this one church. Everyone buys flowers and lines up to present them and they put them all on the outside of the church. I have pictures of that too. As I said before, that night we went out for tapas and we dressed up a bit too. On Sunday, we went back to the church with the flowers to see it all completed. The smell of it was so powerful and it was really beautiful. Later after lunch, we got together and saw the end of La Vuelta. This is a 23 day bike race throughout Spain and this weekend it happened to end in Granada. I have pictures of this as well as a tribute to Travis but they are blurry. Once that was done, we went down to el parque de Garcia Lorca. It is somewhat near my house but it is nothing like Slater Park back at home. It is smaller and it is mostly dirt. There is grass but you can tell that they have to put much work into it so it is actually green. I guess it is good to have a least a little green some where. That was the end of my weekend so everyone should look at the pictures that I posted.

Words of the day: Pasear - to walk, to go for a walk
Iglesia - church
La boda - wedding
Las flores - flowers
Bicicleta - bicycle
Hierba - grass

The case of the two Marias

It all started my first week here. I don't remember which day it was but I was talking to Maribel during dinner and she was asking me about my friends. I told her that I had a friend named Maria and she immediately knew who I was talking about because she lives with her friend who is also named Maria. I don't exactly know how to explain the rest of the conversation but it resulted in Maribel thinking that I have two friends that are both named Maria. I didn't really want to say anything to correct it because I was so confused about the conversation so I let it slide. I figured that I would never have to talk about it again. Oh how wrong I was. It was the afternoon after the placement exam when she asked me how I did and also how my friends did especially the two Marias. I had no idea what to say so I just told her how the real Maria did and then talked about a different friends. She did not press for information about the second Maria, thank goodness. After this close encounter of her finding out the truth, I thought that she probably would not say anything more. Wrong again! Today while sitting down for lunch, Maribel suddenly brought up the two Maria situation. She said that she was talking to one of her friends and that she was confused because her friends said that the girl living with her was Marisa so she asked me if this was a mistake. I told her that I do have two friends named Maria. She then thought that maybe her friends had gotten Marisa's name wrong and that it actually was Maria. She said that her friend lives on San Anton and I said that that is where Maria lives. She started laughing because she now thinks that her friend has been saying the girl's name wrong this whole time. I then realized that I was mistaken. San Anton is not the street that Maria lives on, it is Pedro Antonio. How I mixed that up is beyond me. After realizing this, Maribel says that she is going to tell her friend that she has been using the wrong name. I quickly say that there is a girl in the program named Marisa so perhaps we are thinking of two different people. For the purpose of clarification, she asks me where my two friends named Maria live. I said that one lives on Pedro Antonio, which is true, and that the other lives on Camino de Ronda, which is a lie because I only have one friend named Maria. She realizes the mix up and laughs it off thinking it was her own fault for getting confused. She leaves to clear her plate and I had to try so hard not to burst out laughing. I wonder if this situation will get any worse because I obviously can't tell her now after all of this that I only have one friend named Maria.

Word of the day: Mentira - a lie

Rain, rain go away...

Yesterday was the first rain here that I have experienced. It rained a few nights ago but I was not awake for it. It all started sometime during my siesta yesterday afternoon. I woke up and I was extremely confused to see that it was not sunny. At first I thought I had overslept until 8 but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be clouds and the ground was soaked. I had a discussion with my host mom about the rain and she says that this is really weird because it never rains in Andalucía. The rain stopped after a little while and I went out with some friends. On our way back home, however, it started to rain again. My pants got a little wet on the bottom but other than that I was fine because I was smart enough to bring an umbrella with me. This umbrella, by the way, is an international traveler because I originally found it in Germany and it also spent some time in the Czech Republic. It is obviously now in Spain with me. This umbrella sure is lucky. So when I got back to the apartment I had dinner and I also had some fruit for dessert. Maribel asked me if I wanted some melon and I said yes assuming that it was going to be watermelon. When she came back, it was not what I expected. It was white with the same texture as a cantaloupe. The taste was kind of a cross between watermelon and cantaloupe. Needless to say, I really like it and I hope I get some more today. I don't think I have ever had that fruit before. Is it even sold in the U.S.? Have I just never seen it before? Who knows? It was good and that is all that matters.

Word of the day: Llover - to rain

Still sick :-(

Pobrecita Marta! I think tomorrow it will be better especially with my strict regimen of Los Italianos. I met my señora's mom today. She is about two feet shorter than me and I guess that she is not all with it or at least that is what I was told. She is one of those cute old ladies that you just want to take home and keep under your bed like in Volver. I didn't really like that movie but it suddenly popped into my head when I was thinking about that last sentence. Anyway, my sheets were changed today. It was a startling surprise when I came back to the apartment today. I like the other sheets better though. Oh well, I suppose these will do until they are changed again. I finished uploading all the photos that I have taken while I have been here so you should have a looksy. I was thinking today that I should take some pictures of my room and apartment so you all can see where I live. I bought some more tissues today just in case anyone was wondering. I brought 3 packs of pocket tissues with me and the third one is almost gone because with my cold, I have to blow my nose frequently. It was pretty cheap too. I got 15 packs of 10 tissues for 80 cents. I consider that to be the deal of the century. Maybe I should start exporting tissues and selling them en los Estados Unidos. I could make a fortune!

Word of the day: Sábanas - sheets for a bed

Monday blues

So I got homework today. I guess it is not that bad. I have to make up a story and write it using the different past tenses. It took my a while to figure out what to write but I think I have something good. If you would like to read it, I can send it to you so just let me know. Keep in mind, however, it is in Spanish. I uploaded more pictures. I didn't get to finish the Albaicin photos yet so don't look at them. I only had time to upload half of them. Either tomorrow or Wednesday I will finish the rest. I am still sick and I am coughing more than I was yesterday. I also did not have time today to take a siesta. Sad, I know. Because of that, I hope I will be able to fall asleep quickly and not be disturbed by my coughing. My mom called today which was cool and I got to talk to her for about 10 minutes before I realized that she was calling directly from the house phone without using a phone card. How expensive! Oh well, my dad should have gotten phone cards sooner. :-) I went to the mall that is down the street from me for the first time today with some friends. It was all right but they do have a cinema and it only costs 3.50 euros on Wednesdays so I think we might all go see a movie then. I hope it is a good one! I will let you know how it turns out and if I can actually understand it. For some reason, though, there are two identical candy stores in this mall. Only one is a little smaller. A little bit weird if you ask me. I got some candy, obviously, but there was no sign of hot tamales any where. There wasn't even anything like it. How dreadful. I guess someone will have to send me some ;-)

Word of the day: Dulce - candy

Carnival

Last night there was a carnival thing that me and my friends all went to. Guess what I bought! Cotton candy!!! It was so good with its delicious sugary self. I have not had cotton candy in the longest time and my dad, mom, and sister can attest to the fact that I absolutely love it. We also saw a free flamenco show last night that also had some singers. The dancing was cool but I don't really like the singing. So some music just started playing from I don't know where and it sounds like there should be some people dueling. I don't know. In regards to strange noises, my host mom, Maribel, sounded like she was weed whacking in her room this morning. I don't thing this is possible because last time I checked, she did not have a lawn in her room. She was probably doing some crazy cleaning because that is what she does all the time. She does not work because I assume that hosting people brings in enough money so she simply cleans, cooks, watches TV, and goes to the pool. A boring life to lead if you ask me. She cleans like crazy though. She has the same routine of cleaning every day and as soon as I am done with a dish, she rushes it off to the kitchen to wash it. She also cooks alot. She will start making lunch at 8:30 or 9 in the morning. Is this necessary? You also have to consider the fact that we have lunch here around 2:30. This means that it takes her around 6 hours to prepare what we are eating. Crazy, crazy. So I am still sick and now I am also coughing. I am, however, going on a run today with Maria. I hope I won't die!

Word of the day: Toser - to cough

CLM

CLM stands for el Centro de las lenguas modernas and that is where I have class every day. It is away from the actual university but it is not too far away. I am at the CLM right now because I am uploading some long awaited pictures. I tried to do it with my in an out internet connection in my apartment but it would not work. That is why I had to come here. They have free wireless for all the students and it is pretty good. It is so much better than what I have in my apartment. Right now I am uploading the London stopover photos and that might be all I have time for. I am sorry for the delay but what can I do. The CLM is closed over the weekend so I will make every effort to come here Monday to try and finish.

I have starte to get sick which is crap. I have a sore throat and a headache. It started yesterday and I didn't really think anything of it until last night when I woke up at 2am because of it. I am hoping that is goes away quickly without having to get medication or something. I cough from time to time but it doesn't really bother me that much. My headache got worse during class but when I got home I was treated with pizza! All the food has been great here so far but it was a nice reminder of home. After lunch I went into my room and ended up taking a two and a half hour nap. I know, crazy, but I was really tired and a little bit sick. After my pictures have been uploaded I am going out to get some ice cream. Now I am only doing this in the hopes of making my throat feel better. I think ice cream is a much better cure than medication. I am going to Los Italianos which is by far the best ice cream in town. I was planning on taking my parents and Meg there when they come in December but unfortunately I found out that it is only open in the summer. So by October it will be closed. How sad! I guess I better stock up now. :-)

Words of the day: La garganta - throat
La cabeza - head
El cuello - neck
La axila - armpit

Phrase of the day for me: Me duele la garganta y la cabeza. - My throat and head hurts me.

Everyone will be fluent in no time!

Good food

I think I am going to be two Marthas when I finally come home. The food here is great. Yesterday I had the best ice cream ever at a place called Los Italianos. I got half chocolate and half café. Then last night I went out for some tapas. Today I went with my friends to get churros that you dip in hot chocolate syrupy stuff. It was so good but some random guy walked by and said "Aproveche." Then tonight for my bocadillo I had some chorizo. Good thing all you do here is walk because if not, I would seriously need someone to roll me around by now.

Words of the day: Chorizo - pork sausage
Churro - fried dough pastry
Aproveche - bon appétit

Same old, same old

So I am already getting into the swing of things and nothing really exciting happened today but I decided that I still had to have a word of the day.

Word of the day: Bolso - bag

Why it is the WOD:
I bought a handbag today for only 3 euros. It is a small canvas bag and it seems to be of good quality. I love it how things like bags can be so inexpensive here. Other things that are actually necessary though like toothpaste are more expensive than in the states. Them's the breaks.

Primer día

Today was the first day of class. I have two teachers within the 4 hours. From 10 to 11:50 my teacher's name is Rosa. She is nice but seems a little dry in her teaching. I will update you if things change with her. The second professor from 11:10 to 2 is fantastic. Her name is Encarna and she is so energetic. We spent the whole time in her class asking her questions about herself and then we would chime in if we had something to say that related to what she had said. After class I went home for lunch, had a quick siesta, and then went out. I went to the AIFS office to see if they had the book that I needed for my classes. They didn't so my next stop was the university bookstore. Before I left the office though, I checked the mail box and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had received my first letter. Who was it from you ask? No other than my favorite boyfriend (because we all know that I have more than one), Travis. It felt cool to get a letter and it reminded me of waiting for letters to come while Travis was at bootcamp. After I read the letter, I met up with my friends and we all traversed to the bookstore. I bought the book and then we went walking around the calles and window shopped.

Word of the day: Abanico - fan (paper)

Why it is the WOD:
It is always really hot in Granada and people are always using the cool hand fans that you can flip out quickly and it reminds me of Spain for some reason. Since the day I arrived to see all the señoras standing around at the bus stop and quickly fanning themselves, I have wanted one. Today was the day because after much searching I found a fan that was inexpensive and that seemed to me to be of good quality. Now whenever I start feeling a bit hot, I can easily flip out my fan and pretend that I am Spanish. And also, abanico is the name of the book I had to buy. I just realized that last night and I kind of laughed to my self. I think my host mom is starting to think I am crazy with random bouts of laughter coming from my room.

Horario

We signed up for classes today. Classes start October 9th or something like that. I signed up for a translation class which I hope will help me with my vocabulary. I am also taking a grammar class that is mandatory, a class on the political system of the European Union, another class on Spanish history from Franco to present, and then the last one is Hispanic literature. We have to take at least four classes so I have the option of dropping one within the first week if I don't like it. While I wait for October to arrive, September is filled with a 4 hour a day class of intensive advanced Spanish. I love it how I got my level changed. So that starts tomorrow morning at 10 and goes until 2. I got a good time for the class. Some people have to start at 9 which doesn't seem to be that bad but you need to remember that it takes about 30 minutes to walk to the building that it is in. I just had my bocadillo which is the same thing as a sandwich but it uses a loaf of bread instead of prepackaged slices. I am going out at 10 for tapas with some friends so that should be fun. Tapas for anyone who does not know are appetizers but they are free with the drink that you buy. It might only be free in Granada though. I am not entirely positive. I hope it will be a fun night!

Word of the day: Melocotón - peach

Why it is the WOD:
Every night after my bocadillo, my señora gives me a piece of fruit. So far it has just been un melocotón. I did not know the word for it so tonight I asked her. Every time I eat it though, it reminds me of Meg because she is allergic to it.

Costa del sol

I just got back from a weekend along the coast. I saw the Mediterranean for the first time which was cool and I also got my feet wet. The waves were crazy there and it was really windy the first day. There was a pool at the hotel so after craziness at the beach, my friends and I went back to the hotel. We went out for tapas and it was my first time since being here. It was fun but the ice cream that we had after was better. The next day we did pretty much the same thing but left at 5 to come back to Granada. I just got back and I wish that I had pictures to post so everyone could see the beautiful pictures of the sea. Hopefully by the end of the week I will get my camera card reader and I can finally post all the pictures that I have been taking.

Word of the day: Rebajas - rebates

Why it is the WOD:
Twice a year in Spain, or maybe just in the south, all the shops have to get rid of all their old clothing to make way for the new stuff. Because of this, they have crazy sales for a whole month. While in Costa del sol, I bought a lovely dress for only 12 euros. I just love sales and now I will be able to look like I belong here because the women are always wearing dresses and skirts instead of jeans and shorts.