May 18, 2016
Today, our group has only about one week in Spain remaining.At this point, things begin to feel strangely more normal. It is no longer odd to hear everyone speaking Spanish outside and on the streets. It feels almost natural to order food or a drink in Spanish. This is a stark difference from when we first arrived in Madrid. One week ago, I was nervous about no one understanding me and my limited skills with the Spanish language. It took me a few minutes to build up the courage to walk into a coffee shop, just to find out that they spoke English. It was awkward to get stares from locals when we rode the Metro or just walked the streets, even in small groups. It took afew days to get used to it.
Today, our group has only about one week in Spain remaining.At this point, things begin to feel strangely more normal. It is no longer odd to hear everyone speaking Spanish outside and on the streets. It feels almost natural to order food or a drink in Spanish. This is a stark difference from when we first arrived in Madrid. One week ago, I was nervous about no one understanding me and my limited skills with the Spanish language. It took me a few minutes to build up the courage to walk into a coffee shop, just to find out that they spoke English. It was awkward to get stares from locals when we rode the Metro or just walked the streets, even in small groups. It took afew days to get used to it.
However, now that I am used to being a foreigner it has greatly increased my confidence and ability to go out and try new things. I’ve enjoyed taking walks up to the historical Albayzín district, or barrio, in Granada. It has some of the most amazing views and unique streets in all of Spain. For someone who has lived in the Midwest United States virtually my whole life, being in a city nested in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is beautiful and magical. The sights and sounds, both the natural and man-made beauty here in Granada would take much longer than eleven days to get old. But based on the pace of life and friendliness of the people of Granada, I’m not sure it ever does.
We are now all well settled in with our host families and have even had a few classes where we are learning how to put our global experiences into a useful context for our lives. Of all the things here in Granada that I have liked, the food here is at the top of the list. Whether it’s a small tapa or a full meal, the smaller and more personal atmosphere of the restaurants here in Spain is really welcoming. I have taken advantage of this atmosphere to practice my basic Spanish language skills, and have found it to be very rewarding. I would encourage everyone who visits Spain to learn the common phrases you need to get around so you at least can try to speak to the locals in their native language.
In less than a week we will be leaving for Morocco. I am less sure of what to expect from a country like Morocco which is bound to have more stark cultural differences from the United States. However, I am very excited because everyone who I have talked to here in Spain that has travelled to Morocco says that it is a great time. Spain was such a new experience for me, and I know that our travels to Morocco will be even newer and filled with surprises!
Me in front of the ISA (international studies abroad) office.
Me in front of la plaza de Isabel la Catolica.
One of the many streets I've explored in Granada.
The Alhambra viewed from the highest point in Granada.
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