Granada y Cordoba!!

Hola todos!!

Wrote this part on Monday... I am recuperating after a lovely, action packed trip with the program to Andalucía, the southern region of Spain. We left early Friday morning (early for Spaniards... 8:15, so really not that early) and travelled several hours in a double decker bus across hills and hills of olive farms to Granada. If you are considering spending time in Spain for study abroad o algo and not planning on doing it here in Alcala, I would recommend you go to Granada. What a beautiful, diverse small city! The capital of its region, it is full of life with young people and has a lot to offer with it's Arab influence. We got there in the afternoon, so we had lunch in th hotel. With our free time before a tour of the Cathedral of Granada, we walked around some shops. I bought a shirt at Zara in honor of my friend, Sarah Newman, who studied in Granada her sophomore year. Then, with the guidance of my art history professor, we toured the cathedral, which is home to the bodies of Juana la Loca and her husband Felipe el Hermoso. There also was an extremely accurate copy of a famous Van der Weyden. I encountered some really pushy gypsies with their little sprigs. I've definitely grown accustomed to their peristance, so I put on my model face and keep walking. I bring this up because a poor Spanish woman was eating her ice cream outside the church and one of the gypsies would not leave her alone. Defintely before coming here I was afraid I would fall victim to these types of tourist traps nonstop. I am proud that I have at least been able to seem like I know what I'm doing in the face of people who could definitely give me some trouble. The Albayzín neighborhood is mysterious and feels old in a good way. The moorish architecture has been well preserved, and it's just soo cool! Some really beautiful views. Also, the Alhambra, an old moorish palace, is SOOO COOL! So much detail in the interior decorations. It's also enormous. The gardens of the palace are so tranquil and impressive, especially for this time of year. The first evening we were there, we went on a night tour of the Albayzin neighborhood, and after saw a flamenco show. WOW. Although it was a bit touristy, I was blown away by the intensity of the dance.

After driving for two more hours further into the desert, we arrived in Cordoba. We went to ancient city ruines. Our hotel was literally across the street from the famous mosque. In general, the hotels the programs uses are really nice! We are quite lucky. I didn't like Cordoba as much. There wasn't as much to do there, and there wasn't a lot of life. The only thing I really loved about Cordoba is the famous mosque. SO BEAUTIFUL. I studied it in my high school AP Art History class. Just as impressive as I imagined.

Not only did I enjoy the places we went and the things we saw, but also the company of the program. The trip was just fun. I enjoyed goofing around with Bridget and talking with the students in Madrid. I definitely bonded with Sergio and Miguel (EEEEE!!!). Miguel might come with Bridget and me to the Atletico game on Sunday. Woot!