Los Picapiedras...

aka The Flintstones! They were featured on google.es today. I love their name in Spanish. Also, I've discovered that the verb "pica" has a wide variety of meanings. A mosquito "pica"s your arm, when something is too spicy and burns your mouth it's a "pica", it can also mean an itch, and according to the Picapiedras, it also means "flint" or "pick". For a fully detailed explanation click on Picar.

Also, finding a pre-paid phone or SIM card is much more difficult than one would think. At least, if one wants to walk around for two hours searching for the best deal, that is. But with the persistant help of our fantastic host mom Ana, we did indeed find it. A €19 basic model phone and prepaid tarjeta for me and a €9 tarjeta de SIM for my compañera from the mobile phone company Orange, which actually has companies all over the world! ¡Vale! (Mi móvil came with a bonus game of Jewel Quest!!! ¡Qué ganga!)

To end this post (which is llena de links) is a brief walk up a very steep hill and around the Alhambra. Can you even imagine how amazing it would be to live 15 mintues from this historic and magical fortress or to even be able to see it out of one of your windows? I would hope the wonder never fades.

(Pictures will be posted later due to them not uploading to this blog)  =(

Primera vez

Miércoles was a day of firsts: my first paella, my first time eating prawns (complete with little ojos), first time sending mail, and I met my first two spanish friends today! Ana, our host mom was kind enough to invite over Paco's nephew, Carlos, for lunch, who later brought over his friend, Carlos, and we tapeamos y tomamos (ate tapas and drank).

It was so nice finally being surrounded by a young spanish conversation, and they are soo nice and funny!

Also, ayer was a little bit of a celebration because I got into the right level program - Estudios Hispánicos. =)

Y ahora, a picture with no relation whatsoever to my little blurb:

A possibly stray dog drinking from a fountain - there are dogs without collars and leashes all over the place, but people seem to pet and play with them anyway...not to mention all of the wild kitties who live next to the river!!!! So cute!

Toledo

Las vistas de Toledo...

Madrid

Más fotos de la animada Madrid

Día seis en España

After five hectic days of traveling and sight-seeing, I finally have some time to relax and settle in. So far all of España has been increíble and gorgeous.

From the bustling capital Madrid

and the small tourist town of Toledo

To the unimaginable mixture of both worlds that is Granada

Madrid was so lively and bustling. I've never really been to such a metropolis before this spanish one, and I can see myself one day living in a large city full of modern culture - museos, arte, musicales y obras de teatro. Though it is true that living in a city can be pricey.

Toledo was very historic and pretty. It wasn't my favorite, but that just might be because I've seen one too many ancient cathedrals and castles.

But I have to say, there is no need for a dull moment Granada. It is the perfect mix of modern university city, ancient historic town, and magical moments. Discotecas and cafés and bars on every street, history and culture in every stone (and there are a lot of stones), and modern city students (and filth) all compounded into this one little area. I'm at a loss for words to describe the magical beauty of this place...especially when I get to see the ancient moorish palace the Alhambra at sunset from the top of the city. (I'd insert a picture but I haven't taken one that captures the beauty yet.)

I'm not sure anyone can ever get used to all the magnificent site hidden around the city, I know I won't as I explore Granada in the coming year.