Ultimamente, ha estado lloviendo y hacía frio, pero ha estado muy bonito en Granada. He visitado algunas muestras de arte, compré dos libros de la fería de libros aquí en la plaza de la fuente de las batallas y asistiendo una clase de salsa. Todavía no puedo decir que he estado muy ocupada, solo poca floja y por eso no he escrito mucho. Lo siento a todos.
Lately it has been raining and chilly here, but very pretty in Granada. I've been to several art exhibitions, bought two books at a book fair, and have been taking a salsa class. Still, I can't say I've been terribly busy, only a bit lazy and because of that I haven't written much. Sorry!
I will make up for it by writing a thorough post right now, and updating at least weekly from now on.
I want to say that I think every place is so much prettier under an overcast sky. Everything feels so calm and tranquil, every happy moment is made better under a gray sky because it's like a ray of sunshine through the clouds, and the worse moments don't feel as bad because it's such a neutral day. That's how I take rainy cloudy days, at least. And during and after the rain one can sense the renewal the water has brought, the replenished life force and cleaning of the world. Not to mention I can finally wear my trench coat and use my umbrella when the water pours from the sky. But I have to say, that the best place to be when it rains and especially AFTER it rains is good ol' T-town. I can think of no better scent than that of the wet desert - so refreshed, clean, vibrant, energizing, happy and comforting! It's the smell of home for me and I don't think it can ever be replicated. It's what I miss the most about my first home. I could also go for a good lightening and thunder storm during monsoon season. I miss the good old times when the washes actually were filled to the top by the rain!
I suppose this post will be more of a reflective one, I'll be sure to write a few more after this about specific memorable events.
Another thing about Granada, and cities in general, is the obvious lack of wildlife. I am so grateful I grew up in Tucson and in the deserty area where my house is. It was the perfect mix between no-man's land and a city. I love being in the city, though I have yet to live in a major city, the business and bustling charge me up and make me want to do things! I love having the opportunity to walk anywhere and within 15 minutes have a hundred things to do and places to go. All within 15 minutes of where I'm living right now in the center of Granada I can: go to 3 different movie theaters, at least 5 discotecas, a variety of salsa clubs, several centros comerciales or malls, and in all the extra space are pubs, cafés and tapas bars. Everything I could need or want for a good time is literally at my fingertips. But there aren't beautiful vistas of mountains or sunsets on the horizon because you can't see the horizon for the buildings surrounding you, all the rabbits, prairie dogs, lizards, and incredibly stupid suicidal birds have been replaced by dogs (stray and owned) and stray cats everywhere and the sounds and poop of birds, but not a bird to be seen because they hide in the trees.
Since living away from Tucson I have come to appreciate it so much more. It is such a magical unique place. And seeing such amazing sites abroad, such as the Alhambra, and hearing the history and legends about this beautiful cross-cultural city make me wonder what treasures I've overlooked about my native town. Talking about where I live makes me proud and boast of the wonderfully crazy bipolar weather we have and the plants and mountains that I love so much. Can't say I miss over 100 degree weather all that much, nor do I think I ever will. I do miss the mild winters and the rains, though. And free water and knowing the prices of food and drinks before you order them - Do Not take these little things for granted. Also, always stock up on gooey freshly baked cookies and tall multilayer cakes smothered in frosting and brownies before traveling abroad. And of course peanut butter. I don't think that these sweets are common place anywhere but the US, and the rest of the world has opted to ignore the deliciousness that is creamy (or chunky) peanut butter. That being said, I absolutely love all the pastries I've tried and bizcochos (flat cakes) and the custard that was made for Día de los Santos. And I do miss a good American-style breakfast.
That is about all I have to tell you about my state of mind here over half way through my first semester living in Spain. It wasn't quite the drastic immersion I hoped for, but I do enjoy living here and am making the most of experiencing the way of life (though I have yet to go to a club at 3am and party till it closes in the morning around 7, as is the way of partying here in España).
Hope everyone of you who reads this gets a chance to live somewhere outside of the US and to experience something different!
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