Submitted by Stephanie Rodgers on the 2016 winter session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
My last full school week here was definitely one of the best. Due to not traveling this weekend, I have been able to finally take a day to rest today and recover from my migraine and reflect on the week.
On Monday after school, I went to a tetería with Hallye, Erica, Christian, Gab, Nicole and Alex. The atmosphere was very unique and the Moorish tradition could easily be seen. We each got tea and a sweet and I had my first baklava – very exciting!
Tuesday was fun because we got to meet the guys’ new roommates. They are from Minnesota and also studying at the CLM. Their names are Tyler and Bertram. Tyler seemed to be the stereotypical Minnesota guy while it was obvious that Bertram had not lived their as long. Being from the Midwest myself, we all got along really well and chatted about sports and pop (known as soda everywhere else) and the farms we grew up on.
Wednesday was the tour of the Alhambra. I must say it was one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life – definitely worth the hill we had to take to get there. Before the Alhambra, I didn’t know much about the Moorish and Muslim traditions, but I found them to be fascinating. I found it so interesting that while the outsides of their houses and palaces are so plain, the insides were so extravagant. I thought it was honorable that they didn’t want to show off, but instead kept their beauty private.
Thursday, I went with Inma to Abadía del Sacromonte which was also a hike, but also worth it. I especially enjoyed learning about the caves that used to be ovens used to kill Christians. I thought it was inspiring how they took a place with so much terrible history behind it and turned it into a beautiful place of worship. After the visit was over, Inma came to a restaurant with us for tapas and we got to spend some time with her outside of the classroom which I thought was really nice. She’s such an interesting and well-traveled person and I really enjoyed talking with her.
Finally Friday is here and I have some time to myself to recover from yesterday’s migraine and today’s oral exam. Overall, I would say this has been a very productive week. My last full school week here was definitely one of the best.