Submitted by Arielle Thompson on the 2020 spring semester study abroad program in Granada, Spain…
The end of the fourth week is finally coming to a close. This week has been packed with studying as our intensive courses ended this week. Finishing the intensive course came with a sigh of relief and a sense of accomplishment. Even though it has only been a short period of time, I have learned a lot. Not only about the Spanish language, but about the culture as well. At the end of the week, there was a lot of time for relaxation and preparation for next week’s classes. While some chose to travel to other countries in Europe this weekend, some of us decided to stay and explore more of Granada. I finally got to try the famous “churros con chocolate” which I still have yet to stop thinking about. They reminded me of funnel cake dipped in warm, rich chocolate. I also visited the Albaicín with a few other girls from my program. It was a beautiful day and the streets were packed. We first stopped for a refreshing Fanta Limón at one of the restaurants near the San Nicolas Church before continuing our very long and steep trek to another mirador (overlook)nearby. We stayed up there for over an hour talking, basking in the sun, and enjoying the view of the city. However, our day didn’t end there. We walked to yet another mirador (overlook) before trying to find something to eat. We had some amazing authentic sandwiches and sat in the Plaza Nueva. Luckily for us, there was a street Flamenco performance so we had lunch and a show. We ended the day by taking a walk in the Fernando Garcia Lorca Park as the sun set.
This Sunday was a change from my normal Sundays in Granada. Since the stores are closed and the weeks are normally so busy I usually take the day to relax in the house or catch up on sleep. However, this Sunday was different and for the better. I got the chance to explore Granada more and see how beautiful the city is at my own pace. Next week starts the spring semester classes so I know that I will have a plethora of new tasks to take on. Every week is different here in Granada so I’m looking forward to seeing what this next week has in store.
