Submitted by Bridget Cardinale on the 2013 spring semester program in Granada, Spain…
It has been a week since I arrived in Granada, Spain and although the initial culture shock has worn off, I continue to learn and discover more about this beautiful country every day. Our first few tours were to help us become acquainted with the city that will be our home for the next five months, but the first real excursion was to visit the Cathedral in Granada. The cathedral itself is surrounded by architecture and narrow streets that reflect the history’s Muslim influence, a result of the years of Arab occupation. The design of the enormous building is filled with beautiful details of Biblical characters and scenes, especially the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The inside of the building is incredible and truly reflects the size of the cathedral. It is filled with beautiful shrines, a magnificent altar adorned with gold statues, a dome with stained glass and paintings, and the largest nativity I’ve ever seen. Attached to the cathedral through a doorway is the Capilla Real, holding the tomb of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel. I found the Capilla Real particularly interesting because of the constant combination of political and religious figures. Shields and statues of the royal family are throughout the building, right next to scenes from the Bible and the crucifix.
Another day we went to visit the Albayzin, the oldest part of Granada that truly shows the Arab presence that existed in the past. This tour included a lot of uphill walking, but the view afterwards was more than worth it. We were able to overlook all of Granada: the busy city below us, the Alhambra lit up across from us, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance. It was breathtaking and truly made me excited to explore and to get to know Granada for five months.
Lest we forget – in addition to getting to know the city, we have been getting to know the cultural norms. These continue to surprise me and are not the easiest to remember. I have to practice keeping my hands on the table while eating. While Americans make it a point to keep your hands and elbows off the table, it’s Spanish custom to keep them visible. My host Mom also reminds me that I say “thank you” far too much. I’m used to saying it after anything as small as passing the salt, but in Spain it’s reserved for special occasions or moments of gratitude. I suppose not every adjustment can’t be as easy as learning to take a siesta every afternoon.