Submitted by Amanda Bowman on the 2019 summer session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
Unfortunately, this week brought in a massive heat wave which effects most of Eastern Europe. During the latter part of the week, temperatures reached upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In America, it is rare to find a house that does not have some sort of cooling system, whether it be central air, window units, or fans, but in Granada, most of the host families do not have any form of air conditioning. This has been a busy week with a great amount of homework and studying, so finding a good location to get work done and escape the heat, while also enjoying the sights of Granada, has been an interesting endeavor.
The first place that I went to and studied was Dunkin Donuts because I knew that it would be open late and I wanted to experience something that was similar to home, but also identify its differences with the coffee shops that I am used to. However, the menu in Spain is so different from in the United States! They have a lot more options when it comes to drinks, but for the most part, the food is more limited. Here, you can even order a beer with one of their various delicious donuts. It was a nice place to study and get work done because it was cool and not crowded. It is funny to me that in a beautiful city with such amazing, authentic coffee shops, people still go to Dunkin Donuts. I didn’t even know that they existed in Europe! Even though it was different from ones in the USA, it was still nice to get a taste of home.
I think that my favorite spot so far has been Bohemia Jazz Café. It is a cute little shop filled with books and authentic jazz music that has the most delicious ice cream drinks. I have been there two times this week! It is definitely a local spot, as it is not set in a high-traffic area and does not have a bunch of flashy signs advertising it. From the outside, it is a rather unassuming building, but once you go inside, you are greeted by the welcoming sight of hundreds of books, antiques, and photographs littered around. Even though it is dark, it is a good place to do computer work as long as working in complete silence is not the ideal. The jazz music is enough to keep me from getting bored, but not so distracting that I can’t get anything done. Not to mention, the staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating, and have been patient with us when we have trouble speaking to them in Spanish.
Paseo del Salón is a park that is only about five minutes away from my host house, and it is a tranquil place to take a walk or study. In terms of escaping the sun, it is not the best option. However, there are plenty of shady spots that can offer some relief from the intense, burning rays and offer beautiful views of the River Genil and Sierra Nevada Mountains. My favorite part of being in this park is the inviting smell of citrus from all of the oranges that have fallen from their trees. This would be an ideal spot in the late afternoon when it is not as hot, but the sun still provides sufficient light. Another one of my favorite activities here is watching the dogs! In Spain, people bring their dogs everywhere, and they are usually very well trained, so much so that they can walk without a leash! This is still so strange to me because in America, while people do walk their dogs a lot, it is usually not in the streets, and they are required to have leashes. The whole culture around dogs is different here, in both good ways (like previously described), and in bad (such as frequently not letting strangers pet them).
Another cool location is a bakery chain in Granada called Ysla that has delicious piononos, and a relaxed atmosphere. It is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and pastry while working. Although, I have done much more eating than studying there! It is a bit too loud to get much done, so it is a better spot for casual work while hanging out with friends.
On Thursday, the entire group took a tour of the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel, which is where Isabella and Ferdinand are buried. I am still in awe that I was able to see the location of the remains of two of the most famous figures in Spain’s history. It is strange to think that these affluent people’s remains can be held in such unassuming tombs so far away from the country’s capital. Sadly, photos are not permitted in the Royal Chapel, so I do not have any pictures from there. My favorite aspect of the chapel was the beautiful marble mausoleum of Ferdinand and Isabella, and of their daughter Joanne and her husband Philip. I am not particularly interested in art, especially modern art, but I quite appreciate statues and carvings. This was one of the most beautiful marble structures that I have ever seen, and I am lucky that there are pictures online so that I am able to relive my visit.
The Cathedral itself was one of the most gorgeous that I have seen, including the Sevilla Cathedral. The contrast of the stark white columns with the gilded “head” is an artistic masterpiece, and the way in which symbolism is integrated is incredible, even for someone who is not religious. I do not know much about Christianity, but I can appreciate all of the symbols and that they hold religious importance which bolsters how exquisite the Cathedral was, still is, and will continue to be. I might even go to Sunday mass for the first time so I can hear the organs playing. I think it was incredibly interesting to have a tour for this part of the visit because he told us more about the history of the Cathedral and its construction, along with the different styles of architecture and reasons behind the building’s design. I think that the Granada Cathedral is my second favorite historical location in this city, besides the Alhambra.
