Last Full Day In Granada

I have tons of emotions right now. Why is it that when you are going to leave somewhere, it just starts to feel like home? Everything is coming to a close. I started packing over the weekend, I wrote my last papers and finished my last finals today. Now all I have left to do is go out one more night in Granada, finish packing then I'm off to Madrid. I spend Wednesday and some of Thursday in Madrid and then I'm off to Italy. I think this trip is blinding some of my sadness for leaving Granada. I think it will start to sink in tomorrow and then when I get home to California. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Vanessa my roommate and a couple other people around Granada. I really liked my program directors so it's sad to leave them too. But I am not going to be too sad to leave my family here, they were more like just around than friends. I guess it's easier that way.

Last weekend I saw my friend Victor play guitar with his friend at their concert at this local bar by our apartment. It was really cool seeing someone I know play a concert. It was small and intimate, but better that way. He put on a good show. I also ran around this weekend taking pictures of things around Granada. We also had our farewell dinner with our program. Today at school after finals, our university gave away free beer, wine and tapas. What a great country this is! (The photo is my school.)

Córdoba's Taste of Wine and Balcony Festival

Last weekend I went back to Córdoba for their 25th annual Cata del Vino (Wine Tasting) and the well-known Balcony Festival. These are two of Córdoba's most famous festivals. Initially I went for the day, leaving Granada at about 1pm, but decided later to stay the night in Sevilla with a friend. I met a few friends from Jaén in Córdoba for the wine tasting. The set up there was a bunch of tents with different local bodegas (wineries) where you can buy a pass that allows you to try up to five different wines. All the wines were either whites or sherry. I really liked one white from Hermanos Gracia. The weather was pretty dismal and it poured for about 10 minutes. We stayed there for a few hours then headed to Sevilla on the Renfe train. I love the Renfe because the scenery is beautiful and the train in really comfortable. When my friend Bonnie and I got to Sevilla, we went to her favorite tapas bar and had amazing steak tapas. Then we went out to Calle Betis, which famous for the bars where all the Americans go. Not my favorite but we met up with our friend who was having his 21st birthday. We all went bar hopping all night and eventually made it home. The next morning we had an early train ride back to Córdoba for the Balcony Festival. Residents decorate their walls and balconies with colorful potted plants and flowers. We saw one of my ISA Program directors there which was cool. The weather could have been better but we saw quite a few balconies and had another glass of wine before I headed back to Granada.

disabled weekend

This week has been a great effort. The problem with my ankle has proceeded to annoy me and become more painful because I am not exactly patient. This weekend was a 4 day Spanish holiday and also the Las Cruces weekend in Granada. This is special because the city is dotted with decorated crosses, music and flamenco. Everyone walks from cross to cross around the city. Todo el mundo (everyone) took tapas, drinks and ice cream. Naturally I had to join in the fun. I was depressed because I didn't want my foot to ruin the remaining time I have in Europe. The crosses were beautiful. I've spoken to a few Spaniards about it but none of them can tell me the significance of it. Oh well, another holiday to go out and about and enjoy the community and weather. Some friends of mine who teach English here in Spain and I went to Málaga again this weekend to catch some rays at the beach. It was gorgeous weather, but another annoyance for my ankle. I refuse to just sit in bed all day though. I hate using crutches because my hands are swollen and I go so slow. I just need everything to get better before Italy in less than 3 weeks. Last night I met some people from Italy and their friends from France. English was the one language we could all speak, although the Italians spoke Spanish as well. I think Italian is very close to Spanish and I can understand a little. I know I am not bilingual but I can confidently say that if someone speaks slow enough I can understand them and be able to respond. I just can't believe that I am only living in Spain a little longer and the next time I return I will be a tourist!