Legally Blonde in Spain

Bachata, Cloistered Nuns and Valentine's Day

I am becoming disappointed in myself as I realize my appreciation for the architecture and other amazing nuances are becoming part of the "regulars" during the day. Just looking up as I walk through the city to school is a work of art. Philosophical mindset put aside for a more interesting topic: I do not think I have had more fun since I have arrived than I had this past week!

Valentine's Day: La Alhambra with Martha, Kristin, Katherine,
Haile and Grace

My roommate found a great place to dance bachata and salsa among other Latin dances, and being that we do not have classes on Fridays, we danced into the early hours of Friday morning! It is a small bar (note: bars are social gathering places, not locations to get drunk. Spaniards do not entertain guests in the home, so do not be surprised when you travel to Spain and are taken out rather than invited into the home), that offers salsa classes, and during the "free dancing" period after lessons, the instructor enjoys throwing in spurts of "salsa line dancing" which I would equate to a few intense moments of Zumba. Just imagine a bunch of 60 year-olds in high-heels shaking their hips with their hands raised as I am inwardly thinking, "Put your hands in the air as if you just don't care."

View from the Albaycin

Valentine's Day: we were required by our program to attend "un espectaculo de titeres," better said a hyper-active theater student attempting to revive creepy wooden marionettes with high-pitched voices. There had to be some redeeming qualities to take up time during the one sunny and warm day, maybe... Having been a lovely day of 65 degrees, a group of girls and I were going for a wandering through the Albaycin (old district on a hill, winding cobblestone streets), where we decided to crash an ERASMUS gathering (the European version of studying abroad) with hundreds of students from all over Europe. In the process, we encountered a cloistered convent of nuns who sell sweets, and apparently other items as well. Buying sweets (or other things) from "cloistered nuns" entails placing your money on a large version of a Lazy Susan and hoping that what you wanted will come to you via a rotation of the Lazy Susan apparatus because you are not allowed to see the nuns (still having an impossible time imagining their lifestyles--do they even have mirrors?). Apparently I asked for something other than a sweet, and received a special type of rosary, but luckily, my friend Martha got the goods and was willing to share delicious almond cookies.

La Alhambra

Up-close of "yeseria"

That night, Ruby, Sophia, Katherine and I went out to a Chinese restaurant--it was so good to taste spring rolls! We knew we had chosen a reputable location when we represented the only other ethnic groups, and we are currently planning our return. Finally, to top off the fabulous day, Katherine and I had a "spa night" at home and watched "Clueless."

Sunday: la Alhambra! Please Google "La Alhambra," and you will see breath-taking images! It was originally an Islamic city until Ferdinand and Isabel conquered it in 1492 (a big year in history even apart from Christopher Columbus). Gardens everywhere and "yeseria" on every wall. Yeseria is essentially plaster that is formed into delicate detailing, symbols and passages from the Koran--it is all too incredible for any one person to soak in, or any neck to support as your head is constantly tilted back in awe.

Thank you for your pictures and sweet notes that you have sent to me via email, Snapchat, Facebook, etc.! I am loving where I am at, but hearing and seeing snippets from home is very precious to me. To leave on a humorous thought: I sent my mom a snapchat of my closet here in Spain (about 2 1/2 feet wide, 7 feet tall, 3 feet deep, with three drawers), which holds all of my clothes for my duration of 5 months--this is an impressive feat for me. My roommates from the States had, in all seriousness, doubted by ability to pack "minimally" for my studies abroad, of which I was quite proud to contradict them. Anyways, my mom replies with a picture of my coat rack at my house in the US, of the same size of my Spanish closet, piled upon with purses. Goodness gracious clothing austerity is painful!