Our school is pretty nice, our host mother showed us how to find it yesterday. It is about a 15 minute walk, which isn't bad. Yesterday was a lot of fun since we took a tour of central Granada. The city is very interesting and there is a lot to see. Our tour guide seemed funny, but he spoke Spanish the whole time, so I definitely didn't get as much as I could have out of it!
Tomorrow he is giving us another tour to El Albaicin, which I think is on a mountain...hope I can handle it, because I'm already sore from the walking around the city!
I'm enjoying my host family, my mother is a very good cook and is very sweet. My host brothers are warming up to us, they weren't very talkative at first!
After we have supper with our families at night, my friends and I usually go exploring. We've found a few tapas restaurants, internet cafes, grocery stores, and parks. Granada has so much to do, we will never be bored!
I am having a few struggles this week, but am trying to work through them. Being surrounded by Spanish all the time is completely exhausting, you can't turn your mind off for a minute. Focusing for such a long period of time drains my energy and I almost always need a nap after we are done with our activities for the day. My host family is patient, however, and we find times to unwind by talking in English for a while. :)
It is also VERY cold...but not outside, in our houses!! The Spanish houses are made for the hot summers, so they are not warm at all in the winter. Our host mother insisted that we buy some Spanish slippers, for which I am very grateful, they help a lot. We also warm up by sitting around the dinner table! The tables are in the living room around the television so we are in there often. They drape a blanket over their tables with a heater underneath, so it is very warm.
Other than these few adjustments, I am having a great time. I'm sure there will be many more stories to come, so be sure to read again!
I miss you all...Adios!
Hi Sara, Glad to hear that you made it and are enjoying your time in Spain. It sounds like you have much to see and do. We look forward to checking your blog! Thanks for keeping us informed. Love, Mark, Shelley, and Pamela
ReplyDeleteHey Sara -
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself. The "information overload" your brain is experiencing is normal, and I know it's hard. So hard. Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest - especially at first. Your brain needs it. (You're giving it such a workout just by functioning in a new language and a new place!) :-) Don't push yourself too hard. Take it slow. Take deep breaths. It will get better.
Love you, B
um pretty sure the spanish word for the day "dejar" hasn't changed for the past few days. you should check into it.
ReplyDeletelove you
/tom
Hola Sarita, I'm loving your blog and will be checking it often. Can't believe it has been 13 years (yikes!) since I was in your shoes! I was able to take SCHS students to Spain (including Granada) in August '08 and they loved the country and culture. It was great to get back. Keep writing so candidly, take those naps, and know that soon your brain will adjust to the "Spanish overload" without your even realizing it. The words will just start flowing! By the way, how is your "athento andaluth" coming? I wish you all the best. Take care and God bless! -Tu maestra de espanol de SCHS, Sra. Hatting
ReplyDelete