One more week in Granada. Time has whipped by so fast it all seems like a blur. Over the past months, I have been to four different communities in Spain (Galicia, Cataluña, Com. Madrid, and of course Andalusia), twelve Spanish cities, and I am glad to have made my home base in Granada. I will definitely miss seeing the Alhambra every day, walking past countless street guitarists in the Albaicín, hiking up to our favorite sunset spot, and eating some ice cream from Los Italianos while sitting on a bench in the Triunfo Gardens. I feel like I have taken advantage of the city, and I especially feel that I have made it my home. It will be hard to have to leave it.
Although I am not excited for this week to pass, I have found that Granada, being my first time living away from home (and a city) for an extended period of time, has been the perfect mentor for instilling a newfound independence and self awareness in me. It is the perfect size to transition from living in a small town to living in a city. There are parts that make it feel quite intimate and I found myself knowing my way around more than I thought. This "fun size" city made it easy to become independent, yet still feel a sense of community and a sense of home that a bigger city might not offer.
Being here my Spanish has also improved a great level. More so on the side of my confidence of speaking, I am better able to express my thoughts and ideas to my host family, my professors, and my Spanish friends. I am still a ways away from becoming "fluent," but am definitely closer and feel comfortable with my Spanish level.
I am more than glad that I was able to come and study here and experience Spain, and I recognize the privilege and opportunity that I have to be able to travel and realize my dream of experiencing the world.
I will still be keeping up with my blog when I can to finish out my travels with my family for the next couple weeks, but here are some pictures from this week... and of course, more to come!
 |
| Looking over new horizons to come. |
 |
| Jack, Wyatt, and Riley's new album cover |
 |
| Some ISA friends |
 |
| Bumped into an old friend from Camp Pemi Nick Davini! |
|
|
|
 |
| Pablo's kitten Lolita...she is fierce... |
 |
| Pablo and Riley hanging at Pablo's house for a barbecue! |
 |
| Pablo, Pedro, and I posing up at El Mirador de San Cristobal |
 |
| I was also lucky enough to win third prize for the CLM photo contest! Thanks to all who showed their support! |
|
More to come soon!!
