The First Week's Over

One week down, many more to go. This first week in Granada has been an amazing experience. Getting adjusted to the slow, south of Spain lifestyle has been difficult. Even compared to a summer in San Diego spent doing little more than surfing and chilling on the beach, the speed of life here in Granada is, leisurely. The end of the week saw classes begin at the CLM. The class size is small and the teachers are amazingly friendly. I'm really hoping that by the end of September I will be able to take all my classes for the quarter in Spanish. If that is possible, I think my grasp of the spanish language will increase by leaps and bounds over taking my classes in English. That being said, should my spanish not improve enough, it is reassuring to know I have the option to still take them in English.
Enough with the academia and on to the other reason I came out here to Granada. To experience all facets of a foreign culture, especially to interact with the local population (Granadinos) in their favorite locations, the many tapas bars and clubs that line the cobblestone streets. Every night from Monday to Saturday included at least one tapas bars and I think only once did I return home before 2AM. I have met so many people over the last week and they have all reaffirmed my love for travel. Many of the aquaintances I have made are foreign students as well because the main Spanish contingent does not show up until classes start in October. No matter where I go there have been friendly people all around. Perhaps it is the fact that they are all basically alone in a foreign country but I prefer to think that it is mostly that we are all connected by a desire to travel and experience the culture around us, and this alone, makes us all amicable with one another.
On Saturday, Benedict and I hiked up into the Sacromonte district. According to our guide books this area of town would offer us four things 1) Fantastic views of the Alhambra from above 2) A look at some of the most interesting and old neighborhoods in Granada (these are the types of houses you think about when you think about old spain; bright white buildings and tiny, narrow, winding streets streched upon a hillside) 3) our first look at the Sacromonte caves that people still inhabit as well as one of the best clubs in Granada 4) an amazing Church and museum at the top. After hiking for an hour we reached the summit and were granted the fantastic views of the Alhambra and parts of downtown, the amazingly old and beautiful Sacromonte neighborhoods and a view of the caves on the mountainside, but damn me if we weren't an hour too late to tour the Church, very very frustrating considering we decided to skip the bus in favor of walking up the hill. Anyway, after taking copious pictures and enjoying the first cool breeze we'd felt in ages we headed back down, grabbed some dinner, had a beer and forgot about the disappointment with the museum.
Other than these stories, most of my time has been spent sleeping, eating Elba's wonderful Spanish food or out in the bars hanging out with the copious friends that I have been lucky enough to make over the last few days. Its a tough life but someone's gotta do it.
Pics coming soon...