A Full Week in Spain

Wow! How time flies! I can't believe I've already been here for a week! It's amazing.

(overlooking Granada)

(church near our school)

(Fountain in Plaza Nueva)

(Street near Plaza Nueva)

(Annie and I at the Plaza closest to our house)

I've been getting a better hang of this whole "Spanish Thing." There are less awkward silences at meal times, and somewhat fewer confused stares. The food here is delicious.. that is the food that our host mom makes us. We have yet to go out to any restaurants, yah I know.. sad! But we will! Very soon hopefully.

Last saturday we took a trip with our class to Ronda, a city about 3 hours west of Granada. It was beautiful! We got to go into La Plaza del Toros where they hold bullfights. Incredible!

(En La Plaza del Toros)

We also were given a small tour around the city.  During our free time, a group of newly-made friends and I decided to go to La Casa del rey moro (house of a moorish king).  The gardens and fountains were so very beautiful. We walked down in a mine.. which led to a quiet water source. There were many many stairs and it was almost 100 degrees out.. but vale la pena.... worth the pain.

(View of old buildings in Ronda)

(Culture in Ronda)

Two nights ago, Annie and I went out at 11:30pm (the night was just getting started for many) and walked to the plaza near our house- there was live music and dancing! Sadly it only lasted about 15 minutes after we got there, but we enjoyed it while we could! Then, we got ice cream! Yesterday morning we woke up and had the idea to read out on our balcony and do the homework that was due today.. it seemed like a crazy idea to our host mom (studying outside, because it would get hot).. But she sweetly set up a place for us to sit and for about 3 hours we just relaxed, read, listened to the street below us, and to the music coming from various houses. Not a wild adventure, I know, but very enjoyable all the same.
School is good so far. We don't start real classes until October. But tomorrow we take a test that will decide which "intensivo" class will best suit us.  Intensivo will consist of 4 hours each day of grammar mostly, I believe. Which, I know sounds boring, but it will be so helpful! Also, for this next month we are taking a culture class from the husband and wife who coordinate this program. They are precious people.
I should probably go, Annie and I are going to head home. It's almost time to have "almuerzo" (lunch) with our host Momma!
More to come...