it is sunday at 7:30pm and like a true Spaniard, i have spent this day of rest doing exactly as it was intended--resting, eating, and enjoying good company. even if i had been inspired to go the grocery store, shop for a present, or socialize in a tapas restaurant, my desires would be met with closed doors and an almost ghost-town feeling throughout the cobblestone streets. as i've mentioned before, resting and spending time with those you love is taken seriously here. i'm digging the priorities :)
news from this week: spinning class continues to be one of the most hilarious and butt-kicking part of each day. last class we spun to a grease mash up. classic. part of the california group went on a tour of the cathedral from an art history professor at the university. the history simply blows my mind--the arab/Muslim, jewish, and christian fusion is everywhere. for 800 years the muslim community controlled granada! it is hard for me to even conceptualize the changes this land has seen.
inside the cathedral: Isabel la Catolica (queen of Spain in the 15th cent) as she was called, decided to tear down the ancient muslim mosque and build her massive cathedral here. i couldn't help but feel unsettled walking through the cathedral with the several "in your face" images directed towards the previous religious stronghold.
most notably, this week it has finally started to sink in--I AM IN SPAIN. yes, many times i need to be reminded of this obvious, simple fact. it has become a running joke between some of my friends, "hey, guess what? we're in spain." despite the silliness of this statement, each time it is uttered, i stop and think and it all kind of rushes over me. i am walking on cobblestones worn smooth from hundreds of years of humanity, sitting in a plazas while eating delicious tapas at 11:00pm, speaking spanish to my future flat-mate, and living in a history museum...what?! goodness, i wish i could articulate this feeling better...i will do a take two next blog.
a little bit of granada's street music charm. i can't help but love the accordion.
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