each morning i open my sleepy eyes to this one of a kind purple man hanging directly in front of my mini-twin sized bed. now, at first i thought about creatively draping a moroccan tapestry over his colorful presence or removing him in the dead of night and strategically placing him on the balcony across the way with yippy dog, but now, a certain sort of fondness has grown between "Larry" and i. even if it was the fact that my landlord's wife is the artist of pensive "Larry" (therefore, making it a little dicey for his removal), i've grown accustomed to my roomie. i now can't help but give him the classic head nod and mumble a "good morning, larry. don't get too crazy without me today"
here is where my walk begins on Gran Via, the main street slicing down Granada's center. on the left is the cathedral and overhead are the artsy little street lamps that i am strangely in love with.
this walk continues for a little ways, weaving in and out of spanish couples and friends chatting. the spanish don't walk anywhere quickly. while i'm trying to pick up the pace (might as well get some sort of a workout) spaniards casually stroll, never breaking a sweat and never, EVER in a rush.
RIGHT! time to depart from the hustling Gran Via to turn up the street with the yellow mailbox. at this point i'm searching through my mary poppin's bag looking for that postcard that i know is in there somewhere. give the postcard a kiss, and continue walking, chicos, you are about to begin the climb.
here we come to the little pretty square with the arch de triumph, Granada style...also known as the entrance of the Albayzin (the gypsie, arabic section of town) i can't help but consider ditching class and getting lost in a tetería. but, being the good student i am *cough* i continue on :)
walk through the plaza and appreciate the fall colors. they are now fading, but still remind me of the season.
cuidado, now. (careful) cross the roundabout, but beware of crazy spanish drivers who consider crossing pedestrians a mere nuisance and an excuse to honk their horns. the black and white cobblestones are a nice touch, remind me of Lisbon, no?
on the walk up, we pass a little church. from my history class i now know that it was once a mosque due to the cool tower. most churches in granada were once mosques...always makes me think about all that this building has seen.
continue to walk up the leaf littered street. here we pass cafes, tapas bars, and little bakeries, most of which are still closed because it is only 9:45 am. yes, spain is on their own time schedule.
pass by the little fruit and veggie stand.
now cross the street to begin the real climb. that stuff we did was definitely on a hill, but it is nothing like what is coming up. Cartuja, here we come!
yep, the climb has started and the bus about to pass us on the left starts to look appealing. the calves may be burning, but we're getting closer.
more UP! feel the burn!
yep, just when you thought you reached the top, time for a glut work out. at this point, bring it! we are almost there and so close to a pretty view.
here's a look down from the stairs. that soccer field always makes my foot itch to touch a soccer ball. someday, one way or another, i am sneaking on to that field and getting some fútbol time in. i've only seen guys play on the field...guess i need to take it upon myself to bring female kick-buttness to spain. a girl does what she can :)
congrats!! we have reached the top and are rewarded with an epic view of olive groves (spain has olive groves everywhere! i guess they have to supply their incessant need for olive oil somehow. but on college campuses, too? really? whatever. i love it), an old looking building, and the mountains.
like the locals we are, we sneak in the back entrance saving almost 6 minutes in walking time. ya, we know what's up.
we made it to the building and in true adrienne style we are 10 minutes early. i swear i was actually going to be late this time...huh, i guess not. now refuel. the machine on the right may be one of the best inventions ever made. here we have a full coffee machine to fit all your needs. what sounds good? americano? cappuccino? hot chocolate? a shot of espresso? this little magic box has it all.
alrighty, it's 10:00, time to go into the classroom and wait for 10-15 minutes for the professor to come. oh, españa.
*it also must be noted that on the walk you did not see one person with a to-go cup, one person eating on the go, or any college students in their pj's. no. starbucks has no power here...strange, no?
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