Tacos Anyone?

Overall, this week has been pretty darn good. It started off on Monday with a trip to the Alhambra, an ancient palace/military stronghold that dates back to the 11^th century. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t catch all the information about the structure because I was so absorbed in the beauty of the structure, and the tour was being given in Spanish. Nevertheless, it was an amazing, and I can’t wait to have some free time so that I can do some research about this beautiful construction that is steeped in so much history. (I promise that when I learn more about it, I’ll post pictures and information so that I can share it with all of you.)

I also increased my Spanish vocabulary this week; at meals my host mother quizzes my roommate and me about simple kitchen items, and at school I had a class all about tacos. Not the delicious food tacos, but rather Spanish swear word tacos. I now have a full notebook page full of obscenities! I don’t think I’ll have much use for these new words, but it is interesting how often I hear them on the street now that I’m aware of their existence.

Well, I better wrap this post up. I’m heading to Dublin, Ireland later today to spend some time with my friends Taylor and Hillary. Hopefully next week I’ll have some great stories and photos to post from my trip!

Key Please?

Well, I am still in Spain, and it looks like things are going to work out. While I still have moments of homesickness, and sometimes I wonder what the heck I’m doing here, I know that this is where I need to be.

The past week has been fairly interesting; I’ve meet some great new people, been able to explore Granada, visited the Alhambra, and been kicked out of my host families house. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, let me explain.

The first house that I was placed in was located in a monastery. Yes, a monastery. Well, said monastery was surrounded by a nice park and a great big wall with an ancient gate. The gate required an enormous ancient key to be opened, therefore it was impossible for me to carry the key with me so that I could come and go as I pleased. My host family assured me that it was no problem for me to ring the bell every time I wanted to come in, even if it was 4:00 in the morning. While it may have not been a problem for them, it was more then a little awkward for me to have to rely on them whenever I needed to come and go. I especially didn’t like the situation after I was locked out and couldn’t get anyone to answer to the bell. Anyway, it was decided that I needed to move, and it so happened that there was another room available where my new friend Emily (she is in the middle of the photo) lives. Veronica, the leader of my program here, called my host family to let them know I would be moving out the next day. However, when I arrived at the house that night, I was informed that sooner would be better then later to leave, and that I needed to pack my bags and leave right then. At 11:00 PM last Friday night I was standing with all my possessions outside a bar in Granada, Spain. Needless to say I was a little upset. Nevertheless, things worked out once again, and my new host mother gave me permission to move in that night. Emily and I caught a taxi across town, moved all my things in, and went and had a well deserved glass of wine.

Now that I am in my new home (with a set of keys), and living with a new friend, I know that things are going to be alright. I’m enjoying the sights and the people, and doing my best to just soak up as much as I can.

Please keep me in your prayers; you, my friends, are always in mine.

Is this Normal?

Alright everyone, I am going to be very honest, this hasn’t been an easy trip so far. For starters, I caught a nasty cough on the trip over that I still haven’t kicked. Secondly, I made the mistake of having a long layover in Atlanta, a side trip to Germany, and an overnight stay in Stansted Airport in London, all before making it to Granada, Spain. While I have wonderful memories from Germany, the trip did mess with my emotions and physical wellbeing. And mostly, I have been battling a nasty case of homesickness; I have spent the last two days plotting ways to get home. When I called my parents, and they told me that I had to stay for at least two weeks, I really started to fall apart. It got so bad that I even developed a plan that involved me packing up and flying home without my parents’ knowledge, and having my cousin Ruth pick me up in Omaha and dropping me off on my parents’ doorstep. I even decided that if my parents didn’t want me home, I could go sleep on my dear friend Kate’s couch. (Un)Fortunately, Ruth and her husband John love me like my parents do, and wouldn’t help me execute my plan. I know that I will thank them in the end.

So, with my hopes of going home squashed like a bug, I took up an invitation to go to a bar for a glass of wine and some topas (appetizers). After having a nice discussion with my new friend Sean, and a very nice glass of wine, I actually felt like I might be able to do this. I know that I will still get homesick, (maybe if I didn’t have such AMAZING parents this wouldn’t be so bad) and that I will struggle with the language, but I think I am going to be able to do this.

I am asking everyone who reads this to please say a prayer for me, and to send positive thoughts my way. With the help of God, my family, and my friends, I am going to do my best to continue on and reach my goal of learning to speak Spanish.

Sprichst du Deutsches?

Well, I made it across the Atlantic without any problems-YAY!

I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany for four whirlwind days of sightseeing and hanging out with my dear friend Rachelle. (she is an airman in the US Air Force) Thankfully Rachelle was alright with taking things pretty easy while I visited, nevertheless, there was still a lot to take in. Jet lag, homesickness, and culture shock, all took there toll on my emotions and physical wellbeing, but I was still able to enjoy the beauty around me.

Heidelberg was my favorite place in Germany; walking through the ancient castle, eating at a bakery downtown, admiring the architecture, and soaking up the information filling the city was amazing. However, Trier with its magnificent cathedral and the Porta Negra wasn't bad either. Unfortunately, I never did get any sauerkraut.

ready to go?

Well, I am 12 hours away from departure. I’ve packed, and repacked, and repacked again. I fell fairly confident about what I’ve decided to take with me on my journey across the pond, nevertheless, I’m sure I still have too much. I’d rather be safe then sorry.

The first stop on my journey is Frankfurt, Germany where I will meet up with my wonderful friend Rachelle; the plan is to have a splendid week visiting the local sights. I’m looking forward to eating some real sauerkraut!

Come Friday night, I’ll once again be traversing airports—first Hahn in Frankfurt, followed by Stansted in London, and finally I’ll arrive at my ultimate destination, Granada, Spain.

Hopefully some exciting adventure stories will follow…