Un mes en Granada

It's been a month here in Spain! It both feels like we just got here and being in the US also feels like a decent time ago. It's a mix but the time is starting to fly and I cannot wait for the next three months! When you plan to go abroad and say you get to live in this or that country, you really get to become immersed in the culture in more ways than you think of before coming. Some things that stand out to me, especially when I first got here, are how it doesn't look good to walk around outside with wet hair from just taking a shower before walking out the door. Or even walking around while eating food or drinking coffee isn't too common here either. My favorite is how much the dogs here are more dressed up daily than I am any given week. People here go to good lengths to buy the most adorable and stylish outfits for their pups even down to the leashes and bows. There will be times where I can't help but compare the culture here to the U.S. culture because that is what I know. After a month here I am learning to do that less and less. Immersing yourself in another culture without a doubt helps you learn to go with the flow and also keep an open mind.

Since we do not have classes on Fridays (not a bad bonus!) my friends and I took advantage of all the hiking that Granada has around the area and explored some pretty sweet spots. I went on a hike with one of my apartment-mates where we were in a group of people who all for the most part only spoke Spanish. This was great for me because it forced me to practice speaking more and I was able to hold a decent conversation solely in Spanish. With no awkward pauses and being able to understand what the others were saying, I was pretty excited. Its the little things but its true! It made me see the work I have been putting in the past few weeks starting to pay off. It was awesome hike through the hills behind La Alhambra and learn more conversational skills.

On Sunday a group of us went on a day trip the villages of La Alpujarra named Pampaniera, Bubión and Capiliera. The three quaint villages were located about 1 to 2 kilometers apart from each other on the south side of the Sierra Nevada's. We were dropped of at the lower village of Pampaniera and from there hiked through the hills to the other two with views that were crazy. The best way to describe it is think of the mountains of Colorado with the buildings of Greece dropped right in them and that's the best way to describe it. It was a blast having a big group and we took the time to just wander around the area & hike through the different little villages. If you ever make it to this part of Spain it's definitely a day trip I would recommend doing! We sat for lunch and made a whole bunch of new furry friends who knew better than we did how hungry we were for lunch. The towns were Mediterranean style and had different characteristics like farms, buildings that all had nothing short of a beautiful view and even a small chocolate factory that we couldn't pass up. Even hiking I almost lost my camera! I had it on the outside pocket of my backpack but it fell out and thankfully just into a small bush. Allie found it there thank goodness! Allie saved Christmas and my best way of capturing my next three months!

A bluebird day, great views and great friends all made for a great hiking filled weekend!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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3 Cities. 3 Days. 1 Unreal Weekend.

Coming to Europe almost 4 years ago (so scary I am so old!) I visited Barcelona Spain, Provence and Paris France for a 10 day trip. We went with the program ACIS which is a sister program to AIFS, the program I am currently studying abroad with. Because I loved the trip I went on in high school I researched into the AIFS program to Granada which I ultimately chose. I felt before I left that I had made a good decision about what program I chose, and now that I'm here in Spain it only backs up my decision more. The main reason for this is the AIFS program has a lot of added included and optional excursions during the semester for students. I particularly like this because it has been the best opportunity for me to see more of Spain. For a majority of the weekend trips I am currently planning to take they all involve going out of the country to places such as Amsterdam and Portugal. But with the program they take us to so many cities across Spain and now after making travel plans on my own, it is one of my favorite parts of the program.

As I said before so far we went to Madrid, Toledo and London. Not too shabby not too shabby. That was only the beginning. This past weekend we went to three cities in three days. Yup, three cities, three days. It was a whirlwind but so worth it! We started Friday going to Gibraltar Spain which is one of the most unique places I have ever visited. Gibraltar is a territory of the United Kingdom but resides in Spain. Its interesting because a majority of people speak fluent Spanish and English while you pay for your coffee in the local cafe in either euros or pounds. Super interesting but that's not all, they got monkeys! The rock of Gibraltar is famous for is caves and monkey that it holds home to in its nature reserve. It almost didn't feel real because of all that was there that you hear of and it being so different from any part of Spain. An absolutely cool place I would highly recommend checking out!

From there we went to Sevilla which if I didn't study abroad in Granada, I would have absolutely chosen to study abroad in! Sevilla is beautiful from its open streets, Cathedral to the Plaza de Espana. I wish we got to spend more time there but after a lot of walking my friends and I tried to make the most of the time there!

P.S. Fun fact, a part of the Star Wars films (Attack of the Clones) was shot in the Plaza de Espana in Sevilla, so naturally it had to be reenacted when we were there. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, but watching all of the movies growing up with my mom and brother they were super jealous when I told them! I also got to run into a friend from SMC while I was abroad! Mary is studying abroad there and what now is a small world, it was great to see a familiar face!

From Sevilla we did a quick trip to Cordoba which is one of the most sacred spots in Spain. This small town holds a lot of religious importance that can be seen through its Cathedral. When you study abroad in Spain, you see a whole lot of Cathedrals but this one was the most unique that I had seen yet. This is because it had multiple influences of different religions. Even at one point both Christianity and Islam were both practiced within the cathedral. Over time the domination of religion over the town and cathedral changed which has led to its unique architecture and the many influence that created it to be what it is today.

For three days it was unbelievably jam packed but it was more than worth it! It was great the program had it set up for us and we were able to see more of Spain! The upcoming trips include a day trip to Ronda and a long weekend to Morocco in April. Yea, Morocco, We be heading to Africa chicas! It has almost been a month in Granada which is crazy to believe! I want to do as much as I can in the time I have because it is already flying by!

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
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Adjusting and Week Two

Where I have a majority of my classes!

Its been the first few weeks of classes here in Granada and I can't help but fall more and more in love with the city! I already feel more adjusted after just a few weeks here. Also my classes are great! The professors at the university are so nice and they are extremely helpful. I came to Spain having some background in Spanish but still not nearly as much as a lot of people. Because of this I'm taking two Spanish classes and then my other classes (History of Spain, Latin American Civilization and Culture, and Islamic Culture in Spain) in English. Even though a majority of my classes are taught in English, my Spanish professor along with my other professors also have been helping me work on the language and especially terms only native to Granada. Por ejemplo (for example), in Granada there are some differences in the way they pronounce words such as how "muchas gracias" is really "mucha gracia" as a majority of people drop the ending -s. Also the main part I find helpful is learning how to phrase sentences and questions to avoid sounding "textbook" like. I'm constantly asking questions, learning and improving my Spanish and also learning a lot about Spain at the same time.

One of the big take-aways I have had so far is really being independent and living on my own here in Spain. I am settled into my apartment where I live with one person from my program and then two international students. One is from Mexico ,while the other who is from Belgium is coming at the end of the week. Things that I notice mainly are how things that normally in the U.S. we would mostly never to do is just normal here. We have no dryers and dry our clothes near the heater, we walk basically 30 minutes to class everyday, the city shuts down from about 2:30 - 5 as everyone takes time for a "siesta" or nap, we walk 15 minutes to the grocery store and carry our groceries back. Its a very different lifestyle from the U.S. but its one that so far has been adventurous and interesting to live in. Its cool to  compare my lifestyle back home where I walk 2 minutes to class and am able to drive everywhere to that of here, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm able to walk everywhere from my apartment, there is so much to see and so many beautiful spots, we get free apps or "tapas" with every drink we order (they are wicked good!) while we are still close to both the beach and mountains. It is an incredible place and I still can't believe I get to live here for the next few months!

I got to explore the city a bit this weekend going on a few hikes and also getting to check out the different restaurants and tapas bars. Friday I hiked behind the Alhambra, a historical Moorish castle that is the main attraction of Granada. The view we got from hiking around it was unreal! I also got to go to the U.S. hockey game in Granada where we won in overtime during the tournament! It was free to the public too which was a perk!

All the ladies at the US Game!

Later on in the weekend I also got to go hike around the Sacromonte and Albaicin neighborhoods of the city which have a lot of Mediterranean inspiration to them. We got to the top point of the city where it had the best view I have seen so far! On our way back we stopped at this Teteria or Tea room and got some incredible crepes with cheese, tomato and other veggies.

Yeah I live here, crazy right?!

It was great having the whole weekend to explore the city and find some pretty sweet places! For Granada being considered a "small city" in Spain, there is so much to do and see! I hope I can do as much as I can in the course of the next few months! I'm off to Seville, Cordoba and Gibraltar this weekend with my program & ready to keep adding to the adventure! 

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary
Instagram: candicekalil31

La ciudad de Granada

This is the first week in Granada! It's beautiful here! The city has loads of tall buildings with Moorish inspired and beautiful architecture but also with snow capped mountains peaking up beside them. The pictures don't nearly do justice as to how gorgeous the city is. I can't believe I  get to live here for 4 months. Ever study abroad student probably says the same exact thing but believe me its the truth! When we first got here I was a bit intimidated by the language, I knew I was obviously going to a Spanish speaking country but the bar that was set for my program ended up being a lot higher than I thought. After a week I'm already feeling more acclimated and with my classes starting too I can't wait to learn more about the language. I am thankfully in an apartment where I am living a short 10 minute walk to the center of the city and not too far of a walk from campus.

Our apartment is a little ways away from a lot of the home stays people have with the program but its located in a nice area near the main street Calle Gran Via and is close to campus, Universidad de Granada. Upon entering the city this past week, we had different walking tours and trips to get acquainted with the city while getting familiar with the area. I'm for sure not a city person, but Granada is pretty small compared to other cities and is easy to navigate. You can go run a few errands and pass two ancient churches that literally look as though they have popped off a postcard. My Spanish is slowly getting there as I am able to read and understand the language much better than I can speak it. Little things you do not think about such as asking for change or ordering food you have to think about now, its a cultural change but it;s interesting!

A couple of friends and I hiked to a unique spot at the top of the city in the area called Albaicin where the view was literally at the top of the world. The area gave for a unbelievable panoramic view of the city and the mountains. Hands down one of the prettiest sunsets and most breathtaking views I have ever seen! We also got to see the amazing views and take a tour of La Alhambra, a Moorish Castle located in Granada. The history of La Alhambra is that when the Muslims ruled Spain, they built the castle at the top which has the amazing view of the city below and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

This past weekend we were able to travel to two cities in Spain, Toledo and Madrid. Toledo is known for its religious history, beautiful Cathedral and also its swords. A majority of the swords in the world are made here, for example the swords from Lord of the Rings. The view from the lookout point of the city is another spot I cannot even believe I got to see.

Toledo was unreal! We then traveled to Madrid for two days where we toured the Royal Palace and also went on a 3 hour bike tour of the city seeing the parks and different sites. Fun fact, biking in 30 degree weather is no bueno but it certainly made for an adventure. Wandering around Madrid with some friends I was able to see the different Plazas that are staples to Madrid with all the shopping and restaurants. For being such a big city as the capital of Spain, Madrid in no way felt overwhelming and was a great place to visit! To spend a semester there I feel would not be the place for me as I am not a huge city person to begin with, but Granada is a small city and is much more my cup of tea! Lots more trips and pictures to post so I will keep this as updated as I can! (I swear I brought 4 SD cards to take pictures with, it might take me a little to shift through all the pictures!)

We didn't expect Madrid to be equivalent to New England

Facebook: Candice Kalil

Twitter: @CandiceLeeMary

Instagram: candicekalil31