Updates:

This weekend was just wonderful. Everyone kept telling me “Oh Granada is beautiful…blah blah.” I somewhat didn’t believe them! Can a place really be THAT pretty. But oh my word IT WAS! It was gorgeous and I mean gorgeous. The pictures don’t even begin to do it justice.

Our group of 11 left early early Saturday morning for an overnight trip to Granada. I woke up at 5:15 that morning! There was tons of naps on the bus  We arrived in Granada and received a tour of the Catedral. Yes, it was pretty but this was about the third or fourth Cathedral we have seen…and after awhile they all start to look alike. We had lunch at a buffet restaurant and in my opinion we payed way to much for food that wasn’t even that great. After we went to La Alombra. This is where I fell in love with the city! Oh my it was just wonderful. The scenery/view (Dad you would have loved it) was sooooo pretty. With the mountains and the all the flowers and the water it was almost just right out of a movie. At one point it started raining and I seriously felt what a perfect thing to happen because it “fit” the picture. We stayed there for several hours exploring and walking around. I am telling you it is nothing like you have ever seen before!

Saturday Night: we were able to go see a Flamenco dance. It was a little different than we were all expecting but it was still awesome to see. I was happy to have seen it because I know that Flamenco dancing is a huge part of the Spain culture.

Sunday: We had continental breakfast  and then several of us walked around town and shopped. We found this one strip of stores where we were buying things left and right. The sales were wonderful. Around 3 we headed home. I was so exhausted that night it was crazy. I don’t think I have had a better nights sleep in a very long time.
And that was Granada! I beautiful place it was and I would love to go back sometime.

This week is going to be slightly busy for us. We have something going on every day but today and Sunday. Thursday I believe is a Holiday for the Spaniards called Corpus Christi. I am not exactly sure what that is but I do no that we get the day off from classes. Whoooo hooO!!! One of the directors here is letting us go to her brother in laws house and watching the parade from his balcony. It is supposed to be pretty cool (at least that’s what they tell us). Friday we are going to a park. I am super excited about it. Here is the information I found on it:

The park, which has a biodiversity that is unique in Europe, contains a great variety of ecosystems and shelters wildlife including thousands of European and African migratory birds, fallow deer, Spanish red deer, wild boar, European badger, Egyptian mongoose, and endangered species such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle and Iberian Lynx.

Saturday: we are going to Italica (A small city near Seville). It is going to be a guided tour with the program we are here with. It shouldn’t be anything exciting but something to do I suppose. On Sunday, I am going to lie out in the sun!!! It has been crummy weather her this past week. Lots of clouds and drizzles here and there. Today was the first day that we have seen the sun in over a week. By the end of the week it is supposed to be about 120 degrees. Yikes. I am going to enjoy my one day of leisure and soak up some sun.

Classes continue to go well. I don’t feel like I am learning a whole lot but I feel I definitely have made some improvement. Every day is a new adventure for all of us in class. Except for about four of us the majority of us are on the same level as far as speaking/comprehending goes. This is really encouraging because than you don’t feel like the only one. You never know when you are going to get called on so we ALL make sure we pay attention. But, as the more time goes by the more I feel comfortable talking in class and don’t feel like an idiot when I don’t know the answer or am having trouble thinking of the answer in Spanish. I guess that’s a good thing? The other day I even had to stand in front of the class and they critiqued everything I was wearing. Haha We only have classes 4 days a week and like I said before I only have 3 days of classes this week. Tomorrow is the last day of classes and then only eight more days left of classes 

I feel this is a very random email, I apologize for jumping all over the place.
Yesterday, my friend Sarah and I went into town and walked around for a bit. She was looking for a particular store but it ended up being closed. She suggested that we go get a coke and some chips and just sit and talk. So we did and sat by the river for a couple hours just talking and watching the people walk by. It was wonderful. Sometimes I think that a relaxation every now and then is all I need. I love being busy but I can only take it for about two or three days and then I need some down time. Amidst a busy week that is just what I needed.

Lets see…what else?

~Our classroom doesn’t have air-conditioning and gets very hot.
~The temperatures here are all in Celsius. For several days it was over 100 degrees.
~I got my first A on my Spanish Composition paragraph
~I have 4 euros left on my phone. Can I make it for the next 3 weeks? I think yes…
~I have wanted a coke every single day since I have been here. Mom, drink it for me 
~There are tons of newborn babies here. Yes, I would notice that.
~I had Mashed potatoes today for lunch. Yum 
~We ride the bus so often the bus drivers are starting to recognize us.
~My senora got in a fight with her boyfriend today. Very interesting
~My professor sent my paragraphs to the whole class one time. Embarrassing.
~People here are very affectionate. Couples are everywhere and all over eachother
~There is a specific path for those who are riding on bikes. If a pedestrian walks on it they could get fined.
~The stores here close from 2-6 for Siesta. I take advantage of them every day.
~I got to blow dry my hair this weekend in Granada. Such a simple thing but it felt great.
~I was day dreaming in class today about a Friendly’s cheeseburger with lots of honey mustard sauce.
~I had to buy a bus pass and it never works. I have to personally show it to the bus driver every day instead of using the machine. Slightly annoying.

Alright, I can’t think of anything else right now. I hope this gave a little tid bit of my life this past week. Sorry it has taken me so long to write on the blog.
Miss you ALL and Love you as well. Can’t wait to tell you more about my trip when I am home in THREE WEEKS!!

Much Love,
~Linnea