Día Uno

I woke up this morning to toast, pinapple juice, and tea for breakfast before my host mom walked me to my university. She took a confusing route (confusing only to me) and stopped every change of street to re-explain all the turns we had taken on the previous streets, I knew I was done for after the 4^th new street. The callitas (little streets) were lined with apartment buildings of different colors, each one with its own balcony. Many of the terraces also had plants and vines hanging over the edge, it was beautiful. “Graffiti” is also very common in Granada, though it is very different from los estados. The graffiti here is beautiful art, it belongs in a museum but instead it is free for everyone to enjoy and take in on their paths. One of the most famous street artists is El Niño, his art is easy to identify because cogs (gear wheels) are present in every picture as his signature. Granada is also very paradoxical in the way that the old is mixed with the new, across the street from a decaying foreclosed restraint is a modern and luxurious new one.  

We finally arrived at the school and I said goodbye to Elba (my host mom).

To figure out our language level we took a series of tests. The first was 45 minutes of writing, followed by 60 minutes of grammar, and then about a 8 minute oral interview. I thought I did well on the writing and interview, but I really struggled with the grammar.  I was placed in level 4 which is Intermediate, but I was hoping to place into level 5 which is high intermediate. Its difficult to have jet lag, and take a 2 hour test in a language that is not your own, so I’m hoping they’ll have mercy and move me into level 5. If not, I know I will be content and learn a lot in level 4.

I’ll finish writing this entry tomorrow during my siesta- Hasta Luego

by el Niño

by el niño

my university ID!

Edit:

After a lunch (some type of DELICIOUS pasta) I returned to the school and went on a tour with our Study Abroad group. It was nice to see so much of the city.

After the tour I returned home for dinner, I still can’t imagine eating all of this amazing food every day!! For dinner we had chicken breasts, spiced tomatoes, and curry potatoes with fruit.

I didn’t go out at night because jet lag has been hitting me hard, hopefully tomorrow (Friday) will be better!