I ended my last entry saying I was getting ready to go on
another hike, and believe it or not this hike was even harder and the views
were even more amazing than my last one! We walked along the river in Granada
until we found a path we wanted to explore, and a couple of hours later we were
at the top! And what better to do at the top of a mountain is a headstand?
Sonja and Becca have been doing headstands all over Spain which I think is such
an awesome thing. They have pictures of them everywhere. So with some more
practice I’ll be able to do it without Sonja’s help and then I can join the
bandwagon.
On Wednesday Curra brought me and another student who is
interested in working with children to Colegio Caja Granada which is a primary
school here in Granada. Once classes begin at the university I’m going to
volunteer and be a teacher’s assistant in a classroom here. I cannot wait! I
hope that I will be able to visit several days a week but even if it is just a
couple of hours a week I will be happy!
Later that afternoon we meet up with other API students from
the early start program for a tour of the Alhambra. Although I toured the
Alhambra when I visited Granada in high school, it was still incredible. The
Ahlambra was a huge Muslim palace until it was overtaken by Christians in 1492.
As you can tell from the pictures the architecture and gardens are absolutely
beautiful. La Alhambra is the landmark of Granada.
Thursday Sabrina and I told Antonio, the cook of our
residencia, that we would not be home for lunch so he packed us each a bocadillo
and a manzana. We met our friends at the bus stop and took a 15 minute bus ride
to Monachil. There we began hiking, in search for a waterfall which we saw
online. Almost everyone in our program came. I love that we all get along and
enjoy each other’s company. We found the waterfall while crossing a very scary
bridge (only 3 people were allowed to cross at a time), but we were determined
to find a way to get to the bottom of the waterfall. Eventually half the group
headed back because they were either tired or had plans later. I am forever grateful
that I stayed because we eventually made our way to the base of the waterfall!
Before this trip my greatest life experience was hiking up the Masaya volcano
in Nicaragua, but swimming in the Monachil waterfall has won the spot for
number one experience. It was amazing. The water was freezing cold because it
is melted snow from the Sierra Nevada mountains. It was literally the coldest
water I have ever been in but I did not let that prevent me from going under.
The water was so clear and fresh that it was even safe for us to drink and we
all filled up our water bottles—the most delicious and refreshing water I have
ever had.
Friday morning Carmen took us on a tour of the Albaicin and
Sacromonte neighborhoods. These are gypsy neighborhoods that are all white. We
explored this area a little during our first hike but it was nice to go with
someone who knew where they were going. These neighborhoods are like a maze and
its very easy to get lost in. Anytime I go somewhere new or eat somewhere new I
write it down so that I can bring Mom and Daniel when they come to visit. I
want them to be in awe when they come like I am now! That night I also booked a
trip to Portugal in October and planned a trip to Morocco in November. There
are so many places I want to go but not enough time!
Saturday morning we left to go to Cabo de Gata in San José
for the weekend. When we got there we hiked to the beach which was beautiful.
The Atlantic Ocean is nothing compared to the Mediterranean. The water was so
warm and nice—I loved it! Plus Stephani had an underwater camera which was so
much fun. Unfortunately it was extremely windy to a point where we decided to
leave the beach and head back into town because we kept getting absolutely
covered in sand. It’s the end of the beach season so the town was kind of dead
but we still had a blast. After dinner we bought some wine and drank it on the
beach. That night has been my favorite night so far. None of us could believe
that we were hanging out on a Mediterranean beach in Spain with such great
friends.
Before leaving San José on Sunday we visited a
lighthouse. The drive there was scary and I kept imagining our huge bus rolling
off the tiny road and down the steep cliff into the water. At one point we had
to get out and walk because the road was too narrow for the bus, but the view
was worth it. Then we passed by a marsh which had flamingos! I thought it was
so cool. I’ve only seen flamingos in a zoo so we had to stop to take pictures. After,
we headed back to Granada. Me and Sabrina are planning to go to the beach again
this weekend to make up for the poor beach weather we had in San José.
Today however is my lazy day since classes start tomorrow. I
think this is the first day I’ve slept in since being here! I’m loving it in
Spain so much! I’m curious to see how everything will change once school starts
tomorrow. Hopefully I still feel the same. I also hope that I will still be just
as busy. I love everyone in my program and how willing everyone is to try
anything new. I’ve done so much hiking here and I absolutely love it! Each hike
is even better than the one before and the sights even more breathtaking. So
hopefully I continue doing things like that. All my classes are in the
morning/early afternoon so I have all afternoon and night to go on adventures.
The best part is no classes on Friday!!! I placed well on my exam…high enough
that I can take all of my classes in Spanish. If I placed higher I would be
required to take them all in Spanish but with my score I get to chose. I
decided to take 3 of my 4 classes in Spanish and 1 in English. I’m pretty sure
everyone else I know who placed in the same level as me chose to take all Spanish
classes so that they will be completely emerged. I was scared that I would become too
overwhelmed so I hope that I don’t regret taking a class in English.
Tonight we are meeting up with the students from the early start
program again for a surprise event put on by API. Carmen and Curra won’t tell
us what it is but that we will be required to take off our shoes? So I don’t
really know what to expect. Until next time…hasta luego!
Abrazos y besos,
Kylie
So amazing!! :)
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