El dia sagrado

My first week in Spain is officially complete. I awoke this morning to the sound of birds chirping outside my window and the pitter patter of passerbys running trying to make it to mass on time. The bell tolls in the tower calling all to prayer, a sense of calmness blankets the entire village as the sun shines brightly in the sky and creeps through my window. My room is dark, the large wooden shutters shut out the day and it is easy to see how the other residents in the program can sleep until the late afternoon. The monastery itself has a certain feeling as you walk along barefoot on the cold stone floors to the kitchen to get some liquid addiction and rub the tire from our eyes. The sun shines in the sky today as people below scatter about in their sunday best. I decided today that given my upbringing it is only appropriate to have a nice large family meal as a house or a group. If there is anything i have learned from the wonderful people in my family it is how to cook and also the simplicity of togetherness.
Living in Europe again reminds of how much i missed this place. The simplicity and appreciation of life is something i feel gets lost under the large pressure of industrialization, success, and status in the USA. Here in Europe people have a general love and appreciation for life, family, and their happiness. It is easy to become infatuated with such a lifestyle to become drunk off of it to which my head is now spinning. I can't help but feel the happiest i have been in a while only after a week here. I do not have a worry in my mind as i listen to spanish guitar and my feet dangle from the balcony, the sun kisses my face gently and i smile. The harmonious strings of the song Salento fill my ears as a light breeze blows the aroma of my strong coffee inviting me to take a sip. Peace at last, it has never felt so good.




Song: Salento
Artist: Rene Aubdry

Move like this

Its always difficult to live, let alone study in a city with such a rich culture, food, and people. It makes for those of us trying to get some form of education here either extremley difficult or nearly impossible. For the 12 other people that i live with, its clearly a combination of the two. To wake up every morning to see the sierra nevada in the distance and to the listen to the town come alive with street windows filled with discount sales, and the sweet smells of suizas de chocolate in the air, it is a difficult task. Needless to say work needs to get done, and despite my late evening and celebrations for my birthday i am awake at 9 am rip roaring and ready to go. I'll get my work done this morning on the terrace and drink my coffee, write my papers, bask in the southern spain sun and then reward myself with a little exploring.
I can't say that my other roomates have the same plan as i can clearly see one of them past out drunk on the couch in the monastery with spanish cheese puffs on his face. Ah yes a perfect example of a low tolerance.
I'm looking forward to take some time to myself to be able to go to the local music shop this afternoon and get some new music and some language books. Additionally due to the fact that January is the huge sale month in Spain and dresses and jeans are 9 euor everywhere, a trip down the shopping district might be on the list. Though the Spanish have been proven to be fairly hospitable, they are the messiest people when it comes to department stores. The department stores are an absolute MESS! In spain you dont put clothes back on the hanger after you wear them, instead you throw them at these sad sad souls that are paid to put clothes back on the hanger and fold them behind long tables... ALL DAY. If you have ever left your dog in the car and seen the look on its face... BINGO thats EXACTLY what they look like.
Tonight we will go to a flamenco club to learn some Spanish dance and see if we can move as well as they do. ( This ought to be interesting!)

Tomorrow i plan to go to the local market to get some fresh fruits and vegetables to have a nice family dinner as i promised a few individuals, who can neither boil water or cook pasta, to teach them to cook some simple staple dishes. Knowledge is power after all, i mean thats the reason we are all here on the course correct. Well maybe everyone except for cheese puff boy.

Besos y amor.
Wordly Woman

Song: Lo que me gusta a mi
Artist: Juanes

Cobblestones and cat calls

The air was frigid this morning and the cobblestone streets were deserted. Despite the hour, the darkness still covered our mountain region which produced little life when i went for my run at 730 am. My feet hit the pavement in a steady pace carefully on the streets. The cobble stones here do not resemble those of Rome or even Florence but rather resemble something like pebbles in a variety of shapes and sizes. The brisk air felt amazing and the peace and quiet was welcoming after a late evening on the terrace with wine, friends, and spanish guitar. The city itself continues to amaze me as i run through the streets making my way down to Plaza Nueva and Via del Colon which is the city atmosphere and resembles a granite version of New York. Despite the darkness many people are scattering to and fro trying to make their connectors. All i can hear is the sound of Juanes and Glen Hansard as i dodge between the poles and the stares of individuals. Women in this country do NOT work out and to see a blonde in Ithaca Spandex tights, running nimbly shocks the men as the woman smile as if to encourage you further. Supression for females had plagued this region for years and you can still see its effects everywhere. The men however do not mock or cat call if anything they smile and say Buenos dias senora, aside from the one that commented on my backside as i ran back to the monastery.
Today we have classes scattered and have the morning to explore the city as all the women in the house search for hairdyers, we have been looking pretty rough the past few days due to electricity issues. Additionally this evening we have decided to go to a Tapa bar and then out dancing to celebrate the end of our first week and in anticipation for the portfolio work we will all be doing this weekend. I will take pictures today as i walk about the town and post them soon, so that you too may also see a slice of paradise.

xoxo

S
Song: Me gustas tu
Artist: Manu Chao

Dia 4

Hola a todos y buenos dias, gracias a dios hoy esta jueves porque podemos dormir a 12! Today we have the morning off and are able to sleep in and finally catch up on our jet lag, brain malfunctions and for some of us that have a sheer love for whiskey and sing arctic monkeys at 3 am on the balcony.. their hangovers. It is a chilly day here in Granada as i watch motorists ride buy with face masks, gloves, and stylish snowmobiling jackets. One might think that from the works of Don Quijote and infamous pictures that Granada would produce weather like conditions in the south of spain during January. That is incorrect, due to its location nestled between the beach and the Sierra Nevada the atmosphere here resembles that of New England although we are not buried in snow. In addition the stone structure of the Monastery walls and cool stone floors keep this place pretty chilly as we all have resorted to sleeping in layers, buyinghot water bottles, or venturing out in search of more blankets. I'm just happy nobody has resorted to body heat as these walls may be made of stone but are indeed paper thin, as in i can hear my fellow monk next door in the bathroom ( usually at 2:34, 7:00, and 10:00 p.m.) The kid drinks alot of water.
I am happy to report that as of now the battle with the bugs has produced a white flag on the side of the pesky creatures as the insecticida contra las hormigas and excessive scrubbing has warned them off. I can not say the same for the other residents who dealt with them inw hat seems to be a reinactment of the mexican jumping bean dance. Im just glad they wear shoes. Some students begin their teaching today as we are getting adjusted to the numerous assignments including: portfolio, job workshops, resume workshops, individual student projects, learning hungarian ( like i need another language), observations, night time practicals, and of course student teaching. This morning i will take the opportunity to venture to a few places a friend of mine had suggested and perhaps the morrocan market before returning to class prompty at 12 until 10 pm.
Until tomorrow, enjoy the video with a view from my terrace, it is where i shall go now to drink my coffee.

Buen dia a todos.

Worldy Woman

Song: Me fui
Artisit: Bebe

Day 3

A chill is in the air as i roll out of the bed this morning. I am greeted pleasantly with views from the Alahambra as the cold creeps in through the monastery walls. All is silent and still as trainees begin to rub the sleep from their eyes in search of a liquid energy. The course thus far has been an eye opener for most and forced half of our group to make acquaintances at the local pub whihc in three days they are well known. Between the classes and observations that are required for such a course i find i thard to ventur eou tinto the city. The course itself is very strict with respects to dreess, projects, and teaching plansd but nevertheless willprovide me with great opportunities in return for dedication- Last night i found it easy to sleep as alocal woman advised me some relaxing herbs to seep in water. I drank it without a problem and finally awoke thismorning feeling refreshed and energized.
Today in our course we have a series of classes, observations, in addition to Hungarian lesson classes. They use theis technique to enforce and resinstitute how our students will feel learning a language. I think i might have room in my head for a 5th language, i guess time will tell. In addition to the classes today we will make a trip to the local market to find new supplies for our house as we all cook our own meals, do regular chores, clean the house ansd are responsible for its maintenance. It is like being on an episode of the real world, but in spain and with people over the age of 50.
The bell tolls and calls me back to class, a nice reminder that my day has only begun. I wonder what other treasures await me, as long as its not ants, a surprise test, or a pinching Spanish man, i think i can manage just fine.

Worldly woman

Artist: avett borthers
Song: The beach

Day 2

After two days without any form of internet whatsoever i am finally back and running! I am hapy to report that i survived my first two day of classes.  The ocurse itself in addition to the program is pretty intense and will be very time consuming needless to say my entire house decided that we will celebrate my 23rd birthday on Friday. The other trainees are reallynice and sweet and tried to celebrate my birthday and posted cards all over my door in addition to a delicious piece of cake. Today we had aother session and it is very time consuming as we had classes this evening until about 9 p.m. I hope that this weekend i will be able to see the city and enjoy all that Granada has to offer and find my own private meat person, bread man, and of course wine store. Im looking forward to having a nice morning and being able to stop and smell the coffee and drink some nice cafe on the terrace in the sun.
 In our program w ehave people from all over the world and it gives the course a nice variety. W ehave people from both the east coast and the west coast from the USA in addition to peole from Scotland and the UK. We all have so many different personalities which is nice and keeps the group interesting in addition to our wide range of ages. We all bring alot to thetable and will be bale to share alot with eachother.
Sorry to be short but im utterly exhausted and wil go into detail later now that we don thave to go to sketchy neighborhoods to find some WIFI.

Hugs and Kisses
Worldy Woman

Router DOWN!

Hi all, just a quick message as i am typing to you all from a very small house with limited internet connection in the south of Spain. There is no internet in my house let alone within a 5 mile radius. I hope that we can communicate soon and catch you up on all of my details! So much to tell since the course has started. Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes, ill read them soon.

Sincerely,
Stefania the bug killing christian.

Song: La tortura
Artist¨: Alejandro Sanz