Third?! Weekend

My friends and I have decided that this is really only our first “real” weekend, because the the first first weekend, we didn’t know anything about Granada or what we were doing and we were still let-lagged, etc.; last weekend we weren’t even in Granada, we were touring around the rest of Andalucía; therefore this is our First Weekend. Mostly, we use this to rationalize why we have such trouble knowing how to order or where to find open places at various times of evening/night.

Anyway, this weekend (the first of all my 3-day-weekends. that’s right. no class on fridays.) has begun fantastically.

On Thursday night, Hannah, Malachi, and I did a little shopping… It was becoming displeasurable to walk by SO MANY shop windows on the way to and from class every day, wondering what was actually inside the store, so we went to get the girly desire to buy pretty things out of our systems. It was a success :) Next we tried out a brand new café-bar near where I live. It was pretty hip and the owner was super nice, especially considering we didn’t know what to do… I suppose someday we will, or we’ll be Spanish-feeling enough to act like we do.

Yesterday was SO GREAT! I got to sleep in, had a nice lunch with Pepita as always. When we talk, she often begins with, “En tu tierra…” (in your land) and then asks if we have certain things or do certain things. The word choice is just funny to me :)

In the afternoon, I went with Hannah, Malachi, Mara, and Atalie to the Alhambra—

Finally went up there! o.m.g. It was amazing. I knew it would be cool, but my own in-awe reaction surprised me a bit, to tell the truth. The ancient stone fortress and the intricacy of the decoration was delightful; I love old things! And the views…  From one side you could see the entire Alabaicín neighborhood all painted white on the hillside, and beyond that the rest of Granada. From the other side you could see the giant snow-capped mountains that you weren’t sure were real or really as pretty as the pictures. They are really that pretty. Amazing amazing amazing.

—where we sat in the sun very contentedly and then…went to the Matisse exhibit that’s inside! Free art exhibit, great time with new friends, beautiful ancient surroundings…what a lovely afternoon. Definitely worth skipping the siesta for, ha!

Most of us parted ways, but Malachi and I decided to try out a tetería (tea shop). We stopped at a convent where the nuns were praying the rosary in front of a gorgeous altar for a few minutes. :)

Anyway, we chose a tetería (there are a bunch of them on the street we were one), and it was fantastic. The atmosphere was very cozy, the place was tiny and cute, the service was friendly, and the tea was tasty! They brought us each our own individual-size teapot and a cup to pour it in at our leisure. We just sat there drinking tea and conversating for over an hour. So charming.

Last night the five of us went out to a place a granadino had recommended to us. I think we’ll have to try it again sometime when the entire Barcelona rugby team is not there…but it was a ridiculous new experience to be surrounded by tipsy out-of-town rugby players who wanted to practice their English. I taught one of them a couple of idioms, one of my favorite things about languages: “Look it up” (@Dad) and “the next best thing.” :)

Afterward we found another recommended place for churros and chocolate. It was much calmer, and the dessert was delicious!! (and probably horribly unhealthy lol) Anyway, I slept well afterward and have had a relaxing morning so far today.

Weekends. Los fines de semana. ¡Qué bueno!