Below are a few photos of the Alhambra and surrounding garden patios that I took on a walk yesterday with my program. I’m sorry there aren’t more, but when 40 Americans invade it gets a bit crowded to get some really good shots.

We walked around the Alhambra a bit before sunset and it was so beautiful- it’s actually a lot closer to the center of the city than I had imagined. The Alhambra just seems like the elusive palace on top of the hill, but it’s really quite close and accessible. You just walk through la calle de los tristes (named the road of the sad/mourners bc of a nearby cemetery), take a right onto this dirt path and walk uphill for about 20 minutes. It’s pretty incredible that in less than an hour you can walk away from the bustle of mopeds and tourists, to such a historic and famous place. the incredible thing about Europe, there is just so much history that it becomes part of the everyday- The Cathedral is practically next to the Corte De Ingles, a really huge department store right in the middle and somehow it doesn’t match, yet seems natural.

The Alhambra also offers great views of the city, including the Albacín which is where I was the other day in wrote about my other post. At one look out point, you can see horizontally across to the St. Christopher Cathedral were a few days ago I was looking at the Alhambra. After our walk we went back to center of the city and four of us split from the larger group to grab some drinks and tapas.

It’s actually sort of funny, but apparently a lot of Granadians think that most of the American students who come to study don’t speak a word of Spanish. We were sitting outside at our table and talking in English (sometimes we try to speak in Spanish, but it can be frustrating so we had switched back to English) and a guy in the next table said something to his friend thinking that we wouldn’t understand it. He said something to the effect of how ridiculous it is that all of these Americans come to study in Spain and just speak in English the whole time.

Granted he had a good point, but it was pretty funny when we all turned around and told him that we understood what he had just said. He was pretty embarrassed, but the conversation recovered and they asked us what we were studying, recommended some nearby towns to visit, talked about Nadal etc. Even though the encounter was initiated through sort of embarrassing circumstances, it was actually one of the longest conversations we’ve had with some locals. It’s really true that it’s only through small groups that these sort of things happen, and I hope that as we all become more adjusted and develop closer friendships these smaller- less touristy groups will develop. They are a lot more manageable.

I’ve started to notice what are some characteristics that distinguishes Americans/extranjeros from the locals, and it’s interesting to see it reflected within myself. This morning I was walking across the bridge to school and I saw a group of girls in front of me. I saw that they were walking with quite a bit of distance between them, and was thinking to myself that they must be American, because Spaniards have a closer sense of personal space. As I walked past them, my suspicions were confirmed because I heard them speaking in English about their classes. I was sort of proud of myself for being able to distinguish them, because from dress they could have been Spaniards- no running shoes or anything.

However, as much as I can recognize it in others, it’s very strange to recognize these behaviors within yourself, mid-action. A psychologist came to our orientation class and I was the first person in the class so I was making small talk with her. I asked her where she was from, and she said she was Mayorca (an island of the coast of Spain) and I told her about this book I read where the woman was from there etc.. Well mid-conversation she asked me what I name was and I told her, and out of instinct reached out to shake her hand. Right as I had extended it, I realized my error because to shake someone’s hand is a very very formal thing and not appropriate in that context. She sort of smiled at me as we were shaking heads (as I was thinking damn! In my head) and smiled at my very American error.

I had to laugh afterwards because it was a funny feeling to know I had made an error and sort of naturally did it anyway. I wasn’t really upset or embarrassed, but it’s the sort of thing you have to have a sense of humor about. I’ve been getting better about saying “Pardón” instead of “lo siento” (I’m sorry) because you only use lo siento if you are apologizing for some larger, personal offense- not just bumping into someone in the street. Actually, they normally don’t even say anything at all. I never realized how often we say “I’m sorry” on an everyday basis, that is until people look at you funny when it’s your response to bumping their elbow.

A similar thing happened later when I went home and my hermana’s friend came over for a play date. We were sitting at the table and this cute 11 year old walked in, and instantly went up to me to kiss both of my cheeks as a greeting. I though it was funny because even though I’m older, she was the one taking charge in the meeting and knew exactly what to do.

It’s these initial reactionary greetings that I have to get used to. It’s not that I’m feel like it’s an invasion of personal space, but when you meet a friend’s friend for the first time because you bumped into her on the street, and they interrupt the conversation just to kiss your cheeks you are sort of taken aback- When I told my Mom about this story earlier we had a laugh because even though Kiss is my last name, I have to get used to doing it to complete strangers.

It was nice to talk to some people on the phone today to catch up, but I think it’s time to do some more exploring. We have a lot of free time since classes don’t start ‘till Monday so I will try to round up some people for dinner. ¡Hasta lluego!