The one where I go to Spain.

This is my first blog entry while being in Spain! I will be honest when I say that while on the flight here I was extremely nervous about arriving and as of now, it is still a big adjustment. However, I am extremely hopeful, and know my experiences here will only continue to improve and become more meaningful; I am very optimistic. While others on this trip seem to be in the "honeymoon stage" of culture shock, where they think everything is so great and love everything about Granada, I feel like I am defying most stereotypes and actually miss home, especially mi familia y mi novio. I found myself craving Buffalo Wild Wings and a root beer... what?? But I know as soon as I acclimate to the culture, I will consider Granada my home and never want to leave. But until then, here are some things I have noticed:
1. The people hear speak so fast. Someone will say something to me and then I will have to pause t think about what they said, and then pause again to formulate some utterance of Spanglish to respond back. Fortunately, even after one day, I have noticed an improvement in my Spanish and am less scared to try and communicate!
2. Water is more expensive than most drinks. Here, I can get a cafe con leche (expresso with milk) for much less than I can buy a water which is much different than in the United States. I will admit though, the tap water here tastes really good! Much different and more pure than the water from lake Michigan.
3. The meal times here are very hard to get used too. Today for breakfast, I had a pastry and a cafe con leche when normally I am used to eating toast and yogurt, or cereal. For lunch, Julia and I, my roommate and companion on this adventure, ate at Carmela's and split croquettes. The croquettes consisted of potatoes, cheese, and little bits of ham in the shape of a ball and deep fried... aka so good. We ate this snack, or merienda, at around 1:00pm and didn't eat dinner until about 9:30pm! I was starving. The rice stew, or form of paella was very good, and the ensalada (salad) was very different from American salads, but still very tasty. I hope I can adjust to these crazy meal times!

Overall, I will have to say my first full day in Spain went really well and I am excited to start classes and meet my host family (:

The cathedral where the catholic kings including Fernando and Queen Isabel are buried. Very close to 'Sevilla' the restaurant where we ate dinner.

The beautiful view from the balcony of my room in the hostel.