Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. I've been here in Spain for well over a month now and it has been an adventure. So much has happened I don't know where to start. Well I live in an apartment building on the edge of the city with a bunch of Spanish and international students attending the University of Granada. I've met some very nice people from all over the world. I started my classes at the beginning of October. They're interesting for the most part but not very challenging. I am required by the program to take a Spanish class at the University of Granada... let's just say languages aren't exactly my thing. Not that it's particularly hard, I'm just not very interested. The one class I really love is my Environmental Policy of the EU class. It's fun to compare the policies of the EU, America, and Kenya, and see how they all interact on a global scale.
My class schedule is pretty easy so I'm off from Thursday through Sunday every week which means ample time for travel! In the beginning of October I went to Portugal for three days with my roommate. Portugal is a beautiful country. I got to see the Atlantic ocean from the other side, beautiful cliffs, and quaint Portuguese towns. It was an amazing weekend. I've spent a few weekends just in Granada too which is also very fun. I went on a tour of the Alhambra, explored the city, walked up to the Albaycin (the historic part of the city). I love the old buildings and alleyways, it feels like you stepped through time. This past weekend we all went to the Mediterranean coast for a day and oh my was it beautiful. Pretty much a day filled with tropical fruits, paella, sangria, and the most amazing beaches you'll ever see.
Last Saturday two of my friends and I went on a day trip to Osuna, Spain. Osuna is a very small town on the outskirts of Sevilla. The reason why we went there is because we are all big Game of Thrones fans and HBO was filming part of the series in Osuna. We saw the set from the outside and two of the actors... so incredible.
The food is probably one of my favorite parts of living in Spain, and the weather. It's still in the high 80's everyday and it's the end of October. I do miss fall but I am definitely loving the warm weather. This weekend I'm just hanging out in Granada for Halloween which should be loads of fun. After that all of my weekends are packed with trips! I'm hiking in the Sierra Nevadas, going to national parks in Spain with my classes and Madrid and Toledo with everyone in November. The first weekend in December there is a Spanish holiday so we have off that Monday which means I'll have six days off in a row. With so much free time and some cheap airfare, I decided to spend that time in December in Paris!!!! I have been dreaming of going to Paris for a very long time and now I have a chance to visit at Christmas time when the city will be full of Christmas markets! And then right before Christmas I will be headed back to the states. There is definitely a lot to keep me busy!
So, my opinion of Spain? Beautiful, amazing food, nice people, rich culture and history, great for a visit. I am having a lot of fun here, meeting nice people, experiencing an interesting culture but it's just not for me. I'm glad I have the chance to visit but the only place I want to go or live in is Africa. I'm in love with a continent, with it's people, landscapes, and wildlife. For now though, I will enjoy my time in Europe, immerse myself in the culture, and try to get as much out of being here as I can.
I do have plans to go back to Africa and very soon! I will be spending this summer in Zimbabwe volunteering in a wildlife reserve on the Zambezi. Once you get a taste of traveling and of Africa, it
never leaves you. Regardless of the ebola situation, I will be going this summer. Africa is worth the risk.
But for now I will continue loving Spain! I am definitely getting valuable life experience. It is great living on my own in a foreign city. Spending the semester in Spain was a great decision.
Here of some pictures I took throughout Spain and Portugal, enjoy!
The Mediterranean Sea!
Until the next time,
Emily
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