bmgray’s blog

Back to the daily grind

Posted on April 16th, 2008 by bmgray.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Spring Break was so fabulous and relaxing, now classes are back in session and I have to actually work. I have been good about not missing any of my classes. Sometimes when I leave the class I realize that I hardly took any notes, but listening to my professors speak is helpful. My Spanish language class is really boring! I am glad I am taking it though because it is helping me to remember all of the grammar rules and understand them a bit more clearly.

Since the last time I wrote Thomas’ girlfriend Marta came to visit from Poland. She lives in Poznan, Thomas studied there for a year and that’s how they met. They have been together for four years now and she stayed with us for three weeks. When she was here we went shopping and to the beach. One night she made us a strange dish, it was chocolate chicken! When I was eating it I really couldn’t decide how I felt about it. The chicken and I had some sort of love/hate relationship. I felt as though I needed about five bites to get used to it. Marta kept commenting on my face as I was eating. We had a party at our apartment one night during her stay and it was a blast. There were probably 30 people here and all from different countries (Poland, Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, United States, Italy). Everyone brought something to eat or drink and we hung around talking for several hours. Another day we spent at the beach with a pretty big group of people. We brought a picnic and laid in the sand soaking up the sun!

I made a great friend in my class whose name is German, pronounced Herman. He has helped me a lot with learning new vocabulary and also took me up to see the lookout in Murcia. His friend Fatima is great too, she is from Murcia and studied three months in LA . Her English is decent, we are going to meet and practice one day soon.

Mathilde came to visit last week from France. German and Fatima took us up to the lookout again and we sat on the terrace with some drinks. We also went to the Thursday morning farmers market in town by the Plaza de Toros. The farmers market is huge and you can find fresh fruits and vegetables. They also sell shoes, scarves, clothes and even toilet plungers!  T

he best part of her visit was the trip to Granada! I have pictures below. It is very hard to get a ticket to see the Alhambra in Granada so if anyone reading this plans on going you should definitely book your ticket ahead of time online. They are usually sold out for the weekends. Mathilde got pretty sick the first day we were there and we decided it would be a good idea to go to the Emergency Room. We waited 4 hours until they would see us! I had to translate for Mathilde and the Doctor, but then they told me that I had to wait outside! I was so bored waiting outside of the room. I went out to sit in the sun a bit and listen to music while I waited. Thomas called and told us that he was going to come to the hospital and visit, he needed to know the name of the hospital. I asked a man outside the name of the hospital, but to me it was gibberish. I asked him if he could write it down from me and he said “Listen girl, I don’t know how to write!” I asked another man and he told me the name so I could give it to Thomas. Another little girl kept coming up and talking to me, she was probably about 4 or 5. She was going on and on about a pink dress that she has at home and how much she loves it. She was adorable! Then she went on to tell me that she couldn’t bring her dress, or her toys, because her Mom hits her. I had no idea what to say! Then her Mom comes up behind me yelling at the girl and attempts to get the little girl to come with her. The little girl latches onto my leg and refuses to let go. What an awkward situation! The next day we were actually able to tour the city and enjoy ourselves. One of the cool parts of Granada is the Arab District. It is full of outdoor markets with scarves, tea and jewelry. There are also little tea shops where you can go smoke hookah and drink delicious tea. It was beautiful!

Today we don’t have school because there is a party for the entire Humanities department. I haven’t really done too much today! Tonight someone is throwing a party where you can wear anything but clothes. This does not mean you go naked…you can wear garbage bags, sheets, pillow cases, towels etc. You have to be creative! I will be wearing the Spanish flag! Olé!

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