Goodbye, Granada

My favorite fountain in Granada.

I said goodbye to Granada today with only a few tears shed, many souvenirs in my heavy suitcases, and a ton of memories stored up. After 18 weeks of living there, I feel like a Granadina, who is sad to leave, but I also feel the pull of Texas, calling me home. I loved my time in Granada, but for now, it's time to go home and see my dogs! If anyone ever wants a personal tour guide in Granada, I am yours (I even took a class about the architecture in Granada, so I can tell you exciting things)!

During my semester abroad, I traveled to three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia--if you count the Asian part of Istanbul), five countries (Spain, of course, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, and Morocco), and a lot of cities in Spain. I learned a ton about the history of Granada and Southern Spain and a good amount of Spanish. At this point, I think the most valuable thing I learned this semester is that I can live and adjust and grow in another place. Also, by living abroad, I am more able and willing to compare different cultures and lifestyles from more of a third-person point of view.

Here are some things I am going to miss about Granada and Spain, in general:

• Good public transportation
• Most places within walking distance
• Easy classes
• Second breakfasts
• Using euro coins
• The fountain in my picture
• Going to school below a 13th century monument
• The friends I made
• Speaking Spanish
• The weather (almost as hot as Texas in the afternoon, but cools off in the mornings and evenings--weather perfect for me!)
• Tinto de verano, jamón, tortilla de patatas, paella

Things I am excited about returning to (I think most of these will be food items):

• Good sandwiches (Spanish version = a hard baquette with turkey/ham with or without cheese)
• Good salads (Spanish version = pickled asparagus with yogurt sauce, or lettuce with corn, tuna and olive oil)
• Real dinners (My spanish version = tapas or a small snack)
• Not being outrageously full after lunch everyday (My host mom looked genuinely worried if we didn't want seconds)
• Taking classes that go towards my major (although it's been a lovely 4-month vacation)
• Seeing my friends that were abroad last semester
• Living in my own apartment in my own room
• Wearing flip-flops and drinking out of a nalgene without looking foreign
• Sharing my stories and pictures with you!

Well, I'm sure I will realize many more things that I miss or that drove me crazy about Spain when I get back to Texas, but that is all for now. I get on a early morning flight tomorrow, and will be back on American soil in the afternoon!


Hasta la vista, España.