We all have to start somewhere

I think I've been waiting for some kind of sign to tell me "you are now to start your blog. And this is what you are to accomplish with it:..."
Yeah, not so much. Although, I did have one of those moments where I thought 'today is the day' (as a chorus of angels singing filled my tiny dorm room, followed by a breeze sweeping through my window on cue, throwing my hair back Charlie's Angels style as a light falls on me). Or something like that. But I did in fact feel strangely motivated to just start. I didn't know what I would say and I still don't know what my goal is. Perhaps it will make itself apparent as time -days, months- go by. If it's anything like my imagination, what comes up will probably have no coherence; for a while. In the end everything will strangely find a way to tie itself together to produce a meaningful epiphany that sheds some tangible truth on the reality of who I am, and I hope others can relate.

Friday, February 18, 2011

"¡No pasa nada en Granada!"


One month and ten days in Granada.

I need to sit back sometimes and remind myself both that I've already been here that long, and other times that I have only been here that long. I'm afraid now that time will pass too quickly but I feel so comfortable and at home here. And I love speaking Spanish! While many here have told me that I'm very good at it, some more honest people have confirmed that, yes, I do make quite a few mistakes, and that's probably because I often talk without really thinking. This is both good and bad ;) Anyways I came to the conclusion of the following after some intense 2 minutes of philosophizing...

Just as words can be translated to say the same thing in a different language, I feel that I translate my 'self' in a different culture. I’m the same person, I just perceive and feel differently, and become somewhat altered on the surface.

I think this is true for anyone who finds themselves in a different culture, using the language. Friends of mine have confirmed this. But it's so interesting for me, even after a lifetime of feeling so close to two countries, to come to yet another and see my reflection through a different angle, if you will. This is definitely a growing experience which has only inspired me to hope to seek out some bigger culture shocks in the future!

I'm going to conclude by mentioning some more concrete things. I have visited Córdoba, Toledo, Madrid, and Segovia. Next weekend I am going to Lisbon, Portugal, and at the end of April I will get to experience life in Morocco for four days! Here in Granada I have discovered my favorite place to be the Mirador de San Nicolas (especially during sunset) which gives you a breathtaking panorama of the city, Albaicín, Alhambra and Sierra Nevada.

More to come on the details of my first walk through the Albaicín... stay tuned!

[Here also is a link to a song by a well-known singer in Spain named Chambao who is from Málaga in Andalucia. Her music is a blend of Flamenco with electronic. Enjoy!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKnvxHkk8NA

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