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