Recap, Part 1

Let's just start off by saying, sorry I suck at life and haven't blogged in forever. Now that we've got that outta the way, here's the highlights of what's been going on over here...

Feb 23-Mar 1:

Audra, LB, and I were in Malta for my half-marathon. Audra and I have both written some about it in the last couple of entries, so you can read more about it there.

Here's the link to my MALTA PHOTO ALBUM if you wanna check out the pictures.

Mar 1-Mar 10:

Audra and LB were here in Almería with me. I had to work 4 of the days that they were here, but we managed to have tons of fun despite that. One day they came to work with me and got to see what that was all about. I think that the students were more intrigued by how tall LB was than by anything else. Seriously like 5 different 4th grade students asked her why she was so tall, what sport she played, etc. 

Also while they were here, I got to go to my first soccer game here in Almería. As is traditional, we brought food (sandwiches, fruit, and peanuts...though that selection of food isn't quite traditional haha) and had dinner during halftime of the game. I was surprised to find out that bringing food into the game was allowed. Apparently here they don't oblige you to buy $5 hotdogs and $5 beers at sporting events.

Here's a list of other things that we did while they were here...

• experienced a typical previernes (AKA the Thursday night fiesta)
• had an American party the following day
• watched and helped Tomás blow fire with Cola Cao
• watched an Unicaja volleyball game
• went to the Alcazaba--the old fortress built by the Arabs to protect the city from invaders
• went shopping
• made Audra a surprise birthday cake without her knowing (muahahaha I'm very very sneaky)
• had tapas for Audra's birthday dinner (Tapas is where you go around to different restaurants and they give you small portions of food and a glass of beer or tinto de verano, which is wine mixed with soda, for like 1 or 2 euros each serving...really cheap way to eat and drink and is AWESOME)
• tried to go to Cabo de Gata Natural Park like 3 different days but never made it because of weather slash not having a ride, etc :(

Things I didn't do while they were here...

• teach the majority of my afternoon classes
• be responsible hahah

Despite the fact that I was an extremely unproductive, inefficient, tired worker that week, I wouldn't have had it any other way! I had SUCH a good time with them and I promise anyone that wants to come visit, that we will have just as much fun!

  

Mar 10-Mar 12:

On Thursday the same day that LB and Audra left, I went to Córdoba to meet up with my grandma (Nana), my aunt Suzanne, my cousin Laura, and her girlfriend, Niki. I had to take the bus there because there's no train that goes directly from Almería to Córdoba, and it took 5.5 hours! However, it was worth it to get to see them. We stayed at a hotel basically right in the middle of downtown so all the touristy stuff that we wanted to see was within walking distance.

I arrived at the hotel late on Thursday at almost 10pm. The first thing they did was shower me with goodies from the good ol' US of A. Nana brought me a jar of peanut butter, a bunch of children's books (some were from my Dad too), a birthday gift from my little brother Ben and his girlfriend, Lavinia (a really cute swim suit...thanks guys!), and most importantly, MY DAD'S OLD IPHONE! (More on this later) After gift time and feeling really loved, we went out  for dinner and then just came back to the hotel and hit the hay. 

The next morning, we got up, had breakfast at the hotel (the spread was quite impressive!), and despite the crappy weather (it was drizzling nearly the entire time we were there), headed to the Mezquita, which is what they call the cathedral there. As Andalucía is so close to Africa and was under Arabic rule for several centuries, the cathedral was not always a cathedral. It started as such but was converted into a mosque and reconverted into a cathedral later. Thus, the architecture is fascinating. The majority of the place looks like a mosque with over 850 columns and just as many arches.

The interesting part is that when it was reconverted into a cathedral, instead of attempting to get rid of the mosque-look, they just decided to throw a church into the middle. So basically, it's just a totally normal cathedral randomly located in the middle of a mosque. They even left the mihrab, which is like the main alter in a mosque, intact. To me, that was the weirdest part because there were still inscriptions and things that the Muslims considered holy in the same place where the Christians were worshiping. Very strange but super cool. This was definitely my favorite thing in Córdoba! (Sorry I don't have more pictures...I forgot to pack my camera charger)

After the Mezquita, we went to the synagogue, which turned out to be an unimpressive, one-room-with-white-walls-and-a-high-ceiling kinda deal, and then continued on to see some local artisans in their shops doing leatherwork, word work, and painting. After that, we sat down for lunch and then headed back to the hotel for siesta time. Later, Nana, Aunt Suzanne, and I ventured out of the hotel again. We were in search of a hair dryer with a European plug for Aunt Suzanne. She figured that since she usually makes it to Europe at least once a year, it would be worth her while to buy one. We finally found one at El Corte Inglés, which is the department store of all department stores here in Spain. It's like a combination of Sears, Macy's, a grocery store, and a cafeteria. Six stories tall...absurd. But anyway, while we were there, Aunt Suzanne and Nana bought me my birthday present...

My new watch! So pumped

I had been searching for a watch that I liked for a super long time and hadn't been able to find one, so I was excited that we found one so quickly! Thanks so much to the both of you!

After shopping, we went to dinner and then back to the hotel for the night. I was hoping I would get to spend more time with them, but unfortunately I had to head back to Almería early the next day as there was only one bus and it was at 8:30 in the morning! So, the next morning, I had breakfast with Nana immediately after, I headed to the bus station for my third 5.5+ hour trip in 2 weeks. Though the trip was short, I had a really good time and am SO glad I got to see some family. If y'all are reading this, thank you so much for coming to visit and for all the stuff you brought me! Also, send some of those pictures my way when you get the chance please :) 

Mar 12-Mar 13:

So another reason I had to come back to Almería was that my friend Emma, Jose's girlfriend who I studied abroad with in Málaga, was in town. She and her friend Emily had surprised Jose by coming to Spain for their spring break, most of which they spent in Málaga. However, they had come to Almería the day I left for Córdoba, so I was really bummed that I wasn't going to get to see them.

Luckily for me, Jose's dad bought them tickets to the Almería soccer game on Saturday, so they decided to stay an extra night in Almería! That means, I got to see Emma for the first time in almost exactly a year (my friend Hana and I went to visit her in Virginia for our spring break last year)! We went to dinner and went out and then I even got to have American breakfast with her, Emily, and the Gallart family on Sunday morning before they headed back to Málaga.

With our absurdly expensive €12 drink.
I think next time we'll stick with beer or calimocho

Although I only got to see her for a few hours in total, I had SOOO much fun reminiscing about Málaga and Virginia and just catching up in general. It was like we picked up exactly where we left of the last time I saw her. To me that's the mark of a true friendship...that you can go a year without even seeing someone and when you do see each other again, it's as if the last time had been the day before. Getting to hang out with Emma and just thinking about this made me realize just how lucky I am to have so many friendships that I know will be exactly the same when I get back. Thank you all for being there for me, supporting me from all the way across the ocean, and understanding how important this experience is to me! Just wanted y'all to know I'm thinking about you and I miss you so much!

Feels like home :) y'all are the best!

Speaking of how great the people in my life are, I would just like to share with everyone all the stuff they have sent me!  Audra and LB brought me TONS of stuff when the came including peanut butter, brown sugar, chocolate chips, goldfish, Italian dressing, Bisquick, Jello, corn bread mix, and funfetti cake mix!

Shortly thereafter, I got packages from several others. My friend Neil sent me some authentic Texas Bar-B-Que sauce from Stubb's, Thin Mints(2 boxes!!!), SweetTarts, Sour Patch Kids, Gobstoppers, jelly beans, and some Mexican hot chocolate.

My best friend Katie sent me more Goldfish (regular and chocolate graham cracker flavors), a goldfish container (awesome!), various packets of Ramen, Easy Mac, Apple Jacks, and Mardi Gras beads! But Katie's package wouldn't have been complete without the comic relief...

"Just Add Box Milk"

"Do not purchase if carton is open or torn"..."¿REALLY?"

Apparently spicy = Spanish
"Aye carumba"
Complete with Mexican flag and Spanish laughter ("jaja")

really prettyyy

Last but not least, my Mom sent me a package for my birthday with some Kung Pao sauce, dried chili peppers, candy, and a gorgeous necklace (pictured right)! Thanks so much to everyone for thinking of me...it makes being so far from home so much more bearable :)

The weekend following Córdoba, Lulu, Luis, Alberto, and I went on another adventure--snowboarding in the Sierra Nevadas (Granada)! I'll post pictures and everything in the next post. Our spring break, which here is called Semana Santa or Holy Week (the week before Easter) just started today, so I definitely plan to catch up on my blogging! Hope everyone is doing well!