moriscos vs mariscos

Mi paella llevará los moriscos…
So today in my grammar class we are discussing how to answer questions in the form of hypothesis, obviously a fun class. The professor asks me, “How do you make paella.” Thinking I am so clever and understand the verb tense I confidently respond back with a smile, “Mi paella llevará los moriscos.” Translation: “My paella is made of Islamic men that were taxed for practicing Islam during the reign of Isabel I.” Elsa, the professor, now is tearing with laughter because I haven’t paid any attention to what I just said, other than the verb (which was correct, incase you were wondering haha). I intended to say my paella would have seafood (los mAriscos), but mistakenly switched a vowel to come up with a whole new meaning to my sentence. I’m not going to lie and say I’ve only had one or two of slip ups like these, there have been plenty more I just can’t remember. Things like this are the reason learning a language is so fun. I like to think Spanish is like a puzzle and every sentence I make is just fitting things into places. I really think that I’m mastering the language one silly story after another.
Anyway, how should I try and recap the past 2 weeks? Jamie and Nell spent the majority of their time with me in Granada. I know I enjoyed every minute of it! After my birthday, we spent Sunday relaxing in the Arab baths. The Arab baths might just have risen to the numero uno on coolest things in Spain list. Essentially modeled after the bath houses the Arabs once had throughout Andalucia, takes a modern form of spa like atmosphere. Yes, heated tiles throughout and a massage is included  The rest of the week included shopping (obviously), wine on our own private mirador to view the Alhambra at night, tapas making class, kabob lunch, lunch with Ana and tour of the Alhambra. I’m pretty sure these ladies kept me jogging all through Granada! So much fun!
Needless to say after Jamie and Nell left I was left exhausted (I had to go a week without taking a siesta, so there you go.) So a much needed beach day was in order. Friday I do not have class, so my friends and I took a day trip to Nerja, a beach on the nearby Costa del Sol. Muy bonita! Caught some rays and headed home late.
I have updated all my pics! So check ‘em out. Thanks for all the emails! I love hearing about life at home and keeping up with everyone’s comings and goings. I have less than a month here in Europe and only 2 weeks until I get to reunite with Lisa and Becky!!!!!!!!!!!!! So send your hugs with them! I can’t wait to take on the rest of Europe with my favorites! Becky has proposed quite the full itinerary so we’ll be seeing everything and more where ever we go 
Abrazos,
Laurita

jamie and nell take on spain

A simple blog update will not do justice to describe the Mezquita in Cordoba nor how excited I am to have Jamie and Nell in Spain with me! We tore up the town together and even the rain couldn't keep us indoors. I was so thankful to have friends and family to celebrate my 21st birthday! Thanks for all the cards and phone calls! It really meant a lot to hear from everyone, thanks again. I celebrated over tapas, and drinks, and even found a donkey outside one of the bars. I literally can say I rode a birthday donkey on my 21st, beats pins the tail on the donkey anyday haha.

semana santa

Semana Santa is a blessing for more than the obvious rising of Christ… Spain takes a giant week long siesta! It seems that the entire country takes their vacation this week whether they leave their homes or relax at home. I enjoyed my Thursday-Thursday during the Holy Week in Spain’s Canary Islands. And, I can honestly say that’s the closest I’ll ever be to a potassium heart attack after eating an abundant amount of Canary Island bananas. So delicious. More importantly, I immensely enjoyed my week of beach bumming around the island. Tenerife was described to me to be the “Hawaii” of Spain. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but Tenerife certainly offered beautiful coastlines and a tropical atmosphere. (Now I’ll have to schedule that Hawaii vaca to make accurate comparisons, it only makes sense.) One odd thing I didn’t realize before going to Tenerife was how many German tourists also would be vacationing in the islands. One evening as a group we collectively decided to embrace the fact that our hotel was hosting an entire population of German retirees and enjoyed the evening on the plaza with 65 + couples listening, clapping, singing and dancing along to corny keyboard versions of American pop songs. (please note: we did in fact find the nightlife on the island, no need to worry) The good news is that the Spanish beach bum doesn’t differ from the American one and I was able to assimilate just fine. Aside from the beach, I toured Loro Parke (Canary Island version of Seaworld) with the girls. We evoked our 7 year old selves to enjoy all the shows of sealions, dolphins, and orca whales  We even stumbled upon the lagoon casino, but once again ran into the 65+ German troops, so we didn’t quite find the Vegas atmosphere we had hoped for.
I returned late Thursday (early morning on Good Friday) to Granada and in time to catch the Good Friday processions. Each church in Granada is responsible for one “cofradía¨ which is essentially like a float one would see in a parade. However, the processions during Semana Santa are not parades and have a solemn and formal atmosphere. Each cofradía is a very graphic depiction of Christ’s crucifixion or of the Virgin Mary and some are over 600 years old! They are made with detailed wood work and often plated with gold or silver. What I think is the most interesting and impressive part is that they are all carried by man power. Appearing to have 20 some or more men underneath each cofradía teams of men would carry their parish’s specific cofradía for 5 minutes or so (depending on how large/heavy) and then swap to another team of men. I have video clips of the men switching in and out from under these things and the foot work that is choreographed to carefully turn around the narrow street corners was insane. (some of my friends have said they have seen the men practicing the intense footwork outside nearby churches for months now) Saturday’s processions included all 22 of the different “floats” that had been displayed on different days during the week. Apparently this only happens every 100 years, glad I was able to catch it this time around! haha
Today I attended noon mass at Granada's largest Cathedral with friends and then celebrated together over lunch on Plaza Bib Rambla. Today was a beautiful day so we spent some time wondering around the city and eventually decided to go to a movie. Surprisingly Granada didn't shut down today and many restaurants and other places are open! Who would have thought?
Happy Easter! I hope everyone else had a wonderful day!

spring break part II

Just getting ready to catch a bus to fly out of Madrid Airport. Lesson learned: Granada has the smallest airport in Spain (I don't actually know if that's true, but you all know me to exaggerate only a bit) I will fly out of Madrid to the Canary Islands! No worries, I will be back in time to catch the well known Semana Santa processions. I have heard the best processions are Thurs, Fri, and Sat and I'll be here for those! Also planning on attending Easter mass at Granada's Cathedral. Until then I'll be soaking up some tropical sun and enjoying the Spanish island culture! Hopefully I'll find internet access over Easter to call/video chat home...
hasta luego!