Granada, Espana, October 18th

We have internet! So now I should be posting more often!

It feels like Austin and I have finally settled in here. Adjusting to the Spanish way of life was a challenge as I'm sure it will continue to be, but we seem to have finally gotten through most of the difficulties. We have bank accounts, internet and are working on getting our ID cards. Thankfully, we'll be getting paid in two weeks.

Its impossible to believe we've already been here 4 weeks. The time seems to being going very fast, especially now that we have internet. Most days we work from the mornings until 2:00 then head home for lunch (at 3:00!). Then we usually go for a walk or run. Everything is closed here for the siesta from 1:00 to 5:00 so we cannot get anything done until 5:00. At first I was annoyed by everything closing but now I take it as an excuse to rest and do anything relaxing. For our runs we run the Sacromonte- its the gypsy neighborhood where they have flamenco caves. It all hilly and for me a difficult run (a bit easier for Austin though : ). Here are some great pictures of the Sacromonte: http://www.hola.com/viajes/rutas/lugarescuriosos/2002/09/23/7581_sacromonte_2C_el_.html?pagina=1&tipo_bloque=cuerpo.

If we go for a walk we have a few places we usually frequent. Often we go to Plaza Nueva (http://granadamap.com/plazanuevasp.htm), or another small Plaza near our house, or Plaza Bib Rambla (http://www.google.es/images?q=Plaza+Bib+Rambla&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=es&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=648). Everyone goes for a walk here, they spend much more time outdoors in the plazas then in their houses.

Before dinner we also often go the the Mirador San Nicolas. Its right up (literally uphill) our street in our neighborhood (The Albycin). Its a lookout for the Alhambra and there are always locals playing music there. Its very beautiful-- here's a picture of the view: http://alhambra-granada.eu/san_nicolas.html.

For another daily diversion we often walk up the steps to the Alhambra, around the back of it, and down the other side. We start and finish near our apartment. I'll have to take picture next time to show you what this looks like.

After dinner, we often go out for TAPAS! Tapas are little plates of food/ snacks that you get for free with any small beer. We have one favorite place that makes excellent food called "El Espejo." El Espejo is on Calle Elvira (a street that has a lot of Tapas bars). We have also tried many other tapas bars. Recently we had Moroccan tapas which were also very tasty. Another favorite treat of mine is found at a churreria. There they make churros (like long indian fry bread) and you get hot chocolate to dip it in. They are so good but so bad for you but we usually stick to tapas anyway.

Its a fun, relaxed culture here and although its taken some getting used to I'm thinking it will be even harder to get un-used to (I'm taking the liberty of making up a word).

This is just to give everyone an idea of my life here-- next I'll give more details on teaching here and my quest for making extra money tutoring.

We miss everyone and thank you for reading my blog!!