beginning of Semana Santa

Today was the first night of Semana, Santa.  There were crowds of people waiting to view the procession tonight at the Mezquita.  A figure of Christ and the Virgen Mary passed on what are called "pasos"-platforms holding the statue and candels- followed by people covered in black clothing.  The procession took about 10 minutes to pass you, someone was chanting, and other than that it was silent and solemn.  It was interesting but not something that I would be excited to see all week in Cordoba, which will happen all of next week in the major cities in Andalucia.

I feel like time is passing by so fast...finally! It's Easter break, Semana Santa over here but have so much to do.  I'm excited and stressed at the same time.  Tomorrow I leave for 5 days in Morocco, where I'll be visiting Rabat and Fez and traveling through the Sahara desert on camels.  Tomorrow morning I have to buy my bus ticket and other things for the trip.  Right now I'm trying figure out what to bring, classes in Berkeley for Telebears, what to do after the Morocco trip if I should travel more, other trips, summer, etcetera...so until next time when I have pics to share!

Here's the sample itinerary for Morocco:

 Morocco & Sahara Desert, March 31st – April 4th 2012

Itinerary: Remember Morocco is 2 hours behind Spain and all times are listed in local time. 
The following itinerary is only an approximation and may be subject to change.  

Day 1 - Saturday, March 31st 
04:30 AM - Meet at the Consulado de Portugal near the bus stop in front of the Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián (close to the Universidade de Sevilla)05:00 AM - Bus departs from Sevilla to Tarifa
09:00 AM - Ferry leaves from Tarifa to Tangiers
08:15 AM *Change to Moroccan time: 2 hours behind Spain* - Arrive in Tangiers

08:30 AM - Exchange Euros for Dirham and use the ATM’s (we recommend from 40€ to 100€)
09:00 AM - Depart Tangiers for Rabat
1:00 PM - Arrive in Rabat & have Lunch, Rabat tour after lunch
4:00 PM - Depart for Fez
8:00 PM - Arrive in Fez, check in and dinner at the Hotel

Day 2 - Sunday, April 1st 
07:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel in Fez

08:00 AM - Check out and depart for Merzouga

12:30 PM - Stop for lunch at desert Kasbah in Midelt

6:00 PM - Arrive at Xaluca, cross the rocky desert in 4x4 Jeeps

7:30 PM - Camel excursion through the sand dunes to our Desert Oasis
8:30 PM - Dinner at Desert Oasis

10:00 PM - Party in the Sahara Desert!!

Day 3 - Monday, April 2nd 
05:30 AM - Wake up for the Desert Sunrise (Optional)

07:00 AM - Tea at Oasis before Departing on Camels to Hotel
9:30 AM - Breakfast at Desert Hotel + check in

11:00 AM - Optional Walking Tour of a town in the Desert
1:00 PM - Lunch at Desert Hotel & Free Time in the Dunes
5:45 PM - Desert Sunset
8:30 PM - Dinner at Desert Hotel

Day 4 - Tuesday, April 3rd 
08:00 AM to 09:00 AM - Breakfast at Desert Hotel & Check Out
09:00 AM - Depart in 4x4 jeeps to the Xaluca Hotel
2:30 PM - Lunch in Midelt
7:00 PM - Arrive in Fez, Check In to Rooms
8:30 PM - Dinner at the Hotel in Fez
10:00 PM - Farewell Party  in the Hotel Lounge Bar
 
Day 5 - Wednesday, April 4th  
07:00 AM to 08:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel & Check Out
08:30 AM - Leave Hotel for Fez/Medina tour
09:00 AM - Fez/Medina tour begins
12:00 PM - Lunch in Fez
2:00 PM - Leave Fez for Tangiers

9:00 PM - Ferry leaves Tangiers for Tarifa
12:00 AM *Now back in Spanish time: 2 hours ahead of Morocco* - Arrive in Tarifa, Spain

2:30 AM/3:00 AM - Arrival in Sevilla (depending on ferry schedule and traffic)

Granada!

Grenada, a gorgeous city to visit, teeming with history and life!  It was the last Muslim city to be conquered by the Catholic king Ferdinand and Isabella.  Now it's one of the cities known for it's university and diversity.


This weekend was great although it was a bit last minute.  I've been undecided about so many trips and traveling in general because I'm afraid of spending too much.  I'll explain what happened..

Last weekend while a group of us were in Sevilla, we decided that we would go to Granada for sure.  It didn't happen because at the last minute, Thursday night, everyone flaked.  I was torn between going solo or staying in Cordoba with the rest of the Americans.  I had told my host mom that I was going to Grenada, but  on the day of, Friday after class I told her that I wouldn't be going anymore because I didn't want to travel alone and I wasn't sure what I'd do all of Saturday by myself.  Then I went to a mini picnic with some friends and afterwards realized that I didn't want to stay in Cordoba.  It was the perfect weekend to Granada in terms of exams- it was a free weekend, why waste it?  When I got home, I chatted with my intercambio online and she brought up a good point: Why wait for the rest, when you're not sure that they'll ever go?  It would be my first adventure going solo.  At that point I had 30 minutes to pack, run over to the bus station, buy a ticket, and catch the bus.

I made it on time.  On the bus I felt a sigh of relief that I had made the right decision.  The bus arrived in Granada around 7pm so it was already nighttime, but when I got off the bus I could feel the vibrance of the city.  It was even beautiful at night and had a different feel from Cordoba.  It was full of life and a lot more energy.  I met up with my friend, Ana, who I had met in Carnaval and who I stayed with in Granada.  I met some of her classmates as we ate at a tapa bar called La Riviera.  I couldn't believe that with every drink (~2euros) it came with free tapas, which were the best I've had so far.  My favorite tapas were the kebabs of lamb and fried octopus.  They gave us so much that we couldn't even finish the food.  Besides the tapas, I loved that Granada had quality ice cream shops...and of course I had to make the most of it while I was there.

                                                 One of the oldest Hammum Baths

                                                   Emma

                                                         Great views of the city from Albaicin

                                                    La Puerta Elvira

The next day I set off to explore the city with Emma, an Italian who was studying at the University of Granada and whom I had met the night before.  Unlike Cordoba, Granada is so diverse and usually an apartment is occupied by students from all over the world.  She took me to El Albaicin, a great vista point to see the city and Alhambra, San Nicholas, Elvira, and a restaurant where I tried "el menu del dia"-which is a set course of the day including 2 plates, a drink, and dessert- for the first time for 9 euros.  One platter was already enough to fill me but I finished it because the food was so delicious.  I had paella, calamari, pineapple juice, and coffee.  Emma and I ate with Carissa, who was former EAP student in Cordoba last semester.  After lunch and splitting up with Emma, Carissa and I walked to Sacromonte- an area full of caves or gypsy homes.  And during the night, I also met up with Justin and his friend to chat and walk through the city.

                                            Real drinking fountains...fresh from the sierras!

                                                      I should've been crowned

                                             1st course: paella with pineapple juice

                                                Carissa

                                              2nd plate: Calamari and fries!

                                                     A discoteca in Sacromonte

                                              A cave with gypsies ask for your money

                                                    Alhambra at night

                                                  Cristoffer Columbus with king Ferdinand


I didn't end up going to the discoteca because I didn't want to walk home alone late at night especially since the parties don't really start until 2am and Ana a bit far.  Anyways I enjoyed Ana's company at the end of the day.  She must be one my favorite people that I have met in Spain.  She's a great host, optimistic, and independent.  And Granada is one of my favorite cities!  It seems like there is always something to do, a city you can't tired of.  The best part of the weekend was being able to practice my Spanish :D

3/5/12

Hace mucho tiempo que no he escrito, asi que necesito update mi blog.  La semana pasada tuve el primer examen de grammatica de espanol.  Fue asi asi pero no sabia la palabra cunada que fue la respuesta correcta para una pregunta.  Y manana tengo el examen de la clase de literatura y cine, and la siguiente semana otro para la clase de historia.  Necesito estudiar mas para la clase de historia porque no se nada sobre historia. Es dificil recordar todos los hechos, personas, datos, fechas, hhaaayy... Si estoy lista esta semana para el examen, quiero visitar a Grenada porque tengo amigas alla y necesito visitar este lugar antes de volver.  Y este fin de semana estoy orgullosa que he probado los caracoles.  Fue una experencia extrana para mi y mi amiga Katie.

Pienso que mi espanol es mejor pero necesito hablar mas, escribir, leer, ver la tele, y oir todo en espanol.  Es malo que el grupo de americanos han hablado en ingles reciente generalmente por todos los dias.  Creo que aprendiendo un idioma es como un roller coaster.  Un dia pienso que estoy hablando mejor pero el siguiente dia no y no puedo entender las personas muchas veces todavia.  Y a pienso que siempre uso las mismas palabras que son basicas.  Es necessario ampliar mi vocabulario y practicar grammatica.

Ahora, estoy intentando a programar mis viajes que son durante mi programma y despues.  Me duele la cabeza porque no puedo decidir y necesito un tiempo largo para navegar por internet y sacar todos los detalles de mi viaje.  Espero que una persona pueda decidir para mi.  Para la semana santa, creo que viajare a Barcelona, San Sebastian, y Santiago. Sin embargo he escuchado que los mejor fiestas son en Adalucia.  Y no se cual pais quiero visitar durante el proximo puente, Italia, Portugal, o Marrueca.  No es sencillo para planear porque necesita un budget y saber como irse desde un lugar hasta otro. Y una parte es que no quiero gastar mucho dinero porque no tengo pero al mismo tiempo, pienso que es el mejor tiempo para viajar a los lugares mientras estoy aqui.  Quiero hacer todo..