December 3- December 11, 2009- Granada, ES (with an unforgettable holiday in Huescar, ES)- Apartment of Haley Barrette
Haley and I just clicked. From the moment she collected me from the train station, conversation was easy- there was no doubt that we shared a common perspective. She had fallen in love with Granada years before and had now found a way to live and work in a city that, although in a foreign country, felt like home- felt right. To dream about doing this is something many do, to actually make it happen- that takes guts, perseverance and above all, faith and trust in yourself. Its so easy to find excuses and to fall prey to self-doubt. I know this well, I had almost fallen victim to both, but in the end, we had both done what was on our hearts and had no regrets about it.
At the same point in life with the same spirit. She inspired me- having found a career in Span teaching English, she is improving her Spanish every day- taking grammar classes and speaking fluently with her 3 roommates and Spanish friends. I wish I could master a language like her, to be able to truly live in two worlds would be so exciting.
We spent 10 days together in total, after which it feels that we have been friends for 10 years or more.
The best part of the day for me was always sharing a simple, yet completely delicious Spanish breakfast together in the mornings- fresh bread with olive oil and tomato, washed down with a cup of coffee. I hate American coffee- but Spanish coffee packs a shot-sized powerful punch and the flavor has an edge- a perfect kick in the pants in the morning.
Like Cordoba, I just enjoy getting lost amongst the side streets and squares- wandering the markets and taking in the sights and sounds. Getting tapas when you order a beer remained a plus as well- we all know how I like my beer.
I spent one day touring La Alhambra, an Arabian architectural wonder. A massive complex- palace, city and fortress all in one, that, like La Mezquita has both the original Muslim influence and the later Christian influence from the time of the reformation. A million articulate archways welcome you into you into room after room of perfection in detail- scalloped edges, ornate ceilings, statuesque pillars. It is regal, but not in the golden gaudy sense. It is the hand-crafted beauty of every curve, painstakingly formed with care. Ancient and mystical, representing the regality of the people that it once held. I half expected to see Aladdin cruising the halls on his flying carpet.
I think you can tell by the number of pictures I took- I made it my mission to take in every angle and explore every corner, then even met up with Haley to get a sunset view of the La Alhambra from a local secret spot. Where again, my click-happy fingers caught every phase of the setting sun- the light casting a pink hue on the building and the mountains- it was an ideal end to a visually-packed day in Granada.
On the weekend we bussed it 4 hours or so out of the city to the pueblo casita of a friend of a friend. What I experienced was pure, fish-out-of-water, culture shock, 12 or so Spanish people and two English chicas, I had near-to-no clue what was said the entire weekend. Good thing I speak the universal language of eating a lot of good food and drinking beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I even had some awesome sangria, experienced yet another queimada and well represented the US of A by beating team Spain in a round of darts. Took long walks with Ms Haley every day to make room for more booze- she really got me thinking about how life can unfold before us if we are willing to let it. Life can be an organic series of events- we are the ones that try to step in and mess that up.
When it was time to say goodbye. I just didn't want to. My time with Haley was comfortable- a friend that made me feel at home. It wasn't the fact that her roommate Muhammad cooked me the best vegetarian meals I've had to date, or that I finally discovered a place where my obsession with drinking 40's of beer was normal. It was how easy and relaxed everything felt to be in my new-found friend's company- sleeping in, staying up, typing to our family and friends back home- all the while chatting away.
I did, however, start a small fire in the toaster oven in her kitchen on the last day. Like a blaring siren.- this was confirmation of the need to move on, despite the pull to stay in my new, warm and fuzzy, Granada friendship bubble. For the better health of her kitchen (I never said I was Betty Crocker), it was time to get back on the road.
Bulls are chasing me to Pamplona….
Cheers,
Em