Cave Dwelling & Turkish Bathing

Another rare day of Sun!!! (I came here for the weather and there has already been almost half of the average annual rainfall.) I am currently sitting out on the balcony of one of my classrooms and soaking it up.

Another excellent weekend! On Friday and

 Saturday we went camping up in the caves past the Alhambra, which are absolutely beautiful! Apparently a lot of them are inhabited by the gypsies but we found a charming empty one to set up the tent in. (This picture is our view from the tent in the cave).

 Also on Saturday Gillian, Paul and I took an excursion through the Alpujarras (the cluster of towns (pueblos) throughout the mountains on the other side of the Sierra Nevadas from Granada. There are a ton of them and they are all absolutely beautiful- Almost entirely white painted buildings and mostly pretty well preserved. We started out in a pueblo called Lanjaron- which is one of the larger ones and famous for its drinking water. Two of the other pueblos we visited are called Pampaneira and Capileria, both of which were beautifully situated and incredibly charming. I wouldn’t mind living in either of those. The fourth pueblo is called Trevelas, which is the highest pueblo in Spain and one of the highest in Europa. It is famous for 

it’s jamon, because the air is perfect for the curing process. We ate a FANTASTIC lunch at a restorante there, (mostly pork and jamon related) and then went next door for a tour of the jamon factory. There were probably 8,000 legs of pigs hanging up in that building, like a cave of flesh. Some of us handled it better than others. When we finally returned to the city I met up with Robert and Caz for a delicious dinner and some drinks and dancing.

Sunday was fairly relaxed. I tried to nap most of the morning but for some reason there was a marching band parading up and down my street for several hours. I do love a good parade! I still haven’t figured out the occasion, but I have seen them out around the city on other weekends, so maybe it’s just a thing. I also spent several hours with Caz’s new roommate, Anna from Sweeden, walking around and having some coffee and just chatting. I am continuously embarrassed by the lack of languages the majority of Americans know- so many Europeans can speak 3 or more languages (and some of their English is a lot better than some Americans’ I know). Sunday night Robert and I headed out to a Superbowl watching party at an Irish bar called Hannigans. It was live, so we were there from midnight to about 5 a.m., but it was a fantastico game (even though we were going for the Cardinals). I have also learned and now been quizzed over the various hand-signals for penalties.

This week we have about 8 new students in the school so the classes have shifted around a bit. Anna and another guy from Sweeden have joined Paul and I, as well as anew teacher named Lola who I really like. I can’t believe how fast this month has gone by! I have learned a ton, but I think I had unrealistic expectations of being able to be completely fluent in a month. After classes Monday, Paul, Gillian and I went to my new favorite place- the Banos Arabesque (Turkish/Arabic baths). AMAZING. The most beautiful little building with incredibly detailed Moorish architecture full of candles and pools of various temperatures, a sweet minty tea, fountains and a steam room. I inquired about living there forever but apparently it is a bit out of my price range. You can also pay 2 Euros more for a 20 minute massage. I will be going back. Afterwards Robert and I went out to grab a drink and some tapas in honor of Groundhog Day (not a thing here).

Yesterday was another ordinary day of classes but afterwards Robert and I went back to my favorite chocolate/churros café (Café Futbol) where I believe the waiters are beginning to recognize us. We hung out there for most of the afternoon, drank a vat of hot thick chocolate, and I read while he wrote (he is writing a novel). I left a few times to meet with various people to look at available apartmentos. There were several good options, but I believe on Sunday I will be moving into a convent. (Well this wing is now owned separately, but it is adjoined to a closed working convent. It seems like it will be very peaceful, and has the ONLY clothes dryer I’ve found in Spain, along with wifi, a delightful little courtyard, my own bathroom and a shared giant industrial kitchen. I spoke with the owner, Pedro, yesterday and he seems really nice. I hope to have the opportunity to practice my Spanish with him and the manager of the property, a woman whose name I forget. I believe there will also be several of the other TEFL students living on the property. 

Now I'm off to enjoy El Sol!!! 


SABES QUE…
Every Spaniard eats about 5 kilograms of cured ham per year.