Almeria & San Jose, Spain

Waking up to see the sun rise. Not really to see the sun rise, but we were sure as hell up early enough to witness it if we wanted to! We ate breakfast and we did our last minute packing and we were out the door in no time to catch the bus to the bus station. Today we decided to catch a later bus and we didn't get picked up until 7:30 so we were a little worried that we were going to miss our bus to Almeria that left at 8:00 am. We made it to the station in no time, so the worries went away.

We loaded our things on the bus and boarded and we were off. We stopped at a city where about half of the people got off so I switched seats so Rachael and I each had our own 2 seats to sit on. It was a 3 hour bus ride but it felt a lot longer than that! 

When we pulled into Almeria, it was a cute little town, definite travel destination for those throughout Europe. We got off the bus and then we walked to the hotel, about a 10 minute walk from the bus station. We had stopped at the information desk to get a map and the man working spoke Spanglish and he was very interested in the fact that I was from Wisconsin. We didn't know what to think of him but we just got our map and carried on.

When we arrived at the hotel, we were a few hours early to check in but they let us anyways. When we were on the bus, Rachael realized that we didn't bring our passports and that we would be needing them to check into the hotel! We thought about bringing them but then we decided we wouldn't need them for traveling and we didn't want to risk losing them. Lucky for us the man at the reception desk was kind enough to let Rachael recite her passport number and birthday to cover the passport information needed. I had a copy of my passport on me but they had never asked for any of my information, which is a bit unusual. 

We had to wait about 10 minutes before our room was ready, but then we went up to room 614 in the VITA Gran Hotel. We took our pictures quickly before we messed up the room!

After we checked out the room, we noticed that we had a balcony looking out over the coast and city! There were also two white chairs out there that we could sit on, that we would utilize a bit during our stay there. The pool was right under us, but we would not be using it because we didn't think it was open and we had to walk through the party room to access it. (There was a wedding, baptism, first communion and a business all staying here this weekend).

After checking out the hotel room, we ate our bocadillos that Mila packed us. We then decided to go wander the city a little bit and try to find a supermarket so we could eat lunch cheaply the next day! We went to an information desk along the way and we asked about buses to Cabo de Gata and she told us that they leave at 2:15 pm. We heard it was 2:30 so we were now in a little more of a rush than before. We went to Carrefour market and we spent just under 8 euros for bread, cheese, chorizo, Oreos, 3 cans of soda, pretzels, chips, a jug of juice and 2 napolitanas. Can you say a steal!? We then walked back to the hotel with all of our goodies and then packed up a backpack to bring to the San Jose (where the bus takes you in Cabo de Gata.) 

We walked back to the bus station and we got there at about 2, only to find out that the bus didn't leave until 2:30, like we thought. Oh well, better early than not going at all. We sat outside and waited for the bus to come. It showed up and we boarded, only paying 2.80 for a one way, 1 hour bus ride to San Jose. 

The bus ride wasn't bad, but we did seem to be stopping every 50 in every small town that we did come across. That was a bit annoying but hey, people live there and they have to get transportation somehow.

When we arrived in San Jose the information building was closed for siesta... on a Saturday! What is this world coming to!? They didn't reopen until 5:30, a 2 hour wait, so instead of exploring other beaches in Cabo de Gata we just went to the beach in San Jose.

Walking to the beach was easy because we just followed where everyone else went. Along the way there were a lot of fishy restaurants and cafes.

When we got to the beach, it was absolutely stunning. Crystal blue waters, brown sand and the waves hitting the rocks, it was straight out of a painting. Breathtaking! We set up camp and the only downside of the beach was the sea breeze that would blow the sand into you and your stuff, and let me tell you, it wasn't all that comfortable. It also was a bit chilly from the sea breeze, but eventually we would get used to the temperature and be able to sit and lay with just our swimsuits on.

After relaxing for a bit, it started to get chilly and we were getting bored, and it was around 5pm, so we decided to go walk around the town and then sit and wait at the tourist information building until it opened. We sat along the wall outside and when cars drove by, we definitely got the looks. The lady arrived right on time and we asked if there were public bathrooms anywhere because we couldn't find them (and we even asked at restaurants and they said that there weren't any). We also asked her if the beach that Indiana Jones was filmed on was far away and she said it was a 6 km walk one way, and it would have been cutting it too close for us to go. So instead we decided to go walk around town for a little bit and see what else we could find. We found a sign that said that there was a mirador, so that was our mission. We walked through a bunch of neighborhoods, probably beach homes of the rich in other countries, or maybe even Spain, and then we finally found it. Here are some shots before reaching the mirador and the mirador itself. 

(A cool architectural house)

There were steps at the mirador, so we decided to take them down and hopefully walk back to the beach that we started on. Along the way we had to walk over rocks that were uneven, but it was worth is because they views were awesome.

 We could have made it back to the beach but instead we decided to cut it short and to head up to a cafe that we had seen along the way because I had to go to the bathroom and there were no public bathrooms anywhere! How ridiculous! I didn't believe the lady working at the desk or the restaurant owners at first, but now I know that they weren't lying! Here is the restaurant/cafe we went to.

We each ordered a batido (shake) and I got a chocolate banana one. It was one of the best shakes that I have ever had and I think I am now addicted because it was SO good. I drank my shake and then finally got to use the bathroom! What a relief that was. When we got to the restaurant, clearly, there was nobody there, but by the time that we left the whole outdoor patio was filled up. We brought them business! There was also Wifi at the restaurant we took advantage of that and talked to people back home. When we finished up at the restaurant we were off back to the beach.

Back at the beach we just sat cuddled up in our towels because it was definitely chillier and we were just wasting away time until it was 7:45 for us to walk back to the bus stop for out 8:00 bus. During our time at the beach, while I was playing in the sand, a big ol beetle type of animal came out of nowhere and I wanted to shoo it away, and I may have killed it. To make sure it was dead, we started to throw rocks, missing most, at the bug and then we were for certain he was head. We named him Bernardo el Bicho and we properly buried him, gave him a hedgestone and made a cross out of shells on top of it all. 

It was about time to go back to the bus stop, but I wanted to the use the bathroom one more time before leaving, so we went back to the cafe and they had no problem with me using it again. Either they really liked us or they are used to people asking to use the bathroom. 

We then waited at the bus stop and soon boarded the bus and paid our 2.80 euros again to go back to Almeria. When we got back, it was around 9 pm and we were getting hungry so we went back to the hotel and changed into more "eating out" attire. We then stopped at the reception desk and asked them for suggestions for fried fish, what we were craving and they told us of a restaurant nearby. He also gave us a tapas tour map because Almeria is known for their tapas because you get to pick your tapas, unlike in Granada on the weekends.

We walked to the recommended restaurant  which I had also seen on TripAdvisor  and it was overpriced like no other! They were charging 13 euros for fried fish and there were even some fish on the menu that was over 100 euros, no joke! We quickly moved on and started to find other restaurants that were cheaper, but not to the price point that we were looking for. Eventually we ran across a pizza place, which is what we determined would be cheaper but still hit the spot, and we sat down there. We ordered our tinto de veranos, and they brought out bread sticks with a blue cheese creamy ball to dip them in. It wasn't that bad, but I wished it was the cheese spread that I get at home all the time (Ron's or Renard's Cheese Factories!) We ordered a pizza to share and a bowl of pasta to share. The pizza was spicy sausages (looked like pepperonis) with red peppers and the pasta was a bolognese sauce with ham and cheese and noodles that were hollow. Rigatoni I think. We polished it off, slowing down towards the end, but it was delicious nonetheless, awesome! 

After dinner we headed on home and we flipped through the channels to find TV in English! I was in heaven! I didn't know what to do. Rachael took a shower and I practically fell asleep watching the TV show, but then it was my turn to shower. We each had a bunch of sand in our hair and on our scalp because of the wind blowing it there earlier in the day. 

After my shower, we set the TV on a sleep timer and fell asleep to English tones, what a life! 

Horseback Riding

Today I slept in because I was tired. But I did wake up for my breakfast and then went back to bed for a bit. When I woke up, I worked on my paper some more and I chatted Michael on Facebook. I learned that paper could be 5 pages double spaced, instead of 5 pages single spaced, like I had been doing. I said to hell with it and kept on with my single space. 

We ate a late lunch today and after lunch we hung out for a bit and I did some more car searching. It was then time to go and Rachael and I left for Palacio de Congresos because today we are going horseback riding! We met the group there and we all boarded a city to city bus and one hour later, we arrived in the pueblo we would be riding in. 

There was 18 of us and we had to split off into two groups. I went in the second group. We had to wait about 45 minutes to an hour before it was our turn so we went into the barn/lounge area and we had some Coke and tea and we hung out and chit chatted. 

When the first group got back it was our turn to go! I took the same horse that Liz had rode in the first group, because I wanted a brown horse and not a white one.

We went on a trail ride for about 45 minutes and it was really cool to be riding on a horse and then looking to your left and seeing the mountains. The trail went through some farm lands and next to a river, and we even went through a part of the city at one point! Overall the ride was enjoyable, accept that my horse wanted the eat the whole time so he (or she) kept on throwing their head up and down and then pulling forward so the reins almost came out of my hands. The horse also was a slow walker so it made it difficult to keep up with the pact, but like I said, a good experience and time!

When we got back to the farm we packed up our things and then walked back to the bus stop. We took the bus back to Granada and then walked home from there. We stopped at an electrical store with Amy because her mom is coming this weekend, so that is exciting for her!

Back home we just hung out until dinner time and did some homework. Rachael and I then walked to Liz's house because her roommate Carin is going to Ronda tomorrow so Rachael can finally have her tapa pickers picked up! She got lucky that someone is going there! We dropped of Rachael's money and then walked back home. It was cool to see how other people live, and in style!

When we got back to our house we packed up and then hung out the rest of the night. We also figured out that there is a ceiling fan in our room, so we turned that on because it was a hot one!

The Pink Panther Place

Today started off as a normal day, going to class and come home after to my bed for a nice long nap. Nothing out of the ordinary. I worked on my paper some more and accomplished a lot. Lunchtime came around and eventually it was already mid day.

Rachael and I had an intercambio with Samu at Cafe Varagua. It went well and it actually had a "low light" because Rachael got to see a man almost get pick pocketed and I got to see the attack in the aftermath. According to Rachael, this is what happened. A student, we think we was American, was walking with a backpack and all of a sudden a guy in a blue jacket came running up behind him and tried to reach into his pockets. The student was alarmed and started to grab at his pockets and then the man in the jacket walked away. But it wasn't over just yet. The student tried to carry on as usual but the man was acting like he wanted to fight and even spit on the student! The student was backing away the whole time this was happening. Sometime during all of this, the man in the blue jacket came up to the table next to ours (we were sitting outside because it was a nice day) and we thought he was going to grab the chair or a bottle to smack on the kid, but luckily nothing happened. Soon enough the waiter shooed away the pickpocketer and the student carried on minding his own business, clearly distraught and shaken up a bit. It was eventful and I was scared for my own safety. This was the first that I have ever felt unsafe in Granada.

After the intercambio Samu and I walked home while Rachael went to class. I then spent the rest of the evening just wasting away time looking at car options because I now get to pick out my new-to-me car. I never knew how much work actually went into finding a new car because this is the first time that I have ever done it. It is also a bit challenging to find everything on your need/want list, within your budget!

Dinner time rolled around and then it was time to get ready. Rachael decided that she was going to stay in tonight so I was going to go out with Chelsea and Amy. We met at Leah and Maggie's house before going out and when I got there nobody was there. I'm always early! About 5 minutes later, Alex, Devon, Ian, Chris (Alex's friend from Australia) and Yoki (Helen's Japanese roommate) all showed up. I talked with them until Chelsea and Amy got there, then Maggie and Leah came outside. Michael got to our group too but he had to go and get Sam and Ruth because they were waiting at my place for me, but I had left about 10 minutes prior. 

We all walked to La Nina Bonita, the place that is more well known in our group at the Pink Panther place because they only play Pink Panther episodes on their TV. We ordered our drinks and me, Chelsea and Amy all got strawberry daiquiris. 

The group all took tequila shots but I didn't take one because I had some vodka left over from Sevilla when we bought a bottle, so I snuck it in my purse and used someone's shot glass to take my own shot. 

When we were ready to go, all 3 of us left to go to Campus because everyone else was going to go to Camborio. We decided to try to sneak out without paying, which ended up not working because when the rest of the group left, they made them pay. We payed them back the next day though.

We walked in a very weird way to get to Campus and I thought we were lost, but we somehow came out where we needed to be! Before we got to the door we ran into Brittany, a girl who I have met a few times before (but she doesn't seem to remember) and she was with a Spanish guy going for tapas. We talked with them for a bit, only in Spanish because he didn't know English and then we went to Campus. When we got to the door, they said that we were the first 3 but there was a free open bar of tinto de verano and beer so we decided to go in anyways. We took advantage of the bar and about 3 minutes after we went in, more people came in following us. 

Chelsea and Amy's Spanish friends showed up and we spent the rest of the night hanging out with them at Campus.

I got home around 4 am and I hung out in the bathroom talking my friends until I was ready for bed. (I did this so I didn't wake up Rachael because she was sleeping and I wasn't tired yet.) I went to bed and it was a good good day! :)

Sonny is No Longer Sunny

Today started off as a good day. Classes were normal and I was enjoying the nice weather. I even wore a dress and got a lot of compliments on it. 

I talked to Katie (the one who is studying abroad here from Winona as well) and she is thinking about changing her taller to stamping on fabric with me instead of doing yoga because she was freaked out by the yoga teacher.

In my last class of the day I think that the heat was getting to me because I started to feel a little sick but as soon as I got some fresh air, I was able to relax more and feel better.

We got an email back from the registrar and let me just say he is not the nicest guy to walk Winona State's campus. He is not budging on the grading scale changes so we are going to lay off for a bit and see what time does to the situation. 

I talked to Karyn and found out that they are going to be totally the car. How sad! This means that I now have to start to look for a new car, while in another country! What a mess! At least the good thing is, is that I might be able to get everything I want... fingers crossed.

Stamping on Fabric

Today started off as a rough day because I was rudely awakened by my alarm.  I sucked it up and got out of bed and got ready because I knew I only had one class to attend today. I went to class and came back and took a two hour nap. Today I even set my alarm so I wouldn't sleep too much because I had to work on my paper some more. I worked on my paper until lunch and even started some other homework that I had. 

After lunch I finished up the homework that I had started before and then Rachael and I walked to the Fuente de Batallas to people watch. On our way there we window shopped and stopped in a shoe store, but we stopped ourselves from buying anything because we have to somehow fit everything back into our suitcases on the way home to the states. 

At 4:30 Asun showed up at the fuente because we had an intercambio. I introduced Rachael to her and vice versa and then Rachael headed home because she had to get ready for her class. Asun and I walked and talked until we found a cafe nearby school. We had a great intercambio and I got to practice a lot of my Spanish. Even though I was having an off day and making a lot more mistakes than usual, it was still a good experience, as always.

After we finished up our intercambio we walked to the CLM together because I was meeting Tess there and Asun had to drop off a book. Asun also got to meet Tess and then we went our separate ways. Tess showed me how to get to the Albaicin's building of workshops for students because she lives in the Albaicin. It was nice to have someone to show me the way and to talk with because without her I wouldn't been lost. 

When we got to the building Tess even helped me find my classroom because she was here yesterday, and then she went home. There were 3 other women in my class of stamping on fabric and the professor. One was probably in her 50s and the other two were in her 20s. They all spoke Spanish and it was a little hard to communicate, so I didn't say much at all. 

The workshop was supposed to last 3 hours but we only went for 1 hour because the professor or teacher only showed us examples of what were are going to be doing. The only problem that our class has it that there needs to be at least 6 participants to run the class and we only had 4, so we might have to move the time of day so we can have more students participating. I just hope that I can attend during that time period.

After the workshop I walked home and surprised Mila that I was home so early. She had a friend over so I decided to talk very very briefly with them. When I got to my room I went on the computer and just hung out for a bit. I then Skyped Brynn for a little bit and then chilled some more before dinner time.

After dinner I am now blogging and after this I will finish up my homework and then hit the sack because I am exhausted! 

** UPDATE ON GRADING SCALE CHANGES **

Today we, the students abroad in Granada, sent a collective email to the registrar about our concern with the grading scale changing. Soon after sending the email, we also got the Spanish faculty on our side as well so we are making progress towards guaranteeing a 7 as a A in our transferring of credits. 

Boston Marathon Bombing

Today was a normal day. Except we finally got our tests back in Islamic Culture! Probably would've been better if he just kept it by the score that I got. It was horrible, to say the least. Luckily I can retake it the same day as the final, so I will be studying my butt off for that!

Between my evening classes, Helen and I sat outside for a bit and soaked up the sun. Drew joined us too after she went and got some food. It got to be too hot for me, at least 82 degrees, so I had to move into the shade and eventually went back inside.

After my final class of the evening I walked home with Rachael and we ate dinner at our normal time. During dinner we saw the news that there were 2 explosions in Boston, Massachusetts near the finish of the Boston Marathon. What a shame!

As of now, there are at least 2 people confirmed dead and many casualties. We also have heard that police are finding more bombs that have not gone off yet and everyone needs to clear the area. Here is a direct quote from of the news stations:

DEVELOPING: At least three people are dead and dozens injured - including up to 10 with amputated limbs - after two explosions rocked the area near the finish line of the Boston Marathon
.

It is so sad that people have to do this and express themselves through such danger. Hopefully everyone is alright and they are able to come to the bottom of things soon.

Don't mean to end on a depressing topic but I have nothing else to say about today. Only hope that tomorrow will be better.

100 Days in Spain and Almunecar

Today marks 100 days since my arrival in Spain! It is hard to believe that 100 days have already gone by! Time flies when you are having fun. 

we woke up bright and early at 7 am because we are going to the beach! Woohooo! In the middle of the night, the food from the cortijo did not sit well with my stomach, so I was pretty hungry in the morning. We ate breakfast, got our things ready and then we went to catch the city bus.

About a minute after we got to the bus stop the bus showed up and we were at the bus station in no time.. Sooner than we probably should've been. Soon after settling down we saw Tess, Ruth Ann, Liz and Katie walk down the stairs and sit down so we went over there and joined them. Following that, Chelsea and Amy showed up as well and we were all together! 

We boarded the bus and we were off to Almunecar. The bus stopped at a few other cities along the way but soon enough we were at the bus station in Almunecar. We got off the bus and started to walk towards the beach, about a  10 minute walk. It was nice outside but it hadn't hit the high of the day yet because it was only 10:30 am. 

We got to the beach and set up camp in the sand. This is where I spent my day!

Because there is a nice sea breeze, we started off the day by wearing sweatshirts but eventually we would be able to take them off and just wear our suits.

Mila had packed us our bocadillos and we were getting hungry so we started to munch a little bit. I setup my camera on self timer and some of the group took pictures with me!

After munching some more and tanning for a while, Rachael and I went for a walk. On our walk we got to see a little more than we were hoping for because some girls weren't wearing their tops. It wasn't a nudist beach but I guess going topless, and walking around that way, was acceptable. We found these rocks that were very slimey with seaweed and we climbed on them. 

When we got back we were gutsy and decided to walk in the water and go down to our shoulders! Here is a play by play of what happened. One picture that wasn't taken though was Rachael splashing me because I didn't get in the water fast enough. That was a body freezer and wake up call!! Reminder, it is freezing cold... probably colder than Lake Michigan!

After going in the water, we ate the rest of our bocadillos and spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun. When Tess, Rachael, Chelsea and Amy went to go and explore the town, the rest of us took pictures on my camera and we were spelling out words, for the hell of it! Here are some of the funnier ones that half turned out!

SOL <3 font="">

AGUA

HOLA

When we finished up having our fun with the camera, we hung out until the rest of the group got back. When they got back, we soaked up some more rays and then Rachael and I packed up our things because we wanted to go to McDonald's to get a McFlurry. I got these last two shots of the beach before we left.

When we got there, I went to the bathroom and Rachael went and ordered, and thank goodness she did because when I left the bathroom it was PACKED full with people who were coming from church. I snuck up to the register that Rachael was at and ordered quickly before the crowd attacked me for not waiting my turn.

We ate our ice cream outside and soon enough the rest of our group showed up and they all got some as well. When they finished it was time to board the bus back to Granada. It was a packed full bus! I slept, or tried to sleep, a good part of the way.

When we pulled up to the bus station in Granada the city bus that we needed to take was right there waiting so we knew that we had to book it off the bus to get to the city bus before it left. We must have moved fast enough because we made it there with about 2 minutes to spare. We rode the bus home and then when I got home I Skyped with my parents and Karyn.

There is still no new news about the car except we now know the cost of the damage to be repaired. The insurance company still needs to decide on if they are going to total the car or fix it for me. 

Karyn was leaving for FBLA state competition in Wisconsin Dells today so my parents went and dropped her off for that. 

After finishing Skyping my parents I worked on my paper a little bit more and showered from the long day at the beach. I also wrote my postcard to Festival, so hopefully they get it in the next couple of weeks!

I finished out the night by blogging and then called it an early one because the sun had sucked out all of my energy!