Transatlanticism

Okay, now it feels real. All my bags are finally packed (motivation was lacking for awhile)  and my room is clean and ready for Patricia to move back in. Only took me the entire day. This whole day has been really tough... I'm not ready to leave! It just kinda sucks to have to leave everything behind here. 3 months just wasn't enough.

BUT I have SO much good awaiting me in Michigan. Like seeing my family... including Phil! I am the only one in the family who hasn't seen my brother since the winter, so I'm really, really excited that he is going to be home for a week. And I don't think I have gone this long without seeing Marianne... so it's going to be wonderful to be reunited. Also, moving back into my house in Ann Arbor has me shaking with excitement :) I truly realized how much my friends mean to me while I've been so far away from all of them this summer. As great as it has been to meet new people, I am so anxious to see everyone again. And, I am eager to start classes again. (embarrassing) I feel like I am taking some really interesting classes this fall... it just weighs on me every day that I can't take a Spanish course. I plan to attend the Spanish conversation tables whenever I can as some kind of way to not lose everything I've worked for this summer. Before I left they were such a chore to attend, now its something I really look forward to.


As far as transitioning back to life in the States, I know it's going to be tough. Thoughts of reverse culture shock have kind of been circling in my head the past few days. I know it's a very real thing, and the sense of depression that comes along with it is real as well. The good thing is, lo bueno es,  I am returning back home during the most exciting part of the year. And I really think that is what is going to keep me going. And it's not like I want to stay here the rest of my life, and that is why I don't want to return, I just feel like I could stay here longer, and it would feel perfectly normal. And that's what's tough.

But anyway, Friday, yesterday, I finished work. My two coworkers who I was closest with, Rosa and Clara, took me out to a really nice lunch after my work day was done. They were really, really nice people, actually everyone at my work was like that. Once I turned my back after saying goodbye I was really swept with some grief. It was like... wow, now I go home to pack. Of course, I didn't pack yesterday at all, but it was just the feeling of knowing what was next. Overall, I think my internship was beneficial. I don't really feel like I know the UN, because working at ACNUR never really felt like working for the UN. They are their own separate entity in their operations, which I now understand. I'm not sure I see myself pursing a job with the UN in the future, because I don't like how they cycle people so frequently, and I wouldn't want to live in Geneva, but it was a really cool Spanish internship in general. I could follow the news very closely, and actually see how it impacted their operations, which I liked. Seeing international news as something real, and not as just news that is so far away it has no impact on my life, is something that I really appreciated. That concept might make no sense its hard for me to describe. But also, now I have a much greater interest in immigration. I closely followed every incoming arrival of a boat of mostly African immigrants that escaped to Spain, and also Italy. Their journeys are seriously incredible, and devastatingly sad. It has sparked an interest that I did not have or understand before.

I went out with some French friends last night for my last real night in Madrid. I ran into a huge group of Ross Grad students in the street which was hilarious, well maybe just funny at the time. We OF COURSE sang the fight song which was unnecessary. Guess I am ready!

And tonight, after packing all day, Etor and I went out for ice cream and a beer and talked for a few hours. We said our formal goodbye a few minutes ago and I couldn't keep it together. I think I'm just exhausted from all this goodbyes!! No more, though. Now I can get ready for some HELLLOS in Michigan! :) Marianne, I await your airport surprise.

I think I will post again in a week or so to see what I really miss once I'm back in the States, and start to understand this new perspective. Theres more to say now but I have to wake up in five hours to go to the airport.

I leave you with my current state of mind...

(JK)

It's Ending

Yesterday was my last lazy Sunday in Madrid. Today is my last unbearably hot Monday in Madrid. This same pattern of nostalgia is going to continue until I leave... in SIX DAYS. I can't really say reality is starting to set in, because it's just hasn't yet. I haven't accepted the fact that I am leaving Madrid, possibly never to return again. I still think that I am going to be shopping at the same Dia in next week, that I am going to be taking my same metro to and from work like usual, or that I will continue to be able to meet friends "for a drink" whenever I want (long 4 months ahead before that I actually true). I have been back and forth all summer about whether or not I am happy to be going home or ready to stay here forever. And with 6 days left, I'm still confused. I think that if I was really, really excited to go home, it would be an alarming sign that I couldn't bear to stay here any longer. And if I was really, really terribly sad to be going home, I would also be in a bad position. The middle ground I (possibly) have is maybe a good thing.

As far as leaving Madrid, and not ever living here again, that is quite saddening. I have come to the conclusion that I really love this city. For so many little reasons and big reasons. I now know that I must see other European cities to see how they compare to Madrid. If it's just the European city thing that I am drawn to, or if Madrid is unique.

I'm pretty tired of saying so many goodbyes at this point, too. I had to say goodbye to Laura this week, and it was really sad. We spent an evening with Jesus and Raquel at a park in the north part of the city, and then at a restaurant with traditional food from where she is from in Spain, San Sebatian. The food was actually traditional Basque Country cuisine. One of the best parts of spending time with her was getting to do things I would have never done on my own. I know we will keep in touch, and they have plans to travel to the US... so maybe I will see her in the States.

The only big goodbyes I have to endure now are my work and Etor. Etor made Canadian pancakes for breakfast yesterday morning because his friend from Canada brought him maple syrup. One of those things I never realized would be so exotic to a Spaniard, but he had never had pancakes before, let alone make them. They were really good.

On Friday I went with a couple others to Salamanca, a University town about 3 hours from Madrid. We stayed at this really cheap hostel with 20 beds in every room, and absolutely zero amenities, but it ended up working out great and we met some great people there. On Saturday we walked around the beaaautiful city and then were back in Madrid by that evening. Again, I have some great pictures but I have no room to put them on my computer right now.  

Today is a holiday in Madrid called Virgen de la Paloma, so I am off work. There has been a huge celebration in the a neighborhood called La Latina all weekend, and the only way I can describe it would be to say its the American version of a county fair, but put into the streets of a small neighborhood in a city. We've gone the past two nights, just to hang out there (possibly also taking part in the outdoor discoteca...), and the thing that is so different feeling is that there aren't any tourists. But the streets are just jammed with people eating from the huge outdoor bbq's and botelloning in the streets. I want to put up pictures but my computer is completely full. Anyway, this festival has been a fun way to spend my last real weekend here, because its a way to see Madrid's own culture and traditions (the traditional dressed up people look like they are wearing lederhosen...), and take part in something where I can almost feel like a Madrileña (I most certainly am not.)

Anna, one of the other few CDS participants who has been in Mallorca, is back in Madrid for a couple days. It's been nice to see her again and have someone to talk to about our internships. Tonight we are making dinner at my apartment with TJ. We should be on a CDS commercial....

Tomorrow I'm back to work, and Friday I'll be done there for good. I truly don't think "reality will set in" until I'm leaving my office for the last time.

Granada in a day

By 6:00AM Saturday I was on the first Metro of the day to the bus station. It's interesting being on the Metro then, because so many people are getting on who are still out from the previous night. The Metro closes here from 1:30 to 6 every day... so in order to save money on a cab you just have to make it to sunrise. Seriously, this is the city that never sleeps.

But anyyywway, I had a 7:00AM bus to Granada, and by noon I arrived. I only gave myself a day to be there, so I could save on food and didn't have to get a hostel. Therefore, I had an agenda and I knew I had a lot to get done.

I started with the old downtown walk, which took me a couple hours. The city is so much smaller than Madrid, so I appreciated the abilitiyto see everything without having to walk miles and miles. Plus, it made it possible to feel like I could do it all! So, I saw the old alleys where they would sell silk back in the Moorish(?) days, and the really old cathedral (but that was built by Christians), and of course many open plazas.

I then began the long walk uphill to see Alhambra. I spent almost 4 hours there walking the grounds, seeing the Palace, the old fort, and the huge garden. Everything about Alhambra is like, magical. When I was walking through the garden, called Generalife (Hen-er-al-lee-fay), I thought I maaay just had found what heaven looks like. What's most amazing is that they have found paintings from 500 years ago that show the garden in the same condition. So green, so beautiful. After "strolling" this Generalife I went to the Palace. The construction of this old muslim palace was incomprehensible. The detail in the walls, the ceilings, the floors almost doesn't make sense because of how much work it would have taken to create. The tourists in this palace, however, were the worst. I know that I was one of them, but taking a picture took some serious effort if you didn't want a family of 4 posing for the 10th time in front of the same thing in the frame.  Finally, I saw the old abandoned fort, which gave some pretty cool views of Granada.

I left Alhambra, wondered Albayzín for a while, which is the old Moorish neighborhood which still feels just as dated. It was designed to confuse intruders in the city, so the streets just come to dead ends and have no order or sense. I somehow found this lookout point to for some views of Alhambra and Granada, and hung out up there for some time listening to old Spanish men sing and play guitar.

Finally, I went back down and saw the rest of the downtown I rushed though, grabbed some free tapas for dinner, and read my book until I had my 12:30 bus home. The seat next to me was vacant on the ride back so I passed ouuutt, and by 7AM Sunday morning I was back at my apartment.

Although the day was really tiring, hot, and I was by myself, I'm really glad I saw Granada. So many people who have stayed in Spain say it is their favorite city, and I can see why. It's small and manageable, which is nice after being in Madrid for all these weeks. And, now I can say I've been to Andalucía (Spain's whole Southern region).

Okay, so I took more than 300 pictures in Granada, which is just absurd. Here are some of my favorites:

Downtown, where all the gypsies were!

Cathedral.

Back side of the Cathedral, more downtown.

Entrance to the start of Alhambra

Long hike up.

Walk to Generalyfe inside Alhambra

One of many lillypad filled pools

Still inside Generalyfe

Carlos V Palace

Inside the Moorish palace

This is where the women would "stroll" because they couldnt leave the palace

From the other side

This is the room where the sultan used to sit....

Views out the window

Detail on the walls.

More examples of the detail

Back in the garden

On top of the fort!

The whole abandoned fort

Granada from Albazín

Up on the look out point. Random people dancing and playing music.

Alhambra from the look out point

Lost in Albayzín :)

el Sierra

Laura, the Spanish Laura, had been talking about "el Sierra" for a few weeks now, but I never really understood why she she seemed so eager to take me there.  I was a little hesitant at first to go... it's outside of the city, and we had to drive about 40 minutes to get there. But, I gave in, and Wednesday her husband picked us up outside of the metro near my apartment. Raquel, who had been joining us the past few weeks, came along too, so the 4 of us hopped in Jesus' car (her hubby) Wednesday evening. I don't know what I had to worry about. Even though technically we were supposed to be speaking in English and Spanish, I was able to talk Spanish with them practically the whole time, and even though I'm some 20-year-old American who they barely know, they acted like we had been long time friends. Laura, especially, is so nice to me. She has been like some kind of mentor to me while I've been here.

Anyway, we left the city and began the climb through the mountains. And ohh my god, I soon realized why we went. We were so isolated and it was so calm, but still we hadn't left "Madrid." How it was possible, I don't know. After an hour or so of driving through a mountain, we arrived at what seemed like the other side where it was low again. There is a swimming area there, which felt much more like a swimming hole than a lake. It was freezing! But it felt like I was swimming in the cleanest, purest water ever.

We walked back to the car after a while of swimming and laying by the water, and then headed to a small town called Miraflores ("look at the flowers") on the other side of the mountain facing Madrid. We had Morcilla, which is a very famous blood sausage from northern spain, and some other tapas, then finally headed home about midnight. Of course I was exhausted, but eating at 11 pm and getting home at 1 is nothing to these Spaniards. I think it might be my favorite night I've spent here.

Jesus and Laura at our first pit stop

Let there be light!

driving through the mountains....

Then... this. 

Watering hole place?

From the other side

Agua muy fria

Stopped for the sunset on the way back.

beaaaaaaauty

Outskirts of Madrid in thee distance

Miraflores, where we stopped for dinner

On Thursday roommate Laura arrived back in Madrid for a few days. It has been really wonderful seeing her again and having someone else at the piso, since Etor is gone this weekend. We went out Thursday night for drinks, and made a huge brunch this morning with a couple of her friends.

Friday, I offered up my kitchen for TJ and his visiting friends to come make dinner and hang out, knowing how expensive it is to eat out for a lot of meals in Madrid. Luckily they took me up on the offer and we made a huge meal together Friday. At one point TJ and I heard some strange sounds from the street, and when we looked out the window from 5 stories up, we found Glenn and his friend were just yelling our names until they figured out which apartment was mine. So, they came and joined as well. I had to get up super early Saturday morning, though, because I was headed to Granada! 

Tomorrow, I'll finish posting about that trip and put up pictures. For now, I'm off to bed. A week from tomorrow is a national holiday, so I think this is my very last Monday at work. Ridiculous.

Goodbyes, Castles, and SKYPE

Returning to Madrid from Porto was refreshing. I realized that when I leave and go on these trips, I miss "home" in my little (actually it's ridiculously big) apartment on Calle Francisco Lozano! Awe. :)

On Monday, I had a day off work, which was glorious after sleeping in the airport. I slept for a little when I got back, but then met Curt, TJ, and Glenn at the public swimming pool for the rest of the day. Juan met us there later, and we went back and made dinner at the apartment after. FYI... it is not just beaches that are topless. The whole pool was topless as well. Even the little niñas!

Tuesday night I walked into my kitchen and my roommates were cooking up a feast of tapas and Sangria. I ended up having a great night with them, as it was one of the last.. actually it was the last!... time that we were all together. I also have a pretty fab sangria recipe to bring home now.

Since TJ was headed to Italy last weekend (nbd), Thursday was the last night that the we could all hang out before Curt took off on Sunday. So we met up with Glenn for dinner, and then went to Templo de Debod to hang out. It's the huge Egyptian temple right by my apartment, and at night it is filled with people.

last botellón.

After hanging out with a group of French students on Friday night, I realized that my preconceived thoughts of French people were totally wrong. Everyone in the States always says how the French hate Americans and are cold or whatever, but they all have been the friendliest people I've met. I had no personal experience to base my opinion on before, which is why I'm glad I could change it. Anyway, Glenn, who is from France, lived in Scotland for 6 months, Mexico for 6 months, and now he is going to Austria at the end of the month for a year. He obviously has to be open minded to be willing to live and travel in the way... and I'm actually extremely envious. A couple of the girls lived in the States for a year, and said it was the best time of their lives.

And Saturday.... such a sad day! Saturday I had to say goodbye to Kristin, Curt, and Juan all in one night. It was terrible! I am actually struggling with the fact that things are going to be very different in August compared to July. Not just the fact that so many people are going to be gone, but the whole city practically shuts down. For example, August is the hottest month of the summer here, but all of the public swimming pools close down starting today. What? To keep myself busy and make the most of my short time left, I am traveling a lot this month. Starting with... yesterday (technically July still). I went to Segovia, a town just an hour outside of Madrid.

Segovia is a very famous city in Spain, much more famous than I had realized. It has three main features that I can tell you about or Wikipedia can. Either way, the city opens with this HUGE Roman aqueduct that is an incredible structure. It also holds the largest cathedral I have ever seen in my life, and a huge CASTLE, called Alcanzar. I started with the Alcanzar, where there is a tower and the actual castle itself. The tower was completely worth the never ending spiral staircase to the top, where I had just the most incredible view. From there I went down and walked through the castle, which was just beautiful. And, SO OLD!  I then walked through the Cathedral, which was huge. But also, quite creepy. It was extremely dark, and the whole exterior is lined with crypts. After this, I went and climbed to the top of the aqueduct, bought a few postcards for my wall, and decided to head home.

There were so many pictures to choose from, and since it takes forever to upload them, I chose very selectively. But hopefully you can get the idea from these:

The Roman Aqueduct. I thought it was quite cool that the city "started" with this. Like, wow.

Looking out to the city's entrance.

The Cathedral. Could not fit it all in one frame, but here is one side of it.

From the Plaza Mayor

Segovia from the top of the tower at Alcanzar. You can see the Cathedral and the old city walls.

Inside the castle! Oooooh...

I was obsessed with the stained glass.

Royal bedroom. The tapestry covered walls are amazing.

Largest, "most important" room. The ceiling is incredible.

View into the chapel

Proof I was ACTUALLY there.

From the outside.

long way down!

Armour room.

Alcanzar!

Inside the cathedral. Really hard to capture how big it actually was.

This one shows it a little better.

The crypts that lined the perimeter.

Inside one of the crypts.

Like, HUGE!

The city walls.

The walk up to the top of the Aqueduct.

Segovia and mountains

Incredible structure.

By 6 Sunday evening I was home.

Once I was back to my apartment, I had a serious SKYPE FEST with the family. I talked to Marianne for in an hour (who was in a very.... interesting state), I was able to call my Mom for the first time since being here, which was SO nice, and I talked to my Dad and Gail and saw more of their home improvements.... before I was finally at the point of exhaustion and passed out. It was 3 solid hours of talking to the family, which was so needed. Phil, I missed you.

Today I have been catching up on things I didn't get done this weekend. Work flew by. I am working on helping them subtitle their English videos with Spanish subtitles, which is kind of fun. I noticed today how much better I am at sending emails in Spanish, which used to terrify me. After work, I booked a bus ticket to Granada this weekend. I also bought a pass to Alhambra, which has been compared to the 7 Wonders of the World. I'm only going to be there a day, but since I'm going alone I think I can get everything done in 12 hours. Vamos a ver!