The Alhambra

Hola :)

The snow capped Sierra Nevada mountains stand
majestically behind the sturdy  fortress.  

I recently went to Granada to explore the city and visit the Alhambra.  Some of you might know that Washington Irving made a trip to Spain.  He rode horseback from Sevilla to Granada.  During his journey he composed a wonderful book called 'Cuentas de la Alhambra' or 'Tales of the Alhambra' published in 1832.  It is a collection of ancient, mystical, and mysterious stories that all took place in Granada and the Alhambra as well as 'recounts of his journey across Andalucia.'  The Moors, the Arabic Sultans, humble water-boys, etc.  The myths are all believed to be based on true facts. I read it, and I highly recommend it.  Even when I wasn't there, I could feel the cool roll off the brick walls. When I was there I felt surrounded by a hazy atmosphere.  It is tranquil, peaceful.  I realize that the Sultans were going for a 'Heaven on Earth' vibe when building the Alhambra.  If you think it's incredible nowadays, I'd love to go back a few hundred years before Ferdinad and Isabella (Los Reyes Catolicos) conquered the Alhambra. Back to when the fountains were bubbling with ice cold water, heavy incense burning in every dark corner, elegant princesses and princes wrapped in silk dripping with pearls and precious stones, lush gardens full of flowers of every color, relaxing music playing down the halls, etc.  It must have been beyond words. The Alhambra is also said to be haunted.  I don't think I'd like to be there alone after dark.  You really feel like you have been transported to Morocco or somewhere in the Middle East when you visit Granada.  Modern Presidents, Princes, heads of states all make a side stop to the Alhambra when they visit the south of Spain. The markets, the restaurants, the architecture.  It is a beautiful city.  Here are some pictures.  And Visit these websites if you want to learn more about the Alhambra and Washington Irving's 'Cuentas de la Alhambra.'

http://marieryan.hubpages.com/hub/Washington-Irving-in-The-Alhambra

http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/index.php/Gate-of-Arms/332+M5d637b1e38d/0/

-Adios

Markets 

Columbus asking Isabella and Ferdinand to finance  his journey to find the "West Indies Pass"  He found the Americas instead.  

Long Reflecting Pools and trickling fountains.

View of Granada from the Generalife.  Still part of the Alhambra.  Just with a special name.

Palace of the Catholic King Carlos V

The Alcazaba

What an interesting cloud! After this, I fell down the stairs.  Got a bruise.  Mark falling down ancient stairs thousands of years old, the ones which Sultans, soldiers, Napoleon Bonaparte,  and Washington Irving all climbed and descended off my list.

Que no hay en la vida nada como la pena de ser ciego en Granada.
It says, "There is nothing in life like the pain of being blind in Granada"

Puerta de la Justicia.
Apparently, deep underneath these gates, a beautiful Christian princess is held captive by a 200 year old (well add a  1000 years  more) Arabic 
astrologer. 

Granada from Gate of the Arms.

"It's funny to think of how different your life would be if......."

It's April.

The middle of April.

My Birthday is on Sunday the 22nd.  

"It's funny to think of how different your life would be if you never met the people who changed it." _ Author Unknown

It's so crazy what has happened to me since I arrived in the beginning of September.  I have meet so many people.  Some I only knew for a day, others I will be in contact with for a long time.  The littlest bit of kindness shown towards me will not be forgotten.  I've been so many places and my eyes have seen so many interesting things.  I've tried new foods. Been to new cities.  Thought new thoughts.  Some of my beliefs have changed.  I've been on this Earth for close to 17 years (mas o menos) and I believe that I have experienced much more than the average American teenager will ever experience.  I say that respectively of course. 

Not many teens are thrown into a situation where they have to fend for themselves.  No one speaks your language.  This is not your country.  You are a little shy and unsure.  You are not sure what classes you have.  The first day of school in Sevilla was one of the WORST days of my life.  WORST.  I emphasize the word WORST once more.  But my last day,  was also one of the hardest.  I came to love each and everyone of those kids.  Some of them were extremely good at English.  But essentially, they are my Spanish friends.  I talk to at least one of them each day.  Malaga is beautiful.  It is peaceful and chaotic at the same time.  The ocean gives it mystery the mountains in the background give it character.  However, even with this said.  Sevilla is my love.  The city.  My friends.  I may have not gotten along with a few people there, but that's life.  I do not have any hostile feelings towards anyone. 

Adults, children, kids my age.  Random people on the street.  People from different countries.  Everyone has changed my life or offered some sort of effect.  Every second.... you change.  You burn a calorie, or you eat a couple hundred.  You think a new thought.  You remember.  You smile, cry, yell....etc  You dream new dreams.  You get enthusiastic you get depressed.  The wish that you wished for on a star came true. Or didn't.  You CHANGE.  You want something new.  You throw something out.  You doubt yourself. You believe in yourself.

It's scary yet beautiful..... Change.  In my opinion, it's not what comes after that scares me, it's the responsibility I have. I know that moment of truth is coming. That moment of truth scares me the most.  I Choose A or B.  And the consequences are different for each choice.  You will adjust to the changes.  It's just taking that leap.  Choosing to put your toe over the line.  Over the point of no return.  You can't take something back.  Something you said, thought, saw... You can try to hypnotize yourself, but it still happened.  (Please, let's not bring Philosophy into this. I'm talking here.) My ability, the POWER to make something happen is within me.  I have learned that I am capable of anything I want.  I'm not talking about buying the moon, or becoming the next Princess (well... hey! ya never know).  I'm saying that if I really want to pass that math test.  I can make it happen.  

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." Marilyn Monroe said that.  Imperfection is beauty.  Even the most beautiful faces are somewhat asymmetrical.  Nature, is full of imperfections.  It still takes my breath away.  Live each day so you won't regret it.  I'm not asking you to go out and get drunk or run up the down escalators.  (Well I did the 2nd once.  OK a few times.  FINE, even a security guard has given me a look)  

Being boring is awful.  Sitting around for something to happen will not get you anywhere.  It's a hard task to make a change, get off your bum and fight for what you want.  But it's necessary.  Hey, If you make a mistake.  You will learn.  No one is perfect.  According to Marilyn, if imperfection is beauty, then perfection would be grotesque.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, " People are always getting ready to live, but never living."  You can't sit in your room at your desk and keep asking yourself "WHAT IF?" I curse those words.  It is a poisonous combination of two harmless words.  It will give you nightmares.  They will pester you all daylong.  I will never be able to say, 'what if.'  Sure, They might pass through my mind, but I shrug my shoulder's, roll my eyes and say "Well, it really doesn't matter now!"  Lo hecho esta hecho.  What's done is done.  I've learned here, that you CAN go into a situation and wing it.  (MOST the time)  Going to a new city for the day? Google the place. Get some ideas.  And just GO!  Lost?  Ask someone which direction.  End up some place unexpected?  Awesome.  I was walking home from church.  This one elderly man asked me where some road was and we ended up having a hour long conversation.  He was Spanish.  But when you're only going to know a person for 1 hour.....you don't have to be shy.  On vacation?  Like my mother says, "You're never going to see these people again."  

Ralph also famously said, "Imitation is suicide."  Don't try to be someone else.  BElieve in YOUrself. Don't sell yourself out for some cheap sideshow act.  Take a breath.  Smile.  Don't worry that people are judging you.  You are a beautiful person.  I'll pull a Lady Gaga, 'You were born this way.'

Lots upon which to ponder.  I have pictures from the Alhambra in Granada.  And a few stories.  

Un beso.

Adios,

Kates

Un Procesión de Semana Santa

Hola.

I went to downtown Malaga yesterday and experienced some really cool culture.  Semana Santa is less than 2 weeks away!  Everyone is so excited!  Semana Santa is celebrated extremely differently in Spain.  But Los Procesiones are more special in Andalucia.  Especially in Malaga and Sevilla.   Holy Week is much more intense. Usually there are processions everyday officially beginning Palm Sunday up until Easter Sunday.  The people carry statues of Mary, and Jesus on giant floats carried on the backs of men.  They are not pulled by a tractor - cough Wisconsin - which is pretty impressive to the average foreign onlooker.  Everyone is out on the street.  Talking and cheering when the Procesión comes by.  Don't be freaked out when you see marchers going by wearing garments reminiscent of the Klu Klux Klan.  The KKK-ish clothes are meant to represent people from Nazareth.  They are called "Nazareños"  and are not meant to send any type of offensive message.  They are religious fraternities or 'brotherhoods'  responsible for organizing the processions, Los costaleros, los musicos, los uniformes.  There is a lot of planning that goes into one single procession.  To them it's very sacred.  To the people it's very special.  To me it's sacred, mysterious, special, and it brings tears to my eyes.  


The men who actually carry the main floats are called "costaleros" and they are expected to carry these 'thrones' with grace and reverence.  The word costaleros derives from the word 'costal' which is a small special type of cushion used to protect los coltaleros from the wood gorging into their shoulders during the long processions.  They are highly respected.  Los Gitanos or the gypsies are also very famous for their versions of Semana Santa Procesiones.   I also saw one women candle bearer, treking it in 6 inch heels.  Only in Spain.  


Enjoy :)
Ps.  There are no Nazareños. 

Wax balls. There seriously was some good competition. 

All the wax dripping on the floor.  Most of it is there from years past.  Only in Spain would you see a bag of Pippas or sunflower seeds in the middle of a Semana Santa procession.

You could smell the sweet incense all around.  

Yes.  The streets are very small.  VERY SMALL.  It was crammed from wall to wall.

Jesus y la Virgin.  

I recorded this video. The music is very old and very typical.  I absolutely love it. Some musicos are better than others.  I went to a whole festival of this type of music in Sevilla.  I just adore Semana Santa and the music.  The energy it brings.  It really gives you a sense of appreciation.   Enjoy!


Unos ejemplos de los Nazareños:


 





AGAIN.  NO RELATION TO THE KKK AT ALL!  NOTHING.

- adios :)

Some more Random Yet Awesome Pics from London

Hey! Sorry, but these are the last of the pictures from London.   

Nothing too interesting has been going on lately.  I really want to go to Madrid for the Enrique Iglesias Concert and Barcelona just to visit. 

 It's starting to get really warm here.  I walk everyday to school.  It's such a nice walk listening to music  (I need to get pumped up everyday for school).  Seeing the beach everyday is quite surreal.  You might wonder how I manage to study with the beach and warm weather...Well, I don't know how to describe it but you get used to it.  I didn't understand it at first either.  

It's March 20th today.  I leave in 3 months and 9 days.  I feel like I have changed so much.  This journey has been very long and very interesting.  I have been with 3 families.  But now, I feel that everything is going to be alright.  Before, I was always on edge and was afraid that I was going to mess up at any moment.  I wasn't totally unhappy.  Both families in Sevilla did wonderful things for me.  But sometimes, after awhile, real personalities shine through.  Both sides have different philosophies of life.  AFS tells you that it's so uncommon to change.  But it seems to me that a lot of students have been changing.  It might be just this year, or they just tone down the truth.  I know at least 2 other girls who have had two other families and are living with a third.  You really need to be strong in order to be a foreign exchange student.  For example, I always get really nervous when I need to read in front of a class.  I mess up the words all the time.  It's bad when I try to read in English.  It's a little worse in Spanish.  I don't know why, but I just can't read smoothly.  So today the teacher was like, you need to improve your Castellano.  It wasn't helping that most of the students where talking or laughing.  Who knows.   That's life. 

I can't believe how many different places to which I have traveled.  London, Cambridge, Stamford, Peterborough, in England.  Sevilla, Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, (I hope Madrid and Barcelona) in Spain.  I went to Casablanca, Morocco.  We landed in Switzerland when we arrived to Europe.  You don't know how much I really want to go to Paris and Rome.  Oh well.  Another time.

Now I have to focus on College stuff.  I'd better go now.   Enjoy the pictures :)

-adios  

Cool water fountain.

Touristy picture.

Love this store.

Nice effect, no?

Award winning Gay Bar in London.

Chinatown.

Shrove day or "Pancake Day" in England  (Mardi Gras)

In the airport.   

What?  It was a long wait.  

Me, Alberto and Pedro

We went bowling our last day.

In London we went to a few museums.  

Candem 

Natural History Museum  

That's a T-Rex behind me.

Raquel and Me

How cool is this kid?

Maggie, this one's for you.  BTW I didn't even get you the shirt.  Just the picture. hahaha

Oxford Circus Shopping!!!

Jesus and me.  

Jesus in Cambridge.  We went to lunch together with Pedro. 

Real artifacts 

Danny and Alfonso are interesting characters.

I know, I know, I know this is creepy.

Wait what?????? OH that's right!  The Olympics are this year.  

Sneek peek at the medals these Olympic Games 2012!

- Adios  :)