Graná, ¡Qué guay!

What up bitties?
This is a long one. First, check out this video. It's a montage of pictures of Granada with a soundtrack by a Spanish band called La Caja de Pandora.

Given that Yen seems to be posting with more regularity than me, I figured it was time to remedy the situation. I've got a few free minutes, I'm listening to Christina Aguilera's "Ven conmigo (Solamente Tú)" (for educational purposes only, I swear), and I've got a few pics to share. Prepare yourselves. The first pic is the view from my apartment window. ¡Joder!

Right now, I'm getting ready to go to the Institute for the International Education of Students, where I will have most of my classes. I'm trying to figure out my academic situation for the semester. One of the reasons I picked this program was that it allows me to take a mixture of courses with American students at IES and courses with Spaniards at la Universidad de Granada, both of which are within 15 minute walks from my apartment. I'm thinking of taking three classes at the IES center and two at the university. I plan on taking a Spanish grammar class, a literature class on Andalusian literature, an anthropology class and probably two history classes.

I've met some pretty cool people already. To the left are Erica and Brooke, both from Colorado. There are about 80 of us Americans in the IES program in Granada. There are also a few other programs here in Granada, and it is a very popular destination with backpackers. The other night, we met a group of Aussie backpackers and hung around with them for a while. "You can be honorary Aussies tonight," they told us. "But you've got to be able to drink a lot." But I think one of the best things about Granada is that not that many locals know English. It's a rather small city compared to Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla, and to me, it is quintessentially Spanish-- many of the houses are whitewashed with red tile roofs, everyone observes the afternoon siesta (though most people don't nap), and evening paseos (strolls) are popular. But it's also a very lively and youthful city. There are 60,000 students at the university and they are the the life of the town. It is an awesome place to study abroad. I am really happy. Just so you know.

We're given a lot of opportunities for extracurricular activities. I'm still trying to figure out when Spanish students find time to do work. It seems like people are always strolling, napping, going out, eating or in class. Something tells me I won't be getting much sleep once classes start. Oh well, I'll sleep when I'm dead, as they say. Tonight, I have practice with the IES fútbol team. Apparently we have a scrimmage against some guys from Uruguay tomorrow. Needless to say, a slaughter is guaranteed. I'm also going to participate in an intercambio with a university student. Intercambios are weekly meetings between foreigners and native students so that we can practice Spanish and they can work on their foreign language skills. I specifically requested a morena guapa, so if everything works out, I will have a smokin' Spanish girlfriend in no time. No problema.

I'll just leave you with this last picture because I think it's so cool. It's of my friend Erica and myself pointing at the cathedral (there's nothing like a nice posed picture), taken in the Albayzín (Moorish barrio) when we were walking back from Sacromonte a few days ago at dusk. The graffiti to the right is really typical of the city. I think this picture is the closest we've come to capturing Granada so far. I'll keep posting, but for now I've gotta run. Hasta luego, chicos.