I´m Finally Here!

So I finally made it to Granada. The eight hour flight from O´Hare to Madrid was exhausting but I´ve almost slept off the jet-lag. I´m staying at La Hostal Atenas for a few days, right in the heart of the city, before moving in with my señora this Sunday. I´ve already seen a lot of the city and it is incredible. There are buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries and I will be studying in a neighborhood that used to be a Jewish settlement before their expulsion in 1492. Actually, there is a law in Granada that does not allow for the original structures of the buildings to be altered so much of the history of the city is retained. I am only a few minutes away from the old Muslim silk markets. They are now filled with shops for tourists but the original features are still present. I can practically touch both sides of the buildings when I am walking down these streets...that is how narrow the alleys are!

The view from Granada is breathtaking. The snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains are visible in the distance and there are amazing palace-like houses elevated above the main city that I can see from the streets. There are also several plazas around the entire city that people use to describe their residential locations (instead of street names). For example, our hostel is close to the Plaza Isabel la Católica. This is the place where we are meeting each day for our excursions around the city. The night life in Granada is so energetic...don´t worry mom, I only had a few sangrias so far! I also tried my first taste of fried pulpo-look it up...you know you are jealous. Today we have more orientation and another tour but hopefully I can rest up because tomorrow is my big day. I am finally meeting my host family-adios!