DIML: "B-days"

¡Holi! I wanted to give a little day-in-my-life for my “B-days” here in Granada now that I’ve settled into more of a routine.

My B-day mornings start early, leaving my dorm before the sun has really come up to make it to UGR’s Cartuja campus. After the inevitable scramble to find my pass and carve out a tiny space on the crowded university bus, I’ve been getting into the habit of listening to a new album or podcast episode on the drive. I’ve really been enjoying Jungle’s new album Sunshine. 

Then it’s Medieval Art History, a 2 hour lecture that inevitably necessitates a lot of new terms searched and notes taken. My lecture is on the smaller side, so I still feel able to talk to the teacher if I don’t understand a concept or need something repeated. We're about to start group projects, and I’m excited to meet more UGR students! By the time I’ve taken the bus back down to the city center it’s time for the day’s first grocery store coffee. The 1 euro iced lattes are my favorite cultural difference between the US and here, and I’ve gotten into the habit of drinking one on all of my early mornings. I inevitably run into a friend on the way to the IES Abroad center, and we walk the rest of the way to class together. 

Next I have Lorca, my favorite class so far, to discuss poetry, philosophy, and aesthetics. I’ve loved getting to dive deeper into the poet’s work, especially because of how specific it is to Granada. He’s walked the same streets, taken classes in my dorm, and experienced the same views of the city, so reading his poetry and prose feels more embodied here than anywhere else. Last week my friends from class went to watch “La Bola Negra”, a new movie inspired by one of Lorca’s unfinished plays, and I highly recommend watching it if you get the chance, one of its storylines is set in Granada!

Finally, I have my last class of the day, Islamic Architecture. Getting to learn about medieval Spanish art from both a peninsular and Islamic-focused perspective is so much fun, I feel like I’m getting the full context of not just the works, but of the history. We also do visits almost every week! My favorite so far has been the Alhambra museum in the Palacio Carlos V.

By this point in the day I’m starving, and my friends and I half-run back to the dorm for lunch. The food in my dorm has been one of the highlights of the semester so far, our chef is incredible!! I’ve been trying to get most of my homework done during siesta recently, so during the afternoon I’m reading, filling out worksheets, and writing essays. I absolutely love having a few hours in the middle of the day without any commitments. Sometimes I do actually sleep, but more often than not I use the extra time for my research project, dance rehearsals, and books. 

Recently, 8:00 means cards with the dorm before our 9:00 dinner. We generally set up in the common room to go over our days and yell at each other over our hands. Once we eat, plans are up in the air. Previous excursions have included a jazz club, a walk to the Catedral to watch the festivities for the Virgen de las Angustias, and tapas to celebrate a friend’s test scores. One of my favorite things about Spain is how lively the streets are throughout the week. Where at home restaurants close at 8 PM and downtown empties out around the same time, it’s near impossible to find yourself alone on the streets at night, and consequently there are always new things to stumble upon. 

I’m very grateful to have created such a varied routine at this point in the semester. My days are full, but never overpacked, and I feel connected to all my activities and classes. The pace of life here really facilitates crossing everything off of your list without panicking about it, and I’m looking forward to discovering new activities and moments for connection as the term continues.

Thank you for reading, ¡besos!

Sarita