This past week in Granada has been good. I forgot to take my camera, but all of our class excursions have been pretty cool. It's crazy how the architecture is still strong and standing for thousands of years. During the week, we have our excursions to different historical sights in the morning, class lecture after, then the night is ours. And of course nap time in between all of this. I love the siesta (nap) aspect of spanish culture!

But during the weekend, we have optional class trips. This past weekend was to Cordoba, an ancient Muslim city...I appreciate this historical experience, but I wanted to do something else with my free weekend, so my friend Ashley and I went to Malaga, a beach town off the Mediterranean. GREAT DECISION.

After our two hour adventure of trying to find our hostel, we went to the beach, ate lunch and drank sangria. It felt good to lay out in the sand, read my Dalai Lama book, and refresh myself by jumping into the Mediterranean Sea. 

Then we went to the Picasso museum. Malaga is the city he was born in. Although he only stayed there for 3 months and rarely ever came back, Malaga still honors his work with a HUGE museum. 

Then we went back to the hostel to prepare for the night. We bought boxed wine, bread and cheese..such a classy European dinner....and chilled on top of the roof of the hostel. By the time it hit 1am, the time the night begins for Spain, we hit the streets and had a blast...

The next day we wanted to go to an Old Muslim Castle that was 5 minutes away...but to get to the top up was 30 minute uphill hike, and it didn't go well with our hangover so we just stayed near the bottom and admired the artistry of the ancient building. 

Now were back in Granada, catching up on our rest. I stayed in last night and slept until almost noon today! It felt so good... Although I am having the time of my life, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't already homesick

Today I decided to go for a run. It's fun travelin with lots of people, but within this huge pack of 30 students, I still miss my solitude. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a little America bubble within Spain. I reflected back on my promises to myself before this trip and my goal was to truly immerse myself in the country, so that's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to take afternoon runs around this city and go beyond the area that our group limits itself to and observe and appreciate all the beauty around me. This country is beautiful and I want to take full advantage of it it.