- Test to see what level we should be in for our Intensive Language Program
- Orientation
- Trip into the city
- Botellón
So I got up and got ready and everything, and you people should know, I'm always late to everything, so I was determined not to be late for the test, which was at 10 in the morning in the building right next to where I live. But, I still left the room at about 2 minutes till 10 =T But on my way out, about three doors down my room, I passed a door that was open and I saw a girl, and she called to me, so I turned back, and she was like, "I JUST got in. Are we supposed to be doing something?" And I told her about the test, and so she asked if she could come with me, and I said sure, and she is the first person that I met. Her name is Candice. But yes. we went to the test and everyone was sitting already with the test on their desk. It was kinda scary. hahah, but oh well. Anyway, the guy who proctored the test spoke spanish to us, and I wasn't really ready for that much spanish already, so I just barely caught on to what he was saying. The test was just the guy reading a passage and then we're supposed to write what he says, or as much as we can remember in our own words. I think I did horribly, but I just looked to see what group I'm in and I'm in group B, and there's a group A and C. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm guessing that I'm right in the middle level? *shrug* Anywho, after the test, we had about 45 minutes before the orientation, so I went outside, and I saw the guy from UCLA and started talking to him for a bit. And then we decided that we should mingle with the others, hahha, so we walked over to the rest of the group, and met some more people. I don't remember all their names, but everyone seems pretty nice so far. I'm really impressed by how much spanish everyone knows. I'm so behind! but oh well. I'll learn =) So then we went to the orientation and the first lady who spoke spoke in English, and I was thinking, yes, they're going easy on us. But then the next two people who talked spoke Spanish, and I was like, Dang it! I got the jist of things, but I was still confused on a few things. It's ok, though. I just ask people on things I think are important. And then they introduced us to our "monitores" which are our like, mentors, I suppose. But anyway, we met up with them, and mine was called Ignacio, but he said we could call him nacho. hahahah He was pretty nice. I understood most of what he said. Then they let us go to our rooms to put down the fatty manual that they had given us at the orientation, and when I went to my room, I was already turning pink from the sun! So I put on some sunblock and then we were on our way to town! The buildings in the city are really cool. Everything looks so ancient and there are like, Monastaries and stuff that look sooooooo old, but really cool. There's actually a monastary right next to La Residencia (where I live). I'll take a picture of it the next time I go outside. But yea, unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the town cuz I didn't want to look like a total tourist. Next time, though, I shall take pictures and you can see the city I live in! =) But yea, there was soooooo much walking yesterday! And it was soo hot and humid! Although, towards the end of the day, it got REALLY windy. Quite strange. Anyway, they took us EVERYWHERE. We went to the supermarket, and then we went somewhere to eat. And everyone ordered alcohol! I was thinking, geez..it's 2 in the afternoon! I just ordered water...=) And then we walked some more to a mall where people got cell phones. I decided against getting a cell phone cuz it seemed kinda expensive, but I'm rethinking that now. I just might go to get one, simply because it helps with the social life. How are people suppose to contact me? So yes. I'm still contemplating that, though. After the mall, we went back to the supermarket cuz they had just shown us where it was. This time we went in to buy groceries. It was weird cuz the first place everyone went to was the alcohol aisle. I was like, "uhh...I don't need anything in this aisle..." hahaha so I got Cereal, milk and yogurt, all for less than 3 euros! I thought it was a pretty good price. The milk here is kinda weird. It was refrigerated! It comes in boxes. Apparently, they process it, or something. But it's cheap. It was about 60 euro cents. I think that's like, one US dollar. Something like that. Less, maybe. Anyway, finally, we made the trek back to La Residencia, and it was uphill, so that kinda sucked! I thought I was done with Hills cuz UCLA is soooo hilly, but I think these hills might be worse =T Oh well. Once we got back, it was about 4 in the afternoon, I think? something like that. So I slept cuz I was tired from walking and cuz that's about 7 in the morning California time. I don't think I've adjusted yet. So yes. When they left us, they said to meet again at 11:15pm. I got confused, and I asked someone what they wanted to do so late in the night, and the girl told me about the Botellón. It's supposedly a very important part of the social life in Granada. What they do is kids from around 16-24 years old gather in the streets to drink, and then they go bar hopping until like, 7 in the morning =X I decided to skip the event....hahahaha, I don't know my limit yet, and I really don't want to find out around a bunch of strangers....maybe next time =) But I worried that if everyone went and I was the only one who didn't everyone would bond and it would be harder to meet people, but I found out this morning that I wasn't the only one who didn't go, so that's good =)
So yea, sorry, no pictures from that day, but I've got pictures of my room ready for you!
The door to my room leading out to the hallway
My closet, refrigerator, and microwave.
My bed. I put a towel over the stinky pillow so that it doesn't smell anymore.
My bathroom
My desk
My window
The screen goes up, and that's my view: a wall.
People who walk by can see into my window...so I ten to keep the blinds closed...
That's the view looking down.
View to the left.
View to the right. Look! some buildings! Don't know what they are though....=DUntil next time, ¡Adios!
5 comments:
Your place is pretty nice. It's underground? That's so odd. It looks pretty neat, though. The bathroom looks new; the window's modern, and the phone-well, the numbers are even in Spanish!
ohh cool room. it looks spacious. u are very wise julia. no drinking with strangers! but u can still go...if they're all drunk, im sure they wont noticed that u haven't been drinking. HAHA. glad to hear ur meeting people and adjusting to espanol. :)
If you're in group B that must mean there are people who are worse off than you are. Don't worry! Study hard! And... you're ASIAN!! You must look like a tourist already, with or without map/camera.
What percent of the Spanish population is Asian anyway?
I love how your room is private! you have your own bathroom too! awesome.
I think it's so funny how you worry so much about fitting in. it was a smart decision not going to the Botelion (or whatever :P) considering you've never drank before but dude as soon as you meet and get to know really good people try it out! just don't be a booze bag like "someone" we know. hahaha
Dude. Granada knows how to party! Sounds like you picked a good place to be. Just remember to keep your womanpurse close to you. :)
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