Granada, Spain

After spending a week in Madrid with some family friends, I took a 5-hour bus ride down to Granada to meet my study abroad group. Granada is a city in southern Spain that was home to Christians, Muslims and Jews for nearly eight centuries and much of this heritage can still be seen in its architecture and city layout. The Alhambra is a beautiful fortress overlooking the city and it was the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula before falling to the Christians in 1492. While in Granada, I realized that it’s a perfect jumping off point before traveling to Morocco because it serves as a transition between life in the United States and Morocco. During the 3 days in Granada our group was able to accustom ourselves to the time difference, get to know our fellow American students, and get used to being in a foreign country with different languages, foods and customs. While at the same time Spain is still very similar to America in that it is a modern western country with similar clothing, religious practices and attitudes toward women.

My study abroad group consists of 23 students: 15 girls and 8 boys. During my time in Granada, we toured the city in the mornings as a group, had a few orientation meetings in the afternoons and experienced Spanish nightlife in the evenings. On the first day our group toured the old city of Granada, which is full of winding medieval streets and alleyways. After lunch I took a siesta and then for dinner a bunch of us went barhopping for tapas. In Spain if you order a round of drinks, the bar also gives you a few tapas, which are essentially complimentary appetizers. If you order 2 or 3 rounds of drinks at a few different bars, you’re full before you know it. On the second day our group toured the Alhambra, the most famous landmark of the city. It’s an old Muslim fortress that has a beautiful view of Granada and showcases traditional Muslim architecture. That night our entire group went to a discotheque until around 3am. On the third day our group visited the cathedral in Granada. After the Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Granada in 1492, they began construction of the cathedral. After Ferdinand and Isabella died, they were buried in cathedral, where they rest today.