So, I don't know if any of you have heard about the strike going on here. The fishermen and the transportistas are on strike right now due to the insane cost of gas. In essence all the truck drivers (semi-) have parked there trucks on the highway and are picketing. For this reason, the grocery stores are running out of food! I am not kidding here. Fruit, fish, milk and other products that come fresh daily are gone. My señora couldn't buy milk yesterday because there wasn't any. The reason they are protesting is gas has gone up, but their salaries, [View Full Entry]

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On Sunday, me and three other chicas went to the beach! We showed up at the bus station in Granada and to decide which beach to go to (there are many) we just bought tickets for the next bus! We ended up in Motril. It was a bit rocky but a lot of locals! hardly any tourists, which was good. It was a beautiful, hot and sunny day! It was well worth the bus ride through the mountains!(The view was great but the ride was a bit queasy) [View Full Entry]

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Ok first, today I went hiking up the mouth of the fish. cool right? Before that however, I went out for Tapas with a few amigas. Two of them are Spanish and its a good exchange I think. Anyway, amongst many other things they told us the origin (supposedly) of Tapas. (Tapas are just free appetizers/food you get with drinks at bars) Originally, a long time ago, when people got a drink they also got a bun or piece of bread. They put this over their drink as a sort of lid to keep flys, etc out. So, I think she [View Full Entry]

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Hola Todos! It's really warming up here! Mid-80's hoy. Yesterday I went running for the first time; I went in the evening but it was still very warm. The cool thing was that I ran along the river (dry river bed really) and found a park much like ones in the States. It had paths and trees and bences and evern water fountains. There were alot of other joggers and walkers so I didn't feel weird anymore.(It was the first time I'd seen spaniards exercising) I don't know how they stay so skinny! Also, I had Gespacho for the frist time [View Full Entry]

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School is still going well (segundo dia) and today I actually had Literature. It is getting very hot here in Marid: at least 26 degrees C. Apparently it can get to 40 in July!! whew! Thats over 100 degrees F!! Tonight, the US is playing Spain (we think) and we're going to watch! I'm very excited. Ironically, we're going to an Irish pub just down the street for the game (on tv) Its literally on the next street (from school) That will be exciting! Also, I've noticed I like the news here much better... A. They tell actual news thats important, [View Full Entry]

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Classes rock! never thought I would say that... :-) I have Spanish Culture, Spanish Literature and Spanish (grammar). Spanish Culture will be cool and I really like our profesora. We are only covering 1936-present. That covers the entire Franco regime. ¡Que interesante! Literatura was short today because our professor's son is sick. The best part is my intensive spanish language class is two hours long (not so good) but only has eight other students(really good!). I'm really loving this small class size thing. All my classes have MAX 20 people. How cool is that?? The Spanish History (Culture) [View Full Entry]

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Well, the first day of school is over!! (kind of..) We took a placement test this morning and we go back this evening to check our class schedule for tomorrow. So I guess really the first day is tomorrow. Last night, Mati again showed us (Sarah and I) where the school was, but made us find our own way back so we for sure knew how to get there. Shes really a sweetheart but in a mother hen sort of way. I think she thinks we're too thin cause she serves us enough for two people (each of us gets that [View Full Entry]

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Matilde is the name of my Señora but has asked to be called Mati: how familiar for me! ;-) Noone yet has been able to get my name right..thanks Mom and Dad! just kidding. It is difficult and usually comes out sounding like Kelly or Casey. I think I might just give up on the pronunciation. :-)As for mi español, its comuing along. Its gettin easier to speak but still difficult to understand. Today Mati and her son Pepe explained its Andalusia: they drop the ends fo words. Por ejemple, Hasta Luego sounds more like ´sta luego or Hast Luego and [View Full Entry]

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We made it here and boy was it an exciting trip! Well, not terribly exciting but between the gates switching between terminals (twice) and then storms in Granada, we arrived late but with few problems. I made it to my Señora and its actually her grandaughter who lives with her: she is sixteen and I haven´t met her yet. This is an internet cafe so I have to run, but internet will be free at school! Also, dinner is at nine and its quarter to!!! Love Kelsey [View Full Entry]

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So I have discovered a new love for coffee. Espresso with lots of steamed milk-mmm. during our exploring today we found the Plaza Mayor which was beautiful and also an enclosed garden of some sort. We're not sure of its significance but it had beautiful walls and rose arbors. We didn't wake up until 11 in the morning so I think we took care our Jet Lag and we were still able to see Madrid. After that we walked for nearly 3 horas and found the café that was so yummy. jaja. Tonight we want to find La Fuente da Cibeles. [View Full Entry]

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