“Just like moving away to college, the minor discomforts I’ve experienced thus far trace back to being unfamiliar with my new surroundings.”
Caroline Hollister
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My first week in Granada has been amazing. It’s absolutely beautiful here and I’m amazed by the city’s extensive history. But I have to admit — I’m feeling a tad out of my element. It’s comparable to going to college for the first time, but in a country whose inhabitants don’t speak your native language.
Right now I’d say I’m in the Week of Welcome stage.
There’s the overwhelming nervousness and excitement of being someplace new, surrounded by strangers; there’s the uncertainty of meeting and getting to know your roommate(s); there’s the food situation: the dilemma of whether you’re going to rely on exterior resources (dorms, restaurants) for meals or take nutrition into your own hands and learn to shop and cook for yourself; there’s the busy schedule of fun introductory events – tours, trips and ice-breakers; and, of course, there’s the nightlife.
Just like going away to college, the minor discomforts I’ve experienced thus far trace back to being unfamiliar with my new surroundings. For instance, I love carbs (allergies aside, who doesn’t?), but I cannot continue to have a croissant with coffee for breakfast, a large rice or couscous dish for lunch and a small bocadillo (basically a ham and cheese sandwich on baguette) or some tortillas with sangria for dinner. Obviously most Spaniards work their fruits and veggies in there somewhere, but they’re not getting their recommended daily intake from the dishes at the local restaurants I’ve been to so far (unless you count the fruit in the sangria).
Also, many Spaniards stay up until the wee hours of the morning and nap/rest during the afternoons (siesta) as a result. I’ve attempted to nap many times in my life and have failed almost every time, so when shops and restaurants close down from roughly 2 to 5 p.m. every day and all day on Sundays, I have to find other ways to spend my time. I probably sound high maintenance, but after a couple days of struggling with food choices, eating different meal portions at different times of the day, and sleeping and waking up later than I’m used to, all I want is some balance back in my life.
I’ve been eagerly exploring as much as possible the past week — walking around the city, looking at maps and Yelp-ing popular shops, markets, healthier restaurants and historical landmarks in an attempt to become familiar with Granada’s layout and put an end to my petty anxieties.
While walking along the Río Genil yesterday, I had a little revelation. I shouldn’t be forcing every aspect of Spanish culture on myself if it doesn’t mesh with who I am. Like freshman year of college, there’s a huge desire to fit in as much as possible, and while it’s extremely important to learn as much as you can about your host country’s culture, embrace the differences and be respectful, it’s equally important to find ways to continue doing what you loved before you arrived. The only way I’ll ever completely appreciate Granada and get the most out of my time abroad is if I make Granada my home, just as I did in San Luis Obispo. The key is finding places and events that align with my interests: a farmer’s market with local produce, healthy restaurants, quaint cafés for studying, live music, a great thrift store and more scenic routes to walk and run during siestas and lazy Sundays.