Friday/Saturday, April 1-2, 2011
Alpujarras:
Early wake up call Friday morning, but the day instantly got off to a good start when I checked the cabinet for my oatmeal, and in it’s place was chocolate cereal! Even though this means I have to start using Spain’s milk, it makes me so happy to have cereal instead. When I arrived to the meeting spot for LAS ALPUJARRAS, we ended up having to wait an extra hour for the bus to actually arrive. I would say this is pushing the limits of Spain’s casual late policy. Anyways, the way up the mountain was like infierno (hell). I don’t think I have ever felt so carsick…too many winding roads. Once we arrived to the pueblo, we dropped off our things, picked up our lunch for later, and headed off up the mountain! The trip quickly adopted the nickname…Cegri Fat Camp. It was non-step steep vertical climbing, resembling a never-ending stair master, if you will. Estaba sudando como un hombre, por lo menos. The views were amazing and breathtaking and definitely worth the climb. Lunch was a cute little picnic at an amazing spot that reminded me of the river scene from the movie, “You Drive Me Crazy.”
Around 4-ish we headed back to our hostel. We showered and put on some casual clothes and hung out for a while until dinner. A few of us checked out the town “center” which consisted of maybe 2 small streets that had a few shops, our hostel, and maybe 2 tapas bars. I think my favorite part about the town was the architecture. Everything is made out of a certain stone that is white, which makes the town seem more like a dream than it already is. Next up: la cena. Strangely, I was getting more and more nervous. I had put my order in for conejo: rabbit. I knew it going in that it was going to be half of a rabbit, head and everything. Right before the waiters brought out our food, I was “interviewed” by a few classmates about how I felt. Silly, but made me even more nervous. When it arrived, of course, everyone was staring and taking pictures, etc etc. I am so glad I actually liked the conejo too! It was like barbequed chicken, but even better if you can imagine that.
Picture during one of our descansas, breaks.
Later on after dinner, the gang got together on the terrace of the hostel to play drinking games. I opted out and decided not to drink, especially since the next morning and day were going to be long, tiring days (without a real bathroom ... “el campo es tu bano.”) They all played circle of death, but afterwards, I called it a night and went in to our room. I was sharing a triple with Amanda and Stacy. That night, I talked with Stacy for a long time in Spanish and then we were entertained when Amanda came in the room later. Good nightt!
Yup. Conejo! (rabbit)
La manana siguiente, the group met at 9 a.m. sharp for breakfast, which consisted of three pieces of toast and your choice of tomato spread or jam. I am actually a fan of the tomato spread with salt and pepper. Give it a try! We didn’t waste a minute and we were off at 10 a.m. on our hike, day 2. Today’s hike was a million times more enjoyable. The views reminded me more of monachil because the paisaje was a mixture of mountains, river, bosques (forests) and more. A lot of different types of flora y fauna as well. We finally stopped for lunch right before 3. I was starvingggg! Lunch today was similar to our picnic from the previous day, but a bit smaller. During our descansa, I even filmed a short goofy film of some of the students doing the electric slide, with a shimmy for kicks at the end. Today was such a great day! Rachel and I even talked for the majority of the day in Spanish. We learned tons of new words from one of the tour guides as well! The ride home was a lot better and I was definitely looking forward to a shower. Me duelen todo el cuerpo! So sore!
Un regalo para ti! We're not gypsies, its a sign of our amistad!
Nuestro grupo. :)
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