It's the small things

Time seems to fly by here, and I realized this when I saw the period between when I published my latest posts. Like, two weeks. Whoops. I'm just having so much fun here, sometimes the interweb slips my mind.

This weekend (March 1st - March already!) is Carnaval in Cadiz (or, if you're a cool Spainard like we are, Cadi). I actually don't know what to expect, other than it's like a non-slutty American Halloween on steroids with floats, really good costumes, and looser open container laws. I have yet to pick out my costume. (Oh yes, pictures will follow.)

The weekend before, though, some of my friends and I took advantage of the developed bus system here and went to the beach for the day. A quick 40 minute bus ride south, and we're at the Mediterranean Sea; Beautiful in any season! The day after, we ventured out and saw our city a little more with the help of a local guide.

Top of the hill selfie.

There are also a bunch of parks that are just asking to be taken advantage of; I never knew that they existed! Sometimes, getting off of the main streets and looking for the hidden stuff is more rewarding than anything else. 

Castles are everywhere. Literally. This one makes zero sense but it's in a park.

Expect to see a blog update after Carnaval!

Jacob

And time keeps turning

Blogging and I have a love-hate relationship. Some days, I can't think about anything but it; I need to blog, it's like a drug. Other days, I forget I even have them. But like a faithful perro, it's always waiting for me when I come around again. True love, I tell ya.

I'm officially twenty now. I turned twenty on the sixteenth of Feburary (in case you care enough for next year, :) ). It was hands down the best birthday I've had. Birthday's in a foreign country have to always be awesome, no? Cheap liquor, free weekends, and few worries; it really doesn't get better than that!

Turning twenty at Paddy's. I love you guys!

I'll admit, there's a huge difference between turning a year older in a state over and turning a year older in a different country. My parents/family are six+ hours behind me; I'm pretty much responsible for myself and it's celebrations. I get to choose how much or how little people know about me and my birthday.

So this time around, I chose to let them know more. A lot more than usual!

On that sappy, over-sensationalized, garbage holiday we call Valentines Day (do I come off as bitter?), our group left for Sevilla (Se-v-A; there's an "a" at the end) and Córdoba for the weekend. They were awesome. Sevilla is a much bigger city and has an equal amount of important Spanish history incorporated into the city.

The Cathedral/Mosque in Córdoba.

The bridge was build by the Romans and still stands!

En La Plaza de España.

Crossing into Córdoba via Puente Romano

Two important things happened on this excursion: I realized Granada actually feels like home because I longed for it and was comfortable there (it's a pretty awesome city!). I also figured out that the people I'm with are possibly the most awesome people I could ask for. The destination is awesome, but the people are really the ones who make it. I could do a shout out, but I think they know who they are. I love you guys.

Let this selfie be my tribute to you guys (walking in the Juderia en Córdoba).

I'll be back soon!

Jacob

A long weekend

The weekends truly are a gem here. The socially acceptable "going out" nights here are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. So realistically, since nothing gets done Friday anyway, there are three day weekends here! I actually don't have class this next semester on Fridays, so chalk up one victory for Jacob's ever-expanding social life.
This past weekend we had a four day weekend due to classes ending. I was going to go to Valencia with some friends, but then some canceled last minute. So I didn't go.
Then, I was supposed to go to Nerja on the coast with some other friends, but it was rainy and cold. So I didn't go.
So then, I'm stuck at home (Granada, mind you) while I look on with jealousy as all my friends here go to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, and Paris. And suddenly, I'm not content anymore.
Really, I had to laugh at myself once I realized it. I'm in flippin' Spain for five months and I'm still finding reasons to complain. Talk about #firstworldproblems.
So I decided to make the best of it. Granada's a fairly large city, so me and the few friends left decided to go explore it. And there are actually some pretty cool areas that are like a mile (kilometer? I won't conform!!!) from where I live.

A running park; I love the concept. Work out gear to break up your run.

The mountains never cease to take my breath away. I guess the crane never does, either...

That night, we also went out to the local clubs again, which I'll admit just felt empty even though it was the most packed I've ever seen them. They felt empty because my friends weren't there.

Two days down (the first day everyone was still here). Third day, what do do? Well, I decided I wasn't going to be pouting around anymore, so after I woke up at eleven (ugh), I bought a bus ticket to Jaén, a smaller town about an hour north of Granada and headed there solo. Obviously, Jaén falls through the average tourists' radar when it comes to the region, as Granada is a mecca for tourism, but I felt the city offered some pretty cool sites as well. Anything that was ruled by the Arabs has a distinct taste that you can't find everywhere in Spain, much less elsewhere in Europe.

The city center park, invaded by the light rail that operated for a full two weeks before being shut down two years ago. #governmentefficiency

Everything's on an angle here.

A really friggin' big Cathedral.

A really friggin' big inside to a friggin' big Cathedral.

There's also an Arab/Christian castle on the bluffs above the city, but I never got to it due to the fact it's on the bluffs and I wasn't about to get lost in the city with no hostel for the night. I know, playing it safe now? Whatever happened to the rebellious risk-taking Jacob? I don't know, I'm too afraid to ask him! :)

As I sit here, typing this blog and recovering (I rightfully decided not to go out), I realize that everyone has their own adventures. Sure, I would have preferred Barcelona or Madrid, but I have four months and many weekends to get there, and I will, and then some! And while visiting Jaén when you live in Granada might be like visiting Iowa when you live in Minnesota (no one does it willingly), sometimes, you just have to make the best of the situations given to you and go from there. And you'll be surprised with what can turn up.

For example, random church selfies manifest.

LOL PREHISTORIC IBERIAN RUINS SELFIE.

And coffee. Always coffee.

 Madrid is supposed to happen next weekend (I hope if you're reading this, friends whom I hope to go with, that you don't ditch me :P ) and that will definitely be a plus. I can only imagine what God has awaiting me, and moreover, how I choose to handle it.

Jacob