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