Birthday Party, Day Trip to Almuñecar, and The Best Adventure Yet!

Time is flying by, I know, but at the same time, time is slowing down...not quite sure how that is possible, but I am amazed by the concept of truly experiencing a moment and having time to reflect on that experience...

Friday night, June 5th, Sarah, Joanna and I were invited to Sarah's - one of Rafael and Mama Ché's daughter's - birthday party. The party started at around 9:30 pm and friends and family came to celebrate. Rafael and Mama Ché were working hard all day to get ready. The day before two carloads of groceries needed to be unloaded at the front gate...we helped them carry everything into the kitchen. I met Sarah's marido Fernando as well as all of Sarah's friends and extended family members. What a whirlwind! There is nothing like a place filled with happy Spanish speakers!! I talked for a while with Rafael, who shared the history of this home. He was actually born and grew up in the same house, and he was explaining how he knows exactly where everything is and how everything works. What a story! He also shared how he met Mama Ché...they were friends as jovenes (young adults) and they always used to dance Flamenco together. During one dance, he took her hand and there was a moment that changed their lives forever, a moment only the heart can understand!

Mama Ché and myself in front of the fountain and flowers Rafael was setting up and watering earlier...




The atmosphere...



The food was amazing as well...



The next morning all of the Winona students took the bus to Almuñecar, a city on the Mediterranean Sea. The bus ride was absolutely beautiful...as we pulled out of downtown Granada, we passed through the mountainous terrain of the Sierra Nevadas. We also passed by a city called Sobreña, a white village on a hill surrounding an old fortress. I sat next to a lady who was from this city. She explained that the houses are white from the time of the musulmanes (Arabic influence). She also noted that white houses are very beautiful and are wise to have because of the intense heat!

This is a poor quality picture, but you can see the white houses and the fortress at the top of the hill.




Soon after my friend got off the bus, we arrived in Almuñecar.



We stayed a while on the beach. While most slept, Hannah and I threw down our belongings and ran to the water. This was Hannah's first time every seeing the sea or anything resembling an ocean...she was ecstatic!! I couldn't help but walk along the shore, allowing the surging, rhythmic waves to chase me back to shore. The water was quite chilly and there was only rocks - no sand, but we still walked the entire coast. Instead of shell hunting, we found beautifully colored rocks. We also tried to see Morocco on the other side of the sea, but had no such luck. It was still an amazing adventure none the less!





We then walked the city searching for the Roman aqueducts. On our search, we passed through El Parque de Manuel, a botanical garden next to El Parque de Loros (Parrots). There was Ferria Gastronómica going on the weekend we came, so we could not help but pass through and look at all the wonderful food being served, including free samples and delicious legs of meat...





We found one aqueduct, which was missing it's upper arches. It was still beautiful. It was also interesting, as this part of an aqueduct was marked off and surrounded by apartment buildings and more modern architecture. It would be so neat to say you woke up every morning to see a Roman aqueduct outside your window...as well as the Mediterranean Sea!





We later went back to the beach where I made rock sculptures, made a new friend, and journaled...





Hiked to the top of el Peñon del Santo to see the view next to the cross...





And then we made the trek to the top of Almuñecar where the Castillo de San Miguel (Siglo XI - XV) is located. We toured the castle for a while; it felt like child's play, peering through old windows and adventuring down staircases to rooms beneath. The architecture was breathtaking, including Islamic murallas (walls) and Roman tombs...even bones of some Arabs, surprisingly still intact!








The ceiling inside one of the torres (tower)


A window...through which you can see the sea!




On our bus ride back home, I could not help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's beautiful creation. He created this world, he created every human being, every talent, every ounce of history. It is sometimes difficult to be here knowing that so many lives are changing back home. But being removed has steered me in new directions...

...I am learning of the importance of solitude, of prayer, of sitting in the Lord's presence. Slowing down to the point of allowing myself to soak it up. I am also understanding the beauty of being still, especially during moments of trial and tension, and to recognize the stillness in moments of tranquility. I've felt pressured to start running, to start getting caught up in the plans, like what to do, where to go...there is this pressure sometimes in that I am only here for 2 months and that I have to make the most of it. BUT worrying itself is a waste of time! It's this frenzied state of mind that I am trying to get rid of...running to class, running home, eating fast, going back to class...ugh!! Where is time to think? To prepare? To breathe? I've been removed from hecticness for some time now and this has been an extremely comforting and healing time for me. There are moments where worry and unhealthy stress tries to creep in, but it no longer overpowers me. I am free, only because of God's strength.

...I am learning to love Spanish history and literature. My classes are extremely interesting, especially my professor for Grammar and conversation. She has a style of her own but she is also brilliant and creative with her teaching methods. She inspires me to work harder, to stay focused, and to truly learn in the context of real life; that is, no longer learning to prove myself or to simply do well, but to APPLY, to investigate, to question. It's a whole new world, and I am so thankful for it.

...I am experiencing the beauty of exploring, of random adventures, of being unique, of portraying who I really am amidst a world that is quite different than the norm. I'm not sure of the balance between being influential and being influenced, but I am sure one cannot happen without the other. One adventure this past sunday took me to a wonderful church called La Iglesia Evangelica Bautista! It's a small church across the street from a beautiful park...3 of my friends from Winona and I went. We actually went an hour earlier than the start of the service...it was an adult Bible study, which we stayed for and then also stayed for the service. The youth group - there we are considered "jovenes" or younger than adults - is very active. We met a few of the people who are extremely genuine and welcoming. They not only have a Bible study sunday mornings but also meet at various points during the week to go get lunch, go salsa dancing, and eat tapas (appetizers). WOW! The church is very international..people from all over the world. I even met a woman from Finland who was extremely caring (she sat behind us during the service and tapped on my shoulder to say hello). I'm excited to see where this takes me... It's definitely an answer to prayer and a wonderful place to get to know people and to get to know the city from an insider's perspective.


This week in Granada is the celebration of Corpus Cristi - a multi-faceted festival. I am still not quite sure of its origin, but I do know there will be many festivities, including a carnival, dance and music performances, running of the bulls, and an influx of people from surrounding areas! We don't have school Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday...we are supposed to enjoy the festivities :)

I hope all is well with all reading this. Please write a comment and fill me in on everything or anything going on at home, in Winona, or in Mexico, or wherever! It's always encouraging to know how others are doing.

Besos!

As I stand here in your presence,
Of your beauty I will always stand in awe,
I reach my hands out to the heavens, yeah,
And I lift my voice to you alone, To you alone,
As I bow my head before you,
I lay my burdens down at your nail pierced feet,
Every ounce of you radiates your glory,
With you I know that I’m complete
And I sing Hallelujah,
You are my God, Maker of the heavens,
Hallelujah, You are my LORD,
I bow before your presence,
As I stand here in your presence,
Of your beauty I will always stand in awe,
I reach my hands out to the heavens, yeah,
And I lift my voice to you alone,
And I sing Hallelujah,
You are my God, Maker of the heavens,
Hallelujah, You the LORD of all, Maker of all the heavens,
I can only kneel before your presence,
All the nations praise your Holy Name,
You are the great I Am, More than I can reason,
I realize more that I am needing you,
You are worthy, you are worthy LORD,
You are worthy, You are worthy,
You are mighty, You are mighty,
You are mighty, You are holy,
You are mighty, You are holy ....