Homeward Bound

On Today's Menu: The Itinerary

I'm leaving Granada within the hour. I'll be taking the midnight bus to Madrid where I will fly to London around 8:30am. From there I will work my way around the world until I reach Chicago and plan to meet up with my Dad(!) who happens to be there for a meeting. Together we will hop a flight to Nashville and then make our way into the Bluegrass via Toyota. It's going to be a long trip...about 28 hours total with layovers included. 

I'll be sure to post again once I arrive and will have had some much needed sleep. So stay tuned...I'll see you on the flip side!

It's hot. I'm lazy.

On Today's Menu: I'm too hot for creativity right now.

It's hot. So very hot. According to the news, Spain is resetting the record books as far as high summer temperatures go. Last Saturday it reached 118℉ in Mallorca. Yes, it is an island so I was near the breezy sea...but let me tell you...118℉ is quite hot. It makes me tired and lazy and cranky and unable to think and unwilling to go anywhere or do anything...all we can do is eat massive amounts of ice cream and then argue over who gets to take the first cold shower. I think my favorite part of the situation is that there is no air conditioning in the entire country. So it's just hot. Everywhere you go. It's sticky, sweaty, nauseatingly hot. So very hot.

Captive in Mallorca

On Today's Menu: some things for which i can't find the words...

when i look into the mountains

i see Your face

when i look into the night's sky

it sparkles Your name

the wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky

the sun and the moon and the stars so high

that's what draws me to You

i am, i'm captivated by You 

in all that You do

i am, i'm captivated

when i wake unto the morning

it gives me Your sight

when i look across the ocean

it echos Your might

the sand on the shore and the waves and the sea

the air in my lungs and the way You made me

that's what draws me to You

cause i am, i'm captivated by You

in all that You do

i am, i'm captivated

the wind and the clouds and the blue in the sky

the sun and the moon and the stars so high

the sand on the shore and the waves in the sea

the air in my lungs and the way You made me

the blood in my veins and my heart You invade

the plants how they grow and the trees and their shade

the way that i feel and the love in my soul

i thank You my God for letting me, letting me know

i am, i'm captivated by You

in all that You do

i am, i'm captivated

--shawn mcdonald

Sign #2

On Today's Menu: In Albaicin

Perspective

On Today's Menu: A List

I did my homework...

1. I read a lot of books.

2. I did a lot of research.

3. I took a lot of classes.

I was thinking...

1. Show me the historic sites!

2. Show me the grand architecture!

3. Show me the gorgeous beaches!

I came prepared...

1. Brought along a brand new camera.

2. Brought along a pair of cheap sunglasses.

3. Brought along a cell phone.

I noticed...

1. The slower pace.

2. The fast talking.

3. The lack of personal space.

I changed my mind...

1. When I saw Transformers 2 in Español.

2. When I saw thirty flags from thirty nations blowing in the wind.

3. When I went to the Albaicín and saw the last Moorish stronghold.

I always carry in my bag...

1. My almost full journal. 

2. My worn out Spanish/English dictionary.

3. My daily "20 Minutos: Granada" newspaper and 0,60 euro for a much needed caffeine fix. 

What I have noticed most about Spain...

1. It smells. BAD. Everywhere you go...so BAD.

2. It's loud...so very loud.

3. It's picturesque...so incredibly beautiful. 

It's the everyday life...

1. I can't capture it with words.

2. I can't capture it with a camera.

3. I can't fathom trying.

The Signs

On Today's Menu: In Toledo

What's In A Name?

On Today's Menu: Having a Blonde Moment

So I'm officially changing my name...no, wait...I take that back. Spain has officially changed my name for me. I am no longer Leah, from henceforth I shall be called "Princess" or "Rubia." You may select whichever one you prefer. The guys living in my dorm are, like most guys I know, major Star Wars freaks and have therefore taken to calling me "Princess"...how original. Everyone else in the entire country refers to me as "Rubia," which means "blonde" in Spanish. When I go out for tapas or helado in the evenings, no one bothers to ask me for my real name. They frequently ask the gals in my company, but me...I'm always "Rubia." Usually a comment regarding my small frame follows, which also causes me to stand out from the group. I kind of like it...makes me feel special, unique, and a little bit like Malibu Barbie....