A bit later, I blogged and went to the library across the river. I was a bit confused about the set up; I think that it is more for borrowing books than for studying. So I studied in the lobby for a while until I got a call from Paige. We got tapas nearby and cried over leaving. We are both so attached to Granada. On my way home--completely unintentionally--I passed a pastelería and saw the chocolate chip cookies that Delia buys. I bought six. I also passed Clarissa on my way home. It was nice to catch up with her after seeing her so little post-Semana Santa. Then I studied, blogged, and journaled at home for the rest of the night.
On Tuesday, I woke up to the bells of the Cathedral, ringing from behind my house. I would miss how they ring at random times of the day. Once I got ready, I took a walk around el Río Genil, taking it all in. Along the way, I stopped in a church that I had never been to and made my last three wishes. It can't be hard to guess what they were.
Later, Paige and I hiked up to San Miguel alto for sunset. It was hard to say goodbye to my favorite spot in Granada. After, I ate dinner and showered. I had planned on going out for Clarissa's birthday, but now had to study instead.
I woke up early on Wednesday and headed to IES. I made up my Arab World final in Javier's office. I think it went alright. Afterwards, I went upstairs and sat outside on the terrace, soaking in every inch of the morning sun. Then I studied for flamenco and wished Clarissa a happy birthday before making my way downstairs. The flamenco theory final was long and draining. It was a relief to have it behind me. I took my time walking home, enjoying the pleasant weather and running into people that I know. I relaxed at home before comida, noting how the marble interior keeps the house cool.
After comida, I studied for a bit before getting a coffee with Aja at an outside cafe in Plaza Bibs (the typical Spanish thing to do). We had a solid talk, despite the fact that we felt very different about our last week week; her boyfriend and brother were about to join her in Granada and travel for the next two weeks while I would be back in Pittsburgh in a few days. Then I walked to IES for a meeting on ways to return to Spain. On the way, however, I ran into Ana and she gave me a watercolor painting of the view from IES that she made for me. I told her that I would put it in my sketchbook. How special. Later, I went to my flamenco practice final. It was sad to think that it might be the last time I danced flamenco. Before I left, I gave my teacher, María, a watercolor painting that I made for her. Even though she could be a little crazy sometimes, she was always so funny and sweet to me. Afterwards, I got tapas with Matt. I think he could tell that I was struggling. Back at home, I squeezed in a bit of studying before bed.
I arrived to IES early on Thursday morning, joining a group study session for my most stressful final: Islamic Art and Architecture. The test consisted of eight pictures that spanned over five different time periods. By the end of it, my brain was fried and my hand was throbbing. On the bright side, I felt accomplished for getting through it.
In the 80-degree sunny weather, I walked home and relaxed until comida. Aja noted that it would be our last comida with just the four of us. That was my breaking point. As soon we were finished eating, I escaped to the terrace and let it all out. I don't know how long I cried, but I couldn't turn it off. At one point, the woman that lives on the 4th floor, María, climbed out of the window and tried to cheer me up. She told me to miss my flight and that I knew where she lived if I ever needed a place to stay. And just like that, a complete stranger showing me kindness and hospitality. I eventually returned to our piso, where Delia and Laura made me feel better. They tried to figure out how I could come back and study pharmacy in Granada. I think they finally understood how much I loved the city. Then José called and said goodbye to me over the phone. Afterwards, I knew I need to take a walk to clear my head. How I would miss the street life. In Plaza Gran Capitán, I sat down on a bench and an old Italian man asked if he could sit next to me. I listened to him as he told me his life story, wondering if this would ever happen in the U.S. Later, I met up with Trini for tapas. I gave her a copy of my poem in Spanish and English. She preferred the English version because of its natural rhythm. Then I gave her a frame with a picture of us from the barbecue, and a necklace with pearls (her favorite) and a flower (my favorite). It was a hard goodbye.
Friday morning, I donated a bag full of clothes and books to IES before printing my flight information and studying for my last final: Spanish. It ended up being a breeze. I gave my teacher, Ari, a watercolor painting before leaving the classroom. Then I found Ana upstairs to get my watercolor portfolio. I also went to Javier's office and gave him a copy of my poem and my watercolor painting from his friends' house in el Valle de Lecrín. It was a strange feeling leaving IES for the last time. I didn't make it two steps, however, before I stopped in La Ventana and said goodbye to Lotfi. In the warm and sunny weather, I walked home to find Aja's boyfriend, Matt, and her brother, Philey. They, along with Ki Ke, joined us for comida. It was incredible to feel more and more like part of the family. I took a "siestita" before getting ready for the IES cocktail. I wanted a family picture before we left, but it turned into a bit of a photo shoot.
Then it was time for Consejo to say a few words. We presented the slide show, I read my poem, and Javier surprised us all by reading a poem, which he had written that afternoon:
Algún Día
de Javier Martínez de
Velasco
Algún día,
quizás mañana,
quizás el año próximo,
quizás el 19 de
noviembre del año 2024
los verás
en una geometría
imposible,
en un golpe de viento
del Sur,
en una palabra rara de
amor raro.
Los verás claramente,
o los imaginará
en la mano de un
hombre feliz,
en el precio del
petróleo o de las flores,
en una letra árabe en
las profundidades de un vaso.
Los verás, o los
imaginarás, o los soñarás claramente
Algún día,
quizás mañana,
quizás dentro de cinco
años,
quizás un jueves de septiembre
del año 2034.
Claramente los verás,
o los imaginarás,
O quizás los soñarás.
Tus 117 días en
Granada.
That's when the waterworks started. When they finally kicked us out, the groups began to split off in various directions. I walked with my friends up through the Albaícin. We hit a fork in the road where a group of students turned towards the Camborio. I looked the other way to find Javier, Jeff, Alba, and my best friends walking towards the mirador de San Nicolás. I knew the right choice. Sitting on the ledge of the mirador, watching the Alhambra perched quietly amid the night sky, drinking, laughing, and crying with the people I loved most, was a moment that I would never forget. After some time, we left the Albaícin to hang out in IES--a clear sign of how down-to-earth the IES staff are. When it was time to leave, Javier hugged each student. It broke my heart to say goodbye to him. Afterwards, I joined Paige, Matt, and Lorena at Vogue. Unfortunately, I did not make it to see the sunrise or eat churros con chocolate for breakfast in the morning, but I would not have changed a thing about that night. It was the perfect ending to an incredible semester.
I woke up Saturday, knowing that it was my last day in Granada. I woke up too early, but I couldn't fall back asleep. So I decided to pack in order to free up my afternoon. After a few hours, I managed to fit everything into four bags. Then it was time for my last comida. Matt and Philey joined us again, but my only concern was my family. I love them so much.
That afternoon, I went on a walk with Paige. We exchanged watercolor paintings; I gave her my painting from when we went to San Nicolás some time ago, and she gave me her painting from our class in Carmen de los Martíres. Then we went to Rey Fernando and ate our desserts in Plaza Nueva. It was hot outside, but so beautiful. Afterwards, we hiked up to Carmen de los Martíres. A religious procession of some kind was going on next to the park, and, at one point, guns were shot off. Paige and I took off running in fear that we were being shot at! At the highest point of the park, we sat and took in everything.
After a while, we descended through Realejo. As we were walking along Calle de los Molinos, we heard someone calling our names. I looked up to see Jeff waving at us from his balcony. He wished us safe trips and blew us a kiss. We continued walking to find the prince statue, and rubbed his feet to ensure our return to Granada. As we headed towards the river, Paige and I found a bench and people-watched.
Later, we joined the Matts, Lorena, Bethine, Clarissa, and Lauren at Bar Rome. After a few tapas, we said our sad goodbyes. We also said goodbye to our friends who work there: Nevan, Eli, and "el Jefe".
