GRIIS

GRIIS is the acronym for the one-month Spanish language program in which I am currently enrolled at the Centro De Lenguas Modernas de La Universidad de Granada. That is a long name for one building of La Universidad de Granada for international (mostly American), short-term students. Students of American universities wanting to study abroad in Granada will likely end up here. During the school year about 1000 international students study at the Centro. During the summer, shorter programs like the one I am in keep the place busy. My very first impression of the school, besides being wowed by the traditional Andalucian appearance of the building (a bright courtyard-like opening in the middle which allows for lots of natural light during the day) and the long hours (what in Spain isn't open late?), was that the cafeteria serves wine. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I speak the truth! One of my professors said it wasn't typical of many school cafeterias to do so, but I don't want to believe that. Ours is more like a small coffee shop than a buffet-style, here's-your-slop cafeteria, thankfully. The thought of having a glass of chilled red during my first class at 9:30 AM is both disturbing and reassuring. I respect the trust that the school puts in the students to not abuse the lax drinking policy, but knowing that some students or professors could (and probably do) is slightly unnerving. I thought it humorous, nonetheless.
The first full day of the program consisted of getting to know our host families (Carmen, the Senora I am living with reminds me of an Indian mother in the amount of food she cooks...Mom, can you send me a bigger belt?), having an introductory class, and learning about the school. I live with another girl in the program and Carmen in a nice, centrally-located apartment. We each have our own rooms (luxurious!), and enjoy three large meals a day. Breakfast is at 9, lunch around 3:45 and dinner at, well, it's 10:45 and we haven't eaten yet, so I can't say for sure. The first night we were here, one of the students who lived with Carmen this past semester brought his parents over for dinner to meet her. She prepared a seven-dish feast of meat, meat, meat, and shrimp. Of, I think there were some eggs and potatoes in there, too. We ate at 10:15, finished at 11:45 and ran out the door at midnight to catch the fireworks over the river, which signified the end of the feria in Granada. The feria is a huge festival outside the city celebrating Corpus Christi. The fireworks were the only part of the festivities in which I participated.
I have yet to figure out how the Spanish live on such a time frame. Late lunch, late dinner, early morning, and still a relaxed and unhurried attitude. Dear Americans, take note.