The Rhythms of Spain and Morocco | Spanish Memories, African Hopes Through Literature and Film

 ALBAÍCIN/ALBAYZIN

On Monday, we met with our tour guide Laura to walk through the Albaícin. The Albaícin, or Albayzin, is a neighborhood on the outskirts of the Granada Centro. Although it is a petite community, it is full of life and history. Many of the towers and aljibes (cisterns) we saw were built in the 10th century. As you walk through the cobblestone streets and stairs, you’ll hear the sound of rushing water and flamenco guitars. 

      We entered a Cathedral and saw wax figurines displaying the Gospel story, and some of the students on our tour had the opportunity to enter the Great Mosque of Granada (Mezquita Mayor del Granada). Visiting the Albaícin was a wonderful experience as we were able to visualize the physical manifestations of convivencia, first promoted in Spain during the Middle Ages and continued in modern times. 

When we visited the Alhambra, we had a view of the Albaícin, and this time, as we visited the Albaícin, we got a chance to see the Alhambra from a distance.  

GUIDED TOUR OF GRANADA

     Wednesday morning, we were given a tour of Granada by our tour guide Antonio. He pointed out important landmarks where the renowned and beloved poet Federico García Lorca frequented. We got to see one of his old homes, cafés where he is said to have met with other creatives in Granada, and a home where he took piano lessons. Eerily enough, we learned that our hostel is located on the street where Lorca was arrested in August of 1936, taken captive by the civil government, and later assassinated. You’ll notice early on in Granada that Lorca is a monumental figure in the city’s history and pride. The Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport is named after him! 

FLAMENCO SHOW

At the end of the day on Wednesday, we returned to the Albaícin for a flamenco show at Cueva la Rocio! This was one of the most moving experiences I have had in Spain, and dare I say in my life. There’s something captivating about flamenco that draws you in and invites you, all while the dancers are connecting deeply with the music as if there were no audience. Every dancer told a different story, but they all exhibited the same strength, grace, agility, rhythm, and passion. We could hear the emotion in the singers’ voices and rage in the instruments the musicians played. At the beginning of the show, all of the guests were offered one free drink, which I thought was a nice complement. You can wear casual clothes if you like, but many audience members wore a bit more formal clothing to match the performers. Going to a flamenco show is a must if you travel to Spain! Live music and dance have the power to unite us, irrespective of nationality, language, or culture. 

MEETING WITH PSYCHOLOGIST

     We had a meeting with a psychologist this week, and she gave us tools to combat homesickness and adapt to culture shock. When visiting a new country, you are bound to encounter unexpected circumstances, some of which can be frustrating. Be sure to take care of your mental health and connect with your loved ones when studying abroad! Talking with your classmates can also be a healing experience, as they are also away from their families. 

MOROCCO

     At the end of the week, the excursion everyone had been excited about began!! From Friday to Sunday, we got to visit Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, and Ceuta (which is Spanish territory). We took a ferry from Spain to Morocco, crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and arriving in Tangier. Our class joined with another student program, and we explored Morocco together. When we disembarked, we were greeted by our dynamic and welcoming tour guide, Abdeslam. On our first day, we had lunch at a women’s cooperative and learned about immigration to Morocco. We heard the stories of four Congolese women, and students had an opportunity to support them by purchasing bags and trinkets that the women had crafted. At the end of the day, we got a chance to ride camels! Honestly, I was nervous to ride them, but they were very gentle. Their owners sang "Don't Worry, Be Happy" to us while we were riding, which made me laugh.

     I appreciated the fact that we got to see multiple sides of Morocco during our short trip. As we drove along the coast of Tangier, I was enthralled by the glistening waters as the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean met. Making our way through Tétouan and Chefchaouen, I was awestruck by massive mountain ranges that held congested cities. The name Chefchaouen refers to two major peaks of the Rif Mountains. 

 

     Abdeslam took us on extensive tours of all three cities we went to, but we also had the opportunity to have lunch with a Moroccan university student and their family. On Saturday, I, along with my Professor and a couple of fellow students, went to have lunch with our host and her family. It was lovely to spend time in a smaller group getting to know our host, each other, and the customs in Chefchaouen. They served lentil soup and fresh bread with the main dish of tagine. I had never tried tagine before coming to Morocco, and I cannot wait to have it again! The tagine we had was a chicken stew with French fries. After we ate, we were served a mint tea, and we learned that the higher you pour the tea into someone’s cup, the greater the person's pleasure in your dining with them. Food is a very important aspect of Moroccan culture, so it is important to show respect when dining and especially when entering someone's home. Always remember to say shukran, which means thank you. 

     I quickly learned when walking through all three cities that some streets can be slippery, so it is important to be aware of your balance, and that you cannot walk for long without seeing cats! I fought the urge to pet them all during our walking tours. You’ll notice that there are small water containers set on the ground near shops so that cats can quench their thirst. For humans, however, drinking only bottled water is highly stressed. Our tour guides regularly handed out water bottles, and at every restaurant, the water was served from a bottle. 

     One of the highlights of going to Morocco was getting to attend an Andalusi music concert. The musicians were eager to play for us and encouraged us to get up and dance. Like I mentioned earlier regarding flamenco, music has a wonderful way of getting people together. We may not all have understood the lyrics in the songs, but we could relate to the feelings of joy and jubilation evoked from the rhythm of the drums and the entrancing melodies of their vocals. Going to Morocco gave me a desire to visit more countries in North Africa, along with a different perspective on travel as we left Europe. 

 

          I am having a fabulous time studying abroad! I have grown closer to my classmates than I could have imagined, and I am so grateful to be walking through this experience together. Part of life is overcoming your fears to discover your passions. I can say that within the two weeks I have been away from the United States, I am doing just that! 

¡Hasta luego!

Analisa