I have these moments where I become very aware of how much in another world I live in. Here are a few examples:
So here in Spain I guess every city or provence has their own virgin. For example, the virgin of hope, joy, peace, ect. (but they are all Mary, it took me a while to figure that out.) Granada’s virgin is the virgin of anguish. So last Sunday was Virgin of Anguish day. Like I’ve said before they celebrate everything you can think of here (even anguish apparently). So every one was out in the streets selling candy, ballons and candles. At 6:00 they opened the doors of the main church in the center city and all these men were carrying this huge statue of mary of anguish. It is all decked out with gold, candles and intricate designs. Mary is crying and carrying Jesus (sacrificed) in her arms. As soon as she appeared fireworks started going off and everyone was cheering. They carried her up and down the main streets of Granada and everyone was chanting to the statue “viva, viva, viva!”
One day after class I went shopping with two girls from my class. They are from Morocco. So as I am getting to know them I am getting to know another culture. Apparently a way to show friendship in their culture is through touch. Men and men hold hands, women and women hold hands, but women and men don’t hold hands in public. So as we were shopping one of the girls grabbed my hand and we walked through the store just holding hands. Haha I was really caught off guard and didn’t know what to do but it was a sweet gesture. I just walked around and was like umm yes I’m with her.
In class my teacher was asking us what neighborhoods we live in. I said, “well I live in the center of the city but I’m not sure of the name of my neighborhood.” He said, “oh if you live in the center you live in the neighborhood of anguish.” Which is such a sad word, why can’t we name it neighborhood of joy? Can you imagine driving down Park Road in Charlotte and instead of seeing Cameron Woods or Park Crossing seeing Neighborhood of Anguish? I don’t think many people would move there hahah.
The other night I went out with my Spanish friends. This past week school started back up so all the 80,000 students are back in Granada. Anyways I was talking with my friend Pilar and she said, “molly I really believe that you are a gift from God to our group of friends. One day I am going to tell my children about how God sent us molly our friend from America.” I said, “oh my gosh you believe in God?!” She said yeah I pray to God and Mary each night.
I really have a heart for Granada. Ever since last Sunday (virgin of anguish day) I have really felt like going to Mass. I want to know how Spaniards experience God and what they learn in church and why there are statues of Jesus and saints everywhere but why it seems so spiritually dead here. So out of pure curiosity I got all dressed up and went by my self to the Virgin of Anguish Catholic Church. I was actually nervous to go there by myself, it seemed pretty intimidating and I felt very aware of my youth because young people here just don’t do that. On my way there I was thinking, “well the greeters will be excited to see a young person come!” There were no greeters... just beggers as you walk in. The inside was immaculate, I couldn’t stop looking at all the detail and design on every square inch of walls and ceiling. I’m really glad I went. I got to connect with another part of this culture and experience a huge part of who they are.
