Dinero (Money)

Money is a very important factor in this journey because you need money to do anything. Thankfully, my volleyball scholarship paid the expenses of this trip for the whole semester. However, when it comes to making purchases and traveling, I have to use my own funds. For starters, Spain does not accept U.S. dollars. They use euros here along with many other European countries. The exchange rate here is about 36 cents more for each euro, which can vary by the minute; therefore, the dollar is worth a little less here. Luckily, most products here are cheaper so it balances itself out in a way. It took me a while to get used to the money because it looks different, and they have more coins and banknotes than the U.S. Their lowest bill is 5 and the highest is 500. Can you imagine finding a 500 euro bill on the ground? I'm praying for that day to come. One and 2 euros are coins so when I think I have a bunch of change, it can add up to be a good amount of money. I had to train myself not spend my 1 euro and 2 euro coins like they are quarters.

The cost to travel from Spain is pretty cheap. I am looking to fly to Paris at the end of February and round trip flights were as low as 30 euros ($40.81). Instead of hotels, many students stay in hostels which are only 15-20 euros a night. Traveling Europe is not very expensive so I plan to take advantage of it as much as I can. I also plan to visit Rome and possibly London if I have the time. Although flights from Madrid are the cheapest, there are buses from Granada that go to Madrid for 16-20 euros. The bus ride is 5 hours, but I'd rather ride on a bus for 5 hours than pay 200 euros for a plan ticket out of Granada.

I've learned the numbers in spanish faster than I learned anything else because when someone tells me the price of something or gives me my change I need to accurate and quick. One of the first new phrases I learned when I got here was "cuánto cuesta?" (how much?).

Here is shocker for you all. The gas prices here range around 1.26 euros, which is only about $1. 70. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Granada doesn't sound too bad after all.