Goodbyes.

I’ve got less than an hour before I have to return my keys. I have to move. I wouldn’t have chosen to and I’m sure there will be some positives but before the pandemic I had no intention of giving up this lease. I adore this apartment. I think it also represents even more to me because it was SO difficult finding a flat to live in on my own AND it homed me when I decided to try to make a go of living in Spain. Once I’d managed to actually find a flat, it was complicated getting the contract sorted. I did all of this when my Spanish was much worse than it is now and it still surprises me that I managed to pull it off. How?! I also lucked out by having one of the most incredible views. So although the lack of an oven and no central heating were a not ideal, I obviously learned to deal with it (baking less and having a hot water bottle constantly strapped to me in the winter months). So now I’m moving into a teeny tiny single bedroom and sharing an apartment. This is not something I thought I would be doing at 32. The last time I lived with anyone was with my family, five years ago. So this will be a change. I crave my own personal space and I’m not sure I’m the easiest person to live with. I know that I am particular… But, I’m trying to be positive and the new place will offer some of those. It is a lot cheaper (necessary as my business shut down in March and I’ve not earned anything since), it has a pool (WOW) and I’ll be sharing with the very first friend I made in Granada. She was my teacher and obviously has had a lot of patience with me to be able to wait while I struggled to form sentences and understand the dreaded subjunctive tense. I’m not very good with change, especially change that is forced upon me but I’m trying to take it in stride and know that it will be ok. A bit bumpy perhaps, but ok.

But… for a few minutes longer I’m going to sit on the floor, looking out over paseo de los tristes and up to the Alhambra, listening to the birds and the river and the tiny bit of hustle and bustle that has returned to the street below. Thank you for this most beautiful experience. I won’t forget it in a hurry.