Week 3 in Granada is in the books (time flies) and we are finally underway with data collection. I say “finally” because this week threw a few curveballs our way. But just like Aaron Judge at the plate, we adjusted our swing so that we were able to fix the issues presented, and put all our materials to the test.

I conduct my work in Lab 19 in the CIMCYC building on campus. Dr. Bajo and the lab manager, named Borja, were very kind to arrange that Bridget and I each have our own cabina during our visit this summer. This is very helpful to us so that we can keep our equipment set up as we need it, without packing it up at the end of each day. The computer in the cabina assigned to me is a bit on the older side, and at first did not function with the experiment. Borja spent a good portion of his day (actually this turned into a multiple day task) working to fix the computer for me. He has a degree in computer science so I let him do his thing, and sure enough, he was able to fix it 🙂

Views from outside the CIMCYC building

The CIMCYC is at the top of a very long hill we walk up every day

But then came the issues with the microphones. The mics we were sent with from Penn State began sending electrical shocks through our head after prolonged use. We were then advised to purchase new mics so that this problem would not occur when testing participants. Borja immediately offered to take us to the music store later that day to find and purchase the mics. Maybe it was the generosity he showed us, or maybe it was the plate of tapas we treated ourselves to after the adventure, but we had a lovely time that afternoon despite the stress we were feeling.

Borja has become a stable figure for us to turn to in the lab. I love how patient he is when I talk to him in Spanish. He gently corrects me when I make an error, and I really appreciate that so I can improve my Spanish as much as possible this summer. As I was sitting in Lab 19 the day the technical issues haunted us, I asked him how to say the english expression “slowly but surely” in Spanish. His response; “lento pero seguro Maggie Rose.” Lento pero seguro our materials are coming together as data collection is in progress. Everyday I feel more confident using my skills to address issues that present themselves head on while conducting this research.

Our walk to the University each day (or as we call it “The U”) takes us about 25 minutes or so, including a 10 minute walk straight up a steep, yet gradual, hill to the CIMCYC building. We discovered a tiny Panadería that is on our way to the U. We were drawn in by the smells of the place alone. Entering the little place could be the best, and worst decision we could have made thus far in Granada. I say this because we buy the most delectable empanadas there, filled with spinach and goat cheese, along with chocolate filled croissants and other pastries. The other day before testing participants in the lab, we both bought two empanadas and shared a croissant. We couldn’t cut ourselves off at just one! And now, we can not walk by the Panadería without stopping. We found quite the gem…

No better way to eat a warm chocolate croissant than while walking the streets of Granada