Un fin de semana en Granada (A Weekend in Granada)

Ok. Granada. We went with the center. I'd been to Granada once before in High School, but all I really remembered was the Alhambra. Going again this past weekend with the center was really good. Some of the neighborhoods in Granada I absolutely love--hippies with dreads are much easier to find there than in Sevilla. There is a pretty large North African influence in Granada, too, so there were a few streets filled with African tapestries, jewelry, and other goodies for sale, along with plenty of tetarias (tea places with hookah). The general attitude of Granada (granted, I stayed in the center of the city and I'm sure the bulk of the suburbs are just like any Andalucian city) was more alternative than Sevilla, I think, and things were cheaper (free tapas with drinks!). My favorite was going up into the Albayzin, one of the oldest neighborhoods that goes up into the hills opposite from the Alhambra, and wandering through the hilly side streets. All of the houses were white-washed. At the top of the Albayzin was a plaza with a bunch of hippies hanging out and an excellent view of the Alhambra (as you will see from the pictures below).

I'm not sure what else there really is to say about Granada... ha, oh, except Liliana and I made it a tradition that whenever we stop at a rest stop, we get off the bus and do a lap around the building. It felt so good to run -- I haven't been able to since, oh, early May. It wasn't painful or anything, which is great news, but my shins are now really sore, which is lame considering it was such a short distance. But I am ready to start running again and I'm ready to build up my endurance. I'm excited to do that. I remember how much my ankle hurt to walk at the beginning of September and how the prospect of running was just totally out of the question. Now it's not. Progress!

On to pictures:

Outside of the most famous church in Granada, we happened across some stands selling all kinds of spices. I like this picture. I feel like I could put it in my kitchen. You know, theoretically. My theoretical kitchen.

Me and Liliana at the base of the Alhambra and on the main street of the Albayzin.

Walking up through the Albayzin to get to the plaza. Typical roommate love between Kristin and Liliana (yes, we give Americans a good name).

View from the Albayzin over to the Alhambra on the other hill with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.

The Alahmbra from the square in the Albayzin.

Liliana, Me, the Alhambra. Sitting in the square with our legs hanging off over the side. Hmm, I wonder if you can guess who is who (sarcasm; it should be fairly easy).

The next day on our guided tour of the Alhambra. This is a view out from the main tower of the Alhambra. Katie and me. I was trying to take a legitimate, mature roommate picture, but she would have none of it.

Inside the Alhambra. Mad mudejar like nobody's business.

Detail on the pillars in el patio de los leones.

More detail. I really like this photo.

We went to the Generalife garden that's attached to the Alhambra, and I started playing with flowers and views...

...and this picture and the one above are of the same thing, just with different focuses... that is DEEP (hah, come on... I know you miss me).

A patio in the Generalife. Pretty sure this one was in my Spanish book in high school.

I like going places with the center because we get guided tours of what's most important, we get transportation, and we get put up in really, really nice hotels. The hotel where we stayed in Granada was spectacular AND there was a free continental breakfast that was out of this world. Easily the best breakfast I've had in Spain. I know my family's probably actually paying for it through the study abroad program costs and fees, but still. I'm sure the center gets some kind of deal on hotels and things when we go on excursions. And I like them. A lot.