Granada
Trip Start
Jan 09, 2007
1
10
Trip End
Jun 14, 2007
Granada, Spain
Sunday, February 11, 2007
It was our first official USAC group trip, since not everybody was at Madrid, so I got to finally get to know a lot more people and make some new friends. I am still trying to make friends with non-Americans, but it's good to be able to put a name to the faces of the people I see at school.
The best part by far was getting to see the Alhambra. Here is a blurb from the website (http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php) where you can vote for The Big A as one of the 7 wonders of the world:
"Mohammed I, the first king of the Nasriden - a Moorish dynasty in Granada - converted a 9th-century castle into his private royal residence, and it is this which we now know as the Alhambra. The structure, which covers an area of 13 hectares, is renowned for its stunning frescoes and interior detail. The building is one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in the world and is among Europe's most-visited tourist attractions."
But it's much better than it sounds.
I think I'll need to go back some day because we didn't get to do 2 of the more famous things to do in Granada: go for tea, and what they call "ir de caņas". Caņa means a little glass of beer, and with each one you get a free tapa. There is a corresponding tapa for each drink, and they get bigger the more you have. The funny part about it is that they are numbered, so when you want your fifth tapa the waiters call out to the cooks "cinco!" and everybody knows how much you've had to drink.
However, we did get to see the city and the old quarter and the cathedral where Isabel and Ferdinand (think Cristopher Columbus) are buried and go out to have tapas and kebaps and experience the nightlife. One of my favorite parts was this big square at St. Nicholas, which has a really great view of the Alhambra and the city. There were also a bunch of hippies just hanging out in the sun playing music and selling crafts. It was really mellow and relaxing, and even though it had been rainy and dark before we got there, we lucked out with a perfect sunny day. I took way too many pictures, but I'll try to get a few of them up so you can see...
But the fun doesn't stop just because we are back in Alicante, because this weekend is Carnevales! Big fiesta, and from what people are saying it should be really really exciting.
Comments
Idaho Loves You!
We just got your blog address! Sounds like you're having a blast! Keep udating regularly,; we are printing your travelogues for posterity! Love, Allison
Jackie's in Spain.
How exciting to hear all about your adventuras en Spain! I check your Log every day to see what's new! Is the school life harder or the same there? Are your classes all in spanish? I guess this is not a question message spot. I'm glad you got to go and happy you are finishing school with such flair. We all miss you. Kaylee tells people all the time, 'Jackie's in Spain.'
Hey Jackie!
Did you stop keeping a travel journal altogether? How about some more updates?! Love, Idaho