The Sights of Granada
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monachil
Last Saturday I went hiking in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Monachil (a small town outside of granada). We had an early start because the last bus back to Granada was at 1:40. The town was filled with stray dogs and some of them even followed us for a while. When we finally got to the trail, we climbed 'los cohorros altos'. It was kind of dangerous at some points because we had to climb under/around rocks and sometimes we were right on the edge of a cliff. Also there were a few bridges that were not so stable... Overall it was such a great trip and I was exhausted after climbing all morning.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
cordoba
I took a day trip to Cordoba though my school! there were about 25 of us that went. We took an early bus there and spent the day touring! The drive to Cordoba is winding and hilly. Unfortunately our bus driver was driving like a maniac! He took every turn so fast and it was making everyone carsick. We stopped halfway and people were even getting sick! Luckily we all made it there and back in one piece. When you arrive in cordoba you cross the puente romano (roman bridge) to enter the city!
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| in front of the puente romano |
First we went to the alazar de los reyes cristianos. It's castle/palace has a collection of Roman mosaics. The gardens were beautiful! I wish we had more time to relax (eat, read, etc)
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| alazar de los reyes cristianos |
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| gardens |
Next we went to Los banos del alcazar Califal. Built in the 10th centry, dating back to the period when cordoba was the capital of al-andalus (under muslim rule). Afterwards we went to the Jewish quarter we saw the calleja de flores, the synagogue and zoco (mercado de artesanias). The flowers were GORGEOUS!
They gave us some free time to wander the city and we went to the plaza de la corredera. Its an enclosed, square plaza where they used to have bull fights but they learned that the bulls would just stay in the corners the entire time so that's when they started using circular plazas instead. Now the plaza is for shopping and eating. We also did some shopping before heading back to meet up with the group
Plaza de la corredera
We met up at the mezquita- catedral. It was once the most important mosque in Spain but was converted (like all mosques) to a cathedral under the christian rule. It was originally very small but there were 3 additions that were added on over the years.
Barcelona
Our trip to Barcelona was really quick, but it was one of the best cities I've visited so far. We flew out of Granada airport which was SO GREAT. It really makes it SO much easier when I don't have to take a 5 hour bus to Madrid first. After we checked into our hostel we went to Bo De B for lunch. Its a great place for big sandwiches on french bread.
We got them to-go and took them to the boardwalk and sat at the port. While we were sitting there a Spanish guy came up to us asking where something was. We couldn't understand him at first and as we asked him to repeat it, his partner in crime snuck behind our bench and grabbed my friends wallet that was sitting next to her. I saw it out of the corner of my eye but thought he had just dropped something. My other friend Jessica noticed it and screamed. He instantly dropped the wallet right where he was, kept walking and never looked back. We were so thankful we didn't have to chase him down!
That evening we went to Plaza Espana to see the big fountain light show. It was mesmerizing! We got coffee and sat around for an hour talking and listening to the music.
The next morning we went to Parc Guell (designed by gaudi). There were a bunch of trails we could walk through and it seemed like every 50 feet there was a different musician playing a guitar, violin, or some other mystery instrument!
Afterwards we went to visit the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. I can definitely tell that Spain is getting closer to the tourist season because there was a really long line just to enter the church. Gaudi loved nature and he designed the ceiling of the church to look like trees (with the columns being the trunks). One of my friends has a friend living in Barcelona while completing her graduate work. We went to her barbecue party afterwards and met her spanish friends. It was nice to be able to relax in a home after a long day of doing touristy things!
We went home for a nap and then that night we went to a club called Opium. It was RIGHT on the beach! SO SO FUN! There were VIP sections, a big dance floor, and indoor and outdoor couches! After a few hours of dancing, we got our hands stamped and left the club to go to the beach. We ran around and put our feet in the water (this was about 4:30 am) and then went back into the club for a couple more hours. We left as the sun was rising and went to our hostel to get our bags and eat the free breakfast. We checked out and then headed to the airport! Of course we were SUPER tired, so we slept at the airport until we had to board. Overall an exhausting but fun weekend in barca!
We got them to-go and took them to the boardwalk and sat at the port. While we were sitting there a Spanish guy came up to us asking where something was. We couldn't understand him at first and as we asked him to repeat it, his partner in crime snuck behind our bench and grabbed my friends wallet that was sitting next to her. I saw it out of the corner of my eye but thought he had just dropped something. My other friend Jessica noticed it and screamed. He instantly dropped the wallet right where he was, kept walking and never looked back. We were so thankful we didn't have to chase him down!
That evening we went to Plaza Espana to see the big fountain light show. It was mesmerizing! We got coffee and sat around for an hour talking and listening to the music.
Later that night we went to a club called Sala Razzmatazz. It wasn't exactly my scene.... there was a live band that played the kind of music you had to bob your head to. Even though I didn't love it, it was still a cool experience. You could go up to the roof to go to a different dance floor. But definitely not worth the 15 euro cover charge.
The next morning we went to Parc Guell (designed by gaudi). There were a bunch of trails we could walk through and it seemed like every 50 feet there was a different musician playing a guitar, violin, or some other mystery instrument!
Afterwards we went to visit the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. I can definitely tell that Spain is getting closer to the tourist season because there was a really long line just to enter the church. Gaudi loved nature and he designed the ceiling of the church to look like trees (with the columns being the trunks). One of my friends has a friend living in Barcelona while completing her graduate work. We went to her barbecue party afterwards and met her spanish friends. It was nice to be able to relax in a home after a long day of doing touristy things!
We went home for a nap and then that night we went to a club called Opium. It was RIGHT on the beach! SO SO FUN! There were VIP sections, a big dance floor, and indoor and outdoor couches! After a few hours of dancing, we got our hands stamped and left the club to go to the beach. We ran around and put our feet in the water (this was about 4:30 am) and then went back into the club for a couple more hours. We left as the sun was rising and went to our hostel to get our bags and eat the free breakfast. We checked out and then headed to the airport! Of course we were SUPER tired, so we slept at the airport until we had to board. Overall an exhausting but fun weekend in barca!
Monday, March 12, 2012
so what about granada?
I've realized that I've been posting so much about trips I've gone on but I've failed at talking about anything in Granada. Sooo here's a little snapshot of life in 'granaaaa'
Whenever I'm on my way back to Granada after a trip I've noticed myself saying "can't wait to be home" and it really makes me happy that Granada has become my new home and that I feel comfortable here. I've hit a couple bumps in the road, but overall everything is great. I love that I have enough free time to meet up with friends for a 'paseo' (walk) and wander through the city, finding new places every time. There are endless tapas restaurants, endless plazas to sit and eat ice cream and endless shopping as well. Because I've been spending MORE than enough money on traveling, I've been avoiding the shopping somewhat. But when coffee, tapas, or a pasty from the 'bread lady' only costs a buck or two, its really a great way to get out, be social, and people watch :) the other day while i was sitting in a plaza with a friend, there was a Spanish guy playing his guitar by himself for a while, then he packed up his things and walked over to a random group of Spaniards that were also hanging out in the plaza. He sat down, introduced himself, and they were instantly friends. It's amazing how friendly everyone is here.
Just like at home, it's easy to get sucked into your routine once you have one. Of course there are places that I've tried, and loved, and continue to go to. But, I also try to force myself to try new places. There is SO much to do and see in the city and I think it would be a waste to not take it all in.
Another thing I like is that people here aren't afraid to mix 'business with pleasure'
During my conversation class, my professor has just told everyone to pack up their bags because were going to get tapas and a drink. This is 'accecptable' because as long as were practicing our Spanish (and she's correcting us) we're learning just the same... The first time it was weird that we were all having beers with our professor at 1 in the afternoon, but that's just how it is here (and i'm totally fine with it.... of course). Our reason for 'celebration' the first time was because her nephew was born, the second we just went out because it was a nice day and then when she later learned it was my friends birthday, she decided to pay for all of our drinks.
The next day in class, when it was Ingrid's birthday we were discussing our plans for the night, and she said, alright call me later and i'll meet up with you. Sure enough, we call her that night around 11, and she tells us to meet up with her and one of our other professors at a new bar that had just opened up. It was a really fun night and I think it's great that we're able to get to know our professors on a more personal level than office ours on a thursday at 2:00....
My classes here are great because I dont have a class that is bigger than 12 people (some as small at 7) and the professors aren't too concerned with upholding their 'professionalism' and they actually make the effort to get to know us.
Any way, this past weekend I made SURE I stayed in Granada because I don't have one more full weekend here besides the weekend before I leave. I had my first experience with Botellon. (Which is a BIG outdoor plaza) It's the only LEGAL place to drink outside in Granada, although everyone still drinks wherever they want and the police would never even stop the car if they saw you walk down the street drinking from a bottle of wine.
On a Friday or Saturday night it gets packed! People will go out for tapas until 11:30 or 12 then head to botellon until 2 or 3 and then head to the discotecas! it's a great place to meet new people. Also, there are lots of workers from the discotecas that come around to pass out tickets for free entrance or discounted drinks! it's a win-win :)
On another note I've discovered how to change the settings on the TV from Spanish-dubbed to regular English for the american shows. let me say, I am one happy camper. I'm watching shows I never watched at home, but there is something comforting about watching and hearing AMERICAN English shows. I can only handle soo many episodes of spanish soap-operas.
Whenever I'm on my way back to Granada after a trip I've noticed myself saying "can't wait to be home" and it really makes me happy that Granada has become my new home and that I feel comfortable here. I've hit a couple bumps in the road, but overall everything is great. I love that I have enough free time to meet up with friends for a 'paseo' (walk) and wander through the city, finding new places every time. There are endless tapas restaurants, endless plazas to sit and eat ice cream and endless shopping as well. Because I've been spending MORE than enough money on traveling, I've been avoiding the shopping somewhat. But when coffee, tapas, or a pasty from the 'bread lady' only costs a buck or two, its really a great way to get out, be social, and people watch :) the other day while i was sitting in a plaza with a friend, there was a Spanish guy playing his guitar by himself for a while, then he packed up his things and walked over to a random group of Spaniards that were also hanging out in the plaza. He sat down, introduced himself, and they were instantly friends. It's amazing how friendly everyone is here.
Just like at home, it's easy to get sucked into your routine once you have one. Of course there are places that I've tried, and loved, and continue to go to. But, I also try to force myself to try new places. There is SO much to do and see in the city and I think it would be a waste to not take it all in.
Another thing I like is that people here aren't afraid to mix 'business with pleasure'
During my conversation class, my professor has just told everyone to pack up their bags because were going to get tapas and a drink. This is 'accecptable' because as long as were practicing our Spanish (and she's correcting us) we're learning just the same... The first time it was weird that we were all having beers with our professor at 1 in the afternoon, but that's just how it is here (and i'm totally fine with it.... of course). Our reason for 'celebration' the first time was because her nephew was born, the second we just went out because it was a nice day and then when she later learned it was my friends birthday, she decided to pay for all of our drinks.
The next day in class, when it was Ingrid's birthday we were discussing our plans for the night, and she said, alright call me later and i'll meet up with you. Sure enough, we call her that night around 11, and she tells us to meet up with her and one of our other professors at a new bar that had just opened up. It was a really fun night and I think it's great that we're able to get to know our professors on a more personal level than office ours on a thursday at 2:00....
My classes here are great because I dont have a class that is bigger than 12 people (some as small at 7) and the professors aren't too concerned with upholding their 'professionalism' and they actually make the effort to get to know us.
Any way, this past weekend I made SURE I stayed in Granada because I don't have one more full weekend here besides the weekend before I leave. I had my first experience with Botellon. (Which is a BIG outdoor plaza) It's the only LEGAL place to drink outside in Granada, although everyone still drinks wherever they want and the police would never even stop the car if they saw you walk down the street drinking from a bottle of wine.
On a Friday or Saturday night it gets packed! People will go out for tapas until 11:30 or 12 then head to botellon until 2 or 3 and then head to the discotecas! it's a great place to meet new people. Also, there are lots of workers from the discotecas that come around to pass out tickets for free entrance or discounted drinks! it's a win-win :)
On another note I've discovered how to change the settings on the TV from Spanish-dubbed to regular English for the american shows. let me say, I am one happy camper. I'm watching shows I never watched at home, but there is something comforting about watching and hearing AMERICAN English shows. I can only handle soo many episodes of spanish soap-operas.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Nerja (nair-ha), costa del sol
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| On the bus to Nerja |
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| Our Hostal |
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| walking though town |
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| standing in front of marbeo beach |
On saturday we explored the town and went to marbeillo beach. We went to the town center and to balcon de europe for an amazing view of the coast! My only complaint about this beach is that instead of sand it was mostly just small pebbles. But the water was great. :)
After spending a few hours at the beach we went to get ice cream near balcon de europa and then we went out to dinner that evening. It was an adorable little italian place. The portions were huge and the prices were great. I got pesto pasta :)
On sunday we went to marbeo beach (just one beach west of marbeillo). The sand here was much nicer, not quite as rocky. The night before we bought ingredients to make sandwiches to eat on the beach. We also walked through these cave-like rock formations. It was such a relaxing weekend. Couldn't have asked for anything better!
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| marbeillo beach |
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| Balcon de Europa |
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| lots of vegetation on the cliff near the beach |
After spending a few hours at the beach we went to get ice cream near balcon de europa and then we went out to dinner that evening. It was an adorable little italian place. The portions were huge and the prices were great. I got pesto pasta :)
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| Pesto Pasta |
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| With Katharine at "Little Italy" |
On sunday we went to marbeo beach (just one beach west of marbeillo). The sand here was much nicer, not quite as rocky. The night before we bought ingredients to make sandwiches to eat on the beach. We also walked through these cave-like rock formations. It was such a relaxing weekend. Couldn't have asked for anything better!
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| View down a side street |
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| crystal clear water |
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| Some of the small rocks |
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| climbing through the rocks |
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| More rocks! |
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