In the Albaycin of Granada
After seven years, we found ourselves back in the fabulous city of Granada, Spain. Four days of bliss! We located ourselves in the Plaza Nuevo area which is central to just about everything. Life is bustling in Granada even during the Spanish financial crisis. Fifty-five percent of the the youth of Spain are unemployed, but the tourists that flood this city make it seem as though it is immune to the severity of current circumstances.
One of the many plazas in Granada
Although I insist that I do not make a very good tourist, I have enjoyed the cool weather and the blue skies of the past few days. Walking around the city is a delight. It is not uncommon to turn the corner and burst upon a scene of musical performances and the gaiety of outdoor dining with wine, beer and tapas. This has been an uncommonly wet spring. In fact, we spent the first few days with umbrellas in tow. The green of the countryside is worth the bother, however. Only once did we allow the rain to hinder our comings and goings. Having reserved tickets for the Alhambra, we stood in line in order to collect them and encountered a proper deluge. Not just water in abundance, but ice pellets as well. We were reluctant to linger in the rain and took a taxi back to our hotel without even so much as collecting our tickets. It was not a tough decision. We have seen the Alhambra in all of its glory before, so giving up a second visit was something that as seasoned travelers we were willing to sacrifice. You win some and you lose some when on the road for weeks and months at a time.
Street performers and flamenco
As a gift to my husband, we purchased tickets to a flamenco concert the first evening of our arrival. It was worth the 36 euros spent as the performance was pure flamenco and the performers outstanding. The theater was small and intimate. We were thoroughly entertained. Not all performances in Granada are of such quality, however. The flamenco scene has become quite diluted by tourism and has lost much of its authenticity.
The Alhambra
As the sun came out so did we by spending several days on foot wandering the Albaycin, the old Arabic part of the city. Of course, we made sure to stop along the way to enjoy the wonderful miradors the city provides as well as paella, wine and beer. On more than one occasion we opted for the delightful Arabic tea, sweet with mint. We spent a considerable amount of time talking with a group of street performers that had a particularly impressive guitarist.
Arabic tea house
We returned to the Alhambra a second time by foot. The walk up the hill amidst an abundance of sycamore trees and other flora and fauna is delightful. If one does not feel up to a semi steep climb, there is a bus that collects people at the cathedral and drops them off at the ticket office above. However, a taxi is not that expensive either. In fact, we found taxis to be abundant and reliable. There is much to enjoy that is free in and around the Alhambra after your arrival. The tickets to enter the palace are about 14 euros, but the fortress can be entered without a ticket, affording spectacular views. Gardens and vistas as well as a beautiful convent which is now a parador are among some of the delights freely offered. We had a picture perfect day at last and the views of the city and snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevadas were spectacular.
The streets of Granada
We spent the days doing what we love doing…wandering. The winding streets of Granada are perfect for exploration. Interspersed with lovely plazas, plenty of tiny bars, restaurants and cozy outdoor cafes, we were fully capable of getting deliciously lost for hours Time passed quickly as it is prone to do when enjoying one’s self. Our vagabonding throughout Spain ended with a bus trip back to Malaga where we spent one last night on the Mediterranean. Departure came early the next day. The long arduous trip back to home and everyday life ending safely once again.
One last night on the Mediterranean
First published April 13, 2013 on Creative Paths to Freedom
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