So since my spring break adventures are two weeks long, I am going to split them up into a few blogs. I am currently in Málaga, but I am going to write about my time in Valencia and Granada first because I still have quite a few days here.Returning to Valencia felt like meeting up with an old friend. It was amazing because I felt like I really knew where I was going. I got to see and explore the market this time and I also came across an open air market that was really interesting. There is nothing like fresh fruit and pasties to start a morning. Since the weather was so much nicer this time around, I made a trip to the beach. I LOVE THE BEACH. The water was still a bit cold but I at least got in! Holla at yo girl for her first "dip" in the Mediterranean!
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| My room |
It was a short visit to Valencia, but I am so glad that I returned, I think that there is something really enchanting about the city that makes me love it so much.
I arrived in Granada to find a city that I will never forget. It was so different than any place that I have seen in Spain so far. My hostel was amazing and the staff was so friendly! I had a balcony in my room and the view was incredible.
I spent the first hour or so in my room making a "game plan". I selected the things and places I wanted to see the most and made a general itinerary. Of course things change, some days you sleep in, and sometimes tickets are sold out. I didn't make it to everything, but I felt satisfied with my time in Granada.
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| Processionals |
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| Elvira |
After my adventure down Elvira, I walked down a street and saw a bunch of people waiting around, in my mind I just thought "Well if people are waiting it must be for something good, so I'll wait too! It turns out it was for one of the Semana Santa (Easter) processionals! It was amazing the number of people involved and how important it was to all of the people. The whole thing was breathtaking!
I also went out with the hostel staff the next night to view another one, this one involved taking the Virgin and Christ up a hill, it was incredible to see the dedication and effort that was put into making the whole thing a success. It didn't end until a bit after 4am, but we only stayed around until 2ish.
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| Alhambra |
Since I did not make it to the Alhambra, I decided to instead take the free walking tour of the city, the history is a mixture between fascinating and sad. The cross between cultures in Granada is so amazing but its a lot to think that at one point the entire region was Arabic, mosques, and a different way of life were represented. Our guide showed us a few Catholic cathedrals that were once mosques. We also learned that nearly all of the books and scientific/academic writings in Arabic were burned. I can't imagine a world where lives works, centuries of innovation were destroyed with the intent of driving out a people and their history.
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| Free tapa with drink? Yes please! |
On the tour I met some people from Scotland who are studying in Granada for the semester, I ended up going out for tapas with them and they were so nice, it really is amazing the people that you meet by chance and circumstance!
Other highlights from Granada:
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| Street Art |
- When you buy a drink (tinto de verano, vino, cervesa, cola, you name it) you get a free tapa, usually of the tapas bar's choice. Needless to say I got a bit spoiled and almost never paid for food!
- Amazing Sangria, though the region is known for Tinto de Verano (red wine mixed with some carbonated drink)
- Fascinating and intricate street art
All in all it has been a great adventure so far! Be on the look out soon for my posts about the rest of my trip!