Granada
We left our quiet village of Gaucin, wondering if we would happen upon it again in this lifetime?
The inland road to Grenada climbed up the mountain past the village of Ronda through the rolling hillsides toward Antequerra. At times, the views were so picturesque that you felt you were driving into a postcard! The road was cradled by groves of olives and grapes. I know my Dad would’ve had multiple questions about the farming practices of the area.
It is not long before we glimpsed the snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Our entry to the old town of Granada was surprisingly easy. Our hotel is located close to Alhambra which towers magnificently over the city. Our hotel is named after Washington Irving who wrote Tales of the Sleepy Hollow and Tales of the Alhambra as a guest of the castle.
It is a gorgeous trek down to the City Centre on a steep old road with old pines and glimpses of Alhambra to our right. Almost like walking in Central Park on a quiet autumn morning.
It appears that most of the city is out and about, getting excited about the 3 Kings parade that begins at sunset. We decide to line up for a view not knowing that we will be standing in anticipation for at least 2 hours!
The people-watching makes it worthwhile. Every age and stage of person strolls by usually with a child or two in hand. It is much more amusing to see kids misbehaving when they are not your own!
We are offered a bag to collect the candy that will be thrown by the costumed “magos” on the floats. Kids in apartments flanking the parade route fling candy from the windows above. There are fireworks, prancing horses and marching bands. The crowd gets very excited and kids scramble to pick up the candy. Most families are carrying the special doughnut-shaped cake ( containing a clay religious figure)that they will share with their family on January 6th. Nothing like getting that special bite of an old wise man!
The town appears to close down after the parade and I dramatically grumble my way up the steep slope back to our hotel. Neither robbers nor wild Grenadian beasts devoured us enroute,
Today we explored the Albayzin area of town - the hilly, whitewashed neighborhood that is now home to artists and writers ( as well as a great number of stumpy little dogs!) The walk along the river is lovely with the bright sunshine and we stop to watch some buskers and grab a coffee.
Tonight we will catch a flamenco dance show before heading to a late Moroccan dinner.
We have decided to forego our time in Seville this trip given that we have been warned about driving into the city Centre. T has certainly had his share of wild driving this trip and we have decided to end our trip relaxing on the coast. We also are 100% convinced that we will be back!
The inland road to Grenada climbed up the mountain past the village of Ronda through the rolling hillsides toward Antequerra. At times, the views were so picturesque that you felt you were driving into a postcard! The road was cradled by groves of olives and grapes. I know my Dad would’ve had multiple questions about the farming practices of the area.
It is not long before we glimpsed the snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Our entry to the old town of Granada was surprisingly easy. Our hotel is located close to Alhambra which towers magnificently over the city. Our hotel is named after Washington Irving who wrote Tales of the Sleepy Hollow and Tales of the Alhambra as a guest of the castle.
It is a gorgeous trek down to the City Centre on a steep old road with old pines and glimpses of Alhambra to our right. Almost like walking in Central Park on a quiet autumn morning.
It appears that most of the city is out and about, getting excited about the 3 Kings parade that begins at sunset. We decide to line up for a view not knowing that we will be standing in anticipation for at least 2 hours!
The people-watching makes it worthwhile. Every age and stage of person strolls by usually with a child or two in hand. It is much more amusing to see kids misbehaving when they are not your own!
We are offered a bag to collect the candy that will be thrown by the costumed “magos” on the floats. Kids in apartments flanking the parade route fling candy from the windows above. There are fireworks, prancing horses and marching bands. The crowd gets very excited and kids scramble to pick up the candy. Most families are carrying the special doughnut-shaped cake ( containing a clay religious figure)that they will share with their family on January 6th. Nothing like getting that special bite of an old wise man!
The town appears to close down after the parade and I dramatically grumble my way up the steep slope back to our hotel. Neither robbers nor wild Grenadian beasts devoured us enroute,
Today we explored the Albayzin area of town - the hilly, whitewashed neighborhood that is now home to artists and writers ( as well as a great number of stumpy little dogs!) The walk along the river is lovely with the bright sunshine and we stop to watch some buskers and grab a coffee.
Tonight we will catch a flamenco dance show before heading to a late Moroccan dinner.
We have decided to forego our time in Seville this trip given that we have been warned about driving into the city Centre. T has certainly had his share of wild driving this trip and we have decided to end our trip relaxing on the coast. We also are 100% convinced that we will be back!
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