Venture through Granada

October 25-27

Exploring through Spain for another weekend has changed my perspective on this country entirely. From the old streets of Seville to the land of free tapas in Granada... Spain, you continue to surprise me with each and every adventure we have together. Our latest excursion, as they call them was a trip up North to free tapa land itself, Granada, Spain.

After arriving in this beautiful city, we couldn't wait to experience the food culture first hand. So we cruised through the city, and found a cute little tapa bar surrounded by great views, great flamenco music, and great friends. We relaxed with a few beers, and I must say, we finally found a Spanish beer that tastes more similar to any American beer that we have had yet. Upon much discussion, we agreed that it was a cross between a Budweiser, and an IPA. Needless to say, Cerveza 1925 tasted a little like home.

Sheesha and Tea bar!

As our day continued, we came to realize that the popularity of Sheesha and Tea was a very popular combination in Granada. So before returning to our hotel, mounted on the top of the city with a 30 minute walk to town, we sat at a Sheesha bar and indulged some more. Each tea we ordered came in a personal pot with a mini cup, with real flavors. I ordered mint flavor, which came with full mint leaves and flavor roasting in the pot. It was satisfying to have a tea so authentic and perfectly fresh to top off the day!

On top of the historic sites, famous tapa bars, and city swag, Granada also is known for it's lively night activities. Ours included a club called Mae West, which was something entirely different than what we expected. Not only was it in the middle of a shopping center of some sort, but it had 3 separate rooms, each with a different "theme." The first was a classic, seemingly old western tavern with a bar and more of a chatting atmosphere. The next had a full blown stage with a DJ, several bars, a balcony, and a huge dance floor. Then the third, was a smaller stage with dance instructors teaching funky spanish dances, similar to the "Cha-Cha Slide." And not to our surprise, by the time we were ready to go back to our hotel, it had just started getting busy... at 3 a.m. I don't think I will ever be able to rally like the Spanish.

One example of the beautiful architecture in La Alhambra

Saturday morning was a whole new day or site seeing and history learning. We visited La Alhambra, one of the most popular historic sites to visit in all of Europe. Luckily, I was learning about this place in one of my classes, so it was thrilling to actually see it in person. It was huge, with incredible views of the city, and architecture with detail that would be impossible to recreate. It's one of a kind beauty was truly memorable. Our tour guide put a new perspective on the historic Palace of the previous Kings and Queens, by saying, "We don't even deserve to be here." And by 'we,' he was referring 
to tourists in general. Which goes to say how special and treasured La Alhambra is!

View of Granada from the top of La Alhambra! (Steph Hutch Photo)

When night came, we had a different idea of fun on our minds for the last evening in Granada. We made our way to a street in the center of town full of local bars and tapa restaurants. To learn more about the culture in Granada, we casually bar-hopped from place to place, getting beers and free tapas for a few hours. Free tapas is definitely something I could get used to. After expanding our taste buds and knowledge of typical spanish meals, we finished the night in another tea and sheesha bar to top it all off.

El Torcal National Park Malaga, Spain (Steph Hutch photo)

Early Sunday morning, we woke up and took a bus to a national park just outside of Malaga, called El Torcal. For about an hour, we hiked around what used to be the bottom of the ocean! There were incredible rock formations unlike anything I have seen before, surrounded by green trees and plants, and huge rock cliffs similar to those you see in a Lord of the Rings movie... or something like that. It was a day filled with beautiful views and exploring, in a world transformed throughout history.

I am loving this place more and more each and every day, and am so lucky to call it home for now. Spain truly has surprised me more than I ever could have imagined!

This weekend we are leaving for PARIS! Branching out of Spain will be a thrilling and entirely different experience... and I absolutely cannot wait!

xxx, o