Blogs from Granada, Andalusia, Spain, Europe - page 10

It's Wednesday evening and I've just returned from a three hour hike around town. The days here are hot and it typically doesn't cool down until about an hour or so before sunset--which is generally between 9 and 9:30 p.m. I won't head out until later this evening for a drink (or two) and a tapa (or two) although Ill head out in a few to buy a loaf of bread to eat with my pimientos asados en almibar (roasted red peppers in syrup) and setas fritas (marinated mushrooms in olive oil & garlic). The Argentinean shop owner down the road is quickly becoming my new best friend. Last night I walked in the door at around 11:50 pm after stumbling upon the Sacramonte, a neighborhood famous for its cave dwellings and flamenco shows. In fact, ... read more

It seems appropriate that in this juncture of my blog, there be some mention of food. Four days in and nothing...what's happened to me?! My favorite part about Granada thus far is the free tapas most places as long as you order a drink. I'm starting to learn that I can save money on dinner each night by ordering two glasses of wine and typically I'm content with that and my two free tapas. Sometimes I'll order a dessert too--I'm on vacation! Last night with my first glass of wine I was served fried sardines on a bed of shredded cabbage with fried garlic and a cup of gazpacho. The gazpacho was served in a cocktail glass without a spoon and after a few moments of staring at it and simultaneously looking around to see if ... read more

July 4, 2014 Last night I finally arrived in Granada around 9 pm with just enough juice on my phone to contact my host who was meeting me to hand over the keys to my apartment. Hatha, a lovely woman with curly hair and a bright smile escorted me up the tight alley to my apartment on Calle Panaderos. It is quaint and charming with tall ceilings and wooden beams. I have a small kitchenette with a dining table and a futon and a cozy room that perfectly accommodates one person. She insisted I contact her if I need anything and she invited me to visit her at her health food shop right up the way. We also made tentative plans to meet for a drink once I'm settled in. As exhausted as I was from ... read more

Ce matin, on partait de l'hôtel Ibis pour se rendre à Granada (environ 300 kilomètres de route). On s'est rapidement rendu compte que l'autoroute montait haut en altitude, offrant un spectacle naturel sans pareil. Des montagnes à perte de vue et des villages éparpillés un peu partout. J'étais fascinée par chaque petite maison qui paraissait moindrement vieille ou en ruine, alors j'ai demandé aux autres si on pouvait éventuellement s'arrêter quelque part pour essayer d'en visiter une ou, du moins, en voir une de plus près. On est allé à une station-service pour s'approvisionner et se promener aux alentours. En arrivant à la caisse avec mon père, la dame nous demande si on parle espagnol... Et nous de répondre "un petit peu". On lui dit qu'on parle français et elle nous demande si on veut aller ... read more

Last night we were offered a trip to listen to flamenco music and watch authentic flamenco dancing in a gypsy community just outside of Granada . Perhaps had the price been cheaper than 100 euros for the two of us we might have considered it. We didnt feel like parting with that much money for a style of music we are not fond of. Now the Manic Street Preachers or even Tom Jones at Chesterfield Stadium would have been worth it. As it was we stayed home in our little plot trying to dry out damp washing and catching up on blogs. Life goes on back home. It's election day for MEP's for the European parliament. I wonder how voting will go. The in and out of Europe issue is looming large back home with parties ... read more