Flamenco, Alhambra & Gypsies!

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'Very enjoyable' was Kev's take on our night of Flamenco and I'll second that! Such proud, sensual dancing and the way both the men and women move their bodies is a joy to watch.
The following day we left Seville and were driven the 250 kms to Granada for yet another Spanish adventure. No sooner were we settled into the Hotel Carmen (which is not only a girl's name and an opera but it's also a Spanish word for house) than we went off to see some of the sights. Walked up to the area around the cathedral - outisde of which hawkers were selling all sorts of spices which smelt just beautiful. A very exotic smell which made it very hard to resit buying some of them. We didn't really have too long to fossick around the back streets of Granada - we were being taken to the Alhambra. Wanting to see the Alhambra was the main reason I'd booked the Spanish tour. Alhambra which means "The red fortress" is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs of Granada and was once the residence of the Muslim kings and their court. The Alhambra is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions. It's a mixture of Spain's most famous Islamic architecture, Christian 16th century and later interventions in buildings and gardens - it has to be seen to appreciate its great beauty. Not that beautiful things always took place there!! The Muslim rulers lost Granada and Alhambra in 1492 when King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile took the surrounding region with overwhelming numbers. But it's a reminder of the Golden Age of Islam in Spain - a place of refinement and elegance. I just loved it - so glad we've had the opportunity to see it for oursleves.
No rest for the wicked - we were out again in the evening to see some gypsy dancers followed by a late night wander in some of the Arab & Jewish quarters of the city. And so to bed - finally!!

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Photos

The honeymooners go flamenco dancing
- well we danced our way out of the joint!

Flamenco finale!
- back to the hotel for dinner.

Scooters everywhere in Granada
- on our walk of discovery!

The back of the cathedral
and the orange trees which grow everywhere

For you Keith!
- yet more scooters; the next best thing to motor bikes!!

City square
- there are many such squares which certainly have a cooling effect on a hot day.

Kev orders an iced coffee
not expecting the hot coffee and ice which arrived!!

Alhambra summer palace gardens
- is this still your favourite colour Grace?

Alhambra outdoor stage area
where ballets, symphony concerts and the like are performed

Courtyard
- it's impossible to get away from tourists!!

Comments

[James]

Very funny!!
What great pics...again! I spat my breakfast out with laughter when I saw Kev's Iced coffee...I can imagine his look and reaction...brilliant!