Granada is such an easy city to spoil yourself in. In fact I am beginning to think this is true of Spain in general. Sensually it is a veritable smorgasbourg of sights, sounds, and tastes. Tonight I went upstairs to find a delicious mix of red rice, blue-shelled oysters, and other colors simmering happily in a pan. This is paella, and is to Spain what the McBurger is to America, but much classier. There are many different types of sherry that the restaurants try to push on you, along with the yummy sangria... mmm... yummy sangria.
Today I met up with two girls from the Oviedo program, and we toured Christian Granada, visiting the Royal Chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried, along with the second biggest Cathedral in Spain. The Cathedral has high, vaulted ceilings, which are very nice if you like that sort of thing, but they also amplify noise to godly proportions. As those closest to me know, I have a problem with burping. It is nothing I can help, so I have come to accept it. It is my gift and my curse. Unfortunately, what they forget to tell you in Burping 101 for Babies is that burping in a Cathedral is so loud that even God will answer your prayer just to shut you up. I figured this out the hard way.
Later in the evening, I went to the Hammum Abab Bath House, which re-creates the Arab bath experience. The place was dimly-lit, and the insides were like a mini Alhambra. A very mini-mini-mini- Alhambra. There were three bath pools (cold, hot, and tepid), along with a tea room and a spa. Massage therapists (you like that? only cause I don't know how to spell "massoost..masuste..massuste"?) called us back one by one for our 15-minute massage after the soak. I was close to last, which meant my massage was shortest, and my body the pruniest. Still, it was quite the luxury, and and sitting back I thought that it would be pretty nice being a sultan.
So after a wonderful day of walking around the city, it has easily slipped into first place as my favorite in Spain. I know I have only been to two so far, but who's counting? Tomorrow, I'm headed back to Madrid, but will be spending Saturday in Toledo. Hope everyone back west is doing well! I miss you all, and hope life is good. Hasta luego!
About Me
- Amber Beyer
- I am traveling/studying in Spain, Italy, France, and England for the next six months.
Me walking. I did a lot of that today.
4 comments:
Granada sounds great! Something for all of your senses. The bath house sounds amazing. I hope you have pictures of this. I am the sort that loves cathedrals. I can spent hours in them. Next time you are in one....will you burp up some peace on earth??????? Thx. Love, mum.
it's ok. i once became violently ill and started vomiting uncontrollably in st. mark's cathedral in venice...
Miercoles! Are you bringing back memories of my own travels in Spain! A favorite part of my travels was making instant friendships with the other travelers. The Ausies are amazing globe trekers as they tend to travel for months/years and generally have a great attitude about life in general. Keep up the writing! Better than National Enquirer! Love, tiajan
Amber - I am so happy to have found your blog. You are a brave woman to go on "The adventure of a lifetime.." Good for you!
Make sure you bring back a well-tested paella receipe. I will come to Portland when you return and make this with you.
Love, Aunt Edna
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