Granada

It’s been a day of quiet mooching which began, for Sarah, with a long sleep in till 9.30am! A sleep that persisted around and after the departure of several pilgrims from our common room at 6.30am and a second round of departures at around 8am. A feature of all albergues, it seems, is that every door clicks and creaks loudly, so sleeping on was no mean feat. She must have been weary!!

Last night, we marvelled at the lighting in the restaurants and the city - there was a sense of warmth and invitation.

This is the parish church opposite the lane leading to our albergue door.

Looking up at the Alhambra just a little further along the street.

This morning, when we finally emerged, we decided just to wander the streets and immerse ourselves in the life of the city. It’s hard to capture in images the artistry of the whole - the facades of buildings, the intricate patterning in the tiling of many of the streets, the creative design of the street lights, the delicacy of ginkgo and fruiting orange trees as street plantings as well as some magnificent plane trees shading the many tranquil plazas. 

The shops too are filled with colour and interest, designs often influenced by the Moorish spirit.

Thanks to advice about a great tapas place from our friend Alba and an introduction yesterday to the etiquette of tapas eating in Granada from Manuel, we enjoyed another fantastic lunch. The basic idea is that you order a drink and you are then automatically brought a free tapas - today the first one was a small serve of paella for us to share; you order another drink (it doesn’t have to be alcoholic!!) and another tapas appears - this time some couscous, two grilled padron peppers and some tiny grilled shrimp. At this point we also ordered an entree plate to share of fried bocherones (anchovies) which, when fresh, are beautifully sweet and juicy. Thus for the price of two drinks and one ten euro entree, you have a delicious and surprise packed lunch!! Amazing. 

More mooching ensued, and on the way home we passed a perfumery which included a museum of perfume in a stone-walled underground room.

It also boasted a terrace courtyard, which seems to be a feature of many of the buildings here - once you enter the door from the street, another world opens. 

So once again, we are full of wonder at the privilege of being here and witnessing what a culture can create. It has also been wonderfully restoring to have a quiet day to let our bodies rest and we are glad of the prospect of another rest day to come. 

Blessings, 

Sarah and Neil