Hola amigos. Back again! Can I just say I am really proud of myself for turning my blogging life around and actually making this a weekly thing? Makes it a lot easier to fit seven days worth of events into a post, instead of a month…After taking some time to reflect on my week, from the twin size bundle of joy I’ve learned to love, a.k.a. my bed, I would have to say this week in Granada was one for the books.
Okay, let’s back track a little bit. Months before I was in Spain, I was told that as long as I was studying in Granada, I HAD to go to this discoteca (club) called Mae West. Every single week, my roomie, Hannah, and I had promised ourselves we were going to try and go, buuuuut then we turn into grandmas and find ourselves home before midnight. No regrets. This week we finally decided we had to try it out when our friend told us she would be able to get us onto a “list” that included free admission, a free drink, and PIZZA! She had me at that. Before all of you think I’m lame, let me defend myself. Spanish people are crazy. Simple as that. The nightlife here is absolutely insane in the sense that clubs don’t start “getting good” until 3 am…3 AM?! It’s also a personal achievement if you stay out until breakfast to score some churros con chocolate. It cracks me up that every Monday and Wednesday, when I am walking to my 8:30 a.m., I always happen to stumble upon a brave soul in their inch high heels getting a taxi home….while I'm walking to school….The “going out” schedule is something I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of, but props to the Spaniards! I wish I didn’t love sleep so much. Anywho, I’m glad I put my grandma lifestyle aside for the night, because it was a blast. So many clubs/bars/restaurants here play American music, it was nice to finally hear some Spanish music and learn some dance moves from the group of 40 year olds that hopped on stage and schooled us on the dance floor (pic ft. below.) It was a little intimidating, because everyone here knows how to move their hips and shake their thang, but I guess that just means I need to invest some time in the salsa classes they have here!
By the way, I did get my free pizza, if you were wondering. So the night ended on a great note!
Okay, let’s back track a little bit. Months before I was in Spain, I was told that as long as I was studying in Granada, I HAD to go to this discoteca (club) called Mae West. Every single week, my roomie, Hannah, and I had promised ourselves we were going to try and go, buuuuut then we turn into grandmas and find ourselves home before midnight. No regrets. This week we finally decided we had to try it out when our friend told us she would be able to get us onto a “list” that included free admission, a free drink, and PIZZA! She had me at that. Before all of you think I’m lame, let me defend myself. Spanish people are crazy. Simple as that. The nightlife here is absolutely insane in the sense that clubs don’t start “getting good” until 3 am…3 AM?! It’s also a personal achievement if you stay out until breakfast to score some churros con chocolate. It cracks me up that every Monday and Wednesday, when I am walking to my 8:30 a.m., I always happen to stumble upon a brave soul in their inch high heels getting a taxi home….while I'm walking to school….The “going out” schedule is something I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of, but props to the Spaniards! I wish I didn’t love sleep so much. Anywho, I’m glad I put my grandma lifestyle aside for the night, because it was a blast. So many clubs/bars/restaurants here play American music, it was nice to finally hear some Spanish music and learn some dance moves from the group of 40 year olds that hopped on stage and schooled us on the dance floor (pic ft. below.) It was a little intimidating, because everyone here knows how to move their hips and shake their thang, but I guess that just means I need to invest some time in the salsa classes they have here!
By the way, I did get my free pizza, if you were wondering. So the night ended on a great note!
During the middle of the week, my friend, Kassi, and I decided to make a trip to Los Baños Arabes (The Arab Baths.) For those of you that don’t know, these baths are one of a kind and special to Granada, as well as other parts of Andalusia (southern Spain.) Many of them are no longer running, and the ones in Granada are actual the first to be opened since the Catholic Monarchs closed them five centuries ago. Think of going to the baths, as going to a spa, but a million times cooler. The Muslim culture in Spain, and in general, revolves around water, the most vital element in life. These baths were originally a way to gather with others, but are now used as a way to relax and get away. The structure in “Los Baños Arabes” allows the air, from underneath the baths, to go from hot to cold as the air moves from room to room. Because of the resulting difference in temperature, there is a cold bath, two hot baths, and a medium temperature bath, which you rotate through, along with a steam room, hot rock table, an area for tea, and the area for your massage. We started in the cold bath with some tea, moved into the medium temperature bath, and then ended with the hot baths, rotating through this cycle for about two hours. Every aspect from the dimmed lights to the unlimited tea made it one of the most relaxing, unique, and unforgettable days that I think I’ll ever have. You “technically” weren’t allowed to take pictures, but there was no way I was leaving without a few. After building up the courage, I snuck my phone in and was able to take a picture of the cold bath and tea area. We ended the night with some dinner at this vegan restaurant we always pass on the way to school, Hicuri, and then some pistachio gelato. Yum!
To finish off the week, Hannah, Kassi, and I decided to visit “Carmen de los Martires,” a garden I had overhead a girl in my Spanish literature class talking about earlier that week. At first, I thought we were just going to see a few blooming flowers and that would be that, but it turned out to be BEAUTIFUL! The pictures don’t do it justice. After making the trek to the top of Granada, we discovered the Carmen next to the Alhambra palace. We explored for about two hours, but I’m still not sure if we saw all of it. There were fountains, statues, ponds, a peacock garden, and a bride to be and groom having their wedding pictures taken (our favorite part.) The weather is just starting to change here in Granada, so the flowers and trees are finally blooming, which made the garden extra beautiful. It was a great way to end the week! Just when you think you are starting to get to know the entire city, you find and explore another new part.
Another week down, three and a half more months to go! Hasta luego amigos!
Another week down, three and a half more months to go! Hasta luego amigos!