The first procession we saw on Palm Sunday was almost identical to the one we saw that morning in Cordoba, with a few differences. The palm creations were pretty cool.
Later that night, we wandered around Granada and got to see The Alhambra lit up at night and experienced an old-school dance club. Granada was quickly becoming one of the most charming places I had ever visited. Here's a view of The Alhambra and some pictures of us at Granada 10.
Day 2 was full of sightseeing. We took a walk up to Mirador de San Nicolas, which is home to the best view of the Alhambra in the city. Walking along twisty, hilly streets, we arrived to see an amazing, almost-panoramic view of the city. Check out the pics:
Day 3 was PACKED, as we went to tour the Alhambra and hiked up Sacramonte to see the sunset over the city. It was absolutely incredible and one of the most memorable days of my entire year in Spain.
Here's some pictures of The Alhambra, which was built as a Muslim fortress and later taken over by the Christians. It is a wondrous place, with beautiful and breathtaking vistas.
The next picture is us at the very top of the Alhambra! What a walk, but worth the view!
After leaving The Alhambra, we headed back to our hostel and prepared for a hiking tour of Sacramonte, which is the mountainous area along the city walls, where many Granadians live tax-free and independently in caves. Our tour guide, an employee of the hostel, brought us into his friend's cave home and then led us up the hillside to see the city walls and watch the sunset over Granada. More beautiful pics!
On our last night in Granada, our friend Iris (a Granada native) brought us to the March of the Gitanos, where the gypsies in the city carry the processional floats of Jesus and Mary up the mountain to the church at the top. It was a moving ceremony, and we experienced a lot of the local flamenco flavor while we waited for the procession to pass. When the floats of Jesus and Mary passed by, you could hear old men and women singing psalms from their windows, amidst cheers of "Viva!" (live!) and "Guapo!" (Beautiful!) Here are a few shots of that evening:
Overall, I found Granada to be a truly enchanting and inspiring city. The people were warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was full of spirit and joy. Here are a few pictures that I think encapsulate those feelings.
First is a statue of the crucifix, which was built by the people of Granada and destroyed during Francisco Franco's reign. The people of Granada collected the broken pieces and rebuilt it as a sign of solidarity after Franco's death. Today, it is remembered as a sign of Granada's faith and strength.
Next is a saying I found written on a wall during our hike to Sacramonte. In English, this short phrase seems unromantic but honest. "homage to granada: city full of dogs and fountains, drunks, squats and poetry."
Next stop: Cadiz!
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