August 3rd, 2012

Realejo and Los Tres Joyas // Granada, Spain

Thursday morning I set off on foot (as always :) ) with a map and my camera (as always ;) ).  I need my own Rage Comic that says “Walk ALL the streets!” *Update* hahaha I don’t know if anyone who reads this will get that :P Soo, I had two places on my itinerary, Realejo neighborhood and a Mosque that I heard was new but rather beautiful.

*Update* My darling cousin Autumn found me my rage comic :)

At the mosque.

In the gardens at the mosque, pomegranates! (Granada means “pomegranate” in Spanish.

Walking to Realejo.

Friendly little dog in the street.

In Realejo I stumbled across a beautiful art exhibit featuring the work of Manuel Gómez-Moreno González. The bold reads, “Three jewels of contemporary art” There were 3 of his most famous paintings featured on one floor, and many, many others on a second floor of the museum.

I loved this silhouette of the Alhambra.

One of the “three jewels” featured: “Salida de la familia de Boabdil de la Alhambra” or “The departure of the Boabdil family from the Alhambra” from 1880.

Lots of arabian shops!

Thursday night I had booked a night a Pension Duquesa because when Elvira and I talked first she could only host me for two nights. She offered her place for the third but I couldn’t cancel the reservations. It worked out well, though, because the hostel is much closer to the bus stop than her house is. I had a private room with a shared bath. The bed was from Hell but they had a simple but tasty traditional breakfast for free which helped make up for it, haha. That night I went for a walk around the Cathedral area just people-watching and stopped for a tapa at a restaurant close to my hostel. I went for the place that advertised a cheap drink and tapa and that’s what I got. A watery tinto de verano (like Sangria) and a funny-tasting grilled bread and ham thing. And they charged me more than was advertised! If you are in Granada don’t go to the restaurant on Calle Duquesa! haha My first tapas experience was 100 times better.

I can’t say enough good about my first couch surfing experience. Elvira and her family were so welcoming and kind. I stayed the first night at their home in Granada with Elvira. The second night they invited me to come to a family dinner and we ended up sleeping at the country house instead of driving back to Granada. I couldn’t believe the hospitality and trust. Elvira had to work extra shifts so we didn’t get to spend a lot of time together but she let me stay at the house alone before I would leave for the day then we’d meet after she was done at work at the house. She let me print a ticket on her printer, let me use her computer when we didn’t have the wifi password, and even lent me pijamas when we stayed at the country house and I didn’t have my luggage! I can’t wait to host people when I get home and help them have the same wonderful experience I did.

Oh! I almost forgot. I treated myself to a “Baño Arabe” (Arabic Bath) Thursday night! There are two in Granada, and I chose Aljibe de San Miguel because it was just a few minutes walking from my hostel. FYI- if you bring your ticket from La Alhambra they give you 10% off. There are 7 hot pools in a candlelit room with arches and a stucco celling and in the center one cold pool. I was the only person there at the 8pm slot and it was super relaxing! I checked out some reviews after I went and I think the other arab bath is supposed to be better, but all the same it was nice. It lasts for 1.5 hours which goes by quite quickly! The “bath” consists of sitting in the hot pool for 8-10 minutes, then getting in the cold pool, alternating back and forth. They have massages too but I didn’t splurge for one of those -_- Some Pilates and Yoga stretches helped me unwind after a long day of walking though!

I’m now in Malaga chilling at my hostel. I’ve met a few people here. Sharing a room with a girl from Japan and a Yoga Instructor from Germany. Met a guy from New York who works in Berlin as an opera singer but is taking a break working the desk at the hostel. Saw an incredibly good looking and muscular British boy who was waiting here for the “sister hostel” to this one. Rethinking my life as a free and unattached travelling photographer girl. Don’t want to close myself off to any possibilities, ya know ;)

xoxo

livvy