This weekend I got to go to Granada!!!!  It was absolutely amazing!  It had such a different vibe than that of Barcelona, it was very chill and reminded me a lot of a Spanish version of Flagstaff or Colorado.  It was really nice.  We woke up really early in the morning on Friday, 4 am to be exact, to fly to the lovely pueblo itself and arrived at our hostel around 9.  Once there we realized that there was really no need to get there that early as no one in Granada wakes up before 10- literally no one.  The shops open around 10 or 11 ish.  It's really up to the owner who wakes up when they feel like it.  Its very laid back, which I was quite a fan of.  There was no guilt in sleeping in because there was nothing to do anyways- a perfect schedule for a college student I must say.  Everything closes again from 2-4 or 5 or whenever then reopens again later for however long.  The hours on the door really mean nothing.  It forces you to relax, which is a nice change of pace from the US.  Barcelona is a little bit like this but compared to Granada it is rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off.  

The weather was especially spectacular on Friday and we were hot for the first time since I have been here.  We had tickets to the Alhambra at 2 pm so we ended up napping on the roof of our hostel for a few hours in the glorious sunshine.  I don't know if there are many things that make me happier than a good dose of sunshine.  We probably had the best hostel we could have asked for, especially for my first hostel experience.  It was full of light, full of life and super nice!  There were warm showers, warm beds, warm breakfast every morning, and warm smiles around every corner.  It was in a really great location and if my dad weren't staying in a five star hotel when he goes I would recommend this place to him.  The Friday we were there they had a dinner party that was all you can eat paella and salad for only 4 euros!!!  It was absolutely delicious and we got to chill with fun argentinos, italianos, and ingleses.  

The Alhambra was spectacular- I don't know if words can do it justice, and I know that pictures can't but I will do my best.  This amazing fortress built on top of the hill was well worth the entry price and we were lucky enough to see it in the sun (it rained all day Saturday and Sunday).  Everything was intricately carved in Moorish designs and all of the fountains were breathtakingly beautiful.  What I wouldn't do for my own personal reflecting pool with the snow covered Sierra Nevada in the background.  Lush foliage surrounded the whole area and it smelled like early fall.  It was a moment I will surely never forget.  After a good three hour walk around the premises in the late afternoon glowing light, we decided it was time for nap number two and then dinner party at our hostel as I mentioned earlier.  While we were still recovering from our early arrival, we were able to partake in a few glasses of sangria at our hostel's bar and ended up talking about Argentina, school, and life with people who I felt for the first time in a while were worth talking to.   We went up to the roof and looked up at the Alhambra which was lit up and was glowing like the setting sun.  It was a magical evening.

We slept in (why not?) and woke up to cold and rain.  When we went down to breakfast, they were offering a free walking tour of the Albyzin, which is the old Arab quarter.  We had a wonderful guide who was around our age and had all of these hilarious and interesting things to tell us about the area.  And then of course we had to partake in the free tapas- which is waht Granada is famous for.  At any tapas bar in Granada, for any drink you buy, you get a free round of tapas.  Can you say cheap and delicious meal?  And so that is how we ate both lunch and dinner in an very inexpensive fashion.  After some delicious bites to eat, we found a very cheap flamenco show with live music and the Alhambra in the background which was both breathtaking and intense!  Then it was back to the hostel for drinks and good conversation, and then a little exploration of the city's nightlife.  No city in Spain goes to bed early, especially not on a Saturday night!  

Sunday it continued to pour and we wandered around kind of aimlessly for most of the day exploring the Arab shops and staring the intricately paved streets.  They were absolutely stunning.   We also took advantage of the magically delicious sweet tea at our hostel, absolutely free and available whenever we wanted.  We returned very late on Sunday night happy to be "home".  While it was an amazing weekend, it was nice to be back in our own beds without boys snoring in our ears :).  Now we have three days to recoup and do laundry before we are off to Prague!  So far we have only heard the best things but we are going to have to bundle up!  I can't wait!!!!!!!!