Last Tuesday I travelled to Granada. I was once again treated to the wonder that is Asturias Airport - it feels a little bit like a second home now. My first flight was delayed by half an hour, not a good start with a very tight hour turn around in Madrid, I had already texted Sarah in dismay with something along the lines of "I'M NEVER GOING TO GET THERE!" not that I lean towards the dramatic or anything.. Luckily, the whole of Barajas Airport was backed up because of a strike in France, classic Spanish logic - when in trouble, blame the French. Sarah and I then acted out a bit of a farce when I arrived in Granada, with me on the bus missing the bus station (which I have now discovered we didn't actually go to!) and her in a taxi on the way to the bus station. Finally we met up and had the first tapas of the holiday. Granada, does good tapas - as in, it comes free with a drink (Oviedo - take note! this is the second place I've been to that does this!)
The next day had been planned for some weeks. Our favourite Spanaird Mario Casas was in a new film called Grupo 7, so after a morning of shopping and eating we walked to the cinema to watch the film. We were the ONLY girls in the showing, and I don't think everyone else appreciated our squealing. However, the film itself was amazing.
Thursday was tourist day. After the scariest bus ride of my life through the tiny streets of the Albacyin, we arrived at the prime photo-taking point.
Alhambra
It's our new summer house for when the Palacio Real gets boring.
Or more factually, its where the Queen Mum of the Moors lived.
I would like to point out that in Madrid it took us three days to finally ask someone to take a picture of both of us, first tourist spot of the holiday and Sarah did it. Very proud. We also picked well as the girl was a pro and took three different pics for us to choose from - score.
Even from this distance the Alhambra was amazing. According to legend it just rose out of the mountain one day and it will eventually sink back in. Since I didn't get a chance to go inside I'll have to get back to Granada sharpish!
The girls arrived at about 3am, after a late flight to Malaga and some tapas whilst they waited for the bus. The next day the real tourist holiday began, as per (like seriously I've been on these things everywhere now!) with THE TOUR BUS! Love those things.
A trip around Granada and a few mermaid impressions later we were back in town at a place very special in the hearts of myself, Sarah and Roisin
Ice-cream break.
Now, although it looks sunny on the tour bus, rain followed soon after and we found out that the Good Friday processions were delayed by an hour - hence why I didn't get the chance to go to the Alhambra. Instead we stayed in town and looked out an ideal spot for procession watching.
The spot was chosen and guarded by Sarah - who started an argument with a Spanish girl who tried to get past us! And our resident camera woman Roisin, stood on a tree for a better view. The processions were amazing, I can't even guess at how many people were involved in them; from the penitentes, to the mourning women, to the bands and not even considering the leagues of men who were carrying the floats! The whole thing was just incredible.
Saturday was greatly anticipated as it was the only day when Mercadona was open! Plans for our Spanish Easter Lunch had been made days in advance. So while Sarah made us some chocolate Easter cakes, I had my third (and probably most successful) attempt at tortilla.
Sarah almost died when she saw how much oil was needed to make tortilla - so not Spanish.
Thank you very much to Sarah's mum who sent the ingredients. Look how cuuuuute!!
After we had finished our cooking for the day, we went for another shopping trip - AKA an attempt to find Sarah the perfect t-shirt (it was unsuccessful.) And obviously, more drinks.
The classic in height order picture of the Fantastic 6 - BUT WHERE'S EMMA-LOUISE!?
Okay, so I should probably explain the giraffes. These came as stirrers in our drinks, even though we only got five, Roisin stole another one for Emma-Lou, we precedeed to give them all names beginning with G; George, Gertrude, Grace, Ginebra (Gin in Spanish, that one was mine!) they then came everywhere with us for the next two days.
No, I don't think we will EVER grow up.
That night Sarah and I went to see Yerma by Lorca at a theatre in Granada, which was really amazing. After some teetering up and down hills in our heels we met everyone else and began our night out in Granaaaaada.
The giraffes couldn't hold their drink....
We're "Made in Scotland" too!
Okay so I love these adverts. It basically translates as something along the lines of "Before 3am in Spain, isn't the time to go out, it's the time to eat."
McDonald's has been way too central a part of my Year Abroad....
Easter Sunday, and we were all up like the good Catholic girls we are and at Mass with the Archbishop.
In Spain, children have bells to ring on Easter Sunday - so obviously we bought some too. I decided that trying to explain to my Mum why she had to take a bell home for me at the end of the year wasn't worth it! But I got to ring Roisins.
After Mass we attempted our HUGE Easter meal, complete with ham, cheese, bread, tortilla, patatas con alioli and bravas....
After lunch another procession came along Sarah's street so we ran (literally - down 5 flights) to watch it.
Roisin and Sarah made some new friends.
It was sunny so we went for a sunbathing sesh after lunch.
Then on Easter Monday, after a bit of stress relating to more strikes and flights, I travelled back to Oviedo leaving them in Granada for another few days.
Totally amazing way to spend Easter!
(Give the begger a coin woman, because their is nothing worse than to be a blind man in Granada)
