So we went on a quick little weekend adventure to Granada because we were bored and why save money when you can spend it recklessly??
We took a 12:45 am bus from Alicante to Granada, and stayed in a four person room me, Hanna, Gemma and Sophia. It ended up being a super cute hostel and we liked it a lot!
We got off the bus at like 6 am and nothing was open yet in the the bus station even
we sat in the freezing bus station for an hour until the cafeteria opened and we could get a drink and go pee. It was quite unpleasant.
Finally we get coffees and I got some toast with olive oil (tostada con aceite si prefieres) which is very Spanish and delicious
Then when the tram opens, another hour or so later, we get on a tram to an actually adorable cafe
we sat on this one couch near a heater for like three hours
vibes in there were fantastic. Very quaint and cozy and yummy and vegan
ordered delicious coffees and macchiatos and the hot waiter made me a vegan crepe with banana
I had a weird thing thinking all the waiters were hot this trip, idek why
the other gals had gigantic croissants
Gemma and I both fell asleep on the couch like weirdos but it was so worth it
We left around like 11 to drop off our bags at the hostel, then headed out to the Alhambra!
I did not change out of my bus clothes and slowly became more and more uncomfortable and unhappy throughout the day-- always change out of your bus clothes, folks.
Alhambra was BEAUTIFUL oh my GOSH
its basically and islamic palace from the olden days (we didn't get the audio tour okay don't blame me for my complete lack of factual knowledge)
Granada was the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain
the detail work was incredible and breathtaking
the patterns in the carved marble clearly take so much math and skill and precision and they repeat and spiral in on themselves on the ceiling in a way that makes you feel like you're looking into a black hole like in the end of Interstellar but prettier and real
the tiles were also beautiful
gorgeous gardens with trees that looked like Minecraft squares because they'd been pruned so exactly
10/10 fountains and water features
we got the silly goofy giggles from fatigue
started referring to the water plants as 'underwater cilantro' and each other as princesses so we could claim palace rooms (except Gemma who got demoted for her sass)
We eventually left and went and got a drink and some lunchies at a place recommended by a frisbee friend from Granada-- yummy and lovely!!
Post drink though, the sleep deprivation + lingering hunger (not great vegan options smh) + social stress + alcohol combined to create a pretty grody panic attack on my end
Luckily, Gemma was a wonderful and supportive help and we ended up having a really deep convo about friendship and mental health and sleep
Hanna and Sophia went out dancing and didn't come home until 6 am, because Spain. Gemma and I went to bed and rested up and woke up feeling ready to explore the city!
Next morning woke up and went for breakfast at this super duper yummy cafe
everybody got tasty coffee and juices and teas
delicious toasts
wandered around the city for a bit
went up into the old town to find a lookout, the view was amazing
saw some baby goats in a park on the other side where there were these beautiful big mountains
on the way back down stopped a vegan place and got yummy salads and burgers and wine
The hangover girlies went home to rest while Gemma and I headed back out to the thrifting
I bought a cute bodysuit and a pair of North Face hiking pants for super cheap!!
Went home for a brief rest before we got ready to go out to a flamenco show!
Flamenco was a crazy experience
we went in a group with three other people from our hostel
dutch girl, Norwegian girl, and a Canadian guy
when we walked into the lobby a lady who worked at our hostel came out and was like "hi, I'm here to take you to Flamenco. Just so you know the patriarch of the Gypsy family that runs the famous place we are going to just died today so I have no idea how it's going to go. Also, the main older lady, his sister, is super famous and danced for Frank Sinatra and shit."
we walk over to the cave(?!) where it's going to be
historically apparently flamenco started with Gypsy families in caves because the acoustics were so much better
this was not a real cave though it was a cement type of cave in a city thing
weirdly a bunch of brass ladles on the walls?
we show up and people are crying and having a family dinner in the other cave. The lady from our hostel sends us to go sit down and it seems like she's really close with the family and stuff
eventually she sits us in the top row in the other cave and people start filling it up. But once it's full she realizes there isn't enough space for everyone so we get moved to sit on the floor instead
this was actually a win because you could see the dancers' feet so well which is the coolest part of flamenco because its like fancy and emotional tap
also she brings us glasses of free champagne but it in fact wasn't champagne, it was a shot and a half of tequila in a champagne flute
follows that with free wine glasses
the actual show was sad and moving and intense. the music was incredible and the dancers were so captivating and powerful and I wish I knew more about it because I think it's also like improvised somewhat. Amazing.
Highlight: at the end, the woman who runs the place and danced for Sinatra comes back out
she says "it's a sad day for us, but we needed to dance. I'm not in my shoes (was wearing Uggs) or my dress (sweater and leggings) but I want to dance for my brother."
they play her this beautiful song and you can see her communicating to the musicians with her moves and expressions on tempo, rhythm, etc.
was very powerful
afterwards, the lady from the hostel brought us drinks and sent us to a bar that she was going to meet us at after the wake???
we told her what the fuck no go to the wake be with the family
went home, drank some wine, went to the first bar
got pretty drunk haha
went from the bar to a club that Hanna and Sophia had been to the night before, it was huge!
clientele was mostly older than us
man with a paper rose approached me while we were dancing to give it to me as a gift, but in reality was just being a wingman for his buddy who was less cute and less fun
he told me we were going to live together??
I know this because I texted Wilder at the time and saw in the morning oops
ended up dancing with the girl from the our hostel who was Dutch!
stayed up until 8 am
as I was struggling to open the door Sophia got home too which was hilarious
Hanna didn't get home until 9
We were super hungover the next day and basically just all sat on a park bench in the sun for an hour
then we went shopping and I bought some rings! I already broke one lol
finally got on the bus and headed home at 4. Everyone was so excited to sit and sleep
of course I bought lots of bus snacks. Can't be without snacks.
Photo time!!!
And now, a form for you, my lovelies!!
Link for the technologically challenged:
Okay that's all for now, but I just wanted to say I'm very grateful for all of you, friends, family, maybe mortal enemies today and everyday. I miss home & LA & all of you very much. The sweet messages you leave me in forms, texts, etc. always make me feel loved <3
Hugs and kisses and chocolate covered strawberries!!
<3 Titan/Em/Emy/Emily
Commenti