“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
– Anonymous
Close to 6 months after and I still haven’t completed writing about Europe, I’m such a procrastinator and I’m sure by the time I finish I would’ve forgotten some of the sights I’ve seen, food that I ate, and people I met. To which I would react with ¯_(ăƒ„)_/¯
Alhambra was the 2nd to the last place to visit in our itinerary, from Seville to Granada it was a relatively short 3hr ride by bus (ALSA, tickets pre-booked online). I don’t know about other people but I can plan all I want before the trip and then once you’re there I would still feel lost (especially if you’re by yourself, I wasn’t this time) so navigating through their terminals can be nerve-wracking.
From the bus station we (shoot, I can’t remember)…had to take another bus to the town centre (we arrived late morning so we had to wait a while to get on AND by the time we did it was crowded but the locals would just smile at you, they weren’t mean) while our hotel was a short walk from the town centre. Next to our hotel was a churro shop (the churros looked nothing like I’ve ever seen) but we only got to eat there the day after for breakfast.
“Alhambra is Granada’s love letter to Moorish culture…Part palace, part fort, part World Heritage site, part lesson in medieval culture.” – Lonely Planet
We rode a mini-bus to get to Alhambra from town proper but we didn’t go on a guided tour anymore mainly because it’s cheaper. Once you get in you’ll be greeted by lush greens, tall trees, and vibrant flowers. I had to ask my friend if I can see the place on my own and I remember struggling to ask her coz I didn’t want to offend but I guess when you’re so used to being by yourself (not to mention having a really weird personality) you’d enjoy the experience more if you’re on your own. Thankfully she graciously said yes and I walked the grounds, went up the fortresses with my bad knee, and by 5pm I met up with her to wait in line for Nasrid Palaces.
“With its perfectly proportioned rooms and courtyards, intricately moulded stucco walls, beautiful tiling, fine carved wooden ceilings and elaborate stalactite-like muqarnas vaulting, all worked in mesmerising, symbolic, geometrical patterns.” – Lonely Planet
Entrances must be scheduled so by 5pm we started waiting only to realise that the line was for the 530pm schedule and that we had to wait for 1 hr to get in. To pass time I bought coffee and snack from the vendo and looked for a place to sit and rest. Once I stepped inside I couldn’t help but feel like you were transported back in time, I guess the good thing about scheduled visits is that the number of people are controlled so I didn’t feel crowded which made it serene and special.
One of my best meals during the entire trip (and I’m so annoyed at myself right now coz I can’t remember the name of the place anymore) was at this Persian (?) restaurant. I had mint/lime juice chicken curry (??) and another spicy dish, I didn’t get to take note of the place but I did manage to take a photo of the restaurant opposite it LOL (-_-).
Years from now when I’m old and wrinkly (fingers crossed) I’d forget more details of this day, I’d forget that it was sunny the entire time I was in Granada, I’d forget how many buses I took, I won’t remember how I missed a step while getting off the bus and face planted on the sidewalk, I’d forget that there were a couple of teenagers on some sort of scavenger hunt who came up to us and asked if we spoke English to finish a challenge, and I’d forget that because we arrived on a Sunday most shops were closed (not exactly a bad thing)…I would just forget. So if anyone asks why I write (not that anyone has coz I don’t share this with everyone) I’d say “I write to remember”.
Once you step inside the Palace these are some of the views that will greet you.
Cue Game of Thrones theme song.
Best.meal.during.the trip.
Granada at night, back at the town centre
it begins with a step 