Granada, Spain, July 25, 26, 2011: Paella and Granada Historic Tour

July 25,2011

After a surprisingly pleasant flight into Malaga, and a bus to Granada, and getting lost locating my accommodations, I finally arrived!  I’ve hardly stayed in hostels at during and after university, let alone now, but I have to say that I have not regretted choosing the Oasis Backpacker’s Hostel for my first night! I was incredibly impressed with the friendly receptionists as well as the amazing seafood paella that awaited all the guests made by the hostel chef...it was delicious and a welcome authentic Spanish meal after my airplane food!

July 26, 2011
After over 24 hours without sleep, partly due to travel, and then only 2 or 3 hours, I dragged myself up to partake in the Granada History Tour.  Our guide was amazingly knowledgeable in the history of Spain and Granada in particular.  Spanish come from a ethnic mix of different ethnicities...the Spanish, the Arabs from the Middle East who came over to conquer, with the armies of the Barbers from Morocco, and the Visigoths barbarian tribes from the north. Into the mix are the Jews, who were quite industrious to keep the cities running after the Arabs conquered, city by city.  After the marriage of the Catalon King and the Queen from Aragon, the Jews were effectively banished from Spain (going to Turkey and other countries), and Catholicism was to unite Spain (rather than the mix of Christianity, Muslim, and Judaism which coexisted well up until that point). 

.  Granada history tour highlights included Muslim mosques which were converted, quite easily, to Christian churches during the Christianization of Spain.  Ancient rampart ruins,  beautiful hilltop views of Granada, 


 

examples of wealthy homes with beautiful lush gardens (who could afford running water into their homes),

  legalized graffiti protesting empty uninhabited buildings, Islamic doors (defined by the keyhole shaped arch), walking tours are the best way to explore the city!

Moorish influenced home with the pool of water in the courtyard and the rounded arches ending in graceful pilasters,

Islamic shaped windows framing views of Granda.  In the attempts to capture a great photographic shot (read:  someone was taking a pic for me), myself and Rob, an Italian Australian journalist, lose the rest of the group while still in the Moorish house! 

The Moorish house attendant suggested we go left, while our group hanged a right, and so without a chance to rejoin the rest, we have a bit of a “Amazing Race” adventure and make our own way back in one piece at that!

At the least we got to take in this amazing hilltop views of Granada!