![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/files\/2013\/02\/IMG_1664.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe very first thing that strikes you as you step into the streets of Granada is the light. \u00a0It can be almost blinding. \u00a0Nearly all of the houses and buildings are painted white, and the light was reflected off of the walls, right into my wish-I-had-my-sunglasses eyes. \u00a0I spent most of my first day there squinting, but don’t worry, I could still clearly see how gorgeous and vibrant Granada is. \u00a0Try to picture it: The backdrop was a clear blue sky. \u00a0The next layer was the glistening white, snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountain range. \u00a0Then there was the Alhambra peering down from the top of a large hill. \u00a0Below this hill was the sea of white buildings. \u00a0And up close and center was the charming little plaza where a man strummed his guitar. \u00a0Tourists and locals alike sat outside eating their tapas and drinking their ca\u00f1as (short glasses of beer), all bundled up because it was freezing, but enjoying their time spent in direct sunlight. \u00a0Yes, it may have been the morning, but in Andaluc\u00eda people start drinking anytime they feel like it. \u00a0And each drink comes with a free tapa, so I guess that soaks up the alcohol pretty well…<\/p>\n
Here are some pictures to show you what I mean:<\/p>\n
The city itself is clear and white, but the people and the arts scene in Granada are very colorful and a little grungy. I think a bit of this can be attributed to the Muslim influence that is much more visible in Andaluc\u00eda than central Spain. \u00a0The percentage of Granada’s population rocking a head full of dreadlocks, facial piercings, and Aladdin pants was remarkably high. \u00a0The hippy\/grungy culture was fully on display one particular day we spent mostly sitting and enjoying the various rag-tag street bands that were playing right next to the artisans selling their wares. \u00a0One band was traveling from Latvia and they sang a few American classics like “House of the Rising Sun.” \u00a0The second was all Spanish and the songs they were singing must have been Spanish classics too, because everyone in the crowd seemed to be singing along. \u00a0The third was a group of middle-aged to elderly women all dressed up in these bright green and yellow costumes, singing\/chanting very catchy and humorous tunes. \u00a0Later that night, we were invited to sit in on a funk\/jazz band practice of one of our Granadan hosts. \u00a0They were called BeFunkBop, which I thought was a kind of humorous name, but maybe the Spaniards think it sounds cool… Anyways, it was a group of 20-something-year-old guys playing alto, tenor and baritone sax, tuba, trumpet, and drums. \u00a0They were all super into the music, and the one guy that kept playing all of the solos was awesome. \u00a0It really made me yearn for my middle school jazz band days when I played the alto sax. \u00a0The music scene in Granada is alive and thriving, but I also had two other forms of artistic experiences in Granada. The first was when we were walking among the street vendors. \u00a0I happened to look down and saw a man giving away free poems (and asking for a donation, of course). \u00a0I thought this was an absolutely fabulous idea and I took one. \u00a0It said:\u00a0“Necesito llorar, y una sombra d\u00f3nde,\/ la ausencia de mis amigos,\/en esta soledad.” \u00a0This roughly translates to: I need to cry,\/ and a shadow where the absence of my friends,\/ in this solitude. \u00a0So, this poem is pretty sad, but honestly I was having such an awesome day that I paid no mind to it’s ominous tone. \u00a0The other artistic encounter was during the final drive out of the city. \u00a0Before I went to Granada, my mother had sent me a link to an article proclaiming that Granada was home to some of the world’s best street art. \u00a0We drove down this winding road leading out of the city, and suddenly there they were: almost all of the pictures of graffiti and street art from the article were here on this wall. \u00a0One image flowed into the next: a colorful trail of portraits, names and other beautiful paintings. \u00a0It’s a shame I couldn’t get any pictures because we were driving in the car, but trust me, Granada is definitely the place to be for musicians and artists.<\/p>\n Here is: 1. the band from Latvia, 2. a lady in a green wig accompanied by a falcon and a dog, 3. the third band\/choir<\/p>\n On the final day, we woke up very very early (8:30 AM) to go to the Alhambra. \u00a0We walked through the main entrance gates and I immediately began taking pictures. \u00a0The gardens are so pretty with blooming lilacs!<\/em> And look, there’s a stone castle tower!<\/em> About three hours later, I could look back and realize how silly I was at first… this little walk into the grounds was nothing compared to the spectacular full Alhambra tour. \u00a0It was overwhelmingly grand, yet breathtakingly intricate. \u00a0(Oh, and I’ve never been so cold in my life.) \u00a0I won’t even attempt to give you a history lesson about the Alhambra because first off, that wasn’t really the focus of the visit for me, and secondly, all I know was taught to me in spanish by some people that may or may not have known exactly what they were talking about. \u00a0I suggest you wikipedia it or something. \u00a0What struck me most about the Alhambra was the level of craftsmanship displayed in every doorway, ceiling, tile wall, stone walkway, and pillar. \u00a0The Muslim artistry blew me away. \u00a0Eventually I had to just stop taking pictures and let myself enjoy the moment because if I took the time to take a photo of every pretty design I think I’d have to set up camp there for a few months. \u00a0The tile patterns and Arabic writing carved into the walls weren’t the only impressive parts, though. \u00a0The architecture and landscaping were beautiful and notable as well. \u00a0One of the most surreal moments I’ve ever experienced happened just after we passed through the first garden labyrinth. \u00a0All of the sudden I stood staring at this long, narrow fountain that led to one of the most well-known structures of the Alhambra. \u00a0Almost immediately, I recognized this sight and was overcome with d\u00e9j\u00e0\u00a0vu. \u00a0This was the exact image I had drawn from a picture I found on the internet when I was a junior in high school. \u00a0As clich\u00e9 as this sounds, standing there with the real-life version in front of me, I definitely had an omg-I’m-actually-doing-it moment. \u00a0I’ve wanted to come study in Spain since the sixth grade when I started learning spanish. \u00a0Now my time is here. \u00a0It reminded me that I need to be grateful for this experience, learn all that I can, and just be present in the moment.<\/p>\n The following pictures are: 1.-3. some of my favorite Alhambra sights, and 4. the<\/em> spot I drew back in the day<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n