Onwards and Outwards

TO GRANADA

API took us on an excursion to Granada last weekend. Pretty cool. It's at the foot of these mountains, which are covered in snow -- yet we enjoyed 60-70 degree weather on the ground while we were there. So nice. You can definitley notice the strong arabic/muslim influence more so than in other cities in Spain. I guess that makes sense since it was the last city to fall during the reconquista.

Before we got there though, we stopped in the mountains along the way. This place was a massive field of stones, often cut in strange and unusual ways. Imagine a huge, naturally-formed Spanish Stonehenge.

Duncan seen scaling some of the rocks here.


















Here's another shot of the valley and of myself, Duncan and Cody sitting on top of a big one.

LA NOCHE

Once we got to Granada, we had free time. First, I had tapas and a few beers with some of the guys (tapas are free with drinks in Granada -- amazing). Just before dinner, myself and a few others went to our appointment at an arab bath, or hammam. Check this place out: http://www.aljibesanmiguel.es/. Absolutely incredible.

Later that night, API took us to a very special flamenco spot. We all were served a drink of our choice in what seemed like a cave or cavern. The room was at most 100 feet long and no wider than 10. Little did I know, I sat "center stage." The singer and the guitar played at one end while the dancer performed less than two feet in front of me. Look at these pictures and one of the many videos I took.





Being this close to the dancers -- their dresses brushing up against my leg and their fingers literally inches from my face -- has made me appreciate Flamenco on a whole new level.






And the video:



I'll have to get back to you on the Alhambra visit. It's 4 am!