Tuesday, February 9, 2010

GRANADA & school business






This past weekend we went to Granada. We all signed up for this program called QUIJOTES where we agreed to only speak Spanish for the 5 months, but it can't really be enforced outside of the earshot of our professors. The trip was more trying because we actually had to follow the contract, at least when we were in a group. Granada is full of young people because of the university and full of tourists because of the alhambra and also the chapel where Ferdinand and Isabel are buried. Aside from giving Columbus the funds to search for a shorter route to India, they are known for driving the Moorish armies out of Spain and expelling the Jews. Granada was the last Moorish stronghold, and the alhambra is one of the best preserved monuments of Muslim architecture in Spain because the last emperor agreed to surrender if the kings would keep the city intact. There's a saying in Spanish that translates to "There's no greater tragedy than to be blind in Granada," and it becomes apparent when one visits the city and sees the ancient neighborhoods that at different times were home to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The arabic influence is everywhere, from the accent to the food. Parts of the city feel almost like Morocco. Tapas are huge here; you get a free one with each drink. If you last long enough, you can eat dinner for free!
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1 comment:

  1. what kind of camera have you been using, that digital one you've had forever?

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