Christmas Break 2023: Grandada 2

While The Alhambra was the highlight of Granada for us, we had a few other noteworthy adventures while we were there. It is a city we feel we didn’t have enough time in, and while we felt like that about all of them, we felt it especially about Granada.  The city has a special feel, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains on one side and with the ancient feel of the old city and beautiful buildings combined with the bustling modern city.  History feels tangible here, incorporated into everyday whether it is the Alhambra peeking out at you between the buildings, ancient bridges and walkways scattered throughout the city, to the 500 year old cave dwellings of the Roma people on the adjacent hill, the Muslim neighborhood of Albaicin where Muslim people moved and “professed” Christianity after the Reconquista (the reconquest of Spain after 800 years of Muslim rule; Granada was the last to fall in 1492, for Americans a significant date), to the many references to Washington Irving. It has a bit of a gritty, less-polished feeling that makes it feel a bit less touristy even if there are tons of tourists there.  

Because we were so short on time, on the last morning we decided to take the tourist train, a little 3 section bus that motors through the city and offers an accompanying recording in different languages. While the recording quality was marginal, it gave us an opportunity to see many parts of the city which we would not have seen otherwise, including Queen Isabella’s administrative building, the Royal Chapel of Granada where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were laid to rest (the ones who completed the Reconquista, approved Columbus’ exploration west to the Indies, and began the Inquisition), and the Albaicin neighborhood.  

We also explored the spectacular Parque de las Ciencias in Granada.  We only had 2 hours to explore and we barely saw a quarter of it.  There were many interactive exhibits which reminded me of the Exploratorium in San Francisco, but there were also animal exhibits, a awesome tower, and a variety of outdoor exhibits, many of which were interactive.  Another place we wish we had more time to explore. 

Granada definitely left us wanting more.

Beautiful cliffs on the way to Granada that reminded us of Half Dome in Yosemite.

Sitting on Einstein's knee outside the Museo de Ciencias.

Rocket and satellite in the Museo de Ciencias.

A display on office ergonomics and the best posture G has ever had!

"Where's my dinner!"

Always has to climb whatever it is.

Wait, I spoke too soon...look at that posture, and he can see over the edge of the table easier than his dad!

Workplace safety exhibit included the opportunity to climb scaffolding...they definitely knew how to interest kids!

On the tourist train

Ancient stone bridges and pathways throughout the city.

The Alhambra peeking down from its perch on the hill from many points through the city.

Another peek of the Alhambra through the leaves from an outdoor restaurant (sorry, it was tough to capture things from the train).

Sharing headphones to listen to the audio, one in Spanish and one in Chinese, because why not ;)

Building in the beautiful Albaicin neighborhood.

Lovely street in the Albaicin neighborhood.

The pomegranate is the symbol of  Granada and it features prominently throughout the city.

Leaving Granada on New Year's Eve (or as they call it here, Noche Viejo or Old Night) and heading for Seville, we saw this mountain that looks remarkably like the profile of a man's head lying down.