Intercambio, Flamenco, Alpujarras y Discoteca

It was brought to my attention that I haven’t blogged about any of the pictures I’ve been posting (thanks for reminding me, Steven!). Turns out keeping up on a blog is a lot more difficult than I originally thought. 

Wednesday: (Feb 18)

On Wednesday I had an “intercambio de lenguas” with my friend from Granada, Luis. “Intercambio de lenguas” is basically a language exchange. In theory you’re supposed to spend half of the time talking in your native language, and half of the time talking in the language you want to learn. I find that since Luis is a pro at English I just end up wanting to speak in English with him so we can talk about whatever we want, whenever we speak in Spanish it ends up being more of Spanglish and if we’re being realistic is more like SEnglish, because I like to talk, and I obviously can express myself and my thoughts so much better in English (terrible excuse). I will try next time to speak for a set amount of time in only Spanish so I can hold myself to it. Regardless, hanging out with him is always fun because he takes me to places I’ve never been to before in addition to being a genuinely cool person. He’s shown me the equivalent to all of my favorite places at home: Record stores, thrift shops, coffee houses etc. Mil Gracias, Luis J

Bohemia, my favorite new cafe!

inside Bohemia

Friday: (Feb 20)

On Friday night we trekked (still salty about the amount of incline in the road we needed to take) up to the Albayzín. Once we were at the top we headed down a short road and into a cave where we split up into two groups of 20 for our flamenco lesson. I just looked up online how long it takes to learn the flamenco and it says “It will most likely take several weeks or months to get the idea, and several years of study and practice to master the complex art form.” Based on this I’m reasonably proud of the progress my friends and I made during our 30 minute lesson. I should also mention that we took flamenco lessons in the same cave that Michelle Obama did! 

They actually have her name painted on the chair that she sat in…how many of you can say you sat in the same chair Michelle Obama sat in? Its okay, I can’t say I did either. Katherine took that chair… I sat next to it though, and that is enough for me! 

Despues de our lesson we ate a few tapas and drank some tinto de verano o cervesa, depending on your preference. We headed back into the cave to watch the professionals dance the flamenco. It was an absolutely incredible show and should definitely be put on everyones list. I highly recommend seeing it in Andalucía (comunidad autonoma where Granada is located) because it is known world wide for the flamenco! The women all had gorgeous full-length dresses that spun around them and shook as they hit their heels against the hard floors of the cave. As with all beautiful and complex sights I don’t really have much else I can say to describe the show. I can only add that passion filled the room, the dancers had such a love and commitment to the dance it was clearly visible in all of their movements. Watching any person do something that they have a passion for is always time well spent.

My phone wasn't working well, but these are pictures I found online of the Cuevas de la Rocio which is where we went to watch the performance and take our lessons!

They changed dresses at least twice during the performance!

Saturday: (Feb 21)

Saturday morning we woke up early for a hike en Las Alpujarras. This area near the Sierra Nevada was the last stronghold of the Spanish Muslims (Moors). The Castillians took over Granada in 1492 and forced all of the Moors to convert to Christianity. Those who refused to convert fled the city and moved to the Alpujarras which at the time was nearly inaccessible. This all resulted in a very bloody uprising and all people of Arabic decent were banned from the kingdom of Granada. You can read about it more by searching “Morisco Rebellion of 1568”, I don’t want to turn this into a history lesson! The point is that the area IS incredibly remote and took an hour an half long bus ride up very steep, small, and winding roads. From here we were able to hike on different trails in between the small pueblos. It was a great day for hiking but the ground was still wet from rain earlier in the day, shoutout to Kevin for making sure I didn't fall during those slippery parts!!

The path was breath taking; I am always amazed that places so gorgeous exist. I love that the industrial world is so far from these small havens in the hills.

We got back to Granada around 7pm. After a siesta & rally I ate dinner at 9 and then headed out with Taylor to the chupiteria to get our night started.  We went to the discoteca around 3am and danced the night away with some new amigos It was a great time and I’m sure we’ll be going again.

 

Taylor and I 

Sunday: (Feb 22)

Sunday was spent recovering from Friday and Saturday. Siesta on siesta on siesta!

Heres to hoping for a productive week, Semana Santa is only 30 days away! Taylor and I CAN NOT WAIT to bum around Amsterdam, Prague, Munich, and Salzburg!