Chocolate!!!!!! And Granada I guess ;)

I'm sorry--I'm a little behind in blogging! I will make an effort to keep this updated more frequently because so much happens every day!

I'll start with Thursday: After weeks talking about going out for churros and chocolate (Madrid's favorite dessert/breakfast for those who go out at night), my friend Erika, her roommates and I finally went to La Chocolatería San Ginés for their famous churros and chocolate. It's basically fried dough that you dip in a mug full of melted chocolate. (Need I say more?) 

Then, Friday morning I left super early to catch my flight to Granada for the weekend! I went with four friends from my university here (3 of them are from Baylor). We spent Friday exploring Granada, touring a cathedral, shopping and admiring the city. Granada is in the south of Spain in a province called Andalucía, which is famous for its mix of gypsy, Arabic and Spanish culture. The main attraction in the city is the Alhambra, which is a Moorish palace and grounds from when Spain was ruled by the Arabs (700s-1492). It was one of the most amazing places I have ever seen--mostly because it is like nothing I have ever seen before. The architecture is so different; their art is focused on geometric design and very precise detail, which was on all of the walls and ceilings of the palace. We were able to get tickets to see the main palace Friday night, and then we went back to see the rest of the grounds (including a beautiful garden called the Generalife) Saturday morning. 

Friday: 

                                 (walking down the street from the hostel towards the touristy area) 

                                                 (view of part of the Alhambra from our hostel)

                                                         (inside the Granada Cathedral)

                               (behind these doors, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried)


Nasrid Palaces (Part of the Alhambra):

(yes this is a real room! :D)

                                          (detail on the walls. All the walls were similar to this)

Saturday morning: El Generalife (gardens) and La Alcazaba (another palace, mostly in ruins)

                                                   (view of Granada from the Generalife)

                                                            (SO many gorgeous flowers)

                                                   (gorgeous view of one of the buildings)

                                 (me in front of the Generalife: my favorite part of the Alhambra!)

 The rest of the weekend was filled with good food, ice cream, exploring and church Sunday morning (for the first time in Spain!). We found a small Baptist church in Granada and I loved it--it might have been the highlight of the weekend. It was small and simple, with great worship (most of the songs were the same as ones we sing in America, just in Spanish!) and a very nice message. I hope I can find a church like it in Madrid for future Sundays.

Overall it was a fun weekend traveling with friends! Nevertheless I am happy to be back in Madrid and on a schedule again.
Adios :)