Europe 2013!: Granada

Sleep on the bus ride made it go by fast but I was very groggy, and clearly still tired, when we arrived in Granada. Our hostel was found easily enough but sadly reception really wasn't 24 hrs so we sat for an hour until the guy arrived at 8.

After check-in Juan showed up around the hostel and helped us her settled. We met out other two roommates who were very nice.

I am obsessed with the foyer set up and would like a large foyer to now do this in my home. The ceiling is made of glass and creates a lot of heat during the day in he common room. This was set up to help block out the sun, while still letting in the light.... And it's fun!

Our room/ the hostel is the nicest we have stayed in since traveling and I am sad we are I my here one night. From the small couch and table in the sitting room of our apartment we have a small kitchenette with fridge and sink and straight on is the door to the bedroom that holds 2 bunk beds. We have a very large- and updated- bathroom with the best shower in all of Europe. I would like to take as many as possible before I leave to soak it all up.

Anywho! We walked straight to Alhambra since it opened at 8:30. It was only a ten minute walk so great hostel location! I'm glad we went right when it opened because it started to get very crowded when we left. Overall, it's gorgeous. The architecture, the tiling, the gardens, just breathtaking.

This is the floor

Amazing water system that runs throughout then palace. They even have it running down the sides of the steps from one level to another.

After we spent all morning there, we returned to our hostel and was informed that we should run to the market shortly if we wanted anything because it gets so hot in the afternoon that Granada's siesta last from 2-7... Holy crap. That is the longest time frame out of anywhere we have been thus far. We ran down to the market and since we were pretty sleep deprived decided when we returned to partake in the Spanish ways and siesta. It was glorious!

All of us reconvened from our various activities, showered, and decided to just go back to the market for dinner. We hung out and got to know each other. The two girls are very laid back also so it was very nice.

We asked Juan to get us tickets to see a local flamenco show and sadly had to wait until the midnight showing ( thank god for the siesta!)

Juan and the four of us ( apparently we are the lull in the week, more people will be here again tomorrow) went up to the rooftop terrace and he told us all about how he came to start a hostel. We made some sangria and just relaxed. We helped him with his English and he with our Spanish. I equate it to being on a deck at home. The sunset views were great from up there and it was just really nice.