GRANADA – CONTINUED

Alhambra was not the only majestic building in Granada. This place was a congruence of Moorish and Christian architecture. While the Alhambra, Albayzin and Generalife represents the Muslim reign, the Palace of Charles V, the Cathedral and Sacromonte represent the Christian era. To her, everything looked beautiful. She hadn’t imagined it to be so magnificent, when she had read the book. She was quite happy that everything turned out to be more than her expectations. 

It was the Easter holidays, and most of the shops were closed. People were out on the streets, having fun and enjoying the sun which was getting warmer every day. Spring was in the air, and there were beautiful flowers blossoming all around. Easter is celebrated quite grandly in Granada – she could make that out from the processions in the evenings. People in the processions were dressed up quite strangely – probably had a lot to do with the history of the Easter in that location. But she couldn’t bother to find out. She was never really interested in religion that much. 

She wasn’t interested in fashion either; before coming here. Now, she just couldn’t stop herself from noticing what people dressed here. Because it was still early spring, everyone wore jackets and scarves. Women wore short skirts, shorts or dresses, with stockings and boots. They matched these up with lovely warm clothing like sweaters, jackets, scarves and caps. In her eyes, each person was a model posing for a fashion shoot. She felt that she was walking through one big fashion show all the time. And amidst them all, she found a small group of tourists dressed even better – like the movie – Devil Wears Prada. These women made the rest seem like school children in fashion. Her friend could make out that they were from London, from their conversation and accent. She then got to know that fashion sense in London was of an entirely different league. She wondered if she ever went to London, people would put her in the jail for being dressed as she was.

Granada in Easter was quite full of people. There were tourists everywhere – the streets shopping for souvenirs, in the restaurants enjoying the traditional Spanish food, and in the famous buildings admiring the architecture. However, there were very few international tourists, most seemed to be from Spain. There were very few Indians, and she felt people looking at her more than once. Once as they walked along some inner streets, she found a lady pointing them out to her numerous children – “Indians – Bonita Indians”. She was flattered when she got to know that “Bonitas” mean “beautiful” in Spanish. She had to tell people back home that people in Spain think Indians and India is beautiful. 

They had to try the free “tapas” for which Granada was famous for. Tapas is the wide variety of snacks or appetizers – a very famous part of Spanish cuisine. She had heard they could be quite delicious. Interestingly, most bars in Granada were known to offer them free with drinks. She had read that these tapas becomes more than a meal for people, as they hop from one pub to another to try the different variety – while only paying for their drink. Everyone who visits Granada had to do this thing. However, fate was not their side. Since it was the Easter holidays, most restaurants had stopped offering free tapas. That didn’t stop them from looking for that one bar which would still offer free tapas. And that’s how they got lost.

It was all because they didn’t know Spanish. After taking directions from their hostel manager, they made their way for Sacromote. Somewhere in that district was a bar which was not only still offering free tapas, but was very famous for its ambience. They however had underestimated how big the district was or how deserted. Once they entered the winding lanes on that hill, there was no getting out. They went up and down and into alleys and lanes, which were completely deserted, looking for some living being who could guide them to that restaurant. But everyone was at the processions in the main street. They got terribly lost, and couldn’t find their way out of Sacromonte. After forever, of walking around in that maze of beautiful, ancient lanes, they found the free tapas bar. It was completely crowded - with loud music, and people standing on every inch of the place. She had never seen a place like this before. It looked like all the young crowd of the city was jammed into this one place. She had her first Shangriya – which tasted quite like fruit juice. And her first meal. Yes her tapas was quite filling and the best tasting food she had since she landed in Spain. Being a vegetarian was quite difficult in the western world, but tapas came to her rescue. She hoped she would have similar luck in the other places she would be going.

They walked back from the bar and reminisced the last two days. They hadn’t expected to see so much in such a small city – they had walked around everywhere – never having to take a cab or a bus to any place. It was not so much about the buildings or the Sierra Nevada which impressed her, as much as the people and how they lived. Granada has this relaxed atmosphere, as if everyone were leading quiet, happy and contended lives. No one was rushing anywhere, or trying to be something. It was tranquil, soft, easy and peaceful.. Somehow being in Granada made her feel complete. 

She hoped Seville would be as great. Her next destination.