Ahhhhh. Well after the our busy time in Madrid we packed up and caught our train bright and early down even further south in Spain to the small town of Granada. Having had two of my friends study for lengthy periods of time here they both highly recommend that I make time of this small university town. Thus around midday we arrived in the hot south of Spain just a few miles from the coast of the Alboran Sea. We were soon checking into our hostel, El Granada (I know clever uh?) where we were greeted by the very friendly receptionists Colin, an Australian that had been exchanging work for stay for the past 4 weeks, who gave us a great overview of everything that Granada had to offer from the famous Tapas, to the best bars, to the various neighborhoods that were must sees. We got settled in our room and soon decided that we were hungry enough to go and give a try to the tapas that everyone talks about here. We set off again right in the middle of siesta but soon found a bar that offered a carne and tapa (small beer and tapa) for a euro fifty. The custom is when you order a this most times you don't get a choice of what you are going to get to eat, so to you picky eaters out there be careful, but I didn't really care and hell when in Granada! Right! We began to order tapas after tapas, and before we knew it we had ordered the combo 6 times! Also the other tradition of tapas is that the more you order form a place the better the food gets, so its worth it to take the chance cause you might get something really good. Our tapas came in the following order: olives and toast with a tuna and red peppers, toast with anchovy and olives, toast with a onion bell pepper, and tuna salad, toast with ham, toast with aSpanish omelet (the best one), and finally prawns (Jay's least favorite for in Europe all prawns still have heads and legs attached which you need to rip off and shell before you eat). Feeling full and good after the 6 small beers we wandered through the cobblestone streets back to our hostel for a well needed siesta. Around 9 or so we got up and went down to the common area to meet any other guests and see what the plan was for the night. As we met the other guests we decided that with the influence of Colin that we should all get some beers and go to a near by park that many people drink at before going to the clubs that don't even open till 3 in the morning! Thus a decent group of us all went out and partied and talked in the park till around 2 when we decide to go and get some kebab's (one of the best fast foods to get here in Europe) and then went to a small bar that offered cheap drinks for those that still wanted to drink. After chilling there for a bit, the time came that we could now go and get into the clubs, but once we got there Jay and I refused to pay the 10 euro cover so we retired early (by Spanish time) for the night ready to sleep.

We arose around 11 the next day to again perfectly sunny blue skies with very warm humid weather poring into our hostel. I was starving so I walked over to a local grocery and got food for a quick, cheap, and good pasta brunch. We finally got out to tour the city around 2ish after a great talk with out new friend Colin. We were going to try to find the Gypsy caves but after wandering for a few hours in the high heat we finally found them only to be closed. Yet we still had a wonderful time exploring the Moorish region of the city. Quick fact: Granada has been a city to home Christin, Jewish, and Moorish(Arabic) neighborhoods and religions together peacefully since the city was developed, this has thus caused there to be three separate styles of architecture, cultures, and life all within this city making it very interesting to visit. We returned back to the hostel around 6 and again sank into a deep sleep in a well needed siesta. Awoke around 9ish and again went to the common area to see what was on the agenda for the night. Everyone was watching a movie, Mulholland Drive, which is the worst movie any of us had ever seen, I highly recommend never waisting your life watching it. With everyone teird from the night before they decided to stay in but with only a few nights left in Europe, Jay and I got a few beers and went to the park again to drank them and then walk about the city experiencing its beauty by night. Although it was no record breaking night, we had a great time enjoying our company and seeing the quite city after hours.

We got up and going around the same time on our third day here in Granada. Managed to actually get up in time for the free breakfast today, woohoo! free toast and cereal, I must really be broke to be excited about this. Finally got going out into the city again just as everyone was going in for siesta, although walking in the hottest part of the day is rough having little amounts of crowds make it worth it. Today we went and explored the Jewish neighborhoods and eventually got some food. Later in the day we all decided that for our last night we should make a large batch of sangria to celebrate our final night in Granada and our last night of partying in Europe. While drinking on the roof deck watching the city light up in the company of new friends really put a good end to a great time in Granada and a great toast to our trip. The night defiantly got wild as we later went to the park to drink after the midnight cutoff that the hostel enforced about being loud in the common areas. We all talked and drank well into the night only to be disturbed by the sudden appearance of the police that showed up to kick us out. Luckily we got the laid back police that just made us leave, cause evidently its also illegal to be drinking in public. oops.

We woke up slowly the next morning having to check out by 11. After trying to decide what we were going to do in Paris eventually got out and spent more time exploring the city and getting a few gifts. We were evenable to make one final dinner before we caught our late night train out of Granada at 10pm. As the train pulled out of the station I gazed out the window lost in memory about the wonderful time that we had in this very unique city that I had grown so fond of. Granada I shall return!