The Alhambra

Since Susan is going home next week, we decided to take a trip to Granada and visit the Alhambra. After an eight hour drive, we stayed in a funky, late 1960s style hotel up in the hills above Granada. The hotel had a wonderful pool which is rare in this part of the world. We had reservations (mandatory) to get into the Palacio Nazaries at 9:30 a.m. but, due to a series of mis-directions  and mechanical failure, we didn't get in until 11:30. I hadn't waited in line that long since Disney World.
In the end, it was worth it. The Alhambra complex is one of the great man-made wonders of the world and there is nothing else like it. The pictures really don't do it justice but you can get a rough idea. There were lots of people and, as usual around here, everyone was considerate and well behaved.
After the Alhambra, we walked through the old Arab quarter of Granada. There are narrow, winding old streets running off in all directions. It was siesta and only a few people were out. We ran into a British couple who were trying to get their car to a hotel. There was barely enough room to slide a credit card between the side windows and the walls. We tried to help but the husband was so exasperated he could hardly speak. There was nothing to be done except wait for him to calm down. I felt sorry for them because I've been in exactly the same spot.
Later in the afternoon, we visited the 14th century cathedral. It's another one of those massive piles of brick that was built after the Moors were driven out. There are fours rows of giant columns that hold up a ceiling you can barely see. Very impressive. Ferdinand and Isabel are buried in their own church around the corner. They have alabaster sarcophagi and now Susan wants one. As you know, Susan is really not one of those "keep up with Joneses" kind of people but there is something about an alabaster sarcophagus that really pushes her buttons. She's been pestering me for one for days now.
Who knew?