Check past posts for additions

I finally have access to a computer for longer than 30 minutes at a time so I am adding LOTS of pictures. Check back to the first trip post 'Yankees vs Shrek' to catch them all.

Scaling the Walls of Alhambra

One day to see everything in Granada. We were kind of on a schedule, so the timed entry ticket for the Alhambra (palace built by Moorish kings) was not working for us. Grant, ever the problem solver, said, “Let’s sneak in”. After 8 years I should not have doubted his ability to find a way and 5 minutes later we were in. To be clear, we did purchase tickets; we just didn’t have the time to wait for our appointed entry.


If you notice in the pictures I am wearing a dress and my 3” heels. Yes, I scaled the fence in that get-up. After the “break-in” we really enjoyed the palace. It was beautiful in its simplicity. The whole complex is constructed of wood, plaster and stone. What was created out of those common materials was a work of art.

It´s my Birthday!!!!!

Today is my 30th Birthday! We are in Granada, Spain for the day. It is beautiful here. Lots of small, winding streets and a mix of Spanish and Moorish architecture .

Statue of Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus

Cathedral of Granada

Tomb of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

I am now completely addicted to the Spanish way of life!! We wake up around 10 or 11 am and have breakfast, tour around until 2 or 3 pm and then take a break (maybe a nap or lay down in the park to read a book). We are back at it again by 4 pm and don´t have dinner until at least 10pm. The streets are hoppin´ until around 2am. By the time we make it back to the hotel it´s close to 3 am. I LOVE it!!!

Madrid

Madrid has really been a beautiful city. Grant and I were able to slow down a little here and enjoy the sites at a more relaxing pace.

We rented a boat in the Madrid Parque de Retiro


The Palace of Madrid is only used for State events. The King lives outside the city in a more modest estate.


The Plaza de Major was once the site of the Spanish Inquisition.

Is it wrong I cheered for the bull?

Don´t get me wrong, I don´t delight in human suffering. But if you choose to go into an enclosed area & torment an animal by stabbing it repeatedly, you deserve what is coming to you. I wonder, does the bull ever win?

I can´t help but think of the gladiator games in ancient Rome. Were they like this multiplied many times over? I really didn´t expect them to kill the bull. Some chasing the red cape and then off they go. Grant and I both thought it was barbaric and cheered for the bull. It´s a good thing no one around us spoke English. I don´t know how popular we would have been.

Bullfights in Madrid

Grant and I are going to a Bullfight today. We had to buy our tickets on the black market. We will see the most famous bull fighter in Spain. I will tell you all about it tomorrow, with pictures!

Looking for the Golden Arches

Typically I would not be on the lookout for the nearest McDonald’s but free Wifi is a priceless commodity in Spain. This is how it goes. . . . . .

Stop into your local McDonald’s, order something off the 1 Euro menu and voila’, you are given 30 minutes internet access. I know that I shouldn’t be eating McDonald’s in a foreign country. I should be sampling the local cuisine. Don’t worry, we are doing that as well but don’t ask me to pass on internet and French fries.