Raíces: Andalucía II

Málaga

Málaga is a port city 100 miles (160 km) south of Córdoba, about a two-hour drive. It is a beautiful city with amazing views, great food (especially fish) and nice people like everywhere else I’ve been in Spain. It was definitely worth the visit.

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On our way to the city center

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Bull ring there in the middle-left

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I’m proud to say I reached all the way to the top. It may not look like much, but it was extremely tiring and it was probably the highest I’ve ever climbed before. It took a lot of effort and I was sore the next morning but the views up top were stunning and worth every second.

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Views

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I was told the fish in Málaga was a must-try, so I had to. I was definitely not disappointed. Best fish I’ve ever tasted! Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. 10/10

Granada

Granada is 78 miles (126 km) northeast of Málaga, about a 1.5 hr drive. I have to say it is my favorite city that I have visited in Spain thus far. It really set the bar high. The views were great, the people were friendly, but above all, the restaurants and tapa bars here are a must! A drink and a well-portioned tapa combo was only €2.20 at the Antigualla III. We went as a group. The prices are similar all throughout Granada. The tapas were absolutely wonderful. The best that I have tasted. It was what you would actually expect of Spain. There were small antique shops all throughout the city with tons of great souvenirs. I regret not getting something to bring home. The Alhambra was absolutely impressive as well. I highly recommend going to Granada if ever possible.

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View of the Alhambra, a fortress/monument created by Arab Muslims in the 8th century upon taking over southern Spain. They called Spain “Al-Andalus” and first conquered southern Spain in 711 A.D. This area is now known as Andalucía (Andalusia in English). The Muslims stayed in this area for over 700 years. The very last of them got kicked out in 1492, same year Columbus arrived in America.

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Very intricate and well-preserved construction by the Muslims on display.

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Notice the Arabic carved into the construction of this arch, as well as the arches within the arch which created a feeling of infinitesimal beauty. It required a great amount of mathematics to create.

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Fountains, and water in general, were prominently placed over the Alhambra because the Muslims came from the deserts. Water, and the sound it makes in the fountains, represented the essence of life otherwise unknown to them in their native land.

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Pomegranate (Granada) tree. These were all over Granada. Unfortunately, they aren’t in their ripe season yet.

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This was one of the few displays of flowers still alive. In the Springtime, flowers are draped all over the gardens at the Alhambra, but since it is October, there weren’t many flowers.

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P.S. I know I haven’t talked much about school yet, so I promise to dedicate my entire next post on my experience thus far as a student at Nebrija.

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