Granada

In Cordoba, we checked out the Mezquita, a massive mosque with a cathedral inside, and the Jewish quarter with shops and restaurants, then on to Granada, my favorite city so far.  Anthony Bourdain in Parts Unknown on CNN just did a show here.  This is the only big city left in Spain that gives free tapas or snacks with every drink ordered, so you can just graze all evening instead of having a meal – as long as you have a drink each time.  Glasses of wine are 2 or 3 euros so it’s a great deal!  Anthony Bourdain was quite drunk by the end of his show.

Once in Granada we walked to a viewpoint at night of the Alhambra, the famous Muslim monument taken over by the catholic Isabel and Ferdinand in the 15th century.  These two were the instigators of the Spanish Inquistion, causing Jews and Muslims to leave, convert to Catholicism or be burned or hanged (they just had a quicker end if they chose to convert.) We had a guided tour the next morning, and it was amazing, not just another beautiful building but lavish gardens, fountains and views of the city and the Sierra Nevada mountains nearby. 

The weather here is cool at night and in the morning, but hot during the day.  A couple of months ago the temp reached 45, but there was still skiing in the mountains until May.  Not far south of here are tropical beaches.

After an afternoon of tapas and vino and football, we go on to Madrid tomorrow.