Ronda y La Alhambra este fin de semana!

This past weekend, February 11th to the 13th our study abroad group CEA went to Ronda and the famous Alhambra. I will also be updating my blog more often because we FINALLY received internet - Spain is verrrry laid back unlike America where the cable guy says he is coming on Thursday - he is there - and Spain... its more like 2 weeks from that Thursday - no big deal. Ha. Definitely different customs here. However, our day in Ronda was absolutely magnificent. I encourage anyone who is traveling or will be traveling Spain to make a visit to Ronda - It is a must see. Its a hidden gem because all you hear about in terms of Spain is Barcelona and Madrid but this place is absolutely beautiful. The cliffs are incredible and the waterfall is breath taking. All of us girls in the study abroad group had such a wonderful time (by the way I love my new friends! but I'll talk about them a little later).

Ronda is a quaint beautiful little town with views like no other and AGAIN the cliffs are incredible. Ronda is an adorable town where a person would consider retiring in. ( I even creepily took the cutest picture of an old couple in a park just loving life in Ronda I'll post it on the blog ) hehe. Anyways once we got there we were toured around the city, and finally LUNCH. We went to this Italian restaurant in the main square which was delicious, but of course I didn't order Italian because I don't make any sense, I got a tuna salad which was delicious. The FISH here is soo delicious. The fish in Spain is just as fresh as if I were to get it in Montauk.

After lunch we went exploring on this trail that led us into the cliffs and to see a beautiful waterfall. The view from our hike was green, the foliage all green and the mountains and valleys were in perfect sight. It was one of those moments where you had to stop, think about where you were, breathe in, and appreciate the moment.  I took it alllll in! It was magnificent. After our hike (which we saw a donkey on too) I went and got a gelato because Nikki needed ice cream, and then I went to the oldest bull ring in Spain! It was beautiful and massive. Of course I can never see a bull fight because I am an animal lover, but to see the ring empty was a different feel of satisfaction.. and plus I got to play and prance around the ring :o)

THE ALHAMBRA

Now, this is by far, just like Ernest Hemingway said "If you were to visit once city in Spain, this should be Granada." and DEFINITELY because of the Alhambra. We went on Sunday and took a tour with our group. It is said that the Alhambra, if an 8th wonder of the world would exist, the Alhambra would be it! AND I Went there, live in its town, and it is literally 10 minutes from my apartment. I know, I know, SO COOL.

The Alhambra is an Arab palace that was once an arab city a long time ago before the Catholics took it over and made it theirs. It took us about 4 hours to see it all, 3 miles long, my feet were killing me and I was hungry, but it was beyond worth it and I could see it 100 more times. There are three palaces in total and the last one we saw was for the "royal family" and it is known to have the best view of all of Granada. The Alhambra, each building is its own palace and has trimmed bushes, gardens, waterfalls, pools, all in it. It is literally as if you are living in a resort. The Arabs knew how to live luxuriously and their taste was so beautiful with arch windows and Arab writings all over the wall with other decorations in extreme detail. It truly is hard to put the Alhambra in words because its something you need to see with your own eyes. It is absolutely magical and I embraced it because it is so cool to see something that your culture once built. It truly made me appreciate the Lebanese I have in me. Thanks Dad :o)




L. 

Balcony Time

Hello everyone! Well I have very unstable internet probably till the end of this week but this is really for you mom and dad so you can read up on how I am doing. I am sitting on my balcony right now - which over looks the Andulucia city. I am currently stealing internet from some unknown source, just until I get my own. My 7 other roommates, Rachel, Alex, Sara, Cristabelle, Selina, Eric, and Alex are great and it sounds like a full house but its wonderful to be with so many people because you're never alone and its comforting. However, our apartment is massive so if you want to be alone, you have the space for private time which is incredible as well. Over all, Granada is absolutely stunning and my apartment is a dream. It is two floors, brand new kitchen with brand new everything in it - the nicest kitchen - imagine it, I have it, a nice living room set up with three couches and huge TV, my bath has 8 shower jets and music in it and our rooms are more than any of us could ask for. Granada has narrow roadways and stone everything. I truly can't put it into words I am a terrible writer, I could really only show pictures which I will eventually do. Granada has a Mediterranean feel with Palm trees and the architecture of the buildings and has an Arabic feel to it which I love and it is the closest I can get to the Middle East. Hopefully I can go one day if our world makes peace haha - never going to happen - but I would love to go to Lebanon.  I guess that will really just be in my dreams. This is a terrible blog, especially for my first one, sorry, but I need to go inside and leave the beautiful view- I promise there will be better blogs including my Ireland, England, and Wales trip -- I just have so much to do today! Like... explore.