Madrid, Granada and Malaga, Spain

Wednesday a.m., Geoff and I caught a 6:30 am train to Madrid, where we were supposed to catch a train at 9am to Granada. When we got to Madrid, however, the 9am was sold out (our first experience with that happening yet - tourist season must be beginning!), so for better or worse we had the whole day to hang out in Madrid as the next train was not until 5pm. We were very thankful that the train station had luggage storage (many don't because of bombing) which allowed us to get out and see the city. Madrid, from what we saw, was not too exciting, even the 'hip' arcea was a bit lackluster. It also rained the whole day so we spent most of the time cafe hopping. After a long day, we finally arrived in Granada, Spain, however, just in time to run into the city's Semana Santa celebrations, which included a precession that just happened to be moving down the street our hostel was on. It was a bit overwhelming after a 16hr day to try and battle through the crowds with all of our bags but we finally made it after about 20 minutes.

Granada had been recommended to us by a few people and was quite pretty. It is famous for the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel, and the Moorish area that is found below. We did not, unfortunately, get to see the Alhambra as it was sold out (only 6000 ppl per day can go in and semana santa meant it was very busy), but did a nice hike up the mountain-side to get some beautiful views of it. Up in the mountains there were a number of small shanty towns, mostly little shacks that extended out of caves in the hill. I have included some pictures of the hike below.

That evening, Geoff and I went to go see a flamenco show, which was amazing; the dancers' power, control and speed at which they were able to move their feet was unparrelled to anything I have ever seen. We were also able to enjoy a glass of Spanish sangria and tapas, something this particular region is famous for.

Yesterday, we left Granada and headed down to Malaga where the weather was supposed to be warm (it was raining in Granada), and arrived to an even crazier semana santa celebration down here. It was like being inside the PNE, except its the entire centre part of their city crowded with everyone dressed in their best, little girls with bows in their hair, boys with their wool pea coats. There was cotton candy, candied apples, popcorn and of course the procession, the centre of everyone's attention. The procession includes a marching band, boys/men in pointy hat/masks, women/girls in black wearing lace scarves in their hair, and in the middle of it all a large float (well not exactly a float in the same way we have in Canada - they look a bit more like very large shrines), which is decorated with candles and a large statue or statues of Jesus and/or the virgin Mary carried on the shoulders of men. At any one time there are a couple of processions going on through various routes within the city, each supposedly are separate brotherhoods or associations. The music at times can sound quite mournful, other times more celebratory. The whole celebration goes on well into the early morning hours.

Unfortunately, because it is the holiday weekend we weren't able to get a train ticket to Barcelona except for today so we will just spend one full day here in Malaga.

Other than that, this is likely one of my last blog posts as we fly home next week. Coming home will be bittersweet as we have really have had an amazing time. I definitely have a renewed love of traveling and am already thinking about where I want to go next!

Anyways, our checkout time is fast approaching so a few photos from the last couple of days: