June 15: El Generalife and La Alhambra

We headed out early this morning with a full agenda. We took a local bus to visit two of the most well-known sites in Granada—El Generalife and La Alhambra. El Generalife was the summer residence of the Moorish kings. It abounds with beautiful gardens, fountains, and strategically planted trees to make the living conditions cool. Since the temperature reached 104 degrees Fahrenheight today, we appreciated feeling like royals strolling in the shade and hearing the bubbling of the fountains. A little further up the hill is La Alhambra, the non-summer, official residence of the last Moorish kings. Álvaro, our tour guide, explained the Arab writing, the plaster decorations, the colorful mosaics, the intricate wood-carved ceilings, and the horseshoe arches which are so typical of Arabic architecture. We saw the patio de Los Leones, one of the most photographed rooms of this palace. We also visited the room where Washington Irving lived while writing Tales of the Alhambra. His collection of legends and stories sparked renewed interest in La Alhambra and its renovation at the time of its writing in 1832. La Alhambra is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. What an incredible day had by all! We are now on the bus back to Cádiz, ready for our next adventures!