The Alhambra Prologue
If it was all up to me, I would have taken those white Alhambra mini-buses that ply the city center of Granada (they go without delay to the Alhambra!) but Dutchman insists we are taking the car. Quite honestly, I was a bit annoyed because we have to find our way to the Alhambra by driving through the narrow and meandering cobblestone streets. As you might be aware of, there is this EU government conspiracy to make city centers impossible for cars, especially in Amsterdam where one-way and no entry signs proliferate at break-neck speed and parking is €5 per hour—I am not kidding. As time was running out and I was not in the mood to argue, I yielded.
In the evening, this area beside the Alhambra is really nice, what with the outdoor terraces and the view to the lighted Alhambra.
Exactly as I had predicted, we lost time finding our way because firstly, there were major road works going on, and secondly, the GPS couldn’t function well in between the buildings, it is losing satellite connection. Nevertheless, we weaved the car into this maze of dim narrow alleys that only one car can pass through and I began to fret a little bit if we should be driving in the area because the alleys look very pedestrian to me but ahead of us we saw another car, so that was a relief. But, are we actually on the right track? Well, a few hundred meters ahead we caught sight of Alhambra signs, and then, Plaza Neuva emerged. We are in Albayzin! And, we are seeing the Alhambra walls on top of the hill!
We pretty much had luck when it comes to parking in this Spain holiday because we found a free parking along Carrera del Darro, in one of the hilly side streets with spectacular views to the Alhambra not very far from Plaza Nueva. OK, parking done. What next? Oh yeah—How do I go up to the Alhambra? Dutchman couldn’t care less, he already told me he will wait in the plaza. I managed to ask a local couple who told me where I should go up.
Narrow streets of Granada. Middle foto is the first gate of the Alhambra, after this you have to climb on the unpaved road. Another tourist asked me to take his foto at the entrance of the Alhambra and he gladly took mine as well.
As you might have seen in my Granada fotos, I am wearing high wedges made of cork, they are comfy, however, I cannot really walk fast uphill with it, as well as the roads after the first gate are not paved, making it more challenging to walk on. Sigh—this walk will probably take me more than twenty minutes. The Granada mini-buses are still at the back of my mind but I let it fade away because I don’t want to be upset about the whole thing, must.stay.positive. ARGH. Haha.
Finally, I reached one of the gates of the Alhambra. Will I make it to the ticket office? Will I see Alhambra and Generalife? We’ll see in my next entry.
Travel Period: August 2010
.
In the evening, this area beside the Alhambra is really nice, what with the outdoor terraces and the view to the lighted Alhambra.Exactly as I had predicted, we lost time finding our way because firstly, there were major road works going on, and secondly, the GPS couldn’t function well in between the buildings, it is losing satellite connection. Nevertheless, we weaved the car into this maze of dim narrow alleys that only one car can pass through and I began to fret a little bit if we should be driving in the area because the alleys look very pedestrian to me but ahead of us we saw another car, so that was a relief. But, are we actually on the right track? Well, a few hundred meters ahead we caught sight of Alhambra signs, and then, Plaza Neuva emerged. We are in Albayzin! And, we are seeing the Alhambra walls on top of the hill!
We pretty much had luck when it comes to parking in this Spain holiday because we found a free parking along Carrera del Darro, in one of the hilly side streets with spectacular views to the Alhambra not very far from Plaza Nueva. OK, parking done. What next? Oh yeah—How do I go up to the Alhambra? Dutchman couldn’t care less, he already told me he will wait in the plaza. I managed to ask a local couple who told me where I should go up.
Narrow streets of Granada. Middle foto is the first gate of the Alhambra, after this you have to climb on the unpaved road. Another tourist asked me to take his foto at the entrance of the Alhambra and he gladly took mine as well.
As you might have seen in my Granada fotos, I am wearing high wedges made of cork, they are comfy, however, I cannot really walk fast uphill with it, as well as the roads after the first gate are not paved, making it more challenging to walk on. Sigh—this walk will probably take me more than twenty minutes. The Granada mini-buses are still at the back of my mind but I let it fade away because I don’t want to be upset about the whole thing, must.stay.positive. ARGH. Haha.
Finally, I reached one of the gates of the Alhambra. Will I make it to the ticket office? Will I see Alhambra and Generalife? We’ll see in my next entry.
Travel Period: August 2010
.
