Granada

Mark and I were not prepared for what awaited us in Granada, despite knowing The Alhambra was one of the world’s great treasures. First, it was the pristine beauty of the tree-lined streets (orange trees!) and the elegant architecture. Then it was the gracious people, beginning with our arrival that rainy day and our complimentary paella tapas, which turned out to be my favorite paella of our trip. There we sat in the tented outdoor space of this little restaurant on the Plaza Nueva, looking forward to visiting The Alhambra that evening. Pictures say more than any description I can give of the refined beauty and grandeur of the place, and our photos cannot do it justice. Let’s just say that the poignant Muslim history (700 years of rule in Spain) intertwined with the Christian (the Reconquista and Isabel and Ferdinand - it was here that Isabel granted Columbus his request), and the wonder that you feel gazing at its design and decoration, make a visit to The Alhambra unforgettable. It is a magical place, and I can see why seeing it both at night and during the day is a must. Our day visit was long and leisurely, taking in the palace and fortress and the extensive grounds for hours. Other memories I want to hold on to: the walk past Santa Ana Church through the old town (the wedding and the guitarist playing “Blackbird”), the Royal Chapel with the tombs of Isabel and Ferdinand, and the Albayzin Moorish Quarter at night. Then there was Hamad, the young man sitting next to me on the plane to Granada, whom I met again at The Alhambra. He recognized me, and we began to talk about how special this experience was for him, a Muslim and a new father. Mark wants to remember the best meal we had in Granada, at Restaurante Carmela. We sat on the outdoor second floor terrace at this renowned chef’s lively restaurant and enjoyed the freshest Romaine salad with ham French bread and paella, with local beer. The Mark-with-mouthful photo seals the moment. And because Granada is the place for photos — a true feast for the eyes — we will always have these to stir our memories.