Gazpacho in Granada

Good call, Amie, on the gazpacho in Granada tip. I´ve found that taking others´ food advice while traveling rarely leads me astray. Travel guide books say to order from the menu del dia (menu of the day). So I naively try to order paella today and was told it requires a minimum of 2 persons. No!! Please don´t tell me this, stab stab to the heart, discrimination to singletons, my rant is going on and on in my head. My crestfallen face must have prompted him to make an exception, yippee! Ok, now I´m happy again, please don´t mess with my food, senor! I take back the discrimination comment.

So I´m normally a big promoter of traveling solo.....I won´t use the term alone because you´re always meeting people. You have to or you´d go insane, like today for instance. I caught myself talking to the tv and I rarely watch tv, I just felt the need to hear other human voices. Plus I told myself I need to listen to Spanish because I´m in dire need of some improvement in that area. I am constantly attempting to engage strangers in conversation but am limited to mostly the present tense while speaking to locals. Really? Where are you from is not enough of an intelligent conversation for you? I went to a bar frequented by locals on my own last night and barely said two words. I tried to order a capirinha and the bartender didn´t understand me so I resorted to cerveza. I think he felt sorry for me when I was at the bar alone and he alone engaged me in conversation, I came to this conclusion after he poured a tiny shot for himself and I. Horror of horrors, I just might have to resort to non-local bars here on out, there never seems to be a shortage of meeting foreigners there. It´s the locals who are so elusive to me right now. My other solution to meeting people seems to be while journeying from place to place whether it´s via plane, train or bus!

So, about the sights, they have all been amazing. I feel so lucky to see so many important religious and architectural sights, this just 1 week into my trip. My Cordoba visit included La Mezquita, the important Islamic site now turned into a catholic cathedral where I just so happened to stay in the Jewish quarter. Wow! Now I´m in Granada, a university party town, home to the famous Alhambra. Another tip from the guide books say you have not lived until you´ve visited The Alhambra. Well, I must say it was beautiful and all but I think I´ll stick to my theory (as previously stated after my trip to Thailand): one has not lived until one has ridden an elephant.

Now food continues to be my favorite exploration....I know you´re thinking nightlife but that´s just a bonus. Anyway, I´m indulging in so many different cuisines here: just ate a doner kebab that was pure bliss. Oh and did I mention the free tapas when you order drinks? I´m all over it!