Granada
An interesting observation - in the tourist areas, wine seems to be cheaper to purchase than water!
The Flamenco dancing show last night was very good. We were taken by bus to the high area of Sacramento which is the gypsy area of Granada. The show was held in a ¨cave¨, with about 120 attending each session. The stage is very small, and the only music a guitar, a singer, and 5 people clapping hands. Three female dancers and one male dancer, each taking a turn and giving a rendition. We expected to see a male and female dancing together, but presumably the stage was too small. Extremely energetic display by dancers with a very proud stance.
Today we visited the famous La Alhambra, with tickets purchased the day before (if not the queue is as lengthy as we saw today - much better to be in a group with a guide speaking to us in English). This is a 13th Century conglomeration of palaces and other buildings, which have changed hands over time. Originally the palace was built and occupied by Muslims, but then they were defeated by Christians and the palace overtaken by the King and Queen of the day. Even Napoleon was involved in the history of the place. The main church, which is still functional and Catholic, sits on a foundation and walls of Muslim design. The Christian Palace was built in the 16th century, and the elaborate gardens in the 1930´s. It is a real hotchpotch of architecture and cultures dating over a very long time.
Tomorrow we hit the road again to travel to Seville.