Granada

My mom and I got to enjoy another week in Sevilla after returning from Rome. We took a tour of the Cathedral with my school, watched Flamenco dancing, went out to eat for tapas, met my intercambio, volunteered at the nursing home, and just enjoyed each others company. Then we headed off to Granda for the weekend with my roommate Emma.

We took the AVE to Granada Friday night, and then spent the morning touring the Alhambra. I had studied the Alhambra in my art class here, so it was really fun to finally get to see it in person. The architecture is incredible. It is HUGE and has tons of gardens and palace rooms to walk through.

Waiting to start our trip-my mom's first time on the AVE!

 In one of the beautiful walkways in the garden area of the Alhambra.

 Patio de los Leones. Absolutely amazing architecture.

 Sala de los Arrayanes in the Alhambra.

The ceiling in one of the rooms. Pretty incredible. 

Once our tour finished of the Alhambra we enjoyed some lunch and then went through the Capilla Real and the Cathedral. The Capilla Real has the coffins with the remains of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. It was very interesting to see that after I had been studying them so much in my Spanish History class here. The cathedral in Granada was very different than the ones I have seen before. It was all white on the inside and had lots of gold. It was beautiful and fun to see a different style in a cathedral.

Inside the cathedral. 

After the cathedral, we went to "La Vista de St. Nicholas." We had to walk up a large hill, but it was worth it. When we got to the top we had a gorgeous view of the Alhambra with the mountains in the background. We got to sit on an old brick wall and just enjoy the scenery right as the sun was coming out. It was amazing.

 The three of us. We had such a great trip together!

My roommate Emma. I don't know what I would do without her here!

I'm so glad that my mom could stay another week and get to travel Spain with me for the weekend. It was fun to show her how I usually spend most of my weekends here- traveling and exploring a new city. She was a trooper and kept up with our fast pace of walking and exploring. We had so much fun getting to catch up on everything.We ended the trip by eating on top of the roof of a restaurant that overlooked the river in Sevilla. I will be sad to see her leave Tuesday morning, but I'm so thankful that she was able to come visit!

Thanks for encouraging me in my dreams Mom. And thanks for always being willing to come along for the ride. I love you!