
Flamenco in the afternoon.
The reason I went to Granada was to see the Alhambra, the Moorish palace/fortress. Checking online just now to date the Alhambra (largely 13th and 14th centuries), I see that these days (well, pre-pandemic) the site is so popular you must book timed tickets in advance; in 1992, I simply walked up from town when the mood took me. I wandered the back streets of the old town, stopped for tapas and sherry, listened to guitar and ‘canto jondo’. I strolled around the Generalife Gardens, where there always seemed to be the sound of water — gurgling, trickling, tumbling water. And I marvelled at the flamenco. Not paid performances or professionals, these were ordinary men and women, in jeans and skirts, having a great time dancing in tents set up in the streets. Some of the women wore elaborate (and heavy!) dresses. The makeshift tent floors vibrated and rang with the stamping of people’s feet, mothers danced with young children, and girls in their own ruffled dresses looked on hopefully from the sidelines. It was totally unexpected, and quite stupendous.
Travel Memories: a single photo from a trip — one that always makes me smile, or reflect, or want to go back.
Marvellous. My daughter and I visited in 2002 walking there from the station, I wish I’d known about Generalife then. A good reason to go back one day.
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Definitely a good reason! I’d love to go back, especially with a good camera. My photos of the Alhambra, the gardens and Cordoba are so bad.
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More than 10 years since we were there, Karen, and you had to book a timed slot then. i do love the way they live the dance 🙂 🙂
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I like the Spanish gusto for Life. ☺
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I love those colourful dresses..
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I saw some in a shop and was surprised at how heavy they were.
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