Granada!

This weekend CIEE hosted a trip to Granada, a beautiful Andalusian city nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  The giant moorish castle of the Alhambra boarders the city from up in the mountains, and down below the city is filled with moorish influences. On the second day of the trip, we visited the neighborhood district, El Albaicín.  El Albaicín is still filled with the winding narrow streets from Medieval Moorish times.  While walking through the tiny maze of streets where the buildings are nearly close enough to hear your neighbor’s television, I could help feeling like I had fallen back into a much simpler time. 

The district is set on a steep hill across from the Alhambra, and it is the perfect place to catch a few photos of the incredible castle.

While on our tour, we were bombarded by a group of vivacious elderly men dressed up in soccer uniforms carrying instruments, props, and anything else they could find to celebrate their team’s victory.  They followed a band marching through the streets, shouting, laughing, and trying their best to sing.  In a way, those little old men are the epitome of Granada. Carefree. Jubilant.  Down to earth. And Ancient. 

As we continued along in our tour of the picturesque neighborhood, our guide Alejandro brought us to a small corner of the village that seemed to be nothing but the mess of a construction sight.  He then told us we were at a small convent were the nuns were known for their delicious baked goods, but because they are not allowed to be seen, we had to go about buying their treats in a tricky way.  Behind Alejandro was a tiny latched door with an old fashion bell.  That door opened up to an empty turn table after the bell is wrung, and on the other side was the hidden nun waiting to hear the secret code, “Ave María purisima.” Once the nun heard that phrase, she immediately responded with “Sin pecado concebiba.”  After that, we were able to ask to see their baked goods. On this particular day,. they had two to choose from.  Alejandro chose a soft cookie that resembled gingerbread, and we were all able to try a piece.  He told the nuns which he wanted, they turned the turntable to an empty side for him to put his money on, and then they gave him change once they turned it again.  

The unassuming door on the left.

The turn table. 

After that experience I was sure I had stepped back into a time where secret passwords mean delicious cookies.  I’m not entirely certain why the phrase is “Ave María purísima...” but I do know that it is something to do with confession, and I’m also quite certain it is the phrase that is said to start one’s confession.  

The trip to Granada was an unforgettable one.  I love that city and the people and the food.  It’s by far on the top of my list of favorites cities in all of Spain.