Alhambra to Alicante

The Alhambra
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Wow – we saw a lot today!! And didn’t spend more than 15 minutes being lost!! We got up early and made it to the Alhambra by 8:30 expecting large crowds – it was virtually empty!! Bonus!  So we pretty much had the place to ourselves to start out and went straight to the Palace.  It was pretty remarkable.  Old, and gigantic.  Interesting mix of Moorish Islam and Spanish Catholic – and who could build bigger.  I feel in love with the Islamic architecture in Morocco so I loved the Alhambra!! The world Allah is depicted more than 9,000 times throughout the décor.  I thought it was beautiful.  Dad was all about the listening tour as he got an earpiece for listening to the different stations along the way.  That kept him quite occupied.  It was a wonderful sight to be seen, learning experience and cultural wonder. Without that as a destination I would not need to go back to Granada.

Outdoor of the palace - pictures can't show the beauty
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We left Granada and set out for Alicante.  Since dad is only really eating one big meal a day – at around 4pm, we found ourselves in Murcia for our “big lunch."  I was weary of straying off the highway too far only to find ourselves “having an experience” i.e. being lost so we parked as soon as we got off the exit with the intention of eating within walking distance.  Be that the snack bar at a gas station if we had to.  We noticed a large Restaurante de Chino – Chinese in Spanish!! At least we would know what we were eating – so we went in and were happy they were open and that the menu was entirely in English!! Our waitress, who of course was Asian, spoke fluent Spanish (only)  Dad ate the most he's consumed at one sitting since this trip began.  How funny that it was Chinese food in Spain…..

Allah - isn't it beautiful
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Cruising down A92, listening to Indigo Girls we arrive in Alicante by dusk. The town instantly reminded me of South Beach.  Built around a marina of mostly sail boats and sandy beach with beautiful stone beach walkways, cute shops and tons of outdoor patio restaurants – I was in heaven.  Not to mention it felt a few degrees warmer and more humid than cold crowded Granada. We changed tactics this time – we had no hotel reservation as we thought it would be better than having to find a place – just take one as it comes upon us. Luckily we happen upon Hotel San Remo, what I thought was going to be a nasty hole in the wall, (and it sort of is) but get this – it’s 45 euro, free wireless, and free parking across the street!!! No problem that we can’t both be standing up at the same time cause there is nowhere to sit or move to.  I'll say that I’m glad I have my sleep sack…… But the location is great.

Proof we were there
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Tonight we wandered out a bit for our nightly “beverage” and something to eat for me (I’m on a three hour food schedule) and found a super cute place.  I spotted the outdoor disco ball.  Who doesn’t love a disco ball?!!

As some of you may or may not know, and I’m sure he appreciates me sharing, dad has a bit of an indigestion issue and can’t really eat anything too late or it’s bad news for sleeping (and anyone sleeping near him) I told him my dear friend Maria swears by a beer to settle her stomach and sure enough for the past two nights it’s worked like a charm.  We may be on to something – our scientific study ends on Sunday night but so far we are drafting our findings for the Gastrointestinal Institute.

Como se dice Egg Roll in Espanol?
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We’ve been having a good time.  He has been sharing his past travel stories of when he and his brother toured Europe for 7 weeks.  Stories I’ve never heard before – so it’s been really nice to “get to know him”

Tomorrow as I mentioned is  “Give Jen’s feet and legs a break day” I plan on doing nothing – So more on my nothingness later.

Good night and pray that I don't get bitten by anything as I lay awake begging god to let me sleep.