Yesterday marked the beginning of Birthday month. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, its February. And what better way to start February then my first weekend trip in Spain. To the beautiful mountain city of Granada.

And so it began:

Pilar loaded Jenni and I with 4 pieces of fruit each and a juice box for breakfast. (I'm guessing for the entire weekend. I like fruit, but not that much at 8 a.m.) I strapped on my sister Betsy's travel backpack, which was actually too big for the amount of time we spent there. I took the metro to the bus station, where me and 15 friends from the program boarded the bus to Granada.

After a 5 hour long ride, we arrived in Granada... without a place to stay. After wandering around for about an hour and stopping about 4 hostels that were full, we were sent to the sister hostel of the last one. Pensión Britz was nestled right off of Plaza Nueva and about a block from the entrance to La Alhambra. And for those who are wondering if I used the WC in Plaza Nueva, the answer is No, but only because our hostel was across the street. :)

La Alhambra is the last standing and arguably most magnificent Moorish palace, dating back to the 1300s. It was occupied by the Spanish Monarchy after 1492 when Los Reyes Catolicos (Catholic Kings) Ferdinando y Isabel, took it from the Moorish rulers. We headed up there to buy tickets for the next day, but after the steep uphill climb, we were told you can't do that.

We went and saw the tombs of Los Reyes Catolicos, Ferdinando y Isabel and their daughter Reina Juana "the Mad" and her husband Rey Felipe II.

Starving, we found the best sandwich shop called Bocadillo Baraka and had the most amazing middle eastern falafel (or schwarma if you eat meat) wraps. Needless to say, this was not the only trip to Baraka.

Saturday was Alhambra day. We explored all three parts, the Palacio, the Fortress and the Generalife, which appears to have served no other purpose besides the Sultan's resting place and home to the gardens where the food to feed the Alhambra's 2000 residents was grown.

We went out both nights and I finally did it Spain style by making it to 7am. The place we went on Saturday night (which I'm pretty sure never closes) was all glass on two sides and looked across to the Alhambra. So beautiful.

I'm back in Madrid and started class today. I only had one, but I'm not sure if I am going to take that or Literatura Hispanoamerica II, so I'm attending them both this week and deciding.

Please keep commenting and e-mailing.

Until next time...