John: Alhambra Day.

It's almost half past four in the afternoon (just after lunch Spanish time) on our last day in Spain. My only excuse is that because Julie has been giving you a minute by minute up date on Tripcast I have been a bit lazy. 

One day we thought our progress may be impeded by yet another procession. However this time no roads were blocked off. This was a procession for Good Intentions. The participants in the parade march to Church, they pray because they want to ask for God's or the Madonna's interception to help make a family member well or assist them with some other intention. I think Julie told you that we were happy to take a seat to watch, until the seat fee of €7 was requested. We stood back up!

I'm sure you have seen so many photos of the Alhambra you don't need many more. As you probably know it was a palace, fort, seat of government and a few other things as well, when the Moors ruled southern Spain.

Its  conquest by the Christian army, marked the end of the Moors presence in Europe.

"You weep like a woman because you refuse to fight like a man." scolded the last ruler's Mother. 

To be a bit trite for a moment, not only did he lose an Empire, but he lost all those beautiful views!

But then if you look at the photo below and instead of seeing buildings and trees you imagine a few thousand Crusaders getting psyched up for a massacre (quite normal for Crusader "Christians" so I've learnt on my travels), perhaps the wisest option was to turn and leave. 

P.S. Michael and I did climb right to the top. It felt very Game Of Thrones. Also when I look at the top of the castle turret and see the flags flying I know I've done that!

Next blog, a bit more about Granada in general.