We woke up early to a cute free breakfast offered by our hostel. I was mostly excited about cereal. It was only corn flakes but it was the food I miss most when I leave home. We got on a bus and were on our way to Granada for the day. When we got there we spoke to the rep at the station who sold us on an “electric bike tour” with the promise that it was really easy and she did it. We had originally wanted to go to the Alhambra but tickets for that sell out months in advance. This tour sounded like the next best thing since you start down in the village and bike all the way to the top of the mountain and basically get a view of the Alhambra from the other side. You’re also promised a spectacular view of the city.
Granada is an absolutely adorable city, rich in history (some of it very Arabic influenced) and simply beautiful. Our tour guide Joaquin, with long curly hair and an explorers hat led us to the bikes. He then gave us these wildly embarrassing neon yellow vests to wear with our big white clunky helmets. Note: He did not have to wear any of these. This attire not only served to keep us safe in the tiny bumpy streets shared by drivers who don’t care about you, but also as an easy target for locals to ridicule us. After a grueling uphill battle in which I quite literally almost passed out, we were at the top of the city in front of one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness. Not only could you see the entire city, but even further out as if the world never ended. You would think that the way down would be so much easier than the way up. However flying down cobblestone streets with barely any control of your surroundings and terrified that a car is going to zip by you is not as pleasant as one might think. Sophie also had break malfunctions and basically crashed into a wall.
After our tour, and immense amounts of high fives and back patting (also a lot of self realization about how out of shape I am) we were starved. Joaquin told us about this phenomenal deal where a lot of restaurants will give you free food when you order drinks. We ended up in a medieval themed pub and each ordered a drink and like magic it came with a plate of bagels! We then explored the little shops along the streets, half of them filled with Spanish dresses and souvenirs, half of them with Arabic makeup and plates and incense. We passed by a massive church hosting a wedding open to the public. Adorable little blonde children sat on the steps dressed in white frocks and small blazers, looking bored as if forced to attend this event they could care less about. I bought spices and tea and the day was nearing its end. We bused back to Malaga, had a late dinner at a restaurant beside the station and then called it a night.
Selena Alice 