Granada 2015: Trying to Fit the World Inside a Picture Frame

There is no better way to pass time on a long drive than to listen to John Mayer. Spending about 8 hours on a bus this weekend, I listened to every one of his songs. Twice. As I was listening, one of his lyrics really stuck with me (as they usually do because he is a musical genius). In his song "3x5" on his earlier album Room for Squares, he sings about how seeing something in person is so much better than just seeing a picture and I could not agree more. I've seen pictures of the most beautiful places on earth and it hasn't phased me, but seeing these places in person is almost unreal. It's just such a different experience when you're seeing something with your own two eyes than through a camera lens.

On Thursday we went to the Alhambra. The views of the whole city were breathtaking along with the architecture and decor on the interior. I don't understand how these buildings were constructed so long ago with limited technology and in such short time periods. We saw the same type of design in most the cathedrals, mosques, and palaces we toured in Sevilla and Cordoba. They are all from the Moorish Rule and were then later converted to catholic buildings when Isabel and Ferdinand conquered Spain. But, most of the Arabic architecture remains in the buildings with very intricate designs on the walls, ceilings and arches. Aside from tours, Sevilla was amazing and hands down my favorite city thus far. It was modern, yet historic and extremely beautiful. The first day there, we walked to the Plaza de Espana and then had the rest of the day to ourselves. Having absolutely no clue where we were, we wandered the city and found cute shops and restaurants (and a STARBUCKS). We sat on the edge of the large Guadalquivir River and had a beautful view of Triana. These are my favorite kinds of days, when there is no structure and you can explore whatever you want. After only two weeks in a foreign country, I can already see my sense of independence growing as well as my appreciation for other cultures.