Professor Sharon

“Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good deeds enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pears, and their garments therein shall be of silk.” (Quran 22.23)

Over the weekend we went twice to the Alhambra — Granada’s gem. We walked up there on Saturday night into the areas that are free and watched the sun set on Granada.

On Saturday afternoon we walked up into what is known as the Albazin (Arab section) to a famous lookout to the Alhambra.

This is from a place called St. Nicholas – the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevadas are in the background (you get the young folks as well – it’s a popular hang-out for what is called “hippies”! Don’t even get Rich and I started on that!

Then on Sunday morning we took a guided tour of the Alhambra, its fort and gardens. They restrict your entrance to the Palace and other sites very strictly, so it’s a bit disappointing to be so crowded and have so little time, but it is breathtaking. That beauty is hundreds of years old and one can only imagine how stunning it was in full bright colors with the ceilings in gold!

They have this incredible system of capturing the water of the stream at the top of their hill and feeding it into fountains and pools everywhere. In this picture I’m standing next to a several level staircase where the water is coursing down along the railings next to my hand to the lower gardens, palace fountains, etc.

Our pictures are the indoors of the palace do its beauty little justice. This is a photo of a small niche in the wall in one room where flowers or perfume would be displayed. The Palace is room upon room of this. I’m so glad I read Washington’s Irvings Tales of the Alhambre before arriving. It adds to the history. But nothing can prepare you for the beauty. It’s unfortunate it has to be shared with a few thousand other touristes!