Granada & Sierra Nevada: Unexpected meetings pt. 3

This might be it, people! I mean the last blog post from my time in Spain. In just 3 days it is time to head out for new adventures. I am kind of sad and happy at the same time. Sad because I have really loved these past 5 months, but then again eager to go back home again. Anyway, this week is my last week… But what a week it has been so far!

 

The last week here in Spain started on Friday with a crazy going away party and was followed by an amazing weekend in Granada! Last week, on Wednesday I got my cousin from Finland to visit me. It was very nice to see him from a long while as we had been roommates for over a year before I left to Spain in January. Anyways, on Saturday we left to see Granada with him, my two workmates and a girl from Iceland. By car, everybody in a terrible hang over – of course.

When it comes to unexpected meetings (this is again something unbelievable :D ), I met my friend from Barcelona in Granada (see this blog post). Of course I knew she was going to be there, but listen to this: this weekend, the friend that was travelling to BCN with me earlier went there again. The friend who we were visiting in BCN was then visiting Granada with her friends – as was I. But we didn’t know more than that. Little did we know that we would be all living in the same hostel – in the same dorm! I always thought Finland is a small place, but fuck, Spain is minimal! :D

We all headed out together to have a look at some famous street art. Some very nice pieces of work we saw! After walking uphill in the city, we stayed for a picnic in a beautiful park. There was also a small lake in the park. And a small island in the lake. And a small tower in the island. And then, somebody had taken a HUGE dump on top of the tower! :D But we didn’t let that bother us too much.

After picnic, we left for some beers and tapas. This is also something that is really something. One beer costs from 1,50 to 3 Euros. Every time you order a beer, you get a tapa (small dish of food) – every time. I mean, that is probably the most ridiculous tradition I’ve ever heard - but also one of the best! Imagine going out never having to think about if you had eaten enough or not: you just go drinking and you’ll get a free dinner same time :)

The next day, we woke up pretty early and went to see the Arab city high on the hill. The city and the view were totally worth the climb.  Unbelievable. Granada, is just a beautiful, beautiful city. After the tour, we decided to take our Renault and head for the hills: Sierra Nevada, baby! IF you ever go to see Granada THEN you must go to see Sierra Nevada as well. To be precise, go to Los Cahorros. I have never seen anything like that. The pictures give you just a glimpse how it was. Wow.

About Granada

I never knew so much about Granada, but I had heard some good things. Well, I didn’t misheard!! It is simply amazing city. So beautiful, so different, so bohemian, so Spanish, so sympathetic, so amazing. In Granada you can still see the influence that the Arabs had when they were living in Andalucia. Also, the city is a famous student city in Spain. Also, it is from Granada where Sierra Nevada begins. Also, they very cheap beer (including tapas). Also, I heard that Alhambra (an Arab fortress in Granada) is very easy to defend ;)

For all those reasons above, I honestly think that Granada is definitely THE place to visit in Spain. – IF you don’t believe me THEN look at the pictures! ;)

You're alright but I'm here darling to enjoy the party
Don't get too excited cause that's all you'll get from me
Hey
Yeah I think you're cute but really you should know
I just came to say hello 

Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette - Hello

Beach, partying and some Xtreme heat!

Wow! It is 17th of May today and I just realized that it is only two weeks and I am leaving Sevilla! TWO WEEKS! Time has gone so fast...! Well... I guess everything has to end sometimes. This time it just happens to be so far the best time in my life that ends.. All this should make me sad, but then again, the next 3 or 4 weeks are going to be the best of the best time! Let me tell you more in a bit....

But first: This week has been the hottest I've ever experienced! Ok, we did have this really hot season few years back in Finland as well, but this is even worse since it is constantly hot - day AND night.  During the day the temperature has been something around +36 in the shadow and over +40 in the sun..! During the night time, like at 12 in the night, the temperature in my room (no hopes for air conditioning) is over +31 degrees! Really easy trying to get some sleep.. and it's only middle of May!

But there are some positive sides about the sun and heat as well... Like the beach! Couple of weeks ago we went to a beach between Cadiz and Tarifa and it was really nice. Since there's no beach in Sevilla, it was actually the first time I went to have a day at the beach... and I got burn - so typical for us Finns :D Nevertheless we enjoyed the beach :)

So what's so good about the next 3-4 weeks? Well... first of all, I'm going to IBIZA tomorrow!! It is my long time dream to go visit that legendary party island and now it's about to come true! Secondly, right after Ibiza my cousin is going to come visit me for a week and most possibly we are going to Granada with some friends AND my friend from Barcelona is probably also coming there..! Granada is the one place I still want to visit here in Andalucia.

And that's only two weeks... ;) Like I said, I'm leaving in two weeks and right before I leave, our company is going to arrange a huge pool party for our interns and other people here in Sevilla. Is that the coolest Goodbye-party ever or not?! Not to mention the fact that after leaving Sevilla, I will travel in Europe for a short while and visit Barcelona again, Amsterdam (another dream come true!) and Frankfurt to see a good  friend!!

So, the BEST of the best time EVER! - I think my choice for song this time is pretty obvious....

Don't you give me the stars,

Don't you give me your love,

Don't you give me your heart,

Just give me one night in Ibiza!!

Mike Candys & Evelyn feat. Patrick Miller - One Night In Ibiza

P.S. Besides all that, the national ice hockey team of Finland just got it's way through the quarter finals of World championship tournament today beating USA just 9 seconds before the end of 3rd period! I just hope this will happen again this year: