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

TOP LIST: Dance Música España

Since I can't think clearly because of the heat wave (constantly +36C!), I cannot also write anything reasonable. Therefore I'm going to present you some dance, electro and house music that they play here in Spain. As you can imagine, when it comes playing quality electonic music, Finland is FAR behind. That's why you guys can now find something nice and different music for parties etc.!

Before I start my view of the top 15, I just wanna say, that you're allowed to disagree and comment! One more thing! All the songs and the ones that didn't fit in the top15 can be found HERE !

Dance Música España - Top 15

#15 Sak Noel - Loca people
Well everybody knows this song and I'm actually pretty fed up with it... But since I've had to notice SEVERAL times that the lyrics are totally correct (in good and bad) I just have to include this track to the top15...!

#14 Inna - Sun Is Up
Not exactly my type of music, but I kind of like it for some reason. I think it's her voice..? And then again, 11 million views, so she can't be that bad! :P

#13 Martin Solveig & Dragonette feat Idoling! - Big In Japan
This duo makes pretty cheerful songs! Cheerful songs - if they're any good - usually make you cheerful! So this song earns it's place since it's... Cheerful! "S-T-A-R - that's what you are!"

#12 David Guetta feat Sia - Titanium
David Guetta is the number one DJ in the world according to the British DJ Magazine. Well, I have to say he might be a cocky French, but when it comes to producing music, he wrote the book!

#11 Christian Marchi feat Dr. Feelx - Love Sex American Express
This song is of course maybe a bit rude and senseless for some people... but I just love it! Very good house music with some funny lyrics will place it number 11.

#10 Eric Prydz - Pjanoo
Reaaally nice song from few years back. I didn't even remember song before I "reheard" it hear on the radio. No wonder this guy was popular years back: the melody just rocks all the way to the top 10!


#9 David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On (Michael Calfan Remix)
David Guetta and Nicki Minaj are pretty good already, but the original song would not have made it to my list. This remix by Michael Calfan is not so good known.. but IT IS DIAMOND!

#8 Tiësto feat Kay - Work Hard, Play Hard
Everybody knows Tiësto! The guy was ranked the world #1 DJ for 3 times in a row! He's a legend. I think there's enough reasons in addition to the fact that it's an awesome song.


#7 Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound (Radio Edit) 
Pretty new one, just came out! I have to say that the Swedish are ahead of us again... Avicii, these guys... They know just how to make good house music..!


#6 The Ian Carey Project - Get Shaky
Veeery good one! I've come to discover in here that American house DJ's are actually pretty damn good! This is just another example of that!

#5 Avicii - Levels
For the whole time I have been here, they've played this song over and over on the radio. It was the most popular song for at least 4 months! And... it's hard to disagree! That's why top 5!

#4 Mike Candys Evelyn Feat. Patrick Miller - One Night In Ibiza
This Austrian DJ has just his breakthrough to the top - at least if they ask me! Ibiza.. it's my dream about to come true in less than week, so how can I NOT place this in the top 5? ;)

#3 Basto - Again and again
I know this might not be the favourite song for many. When I hear this song, I just want to enjoy the moment, the feeling, the sounds! It is a perfect summer song! Just forget everything else.

#2 Nadia Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji - Pressure
The melody, the lyrics, the synhts, the rhytm, the structure... This song is one of the best I've heard for a long long while... Especially this particular remix. Nothing else to say really!


#1 Armin van Buuren ft. Sharon den Adel - In and Out of Love
Definate number one, numero uno, numero yksi! Not so new anymore, but then again what does it matter when it's ageless, beautiful - perfect! This is the song that I'll remember from here to the rest of my life!

Falling in & out of love
in love, in love
Falling in & out of love
your love, your love 
in love; in love; in love

Why can't you see it?
 Why can't you feel?
In & out of love each time.
 

Escape to the sin city, part 3: Chillin' out!

So we got back from The club around… maybe at 5, maybe at six… and mom, I was dressing up like a bitch! But then what goes up… must come down! We had to change hostel the next day. And it happens to be that when you check out a hostel you have to do it 10 am in the morning at the latest! So after 2 hours of intensive sleep we got up and started to navigate our way to the next hostel.

This place was a bit more further from the city centre, but it was near the FC Barcelona football stadium Camp Nou! We spent the day by chilling out at a park next to the stadium sleeping and sun bathing.. Chillin’ baby, chillin’! In the evening we headed back to the centre of the city to see my travel mates’ cousin and her friends again.
  

There, as we were sitting on this outdoor terrace and drinking some STRONG sangria from a can, this French guy from the next table came to talk to us. His friend had been pick pocketed! The thief had taken the guys credit card and ID’s… The thief had been pretending to be a guy inviting people to clubs, giving away flyers and stuff and then started “dancing” with this guy and off goes your stuff..!

Seriously, I’m telling you guys the same as my friend told us the first day we got to BCN: EVERYONE who comes to talk to you on La Rambla is a probable thief. So don’t talk to them, don’t stop and take care of your stuff! Everyone besides the “beer, cerveza?” –guys. They’re usually okay an’ if you should need some refill, they can save your day! :D

                         Remember to f*ck this on Facebook!                This guy is not one of the thiefs!

Anyway, we were so tired that we went back to hostel pretty early. We had some good night sleep until the next – and last day – in the sin city of Spain… On the last day we decided to go to the beach. Now this is what Sevilla lacks: the beach. Barcelona has several kilometers of nice beach where to sun bathe and chill out. The weather wasn’t the best though, but we enjoyed it.

After the beach we went to see this park designed by Antonio Gaudi. Very nice and modernistic park. What a shame that people of the time never understood it. By the way, while visiting the park, three (3!!) different people were trying to reach my friends purse – so annoying! Anyway, some time after the park we got back to the hostel and tried to get some sleep before our very, very early flight back to Sevilla.

After about 1,5 hours of sleep at 2 o’clock in the morning we headed out back to the airport and back to Sevilla. Back to safety from the city of pick pocketers, prostitutes and drug dealers :D I was back at work at 9 in the morning… pretty tired as you can imagine!

Tired but happy! 

I won’t break down tonight.
I feel it for the first time.
I feel it for the first time.

I found a new place here.
I’m coming down fast.

Afrojack & Steve Aoki feat. Miss Palmer "No Beef"

Escape to the sin city, part 2: Hello Barcelona!

Early on Thursday morning I headed out for the airport in Sevilla with a… let’s say a good friend ;) By the way we missed the airport bus, had to take a taxi instead and pay 25 euros instead of 2,30€… Nice start, aye? :D Anyway, by noon we were already walking in the streets of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, Spain!

I chose to go to Barcelona as a friend of mine lives there and she promised to be a guide for us! However, on Thursday she was still on a 9 hour journey back from Madrid so the first day was very typical tourist day. We just wandered around the main street “La Rambla” and wondered all the crazy stuff going on in the “sin city” of Spain (nickname that I gave, not in general use).

In the evening, around 10 or 11 pm we agreed that we’d meet this friend of mine and go for “one” beer… Well you know what happens when you’re going for “one” with a friend you haven’t seen for a while :D So we crawled back to the hostel around 3 or 4 in the night after seeing half a dozen of the coolest bars in the Barcelona city center, some prostitutes in the notorious area of El Raval and some pickpocketers around La Rambla (which the city is infested with)!

Next day, Friday, we got up pretty late (I wonder why) and started to plan our next moves for the day. The plan was to meet up with my friend and go see some of the famous buildings designed by Antonio Gaudi, who had influenced to the architecture in Barcelona a lot. Also generally, Barcelona is very nice city to visit because of its modernism in the architecture!

After that, later in the evening it was time for an international dinner! We had appetizers from Colombia (some fried sliced banana with salt and cheese), main course from Finland (kesäkeitto = summer soup, milk based soup with a lot of vegetables ;) and the dessert from Holland (some sort of chocolate jelly)! Also the dinner party was very international as we had people from Finland, Holland, Austria, Lithuania and Mexico!

Later in the evening, we went shortly to meet my travel mate’s cousin and her friends. This time I was the only European as there were people from all over South-America: Mexico, Venezuela and so on! I have to say that South-Americans, they’re laid back people! :)

Even later from that, we headed out for some SERIOUS PARTYING at the biggest club in Barcelona: Razzmatazz! Well actually it’s around 6 or 7 clubs in 3 floors in the same club made out of old factory building… It was unbelievable! You could change from one “room” to another to listen some other kind of music style and choose whatever room you’d prefer… How cool is that!?

More about the escape to Barcelona on part 3!

Tell you like it is with a kiss,
Baby when it drips from your lips.
Tell you like it is it’s like this,
Don’t be such a slave to your brother.


Baby get shaky after school,
Oooh ooh ohhh ohhh there you ooh there you, baby go crazy break the rules,
Oooh ooh ohhh ohhhh there you ooh there you go go go go go go go go ohoh ohhh there you go go go go, ohhh ohhh there you go!

The Ian Carey Project – Get Shaky

Escape to the sin city, part 1: Semana Santa

Allrighty then, now I’m gonna tell you guys about my great escape from the Semana Santa in Sevilla. I started the planning when I got to know about the stuff going on here in Sevilla during the week. There was gonna be some interesting (crazy!) stuff going on and maybe a “few” people (tens of thousands!) hanging out on the streets in the centre (where I live!).

You see, Andalucía is entitled to be the most “Spanish” area in Spain. Also, it is the most religious area in Spain. And also, Easter a.k.a. Semana Santa is maybe the biggest religious festival. Of course there’s nothing wrong with being religious and stuff, but I still had to get out of the city and next I’m gonna explain why...
 

Festival of Semana Santa basically lasts for the whole week and obviously when the end of the week is coming closer, stuff gets more and more intensive. Every day there are thousands of people on the streets watching these never-ending parades going through the streets.

The parades consist of bands playing religious march music and of these HUGE structures of Santa Maria (St. Mary) carried on by dozens of men. The scariest part, however, are the brotherhoods that are also part of the parades. Basically there are hundreds of these dudes carrying candles and wearing robes. And guess what they look like when wearing those robes? The KKK my friend, it’s pretty scary!

So I was here in Sevilla until Thursday morning and actually it was interesting to see the parades go by my house. They started probably in the afternoon and kept going on until very late in the night. This thing is huge here! The guys who carry the St. Mary structures - they train for this week only for the whole f*cking year! I could see them training with these hugely heavy structures in the streets in February for example.

Anyway, all this stuff was very interesting as we don’t have anything like that in our culture.. BUT besides the fact that I’m not that religious myself and not THAT interested, I also wasn’t very keen to watch AND listen to the parades going below my balcony all day, EVERY day of the week....So I had to get away..! :D

When did punk rock become so safe?
When did the scene become a joke?
The kids who used to live for beer and speed
Now want their fries and coke
Cursing and flipping birds are not allowed,
In fact let's keep noise levels down

Must separate the church and skate!

NOFX – The Separation of Church and Skate 


PS. Would you like to know more? Here's another blogpost about the Semana Santa written by another amazed foreigner and actually I had to borrow the picture from there as well!

Travelling in Andalucía: Gibraltar

The second day of our travel started pretty early at Marbella. We headed southwest towards this huge rock known as Gibraltar. A small city in the south end of Spain… Except that it is not part of Spain, but the UK instead! While driving there the view was – again - more than nice and it got better all the time we were closing Gibraltar! When we were almost at the border, a huge queue of cars started to gather ahead of us: I guess it is popular for Spanish people to go shopping in Gibraltar as they have no VAT (ALV) at all in there! And so then we stood in the queue for an hour or so…

Gibraltar, here we come!

Finally, we reached the border and the Spanish customs officers who couldn’t care less changed into these very polite British “Bobbies”, which was funny and also a nice change at the same time! After the customs we encountered something interesting! You see, Gibraltar is a pretty small piece of land and most of it is covered with the “Upper rock” – a huge rock that you can’t build houses on – so there is not a lot of land to use in there. And so the weird thing was that when we were driving the road leading to the city we came across an airfield… Like literally: drove across a fully sized airfield! There’s not enough room otherwise, so they just made an intersection right in the middle of the field!

A road crossing the airfield? I would say that DON'T pass when the light is red!
Also, a pointer for the pilot when landing: do not break late! :D

After getting through the airfield we got our first look at the city of Gibraltar, home for some 30,000 British and also some Spanish (I think). Altogether, Gibraltar didn’t differ from the Spanish cities a lot. The streets were as narrow, there were as many scooters, people were driving on the “right” side of the road and architecture was pretty much the same. Anyway, it is still another country and for example all the signs were in English, the currency was pound and so on. By the way, the prices were the pretty much the same as in Finland, except that they were in pounds! So basically a beer was 4,50£ which is like 6 Euros!

So after having some f*cking expensive beer we decided to head up to the Upper rock! There are a lot of things to see up there! First of all, the view in there is amazing! You can see all over to Costa del Sol in the northeast, city of Alcerigas in the north and Morocco, Africa in the south!  Besides the views there are some cool caves on the rock, including some old British fortresses. And then of course the Makakis, the little monkeys! :D Those little fellas are really a fun to look at and even hold in your arms!

I will definately recommend anyone visiting Andalucía to also visit Gibraltar, it is quite amazing!

Sun is up
Move your body
I got moves and all the night I will not sit, yeah.
I came up
For this party
I wont stop till mr.dj stops the beat, yeah sun is up.

Inna - Sun Is Up