After a Week in Granada

We have been in this beautiful city for one week today.  I would have never guessed the things that we would see or do.  We started with five very hectic days with Tino Soriano, the National Geographic photographer.  His use of color is brilliant. The students interacted so well with him and you could see he was making a difference with their work.  We walked the city with him, went to the science park, and photographed a flamenco session under his guidance.  When he left there was a definite sadness in the air.  The kids lined up to hug him goodbye. He gently placed besos on each girls cheek and shook hands and patted the boys on the shoulder.  You could feel the connection.  

He caught his taxi to the train station and life without Tino slowed down.

Our Hostel Costa Azul is great. I would tell anyone to stay here. It is located in a great location...we step out the door and 15 feet in front is a fresh fruit and veggie stand.  Around the corner are lots of outdoor cafes and the market is a five minute walk. We have great AC and hot water...things we some times take for granted.

We have eaten so much food on this trip...except for breakfast of course. The other two meals are big and I have had much more food than what I am used to eating. Madrid was big on tapas and here we are big on variety.  We have had Middle Eastern sharmas, Mexican food,  great pasta, Asian wok and of course lots of typical Spanish food such as paella and tostado espanola. The ice cream is a must.

Our cultural experience has been that of a tourist at times and a local at other times.  We have seen the beautiful cathedral and Alambra and then we go to a tieta where we watch a very famous bull fighter Salvador Vega test the breeding line of several bulls to see if they are contest worthy.  And then today we go by bus to a country club and watch a session of English horse riding as they practice their jumps.  When you throw in the flamenco dancing photography shoot that Tino set up for us it unfolds as a trip with a huge variety of firsts both for the students and for me.