Flamenco and La Alhmabra

This past Wednesday, Doug and I got tickets to go into the Alhambra at night, which everybody here has been recommending us to do since the views of the city lit up at night are spectacular from the Alhambra.  So, Wednesday night we went out to get some tapas and then afterwards made our way up to the Alhambra.  It definitely was as wonderful as everyone had described.  It was so quiet and still, which is a big difference from visiting during the day when it is packed with tourists.  However, we had a mix up finding the ticket office and almost didn't get our tickets in time to enter the palaces.  Finally though (after running, literally, all around the Alhambra) we got our tickets and made our way into the palace...with only five minutes to spare!  Once inside though it was so amazing to walk around the moonlit rooms and hallways which were so serene.  We tried taking pictures, but they didn't turn out that well since flash is prohibited, so the pictures are kind of dark and hard to see.

Then on Thursday night, I went to a Flamenco show with API out in Sacromonte (up where all the gypsies apparently live!).  They put the show on in this little cave with pots and pans hanging on the ceilings to reflect the light.  The show was so cool because there was about six different dancers that would each come out and do there own thing, and then sometimes two or three would come out and do a routine together.  Then at the end of the cave, the "band" and other dancers were sitting playing music, clapping and singing.  It was really amazing because most of the dancers, except for one girl, were probably at least in their late 40's, and the best one was probably at least 60.  I couldn't believe how well she could still dance!  It all seemed so spontaneous, although I doubt most of it was.  The funny thing though was that there was one male flamenco dancer that kept looking at Doug and smiling.  Then at one point he just came up and starting dancing right in front of him!  Of course by now Doug couldn't stop laughing, so the dancer kept looking at him more and more and smiling at Doug while he was dancing.  Finally I had to put my hand on Doug's leg to show the guy to back off because it was getting a little bit ridiculous!  

Also, this Saturday a group of us went up to La Alpujarra to hike.  Unfortunately we could only end up doing a one day trip, but it was still amazing.  I haven't uploaded the pictures yet, but once I do I'll be sure to post some.  I hope you all had a great Halloween!