Granada

Seriously, I can't believe that we are in our last week here in Madrid. The time has absolutely FLOWN (there is a standing debate between Jordan Badger, Tyler, and I on the validity of this word). We are excited to be going on our big trip next week and excited to be home soon!
So this weekend we went to a town in the south of Spain called Granada. It should have been named "Hottest Place in the Un-Airconditioned Part of Spain" Despite the heat...it was one of the best trips we have been on! Granada is home to the Alhambra. What is the Alhambra you ask? Well, we asked ourselves the same thing. Everyone kept raving about it and we had to discover the magic for ourselves.
The history of the Alhambra began in the 8th century when the Islamic Moors from Northern Africa conquered the Iberian Peninsula (which encompasses all of Spain and Portugal). They built a gigantic fortress in Granada high on a hill surrounded by water. This is the Alhambra. What is so amazing about this place is 1) its size...it is huge! and 2) the fact that the Christians, when they drove out the Islam people, didn't destroy it, but built around it. It is an amazing place to visit. Tyler has told everyone that it was in the running to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but I don't know if that is a fact or not. Not to say my husband is a liar. But you never can tell what is an actual fact or what is thought by Tyler to be a fact.
My favorite part of the Alhambra was the gardens. In Islam I guess it is important to build beautiful gardens to feel like you are in paradise and closer to God. I found my favorite tree...the Soucer Magnolia. It is beautiful and the flowers smell heavenly. Hopefully I can plant one back in the states and keep it alive! These gardens were amazing. The Moors built an intricate irrigation system with fountains and streams to water all the plants. It is SO green there despite the heat. There were all kinds of trees, flowers, plants, and even a staircase that had a waterfall for the railing. Granada is a must see if you ever find yourself in Espana!
Granada also had an amazing cathedral where Ferdinand and Isabel are buried. Who the heck are they you may ask? Well it is quite important for us Americans to know that Ferdinand and Isabel were the Spanish King and Queen who funded the expedition of a little Italian sailor known as Christopher Colombus who discovered the U-S-of-A!
We are so excited for our upcoming adventures and hope that everyone is doing great back home!
We Love You and Happy 24th of July all you Utahns!