Alhambra

Yesterday I found this great little Kebab hole in the wall by La Plaza Nueva and had my falafel on a bench outside talking to a gypsy and she thought I was from Ireland! Score! Then we spent the afternoon at the Alhambra, the huge Muslim fortress and palace on a hill overlooking the city. The decoration used is so different from anything I’ve ever seen. The outside and entryways of the buildings are very plain but the inside and patios are incredibly ornate. They use muqarna, a plaster element that hangs down from the ceiling like little beehives, to symbolize stalactites in the cave where Muhammed had his revelation. My favorite garden was also the saddest. There was a beautiful garden built where the harem girls who were never chosen as the sultan’s favorite committed suicide.