Granada

This is dangerous. Having free access to a computer at the hostel means i spend most of my time, when i would otherwise be sleeping, on the net surfing like i´ve never surfed before. Understandably, i´ve had pretty limited internet access since i´ve been in Europe, so i´ve been making the most of it. HAVE TO CONTROL MYSELF.

Speaking of bad habits, it´s suddenly occurred to me that i´ve been travelling so long now that i´ve come to notice even the smallest of details in a hostel. This of course concerns what shelving or storage space is offered, what size the lockers are, is breakfast included, and if so how good is it ?(yep, Oasis have pancakes), what tours are offered, is there free internet access, what type of backpacker´s come here, is it a party or a relaxing hostel, and most importantly.... is there an oven for baking?

I am happy to say i am more than satisfied with my sleeping arrangements in the Granada hostel i´m staying at, ´Oasis´; there is a shelf that runs alongside the bunk, a bedside light, warm blankets, an ensuite and lots of coathangers. But what´s the best part, you ask? A private 8-man dorm, occupied solely by me and all my stuff. Not a bad deal, for €12 a night.

Look! Nobody there..

Well, just me. And my perfect shelf, perfect lamp and perfect blanket... What bliss.


In other more noteworthy news, arrived in Granada a few days ago - probably the most beautiful city in the whole of Europe. I hate to exaggerate, but it really is incredible; the city used to be encolsed by a large wall, and has since expanded past this area. Consequently, you´ve got lots of narrow cobble streets with the original terracotta roofing and white-painted exterior, maintaining a uniform across the whole city. The buildings are situated on the mountain, the area now known as the trendy Albaicin - there are even still remnants of the wall today, found on the right side of the neighbourhood. Then at the bottom you´ve got a high street-equivalent, followed by a flat district of laneways and gardens. It´s friggin´gorgeous: see for yourself if you don´t believe me...

Mirador de Sant Nicholas, i.e. good place to go for a view of La Alhambra which is now Europe´s most paid tourist attraction

Outdoor gymnasium... cool!

Arab baths we visited as part of a free walking tour, organised through the hostel

Big hippy festival I discovered in passing, with interpretive dance, a bunch of crazy dogs, clown performances, dozens of different music gigs and a lot of marijuana. But the highlight was definitely the very tasty, middle-eastern €1 lunch, which was satisfactory to say the least

Another free walking tour organised through the hostel: a hike to catch sunset views of the city