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Ciao Tutti!
Granada From The Alhambra
We are back from a quick trip to Malaga and Granada, Spain.  The weather was warm and the almond trees are in blossom there.  Gives one hope!  I was surprised to see the hills covered with olive trees between Malaga and Granada.  Granada lies at the bottom of the Sierra Nevada Mountains which are snow covered.  The whole area is very different from where we live in Italy, it is much like northern New Mexico and so I felt like I was home.  

Every Wall
We spent the large part of the day at the Alhambra.  It lies high above Granada and the castle and the buildings show the beauty of the designs made for the Muslim rulers that lived there before Ferdinand and Isabella defeated them.  
I will include some photos of the walls ,ceilings and floors.

Floors
Walls
One has to be amazed to think of the workers carving and making such things.
Ceiling
I have great respect for wood carvers, especially, since I carve wood.  They had real skill!  

Add caption
The view across from the Alhambra is also beautiful.  When you tour the castle you find a lot of viewpoints for photos.   Whoops!!!
Climate Change???
You might notice smoke in the air as Granada has a large problem with wood fires which cause a blanket of smoke over the city.  They clearly need to do something about this problem.

It was a long day of walking and we started searching for a restaurant near our hotel.  A quick glance while driving revealed a small looking bar that might be open in the late afternoon.  We opened their door and BEDLAM!  
Not Pretty But Buonissimo!
The place was packed, noisy, and everyone looked very happy.  We got the last table open and watched plates of food of all types being carried to hungry customers.  The beer was flowing.  
Minnie Mouse Shoe
This scene is so different from what I am used to in northern Italy.  Food at 3:00?  No!  A lot of food!  Italians don't arrive at a restaurant until 7:30 where we live.  SHOCK!  This is my kind of place.  

Alhambra Beer
A lot of beer!  But what got me was the menu, it had so many different choices.  There is a beer named Alhambra, served from the tap.  It deserves mention, no wonder so many people were drinking beer there.  I believe this is one of the best bar/restaurant places I have been to in Europe.  A real gem.  They were not going to win a prize for presentation but the flavors were to die for.  

Now back home January goes by, and in one more month my little lizard friend, that lives under the sidewalk, will be thinking to come out and find the sun.  He is my Italian ground hog, who announces that spring is coming.  I wait and hope for an early appearance.  Wishing you all lots of sun.

Ciao Tutti.

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