A few conversations lately made me recollect the first summer holiday I enjoyed as a young adult with a best friend, and not my family. It was the summer of 2001, and I couldn’t have felt more grown-up. Whatever ambivalence we have about our past, there’s no denying the intoxicating excitement of being so young and new to life, ever ready to fall profoundly in love with world discovery. These poorly captured aesthetics of Granada’s magic from that particular summer, represents all that I miss about youth – the promise of a new life.
Within hours of arrival and a bit of an overreaction to the impressive fortresses of Moorish homes.
A square we hung out at regularly in the Al-Baysin area overlooking the majestic Al Hambra.
White stucco fronted homes peppered with rich green foliage throughout.
The great Al Hambra… Moorish architecture in all its extravagant splendour. Full whole days were not enough to scour through the endless property and its grounds. Every piece, every carving, every calligraphy had so much thought and intention poured into it. It’s astounding how the imagination of those before us can continue to enchant us centuries after it was ever conceptualised. I’m still not sure if what we created in the modern age has the capacity to last far into the future the way that the past has touched us today.
Back-streets and alleyways of Al-Baysin. Filled with tea houses, shisha parlours, ottoman stores and baklava sweet shops. And from time to time, a man and his donkey.
There was always live music, chatter and life coming out of this restaurant serving Moroccan and Mediterranean meals. We would sit on the steps across from it and watched people watching people. Comforting to know that a latest google search, 20 years later, confirms that this bar still exists today – https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187441-d8096902-Reviews-Las_Cuevas_Del_Albaicin-Granada_Province_of_Granada_Andalucia.html
Hallmarks of the region’s architecture.
Looking for The Higher Self 
Hello lovely, what a cute little excursion to the wonders of our innocent teenage-times and of course, to the magnificence of Granada and the Alhambra! I enjoyed this and will keep your restaurant recommendation in mind for my next trip to Granada. I hope you have been keeping well in this crazy time! Hugs and blessings your way ✨✨✨
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Oh gosh yes, I thought of you when I wrote this back in March. I kept thinking how lucky you must be to have been in close proximity with such visual splendour all the time. Spain was I think the first country I explored on my own without my family, so certain crumbs sticks to my memory walls like glue. Like the heat, the scent and smell. The restaurant wasn’t necessarily the best it was just that it was so atmospheric and perched on the steps of the Al Baysin quarter. I hope you’ve been keeping well too – sorry I fell into a bit of a black hole and slowly trying to regain back to normality now.. will be in touch soon.
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Hi lovely, aww that’s so sweet of you! I did not get to visit Granada too often, but when I did, it was surely super magical 💓 Some places and experiences such as yours traveling to Spain on your own do stay with us and keep a special place in our hearts, don’t they! I have been really feeding on my positive travel memories the last year, it’s so important to discern what information we feed our minds (and hearts). No worries regarding the black hole – I visit there frequently myself, haha. Nice and calm there 😉 Big hugs lovely!!!💓💓💓
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My dear – I’m so sorry for such a late reply. I fell sick not long after your message and have had to be offline. I’m better now thank God. I’m so glad you’ve been feeding on your positive travel memories last year – it was and is definitely a period of time where memories give us the most comfort for now. It really sticks to the heart and I guess that’s why we do it – to keep providing some healing and comfort to the soul! Big hugs for now.
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Hi my gorgeous, thank you for your beautiful message. No worries at all, I am just so glad you are feeling better now!! Its important to put self-care first… I had so much heartbreak myself too…so I feel ya… what a hard time we are having…sending big warm hugs and much love, sweet soul…will answer your other lovely comments soon…much love xox
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Oh no Im so sorry about your heartbreak… praying that this year will grant us so much patience, healing and forgiveness 💕🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻
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Thank you so much, gorgeous! I am joining your beautiful prayers. Sending much love. Will answer your comments soon xoxo
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