#3- The Southern Coast, Granada, and La Mancha

After Sevilla, we made our way down south to the coast. To clear one thing up, 300 Euros equals about $400 US, needless to say, no Flamenco dress for Shauna!! Also, I just realized I've been spelling hostel wrong. It's NOT hostile- I've been watching too much Lost! Anyways, Doug took me to the best beach ever in Nerja. It reminded me of Laguna with all the cliffs and rocks. It was so weird because there were no waves, it was more like a lake. Also, the water was really salty but we had to go in. We were pretty much the only ones in the water, but loved it none the less!

Eating at an Italian restaurant. We were so starved we had a pizza, lasagna, and of course Doug had to have Spanish Tortilla.

We were very happy now that we had eaten!

This could be Laguna!

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea!!


A group of men going out to fish in a very old boat.

Doug's parallel parking job- not much room for our little car.

Driving up to Granada was amazing. The views were incredible and I couldn't believe all the open land along the coast. I wouldn't mind an acre or 2!

Now this was HILARIOUS!!! We finally got to Granada around 11PM. We were sandy, salty, hungry, and still in our bathing suits. Doug knew where our hostel was, but we couldn't get to it because the road it was on had a security gate. We finally parked our car and walked to it so we could get the code. Well, going back to our car we got soooo LOST! The roads in Granada are crazy and tiny. We probably hunted for our car for a good hour and just laughed when we finally found it. Notice how narrow the street is that Doug is on.

The road that our hostel was on (morning). Notice the pylons on the side of the street. When we finally found the hostel Doug parked up on the curb and hit a pylon and the top went rolling down the street. Everyone was staring at us and I practically peed my pants from laughing so hard. It had been a very LONG day!

Granada is famous for The Alhambra. It was a Moorish Palace that was eventually taken over by the Spanish in 1492. It was unbelievable. I rented a head set which helped me to understand and appreciate this palace. Otherwise, I would have been bored- I know sad, but it's true.



The gardens were beautiful and smelt amazing. It was so calming because you could hear water running throughout the entire garden and it was enormous!





The architecture was incredible. The detail was unlike anything I had ever seen.



We left Granada and made our way North towards Toledo. We stopped at La Mancha where we saw the famous windmills from Don Quixote. I had to read that book in Spanish and it all made sense now! I could have used this trip during my Spanish days.


Next stop Toledo. . .

#2- Sevilla- A highlight of the trip!

After we spent 1 night in Madrid we made our way down south to Sevilla.

1st we stopped in Trujillo- an amazing ancient town where many of the conquistadors are from. What fascinated me were the kids that were in school in that old castle like building. I don't think I could have taught Spanish there, that's for sure!!


We made it to Sevilla and had to go to a Flamenco Show at Los Gallos. It was unbelievable.


I thought I was a Flamenco dancer after the show!

Now this was my FAVORITE (you can tell by all the pictures)!!!!!!! We were in Sevilla during the Feria which is the huge Fair they have. It's about a week long and all the women and little girls dress in their AMAZING and expensive (300 Euros- I wanted to buy one) Flamenco dresses. They were to die for. Bright colors, polka-dots, etc. The men dress in these fabulous suits and they party hard all day and night. When we checked out of our hotel the next morning a group of guys were just coming in at 7:30am. Oh to be young again! I wanted so bad to be a Sevillana, it was crazy.




I loved this! Everyone cruised to the Feria on their Mopeds in their outfits. I was beyond jealous!


Not the same!

I loved seeing the Mom's push their kids in their strollers wearing those great dresses- sorry for all of the behind shots. I think her son caught me in action! :)

This made Doug and I chuckle a bit- I know we're real mature!

I had to try one on, I mean it was polka-dots. They sure are tight!

Entrance to the Feria- they don't mess around!



Now there were 100's of these tents. We wanted to get in one so bad, but they are each private with their own security guard, band, cook, and all the fun in the world. Needless to say, we were jealous!


On one end was the hugest carnival ever with the craziest/ scariest rides that would never be allowed in the States. Doug and I just sat and watched. We were dying laughing, seeing these people risk their lives. It was unbelievable!


This was by far a highlight of our trip. Just the culture alone was so rich. If any of you get a chance to go to Spain, you have to go to Sevilla during the Feria. Words can't describe how amazing it is!

Spain Recap #1- 1st day in Madrid

Now I am going to try and recap our trip as best I can. This may be more for mine and Doug's memories, but enjoy none the less!

Our wheels!! I loved this car because it was actually big compared to the rest of the cars in Spain. I was amazed by Doug's driving ability because if I had been behind the wheel, I would have hit other cars and people! Doug never even used a map and got us everywhere.

One of the first signs I saw in Spain. I was a little excited to see "Lost" in Spanish. By the way, Suzanne, you called it. I'm still dying over the last episode!

Our hostel in the heart of Madrid. Below us was a KFC and McDonalds- go figure.

View from our room.

King's Palace


Spain has the most amazing fountains and statues all over.

#1 of Doug's many ice cream cones!

I feel like I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to food, but I was wrong. When we first got to Spain and I saw all the American restaurants I said to Doug, "We are only eating Spanish food, no KFC/ Burger King." Well that changed quickly and I hate fast food. Doug took me to this restaurant called Los Cuevos- "The Caves" (it was in a cave) and we had suckling pig and some weird "salad". The pig wasn't bad, but the rest of it- not my favorite! The next day we went to McDonalds and I ordered a Caesar Salad. In Spain, they don't have Caesar dressing, then how is it a Caesar salad???

Spain was all about Futbol, Flamenco, and . . .

The MULLET!!!!!!!



We are back from the most unforgettable trip of our lives and I want to share everything, but had to get the most important pictures off. We died seeing all the hundreds- literally- of mullets that hit the streets of Spain. We saw everything from the she-mullet to the rats tail. It was INCREDIBLE!! Now they always say Europe starts the fashion trends, so is this really what is coming?? I'm a little nervous! More to come!