January 18th...Flamenco Show, Hiking, and Church.

I finally feel like I am fitting into the culture here in Granada a little more. It is much easier for Dorothy and I to make our way around the city and we have enjoyed very much, going out with our brother, Roberto, and his friends. On Thursday night, we went to an Irish pub with some French friends to sing karaoke. After, we met up with our brother at a pub and walked to a discoteca, where Roberto’s professor was the DJ. The boys were so fun and very kind to us. On Friday night, we met our friend Ashley for tapas, which are just little appetizers and a drink. We had a low-key night so we could rest up for our hike into the Sacramonte Mountains on Saturday morning. A group of six of us started at the foot of the mountain, tucked away in the Albaizin, a rather unsafe neighborhood. We hiked through the small trails, past the caves of real people! Some of them stopped us, and were curious to know how we found their reserves. They wanted to cook for us, and in return, we could pay them. They were very interested in where we were from. Apparently we looked too much like tourists. We hiked to the very top where there was a small school for the children of the 100 person “town”. We crossed over the top and walked down through the streets, where it was much safer. Our senora packed us “bocadillos”, so we had our bag lunches outside in Plaza Nueva. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we walked around for a couple more hours.
Dorothy and I headed back to our apartment to get ready for the Flamenco show, which was also in Albaizin. The show was much different than we had expected. It was held at a gypsy school and the back-drop looked over the city of Granada and the Alhambra lit up at nighttime. There was only one man who played the guitar, two women who clapped, and a man who kept the beat on a box. Eventually, a woman came out and danced. She was phenomenal and had so much emotion as she danced. After the show, we went out for tapas, and then Dorothy and I headed to Mae West. We were hardly dressed up, and we can’t seem to understand why the Spanish guys are so attracted to us Americans. We have heard every pick-up line….”Do you have a lighter?” and “Can you take a picture of us?” and “I think I know you…” and “Oh My God, Que Guapa!” We even walk down the streets and cars honk at us. We just don’t understand what makes us so different from the Spanish girls…..? Dorothy and I are sick of it. It is so much better going out with our Spanish brother and his friends because then no one bothers us...grrr!
We are trying to plan the rest of our Italy trip, although it makes it difficult that we can’t always meet our friend, Ashley. It is not very acceptable to have friends visit the home. Therefore, we have to meet at café’s and pubs to use their wi-fi and plan our trip. This afternoon, Dorothy and I went to La Catedral for mass. For the most part, we were able to understand and follow along until we thought we were supposed to go up to the front for Communion and it turned out to be a special blessing. We were very confused and had to turn around infront of everyone and walk back down the aisle to our seats. About five minutes later, Communion was served and we had to go back up. The church was beautiful and there were nearly 15 alter servers, 2 deacons, 1 priest, and a cardinal! The mass was also televised!