Still in Granada.

I’ve been in my new place for two weeks now and have settled in pretty well. I had the place to myself for a week before my flatmate Susana got back from Madrid. I haven’t lived with anyone in five years so I can admit that I was a bit wary about the change but it’s been going extremely well and can affirm that change can be a good thing. The flat is smaller but we have a huge outdoor space with a vegetable garden, a hammock, and a pool which is absolutely fantastic (although my blonde hair isn’t so keen on all the chlorine). The sunsets are also pretty great.

I’ve been given permission to re-enter St. Kitts but the borders are still closed (and will be for quite some time) so it’s going to be a bit of trip getting there. In the meantime I’ve been enjoying a bit of Granada which is still relatively free of tourists although they are now permitted to enter. I’ve been to the Alhambra twice in as many weeks which is unheard of. It is usually extremely difficult to get tickets as they can get booked up months in advance. Usually 3,000 people per day enter (apparently) and at the moment there’s almost no one which I was really happy to be able to take advantage of. I went on a night visit a few weeks back which was truly magical and having only been once before when I first arrived in Granada three years ago, I was keen to return in the daytime to see it all again. I went last week when it was still cool out and there were no people around. It was surreal but a real privilege to have the place almost to myself. I’d quite like to go to some other spots that are less well known but the heat does also keep me inside for a fair chunk of the day.

Last night Lucía and I had our last Sunday meal together. We formed a lovely tradition over the past few months and I’m grateful for it. She has managed to find a way back to her hometown and leaves in a few days. It will be weird without her here as even with the move I’ve still seen her regularly (she too has enjoyed the pool…). It marks an end to the strange experience we have shared this year, one that I don’t think we will forget quickly.

I wasn’t expecting to be here over the summer and although of course it will be good to get back into the swing of things once I’m at home, I can’t deny that although while still spending a lot of time in my flat/by the pool, I have been enjoying the long summer nights here, with cold beers and tapas. There is something quite special about the European summer nights. And with that, I’m off to enjoy it.