Vamos a dar un paseo...

The Lord enchanted me this weekend with His flair for fun and beauty. Two of my house mates and I spent a lovely afternoon on Sunday in el Parque Garcia Lorca near our apartment, having a blast with our cameras among the fountains, palm trees, grassy lawns, flowers, and "fitness playground equipment" we found there :).

Monday afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit the Alhambra at last...(sigh). Unfortunately, I'm unable to post photos at the moment, but may I say that I have already decided pretty definitively to return to the Alhambra in a month or so, as they tell me it bursts into bloom with the arrival of spring...making it even more glorious than it apppeared yesterday. I didn't realize this, but our guide mentioned that it is the most visited monument in all of Europe, taking first place over even the Louvre in France!

Another fact I learned is that the Alhambra isn't just a castle or a palace--it's a city! Bonafide, for sure, with lovely little cobblestone-like streets and big stone walls, etc. The castle part is the oldest, dating back to the 11th century! It once housed the army, and I got to see the places where the soldiers lived, including a peak down into an old dungeon! The palace part dates to the 16th or 17th century, and was the home of the king and queen and their court--gorgeous! The final part is a beautiful stretch of gardens where the royal family would find repose in the summertime...oh, the air there smells so fresh and clean! The abundance of cyprus trees constantly reminds me of all the Potter's customers who would instantly drop a bundle of money to have them growing in their yards :). (Sorry, only Arborvitae and Sky Pencils in PA!) Like the wine and olive oil and oranges around here, they come with the territory, practically free of charge!

Well, that's all for now--I have more to do before lunch at 2pm, which I wouldn't miss for the world! Today, I believe it's Ana's homemade rice and artichoke soup with homemade tuna and tomato pizza! Sooo delicious!

Padre, por favor, bendiles a mis amigos y dales la bendicion de tu presencia en todos los aspectos de sus vidas! Gracias, Senor, por este dia magnifico y por tu gracia y redencion que nos siguen cada dia. Te bendecimos Senor.