GRANADA...

I arrive in Granada just in time for my first day of class. I've signed myself up for a two-week intensive language course at the Escuela Carmen de los Cuevos. The school is, among other things, well known for being a flamenco and classical Spanish guitar school. This adds a lot to the experience because they have connections to some of the greatest flamenco shows in town, you get to hear beautiful flamenco guitar all day, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the school itself is located in the Albaycin which makes me think they could make more money as a hotel...the views are spectacular.

From Spain

From Spain

this is the view of the Alhambra that i saw on the first morning walking to class.

the classes are small and personal, the pace was just right. The challenge at any language school in Europe is that your circle of friends is often limited to those with your same mastery of the language (or lack there of!) and you end up speaking english all afternoon because EVERYONE's English is better than their French, Spanish, German, Danish, etc. etc.

The Albaycin is a neighborhood in Granada haphazardly set into the hillside with windy streets, whitewashed buildings and tiny little doors...

From Spain

this one is about three and a half feet tall.

There are actually caves at Carmen de las Cuevas and this is where all the flamenco classes take place (because they are so darn noisy!) but the language classes are held on the upper terraces overlooking the city.

From Spain

The school is charming, making new friends is a breeze and i'm excited to be learning a language again...I treat myself to some gelato on the way home...

From Spain