...and then I cried (episode #2)

Travelling can be hard work. Yin/yang. Here's what I'm up to.... I left Cordoba several days ago. I was undecided about when to leave but the decision was made for me when I tried to book one more night at my lovely hostel in Cordoba and they were booked for the weekend! So I had to move on last Saturday. I walked to the bus station and bought a ticket for the 11:00 bus to Granada only to discover I had walked into the adjacent train station and bought a train ticket for 3x the price (although still reasonable). So I arrived in Granada on Saturday afternoon and discovered that Granada is in the Sierra Nevada mountains and it is quite hilly and much colder. Snow is visible on the surrounding mountaintops! I was trying to chase the summer weather. Granada is a very cool city with a huge Moroccan vibe. I've never seen so many dreadlocks, nose and lip piercing, and walked through clouds of marijuana smoke. Funky souq-like shops selling Turkish slippers, lamps, pants, pillow covers, incense, teas and spices etc line narrow crooked lanes. The mornings and evenings are very cold (single digit). I went to the Alhambra today. It is the Moorish palace and fort complex that is famous for its beauty. Normally tickets must be prepurchased online to gain access but because it is so off-season I just went to the wicket and  was sorted within minutes. The good part was that the mobs that usually swarm over the place were mere pesky tour groups but the down side was that the incredible gardens were being put to bed. I had the advantage, though, of seeing autumn leaves in many colours on the trees and on the ground. Yin/yang. After spending many hours, almost 6, at thr Alhambra, I wandered through some stores. When I went into Zara:home, I was overwhelmed by the warm atmosphere, cozy jazz music, and festive table settings. I was sooo homesick!!!! I'm tired of travelling. I want a  bubble bath. I want my slippers. And my pillow. And familiar food. I want to get ready for Christmas. I miss my family and friends. I sat down and cried in the store. Inconspicuously. When I got back to my hostel, the lovely dreadlocked and pierced friendly helpful girl at the desk helped me to plan and arrange the next part of my trip. Tomorrow evening I will take the night train to Tarragona and sleep in a berth and be there Wednesday morning. I know nothing about this place except that Anna is from there, the pop.

is 2000,000 and it is on the Med. Coast about 1 hour before Barcelona. She booked me into a well-located inexpensive hotel (not hostel!!!) and tells me it will be warmer than Granada. So on to the next adventure!!!