Adventureland in Monachil

This semester's group REALLY likes to hike. Many of them go on their own on overnight trips just out in the wilderness of Spain. Kudos! I don't think I could do it without a tent.. and maybe running water. But last weekend, we headed to Monachil for a nice afternoon hike. It turned into almost 6 hours with the sun beating on us (some of them got hilarious sun burns) but it was exhilarating and definitely worth it!

Monachil is about 25 minutes away from Granada, so we took a city bus. Monachil is known for its waterfalls. It was like another world! We walked across those giant jungle-esque bridges with the wood planks that always break in the movies- for the record, they were very safe and stable; we walked underneath a waterfall, and we walked through caves! It was so awesome!

One of the waterfalls!

Roommate Kelsy and I. You can see a waterfall just on the right side.

We crossed two of these bridges. I didn't realize how badly I wanted to do this... until we did it. I mean, who doesn't wanna say they crossed one of those jungle bridges that could break under your feet at any point while crossing sending you to your imminent death? Hello!

The 'big bridge'- only four people could cross at a time! That little detail was a little nerve wracking, but it was very safe. I ended up crossing with the three boys in our group who insisted that we spring across it. One ran like an elephant so I felt like I was on a trampoline.

One of the caves we walked through.

At the top of the mountain we walked up we could see both Monachil and Granada! Monachil is the closer city, and Granada is the one in the distance.

Sidenote- Monachil is where we came for the Temascal hut. Kelsey and I were having some pretty serious deja vu on the way over. Luckily, it didn't disappoint!

We got through all the caves and bridges and were at the halfway point. We could turn around or continue where there wasn't a path. Naturally, we chose to continue on into the wilderness. We only had a couple hours before our bus left so we had to move fast. We walked through a small lake (ok total exaggeration, it was a stream.. but my shoes were soaked!) Then we ran out of trail and had no idea what to do. We just kept walking up the small mountain though.. hoping we would find some form of civilization.

Long story short, we missed our bus. Everyone was out of water and we were desperate to get back to the city. We got to the point of no return- a drop off or fenced off private property. Naturally we chose the private property. John is leading us through this hippie residential area. People are staring and it was a little creepy. Luckily in our dehydrated state we didn't notice. At one point, we came upon a family of about 9 all equipped with a shotgun. SHOTGUNS. I have no idea what they were shooting... or what they wanted to be shooting but we ran. Real life. We ran through their yard and down a small hill. I honestly don't even remember how we got back to the city but we beelined to the only restaurant and got beers, waited for the next bus two hours later and got home!

In all honesty it was such a really great trip! I'm actually bringing my parents here when they visit and I'm so excited! Now I know to just turn around after the cool stuff and go back for more pictures.

I have officially one month left here. It is so crazy to think that I've been in Spain for 8 months!!

Semana Santa

Not to brag or anything, but I am writing this out in the sun where it is 70+ degrees! This totally makes up for the 6 weeks of constant rain we've had. I'm a little behind on the blogs! But, in my defense, I've been laying out in the sun for almost 7 days straight so I've been busy :)

The end of March was Semana Santa. It means 'Holy Week'- it's the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. During the entire week there are processions throughout the city. Andalucía is famous for extravagant celebrations.

In Granada, there are 'brotherhoods' that are associated with each of the churches which plan and participate each of the processions. Each day has a theme based on the Easter story (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, ect.). There is a float (or 2 or 3 or 6), a marching band, and any array of other symbols from the Easter story. They take over the entire street, walking through the whole city. Bus routes change, streets close, and the whole city comes out to watch.

We only made it to the Thursday procession since it rained alllllll week. On Friday we hiked up to Sacromonte to see the gypsy procession where they start fires and do a big ceremony, but it was cancelled due to weather. We were so disappointed. So on Thursday, we headed to Plaza Nueva where the procession started but it was PACKED. We couldn't see, we couldn't move, we could barely breathe. So we made our move. Kelsey and I are at the point now where we know all the shortcuts through the city, so we started running through alleys- knocking over strollers, cutting off everyone and anyone in our way, pushing grandmas- and we got to another part of the parade. We started walking the WRONG WAY where the procession was coming, to find the perfect spot. Ok, just picture this- Kelsey and I are running up the street toward the procession- it's like running up the street where the 4th of July parade goes in Albert Lea. Such a social no no! We sat down in front of these people and had front row seats, when this old lady starts jabbing me in the back and freaking out that we are in their spots- I am sitting on the street! It's not like I was in her way! Suddenly, I spotted it. The perfect spot. We crossed the street to this open area, I still have no idea why it was open when the rest of the street was packed, and had front row seats!! It. Was. Awesome.

I know these guys look like the KKK, which I will explain soon. These are called nazareno, which are a penitential robe. It's a tunic, a hood with a cone tip (AKA capirote), and sometimes a cloak, and they vary in color based on the brotherhood. The idea behind the cone tipped hats are so the public can't tell who it is based on height. And they are masked so the people can repent for their sins anonymously. Sometimes they walked barefoot! All of them carried a candle, or a cross like the picture above.

The word on the street (literally) is that the KKK saw a Semana Santa procession and took these costume ideas.

The Pontius Pilate platform

The platforms are massive. I honestly can't describe how huge they are. About a hundred men walk under them to carry them through the city. In the parade we saw, there were 6! It was crazy! For those of you who know what this is, the platforms are about as big as a hay wagon.

Each one has a theme. The procession we saw on Maundy Thursday, had a scene of Pontius Pilate meeting with Jesus, 2 of Jesus carrying the cross, and 3 of the Virgin Mary. Each one was more extravagant than the one before it.

The is a show of Jesus carrying the cross, his feet are shackled and everything.

And the platform of Jesus carrying the cross.

One of the Virgin Mary platforms.

The second platform of Jesus carrying the cross.

This is the final Virgin Mary platform. The colors of Mary changed, the first one was white (pictured above), the second was purple, and the final one was blue (pictured here).

It was such an amazing night. The procession was 3 hours long! Since we were so close, I got to touch 2 of them- the platform showed below, and the final Virgin Mary platform above. It's supposed to bring a blessed year! (So far so good!)

It was such a crazy evening. It just really brought to life what Jesus went through, especially the guy carrying the cross with his ankles chained together.

On Easter Sunday we had some friends over to the residencía to make a big American Easter breakfast. I went to church, came home, and made an obscene amount of food with everyone. It was a great way to spend the day. I know this is way behind, but I hope you had a blessed Easter holiday with good food, good family and friends, and good fellowship!

What an Easter! Christ is risen!