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!!