Last week, my super majo (nice) friend, Armando, asked me if I would be interested in going with him and his wife to Granada for a quick one-day ski trip on Saturday. After having to think for less than a second, I said ummmm CLARO QUE SI!! ME ENCANTARIA IR! (Of course! I would love to go!) I work with Armando at the high school, and I also give private English conversation lessons to his awesome wife, Esther, who is also extremely dulce y simpatica (sweet and nice). Anyway, we went, and it was so amazing. It had been a few years since I had been skiing---what an incredible place to remember how much fun it is.
So first off, Armando was prepping me with how much money it would be. He was warning me that the Sierra Nevada, the ski resort in Granada (Andalucia, southern Spain), is kind of expensive considering it is the only ski resort in southern Spain that is easy to get to (it only took us about 2 hours in car). When he told me the breakdown of the prices, I couldn't help but smile because it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than a ski resort in the U.S. In total (ski, pole, boot rentals, and lift ticket), it cost me 59 Euros, which is $79.84, to ski in Spain. Just out of curiosity, I looked up the current prices at Heavenly Valley Ski resort in Lake Tahoe in the U.S. If I were to have gone to this ski resort in California/Nevada (some slopes are on the California border and some are on the Nevada border), it would have cost me a total of $122.99, which converts to 90.93 Euros.
Ok so anyway...I took some amazing pictures!
First, some good pics of the mountains from the car. I think Armando and his wife were probably thinking, um they're just mountains. Yeah...they haven't seen the plentiful plains of Columbus, Ohio...
Some pictures from the telesilla (chair lift)... check out the clear, blue sky....
Esther, Armando and Sara---Sara is a friend of theirs and her mom was on the other telesilla. Sara is 22 and studies in Granada. She is real cool and it was fun getting to know her as we skiied the slopes. I told her I'm definitely coming back to Granada to visit! Oh and ps, she was awesome and let me borrow ski pants!! :)
AHHHH!!! I'M ESQUIANDO (SKIING) IN SPAIN!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!
So Sierra Nevada and skiing was incredible, but the line system to get on the chair lift (or lack there of, I should say) was a JOKE. This picture, a cluster*beep* of people, is the "system" haha. That is definitely one thing that the U.S. resorts have over this one: a worker directing people into the organized line for the chair lift. It was funny though because people are sliding over everyone else's skis, snowboards, bumping into people, squeezing into spaces in between people everywhere, and everyone was absolutely fine with it! I was laughing and telling Armando that if that were in the U.S., people would be fighting, screaming, swearing lol. I even caught myself feeling really annoyed with the lack of organization, but then I reminded myself to be like everyone else: no worries!! It was very difficult, I have to admit lol.
Another difference between Spain and the U.S.----the size of the coffee cups! There isn't even an option for a larger size, this is what I got!
Look at all the little ant-like people at the lodge down behind me. There were so many people skiing and enjoying the perfect day.
So once people barged their way through the crowd of people to get to the chair lift, everyone goes through this turnstyle. It was cool because instead of having a ticket hanging off of a zipper and having a worker scan by hand, you would keep the forfait (the ski pass card) in a pocket on the left side of your jacket or pants and you would literally lean up against this sign and it would scan it so you could go through the bar. Very easy. (But then again, I haven't been skiing in the U.S. in a few years, maybe we have this system too now?)
As always, the Spanish people know how to kick back and relax. This is on top of the ski lodge, where we had lunch and relaxed in the sun.
So I decided to do like the Spanish....ahhhh so relaxing...
While I was holding down our mesa (table) while Esther and Armando were in the food line, I made a friend. This little chica was the cutest thing ever. She had so much trouble walking in her botas chiquitas (little boots), and she was so precious just waddling around in her little snow suit. I smiled at her, she smiled, and then she was being goofy and sticking her tongue out at me. Of course, I did the same. Then she came over, I gave her a high five, and with her big mittens, we played patty-cake hand games for a good 5 minutes. No talking. Just patty-cake and giggling. Then she just walked away. Welp, cya later little snow bunny!
This was SO funny....Esther couldn't get her boot off and Armando was literally tugging with all his strength for a good while. lol maybe you had to be there...
The next pictures are after skiing when we went walking around Granada. These are from the newer, more modern part of the city.
I am absolutely IN LOVE with these open plazas that are very common in Spanish cities. I especially loved this one with all the colorful buildings.
This was a cute little carousel that was powered by a guy riding a bike.
This picture was taken at a touristy spot called El Mirador de San Nicolas with an amazing view of La Alhambra. There were many people sitting on the ledge, visiting, talking, drinking, admiring the view. Not to sound cheesy, but it is a very romantic place. I was super envidiosa (jealous) of the couples that were sitting together at this beautiful place!
These pictures are taken in the older part of Granada. The Arabian style of buildings and artistic details of the narrow streets and homes are really cool.
Finally, we went bar hopping at different bars...Had amazing wine and tapas (free appetizers). This pic below is at one of the most popular bars in Granada....don't you love the decorations?? Why don't bars in the U.S. have hanging pig legs with hooves??
It was a quick trip and a long day, considering I woke up to leave for Granada at 5am and got home around 2:30am on Sunday morning, but it was worth it. Such a great day. Fantastic weather. Very enjoyable time spent with wonderful people. Great skiing. An awesome evening spent exploring the beautiful streets and lively tapa bars in Granada.
Can't wait to go back.
You are making such great memories! I am so glad for your posts, and glad your fantastic parents sent you an O H I O care package!
ReplyDeleteLove you. Auntie Kay