Newsletter May 2008 The weather in Granada There is a lot of sunshine here, and some- to say-the least. Granada is fortunate to have
mountains provide a cooler climate than in most of Andalusia. The nights are a refresh- ing blessing and the people take full advan- tage of them, staying out until 3 or 4 am, children are always included in the moonlight activities. Often we skip the mid-day tours in July and do as the Spanish do, we have our tours at night. The Alhambra is enchanting at night and is open until 11:30 pm. Last summer the month of June was brutally hot in Granada, for several days temperatures were above the 100 F mark, or 42 c. Here is a formula so you can easily convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit and vice versa. To convert F to C, subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9 (.555) To convert C to F, multiply by 1.8 and add 32 32 degrees F=0 degrees C See? Easy. After a gruelling winter we are glad it is warm. we are enjoying lovely temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Perfect for walking tours. The snow is still covering the Sierra Nevada mountains, it is a beautiful back drop when viewed from the mira- dors (viewing places) in Albayzin. Semana Santa (Easter) As always, the processions were spectacular this year. More than 33 churches participate during the week before Easter. The Annual Music Festival occurs the every June and July. Granada is the host of this popular festival. Musicians and music lovers will come from all over the world for two weeks of musical celebration. Everything from Flamenco to popular music will be offered. Come and enjoy, you will not regret it. The Barrio de Albayzin has had an open market at Plaza Larga (long place) since the 11th century. For some reason the thought of people making their pur- chases day after day, year after year, century after century in the same location is intriguing to me. I like to imagine people of another time, past and future, wearing different hair styles and clothing, going to the open market for the same essential needs people have always had,food and clothing. In addition to the permanent shops five days a week until 2pm Plaza Larga is packed with vendors, buyers, produce of the best quality, plants, and clothing. The modern day touch is shinny new vans which have replaced tasselled and laden burros and sales of C D's, the music can be heard several blocks away, perhaps replacing carved flutes and goat skin drums. However, carved flutes and goat skin drums can still be heard, played by the many roving Min- strels and entertainers through out the barrio. Do come visit us in Granada, there is so much to-see and learn here.
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