Giving Granada a Hand

We met a new guide that was to take us to see the 3 religions of Granada. Muslim, Christianity and Judaism.

Long story short, Romans here first, then Christians, Jews,

Arabs bring Muslim religion. All of Spain turns Muslim within 100 years of Mohammed’s death (except for Jews and a few Christian enclaves). Muslims rule for 700 years. Build many Mosques and Alhambra and Albacin. Christians start winning back territories, Muslim left with only Granada for 250 years. Christians surround Granada, Muslims sign peace treaty, Jews expelled from Spain in 1492 by Christians. Christians tear down mosques and build churches (occasionally leaving a minarets and turning it into a bell tower. After 10 years peace treaty breaks down and Muslims kicked out of Spain. Spain declines except they make good ham and sherry. Occasionally win at Soccer. Take long siestas.

We started at a Church where Isabel and Ferdinand are buried. They are important for 3 reasons. Sponsored Christopher Columbus, United Spain, final defeat of Muslims (winning Granada) and kicking Jews out of Spain. Thought about spitting on their grave but decided to be respectful.

We then walked up into the Albacin (the old Muslim area) now an eclectic area of rich, students etc. that like living in the old houses, some with fabulous gardens and views of the Alhambra. Michael and Tamara returned to the Alhambra, Cathy and I went for our first Tapas in Spain. Our guide had suggested a Tapas Bar and we went there about 1pm and had wine and tapas. It was very good. I loved all of the hams hanging from the ceiling. He suggested this place because it wasn’t a tourist place but rather a neighborhood place. Only downside, Spaniards smoke.

Michael and Tamara (Cathy’s brother and his wife) returned to the Alhambra. We went back to the hotel, Cathy took a siesta, I went for a massage. It is very hot under the sun in Granada and they have hung these covers over many of the streets. It gives shade as you walk around. After a couple of glasses of Sherry and glass of Rose, we returned to the Alhambra where we had dinner at a hotel inside of the Alhambra. We ate on the patio looking at the illuminated buildings. We didn’t leave the restaurant till midnight. I kind of like this Spanish lifestyle!

Throughout the day as we visited all of the Christian Monuments and Churches, Cathy used her Muslim Hand of Fatama or hamsa, commemorating Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Hamsa hands often contain an eye symbol. Depictions of the hand, the eye, or the number five in Arabic (and Berber) tradition is related to warding off the evil eye). Nothing untoward happened to us, so I guess the hand worked. You can’t be too careful these days.