El Alhambra.

The Alhambra: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the Spanish the eighth wonder of the World and the reason I came to Grenada. But I quickly realised that since I had not booked tickets it would proove difficult voir  impossible!

The only chance I had would be to get up at 0500 and get there at 0600 to be at the top of the queue in the hope of grabbing one of the few tickets they keep for people who had not booked. And that is what I did.

As I walked out of the hotel, I was literally the only person in the streets of Grenada. As I get to the deserted bus stop I realise the first bus was at 0715. That would be too late. Walking was impossible. My only option was to grab a taxi for €4. A little out of budget, but I was desperate.

Part of the queue, all these people would not get tickets for that day! 

I got there at 0600 and I was about 20th. Woohoo, I had made it. Some Japs had camped out in the queue to be sure to get tickets. Crazy. The ticket office opened at 0800 and the doors at 0830. So I sat down and got mentally ready for a two and a half hour wait, bear bum on a cobbled floor. Mmm. At least I was sure to get a place.

In front of me was a German couple, who are studying economics in Austria. Marc and Caroline. They were absolutely lovely. She lent me a towel to sit on, coffee and biscuits (they were WAY more prepared than me). They had been going round Spain by car, their air conditionning was broken, they were broke as they had not realised just how much petrol would cost them (they were already at €3000 euros for ten days) and they were tired as driving in the heat was knackering. But we chit chatted away and the two hours flew by. As the sun rose, people came in by the hundreths all hoping to get tickets. The queue was endless. I was so chuffed I'd got there on time.