Andalucia day 1: the Alhambra

For this year's Christmas/New Years holiday trip, I consider the flying day "Day 0" because 1) we got up at 3 to get to the airport, so we were completely out of our minds most of the day, 2) the plane actually got turned around in the air and sent back to London because there was a medical emergency (I hope the person is all right), and 3) we didn't really do anything of note other than get the car and get our (my) first taste of driving in the tiny Spanish streets of Granada, which was quite enough, thank you very much.So, day 1 was Christmas Eve! Our first destination was the Alhambra, and I can only say this: it was the most beautiful place I have ever ever been. Put it on your list of places to go before you die. I have a strong feeling that, in fact, it can't really be appreciated in one visit, but instead needs to be seen in many seasons to be understood.The history is so fascinating and complex that I'm not going to bother not doing it justice. I do recommend a look at the Wikipedia article and I'll simply say that it is a palace/fortress built in the mid-1300s by the Moorish rulers of Granada. I'll also say that the tilework here inspired M. C. Escher's work on regular divisions of the plane (he studied them during a visit in 1922).The site is on a hill overlooking Granada, so the views (from inside and from the many gardens) are outstanding.They limit the number of people allowed in each day, which really humanizes the experience.When I reviewed my photos at home, it was obvious that all of my pictures were of light and geometry. In the past I think it was geometry only. Maybe living in London has developed my light obsession. <robo voice>PHOTON RECEPTORS SET TO MAXIMUM</robo voice>I obviously don't speak Arabic, but I think this might say "There is no conqueror but God."They did a nice job of lighting things discreetly in places where there wasn't enough from the windows.A shadow from a window on a courtyard through a door through a window...yeah.One of the gardens. Everyone else visiting that day was wearing jeans and backpacks, I swear. If I could I would give these three guys a high five (three high fives!) for standing in this doorway right then.Light...geometry...I played with ways to shoot this fountain for quite a while. In the end I liked the long shutter...and you'll see that again in Cordoba (stay tuned!).I have a thing about locks.Tourists again posing exactly as I would wish. Thank you.How many ways can we build this wall, do you think? Also let's put a tiny door riiiiight...HERE.On a stairwell floor:The former baths:Doesn't this look like a painting?...and doesn't this one look super-futuristic? Thank you, super-wide-angle lens!And meanwhile, there was snow in the nearest mountains.Next: Day 1 part 2: Granada