April 13th, 2003 | The lowdown by Jeffrey Goodkind

Spring is Coming!

It just occured to me last weekend that my daily lifestyle here was changing a little bit, due to the rapidly improving weather. The sun is out, people are wearing shorts, and I sported my flip-flops in the Granada streets a few days ago.

We have options here, for as I wrote last week, Los Italianos ice cream shop is now reopened. I thought that was the main event until me and a friend decided we ought to really see the Granada that few vistors see. We took a hike.

First head to Paseo de Los Tristes, adjacent to Rio Darro, and then when you reach the end of the Paseo, cross the river bridge and head upriver, away from the city. Here you should note the country home where Federico Garcia Lorca and his intellectual collegues would discuss art, politics, religion and society.

However it does not take an intellectual to enjoy and breath the almond-scented air that circulates in this part of Granada. Keep following the trail that goes by the river, and assuming that you brought lunch and a blanket, stop whenever you please. If you continue the trail, which I hear is an old horseback trail that goes all the way to Almeria (Spanish coastal city) you will not be disappointed by the views, the sounds, or the smells. Spring is coming, and the birds and bees await your company.