Flamenco Town

Granada, no Sacromonte (our neighborhood)!, is the birthplace of Flamenco. I thought I knew Flamenco and then I moved here. It is a way of life and it is so strong and beautiful. The language school I attend is also a Flamenco dance and Flamenco guitar school. People come from all over the world to learn it, appreciate it, soak it in and  to feel the emotion and strength from all the expressions --bailaor/a (the dancer), -- cantaor (the singer and the person who keeps the beat through clapping) and toque la guitarra-- the guitar player. We haven't been to a show yet -- they all start at nine and we need to get a babysitter. But soon. 

• 

Leo will be a great bailaor one day. Until then, he will continue to spin wildly on any waxed floor. 

The boys begged to go to a museum we passed by every day that advertised an exhibition with instruments of torture from the Inquisition. Meg, of course you didn't give in and bring them there, right? You're an emotionally intelligent grown adult who knows this would damage your kids for life, correct? ........  After the 1st display--the "eyeball crusher"--we quickly headed back downstairs to the interesting, interactive and extremely benign history of flamenco exhibit. There we learned about las palmas (the intricate style of hand-clapping) and how all of the Moorish, Judaic and mostly Gypsy (or Gitane as they are called here in Granada) cultures influence the flamenco style.

According to Pedro, this is THE spot to take in a Flamenco show. Can't wait to feel "la fuerza" here!