Category: Spain

First days in a big city

We are not doing much sightseeing at all, just trying to find our bearings. Wandered around in a local park, found grocery stores, we know now where the nearby beach is (it turns out it was converted from an industrial area with sand from Egypt).

We purchased a pass to use public transportation, buses, trams, trains, metro, so we can check out different neighborhoods of the city. 

The mass at the nearby cathedral was comforting, the organ music filled the large gothic building.

Our neighborhood, called El Born is bordering the old town, it feels like a bohemian, artsy place with strong and diverse activist culture. 

Arrived to Barcelona

I don’t know what I expected, I knew Barcelona is a cosmopolitan metropolis and Catalonia is drastically different than the region of Andalusia, still my first impression is this is not my vibe. Or more bluntly, did I make a mistake for staying here longer than a few days?

The motel where we are staying did not help the mood, we got a tiny, airless room, dark and ugly, the window opened to a shaft, narrow space between another building with humongous brown pipes making strange noises. It did not look anything like the pictures when I reserved it. Krisztina usually able to say something to cheer me up in similar situations, but here there was nothing to say. I went to talk to the manager, we ended up getting another room with a balcony that was less claustrophobic.

View from our balcony

The challenge is on, how to enjoy being in this city for 10 days? 

Last day in Seville

We no longer running around to see one more sight, one more attraction, just relaxing, after sitting on one of the nearby plaza we went up to the rooftop terrace of our hotel to enjoy some sangria and wine. 

We don’t need to see or do anything else, I think we got this city, the atmosphere was amazing, the people friendly and welcoming, we did not feel anything from the anti-tourist sentiment. Will see what happens in Barcelona.

Setas de Sevilla

A short walk from old town after demolishing an old marketplace they build this strange looking viewpoint or platform that locals call the Mushroom. The world largest wooden structure. 

Not sure how it fits in Seville, I was hesitant to step into a tourist trap, but I have to admit it is kind of cool, the winding path on the top, and how lights moving and changing after sunset.

How long does it take for us to accept a new, unusual idea? Is it harder when we are immersed into something on the other side of the spectrum of thinking and viewing? Counterpoints are necessary for balance, but will they lessen harmony?

A wish

Orange trees are everywhere in Seville. Krisztina told me before we leave she would like to taste one orange right from the tree. This sounded easier than bringing down the stars. 

Well, it turns out there is a reason we did not see others picking the trees. The moors brought these here long time ago, probably for the fragrance. Wild orange, the British make marmalade from it, but they are not edible, we found out, the bitterness is more than anybody can handle. 

Do you think if the apple from garden of eden tasted like this, the world would be completely different today?

Flamenco

The dance, the songs, the guitars that erupt with such a powerful force, yes there is sadness in there and pain, but the raw passion what it makes it come alive. Flame of fire. Romani, moorish, jewish and Christian elements were whirling in front of our eyes yesterday. We went to a theater, the performance, the dancers were incredible to watch. Probably it was too good, with the lighting, background pictures, the sound quality. Originally these were not choreographed performances, just happenings at family gatherings, community settings in local pubs, spontaneous expressions of daily life. While here Seville we saw street dancers earlier, for me that was the real thing, closer to the original settings.

Are you able to see beauty in imperfection? Do you allow raw but real things into your life without refinement? Do you recognize how professionalism can degrade authenticity?

Real Alcazar de Sevilla

Today was a good test to see if we, after two weeks reached some kind of saturation point, where we cannot absorb more, regardless how beautiful, unique it is. Well, I think we enjoyed visiting this palace as much as if it would have been at the beginning of our trip, as much as if we have never seen similar architecture before. Maybe because of the garden. Maybe because of that peacock walking on the ledge, maybe because seeing people from so many places of the world looking equally amazed when stepping into the central courtyard.

It’s impossible to have travel fatigue when you are in a place like this, right? As a family walked by we overheard the teenage son saying: “mom we have been in these rooms like a million times, already!”

Tell me, will I ever be able to rekindle your interest in lighthouses?

When the weather turns

It just did for the entire region of Andalusia. It’s hazy, rain expected. The streets, plazas, monuments that were full of sunshine just days before now look bland and bleak. We have forest fires, smoke in PNW, here they have a weather phenomena called Calima, when wind carries sand up here from the Saharan desert, and if it start raining it can create muddy deposits on cars, streets.

These times might be the best time to pause. And to remember that nothing significantly changed, just the reflection or direction of light. When it seems gloomy are you able to recall glorious moments of your life? 

Cordoba

Probably we should have taken the train, but I picked a tour bus without the tour, because the pickup point was closer. Well, the AC was not working in the minivan, after arriving in Cordoba they dropped us off not at the agreed old town location, and wanted to shorten our time there by an hour. Regardless it was worth it. We ended up walking into town on a bridge the romans built. I saw pictures of this mosque cathedral before, but you have to be there to experience the massive size, wandering around between the 800 columns, then finding a church in the middle with a cross layout is unforgettable. We spent almost two hours here. Then we walked around in the jewish quarter, on streets from the Middle Ages. Another city where one day is just too short. Still we had time to taste an Andalusian specialty; ox tail stew.

Yes, there are things in our lives that are important, foundational, but we can get lost in these so easy. What are the things in your life that are in the center of your existence? Do you have a place where you can turn to for strength and hope?