DRUM ROLL PLEASE………

 I had a unique, once in a life time experience today.  I stood in the same room as Christopher Columbus when he asked Queen Isabella for money for his ocean voyage to the new world in 1492. 

As the tour guide told us about it, the hair on the back of my neck stood up! It took place in the  Alhambra palace which is located in Granada. The architecture is very Islamic, and the castle was an ongoing project, started in the 1250’s that was finished in the 1400’s  by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. It was just one of the many castles they had. I learned that all the royalty in Spain had dozens of Castles. The Alhambra is the most preserved palace in the world. Washington Irving, who wrote “The Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Wrinkle” also stayed in this palace at one time and wrote “Tales of the Alhambra”.  I have it on my list to read.

The room itself had about 6 smallish enclaves on each side of the room where the dignitaries sat around the King and Queen. The only light came from a small window dressed in lattice work that were behind the chairs where they sat.  They said the small amount of light coming from behind the king, queen and dignitaries cast a shadow on their face and those asking for favors felt a bit intimidated by not being able to clearly see the face they were addressing. Pass this trick on to anyone you know with unruly teens in the family, advise them to talk to the teen with their back against the light or window so their teen feels a bit intimidated by the dark show on their face.

Spain boasted about 10,000 castles at one time and today has about 2,500 that are well preserved and many are used as a 5 star hotels. I think Spain could be labeled the country of the three C’s — no not cost, cost and cost, but Castles, Cathedrals and Catholic Churches. We visited a catholic church in Valencia that boast a mass every hour from 8 am to 8 pm with a two hour break from 1-3. Ten masses in one day – and they were all filled with people. According to some estimates there are over 70,000 catholic churches which include chapels, monasteries and convents. In 2020 there were approximately 25,000 parishes.

Some of the things I learned about Spain which surprised me:

They invented the lollipop and the mop – really they did!   We have Spain to thank for getting us up off our knees cleaning!  But wait, as a Catholic country they also brought everyone on their knees in prayer.

When you go to a restaurant a glass of coke cost the same as a glass of wine. For me it is a no brainer which to ask for.

They serve baked beans for breakfast and Spaniards do not like spicey food.

There are 5 official languages in Spain. Spanish is the most common but also Catalan, Galician, Basque and Aranese.

There is a large mountain range – Sierra Nevada and they have beautiful ski resorts. The highest point is 11,414 feet above sea level. And of course they have wonderful beaches as well.

My summary of traveling with an organized tour.

This trip packed 7 towns in 7 days. I did not even bother to unpack my small carry on some nights. Madrid, Cordova, Sevilla, Granada, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona. We spent just 2 hours for lunch in Alicante. The routine is wakeup call at 6:30, breakfast at 7:00, bus leaves at 8:00.  4–5-hour bus ride, arrive at next town. Depart bus for a 3-4 hour walking tour of town, check into hotel, dinner, bed, up again at 6:30.

They had extra events after dinner for those who wanted them. For example, Flamingo Dance show one night- it was an extra cost and some of us were too tired to stay up.

It was like a wine tasting event, just a little bit of each to wet your appetite and see what you would like to come back for. When someone else does the planning, you cannot dictate the time frame.  Want to stay longer or leave earlier? – no can do.

There is no time to meet locals or travelers outside your tour group.  No” Susan’s” asking me to go for a coffee or a group of high school boys asking about Elvis Presley. You are “stuck” with the people on the tour.  Most of whom were polite and interesting. We had several couples from Poland, India and China- all American citizens with many years in the USA, and they all spoke their native language to each other.

The tour guides were all very knowledgeable about whatever they were talking about. They were also entertaining.  You are expected to generously tip them and the bus driver so this adds an extra expense to the already expensive trip.  

I believe there is an energy to people and places. The anxious energy of travel that some people carry with them, infiltrates the area and I can generally feel it.

Everyone should try it at least once and I will definetly consider taking another tour guided trip in a few years.

ONE CAN TRAVEL THE WORLD AND SEE NOTHING.

YOU DON’T NEED TO SEE MANY THINGS,

BUT LOOK HARD AND DEEPLY AT WHAT YOU DO SEE.

Enchanting streets every where

And Churches

Sagrada Familiar Largest unfinished Basilica desinged by Antoni Gaudi

Worth googling to learn more about it- I could have written a book about it

Islamic tiles everywhere in Alhambra castle

Food Orgies everywhere – just pick up a cone and munch as you stroll about

Fantastic views