Spain and home

Sunday, October 16, 2016

I’m writing this from our lovely patio in Lynchburg. It’s hard to believe I’ve been home over two weeks now.  I apologize for not writing sooner, but it’s taken me some time to process our return.

I couldn’t figure out where to place this comment so I decided to do it here.  There are absolutely fabulous food markets in Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona.  If you are planning a trip, absolutely allow time to wander and enjoy the sights and delicious food. I was very frustrated that I didn’t have any kitchens in these areas and there was only time to walk through the markets, but not to participate in them.  This is on my new bucket list!

Also, if you want to read more about the Portugal and Spain trip from our tour guide, please go to http://spainamdportugal2016.blogspot.com.  (The amd is correct).  A huge thank you to Declan Pratt with Global Explorers.  His trips are extraordinary.  All you have to do is travel with someone else to appreciate how outstanding his are.  We are planning a trip to Switzerland, Lake Como and Milan with an extension to the Cinque Terre in September 2017 and Peru in March 2018.  Let me know if you’re interested.

Our group left Portugal and traveled to wonderful Spain.  Even though we had visited them in 2006 I am one of the guilty parties who always had Spain and Portugal way down on my European visit list.  Both countries have so much offer in landscape and culture.  We started in beautiful Seville. To me, Seville feels like a grand dame waiting for people to come and visit.  We had a marvelous city tour which included their extraordinary cathedral, truly, one of the grandest in the world, and were enthusiastic spectators for a passionate flamingo show. 

When we left Seville for Madrid, we visited Cordoba, a place I never feel like I have enough time.  The grand mosque, Mezquita, was turned into a church.  When Charles V saw the transformation he said he believed a huge mistake had been made. I have to say, I agree with him.  The original architecture is simply outstanding.  

We left Cordoba for Granada where we spent two wonderful nights.  The highlight of the visit was the Alhambra which is an UNESCO site and rightly so.  What an amazing experience.  Declan said after he solidified the dates for the trip, the first reservation he made was for this landmark because it sells out so quickly.  I had no idea you had to get tickets in advance. Alas, two American women at our hotel had traveled to Granada to see it and couldn’t get in.  I didn’t need to tell them what a missed opportunity because they already knew it. 

After Granada, we headed for Madrid.  While I had visited here before in 2006, it’s always great to go back to a location with fresh eyes and a new guide. I saw things I hadn’t seen before – a world famous espadrille shop, a long, wonderful audio guided tour of the Prado (one of my very favorites) and another check on my bucket list, Picasso’s Guernica.  I had never been a modern art fan until the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts held a Picasso exhibit which explained much about the artist and that intensely confusing period in history.  The VMFA had a reproduction of the piece, but the outstanding exhibit made me want to see the real thing.  Cham left our last day in Madrid to return to Lynchburg so I had a couple of hours before we boarded a train for Barcelona to see it. That particular metro line was down that day and it meant going on a pretty long hike, but I decided I better do it because I didn’t know when I’d be back and I’m so glad I did. Unfortunately, it only left me with a couple of minutes to really see it, but it is such an incredible work of art.  I also got to see some of the other works in the Reina Sofia gallery.  Next time, more time.  

During our stay in Madrid, we visited the historic city of Toledo.  This city is very proud of its heritage, as they should be.  During the 15thcentury, the Christians, Jews and Muslims all lived in harmony with one another. While everything wasn’t perfect for everyone all the time, it can be accomplished.  Oh, that it could be that way for the world again. Toledo also has one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen.  I highly recommend a visit.  

NOT SURE WHY IT DECIDED TO INSERT THE PICTURES HERE, BUT ENJOY!  The first one is from Madrid at the Spanish pavilion  from a trade exposition in the early 1900s.

On our last day, we took a relaxing fast train from Madrid to Barcelona.  While I definitely missed Cham, I was so glad to be back in Barcelona and have the opportunity to explore areas we missed when we were there earlier on our trip.  This time we had a great guide who showed us the old part of the city, something Cham and I had missed.  On our free day, I decided to repack my bags in the morning and spend my last afternoon on the beach. The picture I took from the beach was the last one I took in Europe.  

Our group had a very uneventful return.  Customs at Dulles was incredibly long, but when we entered into the arrival, non-secured area of the airport, I was struck once again by the numerous nationalities and the pure joy and love people display when they see long loved friends and family.  It’s another reminder of all of the good things that are to be celebrated in our lives, something so easily forgotten.

Cham returned on Wednesday, September 28 (to attend VES Board meetings and also the Centennial and also to preside over the quarterly Library of Virginia Board meeting) and I came home on Saturday, October 1. I resumed real life after a couple of days of lying low.  It was truly heartwarming to find how many friends and family missed us and were so happy we were home. We also want to thank all of you for reading the blog.  We were very happy to share the adventure with you and greatly appreciate your interest in our experiences. The past couple of weeks have been an adjustment, physically and mentally.  We planned this trip for two years, and now we gone and come in the blink of an eye. What an incredible experience.  As we’ve started going through the various paper collections, we pause and remember just how very blessed we were to be able to do this. Yes, it was our World Tour for 2016, but we’ve already started making plans for our great adventure for 2017!

In the meantime, if you miss our blog, at the request of friends Cham has started a blog which will launch shortly entitled, LIGHT ON WINE. It promises to offer easily understood information on wine, especially some common questions about the varieties of wine and price points.  It should be out by the end of the month of October.