Spain-- a country engrained in tradition and passion

It has been almost 15 years since my first visit to Spain and since I stepped away from the beautiful country, I knew that I would never forgive myself if I never went back. So the opportunity came for me to travel with my family and I was beyond excited.

What is it that I loved about Spain? The sounds of the language--different than the accents I hear in my own country, but still very much familiar to me. And not because it's Spanish, and I'm a native speaker, but because it's as if I'm reconnecting with old friends that I understand. Almost like coming back to long lost family. I also love the culture itself. Always passionate, sometimes vain, full of fun and variety. Sometimes I'm glad I don't live in Spain, for fear that I wouldn't be able to handle it all and would die of high blood pressure--sometimes I'm glad my life is rather quiet and bland compared to most Spaniards. But for those times where I long for excitement and fun--I instantly think of Spain and it's people, the foods, the music and even the smells of the fresh orange trees in the summer.

We decided to rent a car and go from the center of Spain in Madrid, southwards towards Sevilla and Granada and a visit along the eastern coast of the country to Valencia, where my ancestors once lived and the name they took during the Spanish Inquisition in efforts to conceal their Jewish heritage--hence my maiden name. First we made a 1/2 day tour to Toledo, one of the oldest towns in Spain, famously known for being one of the few Medieval cities that embraced the country's different religions: Catholic, Jewish and Muslim. Walking along the town's narrow passages and cobbled-stone streets, one does have to wonder how these religions where able to get along and why we can't seem to figure out how today. We visited the Jewish museum one of the must sees for me, to help relate to my children my ancestry and the importance of learning about your roots.

Toledo

Jewish Museum in Toledo

Zip Lining in Toledo (this time it wasn't me)

Admiring some of the welding done in Toledo

One of the amazing sceneries in the Alhambra

Sisters in the Alhambra

Caves that were in ancient times dwellings for the Arabs.
Today, they are mostly used for Flamenco shows
performed by Gitanos (gypsies). 

The traditional costumes worn in Sevilla during the Feria, a celebration of Seville's culture.

Ole! Inside a bullring in Valencia

The Rock

We happened to be traveling during Holy Week--one of the most important times of the year in Spain-- specifically southern Spain. The towns there are still very much ingrained in tradition which date back to the Catholic religion mixed in with a sprinkle of Arabic influence. As we entered Sevilla's downtown, we were greeted by street crowds, all gathered to witness the procession of Mary.  I couldn't capture a picture of this, because we were hauling our luggage and kids since the closest parking spot was over 10 blocks away from our apartment. But picture everyone dressed in their finest Church clothes, waiting to get a glimpse of Mary and her child, carried throughout the main street. After a few days in Sevilla we made our way further south to Granada but before that we made a pit stop in Gibraltar. My husband would not consider a trip to Spain without visiting "the Rock" as the British call it. We discovered beautiful views of the ocean and northern Africa. We also learned that a group of monkeys inhabits the top of the rock. Today, Gibraltar is still a British territory--you can have fish and chips at any of their restaurants and pay in British pounds too!

After Gibraltar we went to Granada a city full of tradition but also very modern because of the amount of tourists that come to visit it's pearl: The Alhambra. Called one of the seven wonders of the world. I never had the opportunity to visit Alhambra and of course I couldn't miss it this time. This palace which dates back to the Roman Empire, but was really brought to it's grandeur by the Muslim rulers in Granada. I could have easily spent days roaming it's gardens and enjoying the calming sounds of it's fountains which are in almost every outdoor patio and garden throughout the palace--but little nudges (and sometimes full outbursts) from all 3 kids reminded us that we needed to keep our visit to a two hour maximum.

As we left Spain, we left a little bit of tradition behind. The scenery of the country is varied and beautiful--a country so vast--sometimes reminding me of the southwest part of the U.S. But what struck me the most were the people: warm and friendly, passionate and dedicated to their families. I remember seeing throughout the many streets we walked, teenage girls holding their mother's or grandmother's hand. Family -- familia-- is so important in this culture. It was so refreshing to see that they honor and value their time with family so much. Spain, I hope to see you again. Hasta pronto.