After a busy 19 days of traveling, we are taking an afternoon off and I have time to write. I’m on a 26 day trip with two friends, Carol and Robbie. It’s easy to live in the present and the “now” when it’s all so new and it keeps changing. I’m sitting in the shade in Granada, Spain, as I write this. It’s about 75 degrees and the white fluffy clouds are moving across a brilliant blue sky.
Jan, Robbie, & Carol in Granada,
In Spain we have also visited Madrid, Cordoba, and Sevilla. Each city has such rich history, amazing architecture and art, and friendly people. I’ve loved walking the narrow winding streets, imagining what it was like centuries ago.
During our week in Morocco we stayed in Fes and Marrakech. Since 95% of Moroccans are Muslims, I got to not only learn about the religion and the culture, but also to interact with and experience the people. They were truly a delight – gentle, kind, and thoughtful. There are 300 mosques in the Medina where we stayed in Fes and we heard the call to prayer 5 times a day. Fes is a spiritual center that dates back to the 10th century. Even though Marrakech felt more aggressive and chaotic, the people I met there were also gentle and sweet.
I’m grateful to have this opportunity to experience a world so different from mine and to connect with the people and feel our common humanity.
We have 7 more days to drive up the coast of Spain, then fly home from Barcelona on May 31st.
I feel refreshed having read your description of the days and the people. Hmmm, “kind, gentle, thoughtful…” sounds like fruits of the spirit which, I believe to be universal. Thank you. Love, Nancy
Hi Jan,
So nice to hear you are on yet another “Healing Journey”. I too loved Spain when I traveled there as a Macy’s buyer, on yet another interesting path during the eighties. I loved Seville, the echoing spirituality through the immense cavernous cathedrals in the the Spanish community of Andalusia. I think it’s one of the oldest cities in Europe. One might imagine that Madrid would be the capital. Although full of interesting history, it of course lost much of its charm after its rebuilding due to the ravishes of war.
I hope Barcelona has held onto its blustery, street merchant, live chicken selling hypomania and that you have not chosen it for a last contemplative moment. So glad you are enjoying all Spain has to offer and I look forward to your next post.
Namaste, and a safe journey home.
Sand
What a marvelous adventure! Thanks for sharing the trip with us, Jan. Safe voyages to you, Robbie and Carol.
How wonderful that you’ve given yourself ths gift. Travel is good for the body, mind and soul.
Jan,
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. What a great experience. We thought of you as James, Christine and the Board held the Membership Town hall meeting. You were missed along with Darlene who is traveling with Michael in Ireland.