Revealing Spain

Senorita’s Memoir

The words Spanish and passion seem to go hand in hand and at time could be synonymous. This may not be evident according to the dictionary or thesaurus but from what I have experienced in Spain for the last three weeks, they are one in the same.

One of the more prominent images that come to my mind when I think of Spain is its people. They are hardworking, friendly and family orientated individuals who live their lives full of passion. Whether it is the young woman who pours her heart and soul into her sexy flamenco dancing, the old grandmother slaving over a hot stove to prepare dinner for her family, the thousands of screaming patriotic fans cheering on their favorite matador or soccer team, or the dedicated businesses who still make sure they close up shop for their traditional siestas (much to tourists’ dismay), the Spanish are passionate people in all aspects of their lives – work, home and at play.

With a country as diverse as Spain, it is not difficult to see why we fell in love with it. Its diverse landscapes, modern architecture, delicious food, and rich historic past are only a few of the many highlights bound to capture any traveller.

To pick one city in Spain that was my favorite would be extremely difficult if not impossible. Each place we visited seemed to have its own charm and uniqueness – the lively and bustling streets of Barcelona with its astounding modern architecture, the old and new embedded within the small towns of Valencia and Bilbao, the sunny sandy beaches of San Sebastian and Alicante and the historic pasts of cities like Granada, Cuenca and Segovia which are still so evident today. With so much to offer, Spain is definitely a wealth of delightful wonders.

Despite everything we have done and seen, I would certainly want to come back here again. Not only to revisit certain monuments and places like Gaudi’s hopefully completed masterpiece Sagrada Familia and the beautiful splendid town of San Sebastian but to discover the many other delights that we missed this time around.

Here’s to a land of passion, devotion and beauty – I look forward to our next encounter.

Adios Espana,

Ravy the Roamer


Senor’s Disclosure

Before we knew it September had come and gone, which meant that our time in Spain was done. Unlike France where we were ready to leave by the end of the allotted time there, I did not want to leave Spain so soon. Although the natural beauty was not as impressive as some of the other countries we have been to (Turkey & China to name but 2), the richness of the Spanish culture and architecture was indeed overwhelming. From Barcelona’s electrifying energy, Seville’s traditional appeal, Bilbao and Valencia’s modern architecture and urban planning, San Sebastian’s beautiful beaches and lively old quarter, and Cuenca’s symbiotic existence with its natural surroundings were some of my favorite cities within Spain. Each with it’s own unique flavour and intensity that defines the passion + splendor of their indigenous region. We could have spent at least one more day in each of these cities. Perhaps it is better this way, leaving a taste in us that yearns for more.

The food was indeed tantalizing even on a budget, tapas and beers at any time of day, what else can a man ask for? The only drawbacks are the expensive transportation system within Spain, even with an Eurorail pass and the difficulties when ascertaining information from the tourist booths - we were seldom greeted with a smile. The language barrier is quite apparent as most Spaniards speak very little English. Perhaps it is our own lack of preparation in this that would have made a difference.

It was time well spent in a great county! I wish we had not one month but three.

Chunger the Unemployed bum