Spain, 2017.
Madrid, Cordoba and Barcelona.
Madrid. "Refugees Welcome". Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Janis, Anders and Michelle. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Spain is a very friendly and beautiful country. Guntar and I decided that we wanted to come back to Canada from a warm place. Our flight from Riga to Madrid was uneventful, except as we approached Madrid, our captain informed us that over Madrid, there was a very heavy thunderstorm and we were going to Barcelona. By the time we got there, the storm had moved on and after waiting for a spot on the take off line for about two hours, we were off to Madrid.
Madrid. Photos: Janis Kravis.
My grandson Anders and his girl friend Michelle, who live and work in London came to visit us in Madrid for the weekend. We took the sight seeing buses, went to several museums and enjoyed the restaurants.
Madrid. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Guntar, Anders and Michelle. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. View from our window. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
One evening we went to see a Flamenco show. According to the advertising it was supposed to be the best show in town.The performers were old timers with some younger dancers. threy put on a reasonably good show. Some went through the motions, but did not really have their hearts in it, others loved to perform and you could see and sense that they were really enjoying the music, movement and emotion. About fifty years ago, I was fortunate to witness a fabulous Flamenco performance in Madrid. When i arrived at the restaurant I was told that the place was sold out and that there was a special performance for Henry Kissinger, who was visiting. I explained that I was from Canada and I had a reservation. They found me a table, that I had to share. Needless to say, it was a fantastic show with the best dancers in the land.
Madrid. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
There are many "Pork Museums" where pork is featured in all forms and varieties. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
Madrid. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
The Mosque in Cordoba.
The Mosque in Cordoba. Photo: Janis Kravis.
For many years I have been admiring images of The Mosque of Cordoba. I was fascinated by the two colours of the arches and wondering if they might be made of two different coloured stones.So we made a special pilgrimage to Cordoba on the fast train from Madrid. The Spanish fast trains are impressive, well designed and very fast. At the ends of each car, where you get on and off, there are shelves for your luggage and washrooms. One can walk from car to car and as you walk, glazed, sliding doors open and close automatically. I said they are fast, at one point we were travelling at 301 km per hour and most of the time around 280 km per hour. The landscape to Cordoba is mostly rolling farmland covered what seems like, millions of olive trees.
The Mosque, Courtyard. Photo: Janis Kravis.
The Mosque, Cordoba. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Photo: Guntar Kravis.
For many years, my legs have been giving me a difficult time, by now I have a hard time walking any significant distance, and I have been taking advantage of a wheelchair at airports when travelling. Here I was also using a wheelchair with the help of Guntar.
The interior of the mosque is quite dark, except for strong light shafts coming down from skylights. In front of us were a couple of Japanese tourists, jumping in and out of the bright light and acting out various body positions.
Photo: Guntar Kravis.
We had been around the mosque several times and were ready to leave and ready to return the wheelchair nearby. As I stepped out of the wheelchair, I ended up stepping into the bright light. One of the Japanese exclaimed in English: " It's a miracle ! He can walk!" Every one around, burst out laughing. It was a magical moment.
Magical moment. Photo: Guntar Kravis.
We took the fast train back to Madrid and the next day we went to Barcelona from where we were flying home to Toronto.
Barcelona is a beautiful, old city with magnificent Government buildings and Museums, as well as modern apartments and office buildings.
Apartment buildings. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Casa Mila-La Pedrera by Antoni Gaudi. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Antoni Gaudi is one of Spain's most famous architects, known for his organic, wild forms and the use of colourful ceramic tiles. I wonder if Frank Gehry, our famous Canadian architect was inspired by Gaudi.
Casa Batllo by Gaudi. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Casa Batllo. Photo: Janis Kravis.
Sagrada familia by Gaudi. Photo: Janis Kravis.
I am not impressed with the architecture, other than its size, of the exterior of this structure. Construction began in 1882 and there are plans that it might be finished by 2026, however it may never be finished, there seem to be more elements to be added. The interior, in my opinion is more successful. The light can be quite magical and the overall atmosphere is serene and dignified.
Photo: Janis Kravis.
Photo: Janis Kravis.
One of the doors. Photo: Janis Kravis.