The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
There's a haze in the distance, but I like this photo of the Alhambra because it reminds me of several days spent soul-searching in Granada during a three-week solo tour of Spain.
Just like so many before me who have found solace in this Moorish realm of legends and dreams, I , too, found peace. Even Washington Irving, who wrote the Tales of the Alhambra, remarked, "It absolutely appears to me like a dream, or as if I am spellbound in some fairy palace."
The dream here ended for the Moors when the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, laid siege to Granada on January 2, 1492. The last Moorish sultan, Abu-'Abdi-Llah, Muhammad XII, called Boabdil, "the luckless one", surrendered, and eight centuries of Moorish rule came to an end.
The heartbroken Moors had to leave the Alhambra, which one Muslim poet described as "a great ruby set upon a crown." Indeed, poised atop Sabika Hill like a vast ship about to set sail, the Alhambra's orangey-gold walls shimmer like a jewel in southern Spain's sunlight.
Have you been here? What are your thoughts about it? Can you recommend any similar places?
Akila,
I know what you mean about nights spent on the beach gazing at the stars. I've had a similar experience in the desert -- the stars seem so close you want to reach out and touch them. They remind me that I'm not only part of this world but of a much bigger universe.
Melody
Posted by: Melody | October 12, 2009 at 10:03 AM
The Alhambra inspired little soul searching in me because I visited it on a boiling hot day. For me, nothing stirs my soul like nights spent on the beach gazing at the stars; then, I feel part of the world within and without.
Posted by: Akila | October 11, 2009 at 02:02 AM
Hi Nancy,
That's so true about fairy-tale places inciting soul searching! A few others that come to mind are Prague and some of the small towns in the Czech Republic like Veverska Bityska.
I love your blog, too. I like your post about Montreal -- I haven't been there since I was a teenager and would love to go back. When I do, I'm going to follow some of your suggestions.
I haven't been to Bled yet but it's definitely on my list.
It's great to hear from someone in the Matador program - I'm excited about it.
Melody
Posted by: Melody | October 06, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Hi Melody,
Love your blog. And love the Granada post. I almost made it there once and I still would love to finally go. What is it about fairy-tale places that incite soul-searching? I found that in Bled, Slovenia and some other places too...
Also, welcome to the Matador program. :) (I'm in my 4th week there.)
Posted by: Nancy | October 06, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Hi Doug,
Thanks for joining in! I'm very flattered that you think the quality of the writing here is good.
As for the blog posts saying more, you are right - they could! However, I spend so much time at my full-time job or traveling, and my "spare" time is spent working on paid assignments. That doesn't always leave much time left for lengthy blog posts, although I try!
I created the Scenic Sunday posts for the photos, and just a few paragraphs of prose to explain where the photo was taken and what feelings it evokes. That way, on Sundays, if I have some free time I can post something to my blog and still get outside and live a little!
I take it as a compliment that you want more, though! What I wrote about the Alhambra was from my article "The Alhambra Palace: Place of Legends and Dreams" that was published in Arabella Romances magazine. When I get it up on my articles page at http://www.MelodyMoser.com I'll let you know in case you want to take a look.
Best,
Melody
Posted by: Melody | October 06, 2009 at 06:05 AM
So long as we're on the subject of prose, I'm always very impressed by the quality of the writing here, Melody. Even if you can't be constantly jetting off to Spain or Scotland, it seems to me that these blog entries could say a little more.
Posted by: Doug Pologe | October 05, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Lauren,
Thanks so much for sharing -- your prose fragments are beautiful! They brought back even more wonderful memories of Granada. I will keep checking your site for more. Melody
Posted by: Melody | October 05, 2009 at 02:21 PM
The Alhambra is gorgeous and does retain a spiritual element. I visited there just a couple weeks ago--on a solo trip of mine own! Here's some poetry/prose fragments Granada inspired: http://lonelygirltravels.com/2009/09/18/granada-fragments
Posted by: Lauren | October 04, 2009 at 02:50 PM