Spring Break Part Jooj (two)

Espanya

I went to the south of Spain after my mom left with my school. We took a ferry in the morning of Thursday. I’m not sure who to give the points for my 4th vomit of my time abroad. I think I will give the points to Spain since we had left Tangier at that point. The international score card now stands Morocco 3, Spain 2, Jess Wagner 0. (to be fair I’m not sure how to gain points in this competition) Or we could look at it in a transportation kind of way, Camel Ride 1, Plane 1, Ferry 1. This might all be too much information…

Anywhooo… We continued past the rock of Gibralter to spend the night in Cardoba and visit the Cathedral that once was a mosque. The south of Spain, Andalusia, is riddled with history of the crusades and the fights to claim land. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim influence can be seen strongly all throughout the province. This Cathedral has the appearance of a mosque from the outside but has two cathedrals inside it. It is a strange thing to walk through the low wood ceilings and pillars of the mosque to a vaulted and carved ceiling of an elaborate cathedral. All in the same structure. I highly recommend this for anyone studying cathedrals, mosques, or art. I believe it the only of its kind.

We also traveled to Granada where we went to the Alhambra. It also served many purposes over the years, housing kings and sultans and guards and more. The gardens were created to give a piece of paradise on earth, with fountains, pools, shrubbery, flowers, and other peaceful and wonderful features. Islam cannot display images of Allah or of things to be worshiped but evidently can create an idea of paradise.

We saw the cathedral where Elizabeth and Ferdinand are buried. Enjoyed some gelato, paella, tapas, and café du leche and had some free time for exploring and enjoying the time in Spain. I even was able to talk to one of the taxi drivers in French when the unused Spanish of the people I was with failed. There is something so great about being able to communicate with people. I don’t know what I will do when I come back to the states and almost everyone I come into contact with speaks English. I haven’t overheard English, whether it be in a café, or at a store, or in the streets for so long. Once in Marrakesh, once on the ferry today (which was sick-free thank you for asking) and a couple other notable times.