The Top Ten

After visiting the Mezquita (Mosque) and Calle de las Flores (Street of the Flowers, pictured above) in Córdoba, we departed for Granada, our last city of the journey. While enjoying the landscapes of olive groves, sunflower fields, rolling hills, and eventually the Sierra Nevada mountain range outside of Granada (yes, they have snow year round!), our group identified the top ten reasons we love Spain. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. The countryside of Andalucia (Southern Spain).
2. The Spaniards are environmentally conscious and focus on energy conservation. We have seen many solar panel farms, windmills, and green parks and gardens. They take pride in and care of their country.
3. You don’t have to go to a museum to appreciate art. There is beautiful art and architecture from various time periods, which are incorporated into the city design.
4. There is a much slower pace of life in Spain. People take their time eating meals; a typical meal may last two to three hours.
5. The fashion.
6. The people are very friendly. On a few occasions when we have asked for directions, the Spaniards offered to accompany us to our destination.
7. In the same vein, we have not had to ask for directions often because the street signs and visual aids have been very clear and helpful.
8. Spanish music.
9. The artisan and culinary distinctiveness of each region.
10. Particularly in southern Spain, they embrace the beautification of the interior rather than the exterior. For example, a home in Granada (often referred to as a “Carmen”) is quite unassuming with simple, white stucco walls. On occasion, we have caught glimpses of the inside, and the homes are decorated with beautiful courtyards, fountains, and flowers. As one student said, “they bring the outside in”.