Sevilla - Of Hot and Suffocating weather

Everyone had warned us that the weather in Granada and Sevilla is always exceptionally hot, so we went to the Southern region of Spain mentally prepared for extreme hot weather. And so it was!

The normal average temperature during the day throughout our stay was 45 degrees, whilst the minimum temperature at night was 35 degrees. The only advantage was that the Andalucian region is not as humid as to what we were used to in Malta.

I must admit, going around sightseeing was quite difficult in the heat. The scorching sun made us feel literally as if we were in an oven being baked. Any kind of sun protection applied, starts melting off immediately and any hope of breathing normally is lost in seconds. Notwithstanding all this, we still had a great time and visited many interesting places in the city known for its tolerance amongst different peoples.

Here are some pictures from Sevilla, which was once known as the ‘Capital of the World’, although I still find it hard to believe.

Granada: Arab Influence in Spain

After a 7 hour bus drive, we arrived in Granada from Toledo. Granada is one of the main cities of the Andalusia region in Spain, which is situated at the South of the country.

Being so close to Northern Africa, Andalusia has a lot of Arab influence. The architecture, design, art and customs all have Arab and Muslim origins and influences.

The city is shadowed by the old Medina, the Alhambra, an old city built as from the thirteenth century, situated on a hill in the middle of Granada. Built by Arabs, under the command of El Ahmar, the Alhambra is an amazing fortified old city, full of art, architecture, sculpture and designs.

A visit to the Alhambra is a must when visiting Spain’s south. The rest of Granada, is as well highly influenced by the Arab culture. White washed houses, small alleys, Arab arches and incense smells make Granada a unique place in Spain.

Medieval Toledo: Of Christians, Jews and Muslims

Last May, during my trip to Helsinki for Eurovision, I had met a guy from Spain who immediately became a very good friend, Javier.

Javier although living in Madrid, hails from the nearby medieval city of Toledo. Since Toledo was next on our itenary, when we met Javi in Madrid, he suggested that we go and stay at his newly bought house in Toledo and spend the weekend with him and two other friends. He made sure that we didn’t say no, and therefore we extended our trip to Toledo from one day to a whole weekend.

Toledo is an amazing old city. Comparing it to Malta, I would associate it with the silent old capital of Mdina. In fact, Toledo has also got its own Medina.

The city is characterised by a history, which is shown also in art and architecture, of three different cultures. Christians, Jews and Muslims, lived together in this city for various centuries. When one culture conquered the city, it was tolerant to the others, and lived side by side.

It is interesting to see such a small city with various churches, chapels, synagogues and mosques, all in the same streets. Today some mosques have become Christian churches, synagogues as well, whilst other synagogues and mosques still serve their original religion.

Many say that Toledo is all of Spain in miniature. If one visits Toledo, he/she can experience all of Spain’s regions in one city.

Maltese Conquering Madrid!

A few days before arriving in Madrid I contacted a friend of mine who has been living in the Spanish capital for the past 2 years, teaching English and Arts in a church school. I met Maria Delicata at Junior College, however only became good friends last year, during one of her holidays in Malta.

When speaking to Maria on the phone, we decided to meet at the centre of Madrid on my last day in the city. On the phone Maria told me that she was going to get married next year and that she had bought a house together with her boy friend in the outskirts o Madrid, 2 hours away from the centre.

Anyways, two days before, whilst walking along a street in Madrid I saw a familiar face, sitting down on a chair outside a bar. Alpio, an old friend of mine from the Maltese Eurovision scene, whom I knew he lived in Madrid. Surprisingly enough, Alpio was in the company of two other Maltese friends of mine who were in Spain on holiday, Alexis and L.

It was so astonishing to meet friends in such an enormous city. Needless to say, we spent the last two days of our stay in Madrid in good Maltese company! On the last night, Malta conquered Plaza Mayor. Six Maltese in one square in Madrid, meeting mostly by chance.