by [Faëry]

Red and yellow, the colors of Spain, are truly representative of the spirit of this amazing country. Red like fire, the fire of the spirits during the nights of Barcelona. Yellow like the sun, the sun of Andalusia, Spanish and Arabic at the same time, where it never rains and it's always warm. Two colors, two visions of the same country, one of the last I visited.

The nightlife of Barcelona is famous worldwide. If you get into a bar at midnight, it'll be empty, but don't try to sleep at five in the morning! However, this amazing city, the second biggest of Spain, is much more than just beer and music. In this town, Gaudi's greatest modern architecture stands side by side with a gothic cathedral. There are parks all around, and the Parke Güel is a must see. You set foot between its trees and find yourself in a dream, or a fairy tale, more precisely in the story of Hansel and Gretel! The mood of Barcelona is set but it's artists, students, and everyday workers that love their city and try to make the best of it.

But willing workers are not exclusive to Barcelona. The capital, Madrid, is also the home of some wonderful people. Please forgive me for this, but I hereby need to make a parenthesis. I arrived in Madrid on the day of the terrorist attacks. I saw the places, the victims. Those people were innocent; some of them had probably taken part in the manifestations against the war. However, they were still the victims of another war, much more dangerous and intrusive. No one is safe until we all take our part in bringing peace back on this world. Otherwise, this phobia will bring us all to a devastating end, and the terrorists will have won.

But the people of Madrid did the right thing; they kept life going, and gave us the opportunity to enjoy this very young, but very nice capital. Plaza Major, plaza Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, all those names are synonyms of beauty, purity, and charm. From the post office, which looks like a palace (!) to the green spots you would never imagine in such an urban environment, from the royal palace to the shaggy but charming houses, Madrid is the first sign of the mix of cultures you encounter further south. However, the surrounding villages also have their word to say! Medieval Toledo, Renaissance Segovia with its Roman aqueduct and the great monastery of El Escorial are all worth day trips!

After the capital, we took a bus straight south to Alicante. Unless you are traveling in summer and want to take advantage of the beautiful beaches, this is not the place to go. However, the neighboring village of Murcia is a delicious sight, especially during springtime when the orange blossom fills the air! However, this is just the beginning of the most wonderful part of Spain, which is none other than Andalusia.

If you are an amateur of culture mixes, Andalusia is the place to be. The Arabs, whom were chased by the Catholics during the 9th century, occupied it for over a millennium and left their trace everywhere. In Granada, my personal favorite, the beautiful gothic cathedral was built right beside the neighborhood of the Arab jewel makers. The Alhambra, the Arab fortress and castle, faces some charming little streets, with mountain scenery behind it all.

Granada is the most beautiful of Andalusia towns if you think of them as of atmosphere, but in Cordoba, you will find some of the nicest little streets, and the Mosque is definitely worth the detour. Instead of destroying it, the Catholics, enchanted by its splendor, decided to build their cathedral inside it. It therefore became the most beautiful monument of the whole town, and one of the best-preserved mosques in Spain.

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, also has a lot to offer. Ancient royal town, it houses some of the most beautiful palaces of Spain. Amongst those, I visited the Arab palace. Some parts of it are still it their original style, while others have been transformed during the Medieval and Renaissance eras. While you're there, take some time to walk in the wonderful parks that are spread throughout the city!

Next month: Portugal, the north of Spain and the coming back home…