Here are a some pictures from my recent trip to Spain. It was so great to get away, especially after a very busy December. I met up with my friend Monica, who lives in Madrid, and we traveled to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, then to Sevilla in southern Spain before returning to Madrid for the final day. I saw some amazing architecture, beautiful landscape and awe-inspiring art. I ate tapas, met new people, and was reminded that traveling is an important part of life. It gives me the opportunity to experience something different and learn to appreciate differences in people and culture. It helps me to understand that my life is great because I'm living it.
Lanzarote One of the Canary Islands and closest to the coast of Morrocco, Lanzarote is a beautiful island that is more volcanic than tropical. It is covered in lava flows and small white towns that dot the moon-like landscape. We visited many sites there, all of which have the heavy influence of Cesar Manrique, an artist and architect who was born on Lanzarote. After gaining notoriety in the art world, he returned to his birthplace and built the tourism industry into the island's main industry. His art is also amazing. I've discovered a new favorite artist.
The Cactus Garden, designed by Cesar Manrique, is a uniquely beautiful spot that had me walking quite cautiously. I kept thinking that they surely had special cactus spine removal kits, just in case I tripped on the stone paths. Luckily I made is through without a scratch. 
Mirador del Rio was an overlook, perched on a cliff across from a tiny island off the coast of Lanzarote. Don't these pictures look like they were taken from a plane? Well, they weren't. We really were up that high.
Enjoying the sun! 
A beautiful swimming pool built into a lava flow.
The beach on Lanzarote. All sand beaches on the island are man-made. We decided to go to this natural spot. It's beautiful, late in the day.
Sunset, in a town called Playa Blanca.
Eating Italian on New Years Eve. We had hoped for a traditional Spanish New Years, but the island was so full of tourists that not many of the restaurants served traditional Spanish food. We settled for Italian. It was delicious.
This pic was taken just after midnight on New Years Eve. Instead of eating 12 grapes at 12 a.m., like the Spaniards do, we rang in the new year with mostly British tourists in a small Irish pub near our hotel. They sang Auld Lang Syne and watched the ball drop in London's Trafalgar Square via cable TV. We had fun anyway.
Sevilla
I loved Sevilla! It was beautiful and exactly what you might think of when you picture a typical European city. Cobblestone streets, tiny back alleys, colorful buildings, old architecture, amazing food, cute old people wandering the streets at night. I loved every minute of Sevilla and would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling to Spain.
Sitting by a fountain in one of the many plazas.
They had some amazing tile work all over Sevilla.
Plaza de España at sunset.
Most everyone in Spain goes out at night, some for dinner, some for a walk. And they're always dressed up. I was especially impressed by the older population who got all decked out to go out for a bite. These were some lovely ladies who we thought were particularly adorable.
A flamenco show
The streets of Sevilla
El Real Alcázar is the royal palace in Sevilla, Spain's former capital. It was here that Columbus planned his exploratory trip with Ferdinand and Isabella. Many other important things in Spanish history happened here, however, I'm not exactly sure which ones. There weren't any posted signs or plaques anywhere. It was still beautiful and impressive in size. Just when we thought we had seen it all, there was more.
Eating tapas at a typical tapas bar. I even tried blood sausage. While the flavor was good, I couldn't get over the fact that I was eating animal blood. At least I can say I tried. My favorite tapas were: tortilla de batatas, croquetas, queso manchego, chorizo and fried eggplant drizzled with honey.
The cathedral in Sevilla is the largest Christian church in the world, as deemed by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Eating paella -- it was amazing. At this restaurant I also enjoyed the best gazpacho I've ever had. We definitely splurged, but it was well worth it.
Madrid
I spent my first and last day in Spain exploring Madrid. While I didn't especially love the city, (it was dirty, crowded, loud and full of not so friendly people) I fell in love with the art. I visited both el Museo del Prado and el Museo Reina Sofia. I saw Picasso's Guernica, a painting I've read about and always wanted to see. Here are a few more of my favorites out of the ones I saw. These little thumbnails really don't do them justice. Most of these were at least 10 feet high and 9 feed wide.
Guernica, by Picasso
Las Meninas, by Velazquez
La Familia de Carlos IV, by Goya
Madrid did have some cute little spots, including this fun pastry shop. You had to push your way to the counter and tell them what you wanted. Then you ate, standing up and trying not to get bumped by the person next to you. I had an empanada de pezcado (tuna pie).
On the outskirts of Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
Maria's husband, Dominic, long ago built planter boxes so the roses could have a proper home. Now gone, Dominic is remembered fondly by Maria and all the neighbors who reminisce about how much he loved his roses. When the flowers are in bloom, Maria cuts large quantities and takes them to her husband's grave. She says she wants him to still be able to enjoy them.
Up until this year, Maria has tended these beautiful flowers. But now it has become difficult for her to climb in and out of the garden and her eye sight isn't quite as good as it used to be. All the residents in our building were asked if they could help keep up the garden. If no one volunteered, the property management company would have to take it out and put in more low-maintenance shrubbery to replace the roses. When I volunteered to help, I thought for sure other people would step forward as well. Nope. It was just me. Since digging in the dirt makes me happy, I don't mind so much, especially when Maria keeps me company and sits out on the steps and talks to me while I'm working. She gives me tips and lends me tools. I'm pretty sure I love her. Everyone else who knows her does too.
