Spain

As Ireland was just starting to settle into a cold spell, Josh and I decided to spend the weekend in Malaga, Spain.  The weather was a balmy 70 degrees and we were happy to shed our jackets and soak up the sun.  This vacation was truly a first for me.  Some of you may know that I am the worst person to go on a relaxing getaway with, in fact I have always been slightly appalled that those two words could be used in the same sentence.  My typical vacation consist of me planning a months worth of activities for two days, and ends with me being cranky because I may have missed something.  I tell myself that I am just an enthusiast. Interestingly enough, I read a quote before our trip to Spain that read: if you rush to see everything, you'll end up seeing nothing.    Well it was settled, it was time to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.  We ate and drank a lot, we went without a plan and had an amazing adventure.

View from our hotel.

One of the many random bands playing throughout the city.

Chapel in the heart of the city.  Its right tower was never completed.  The money was put toward the city's renewal.

Hans Christian Andersen is the author The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid. Thank you Hans for providing me so much entertainment as a child.

Amazing cathedral

Pirate ship!  When docked it's actually one of the largest bars I have ever seen!

My favorite person in the whole wide world!

Malaga at night

This is the house where Picasso grew up.  We also visited the Picasso museum, but pictures weren't allowed.  Admittedly I haven't always been the biggest fan of Pablo Picasso.  His paintings are difficult to look at and are mostly unpleasing to the eye.  After spending many hours learning about the artist, I understood that was the purpose behind his work.  Picasso felt that the academic teaching of "Beauty" was detrimental to the human spirit.  Embracing flaws and incorporating imposing view points, Picasso's went on to create work that largely gained recognition through talent and morbid curiosity.

"Nothing is ever complete, it is merely in another state of being.  When I have created something that I do not have the courage to change, I know I am done."  Pablo Picasso

We also spent a good amount of time viewing the Toy Guarda, an intriguing section of the museum dedicated to the development of Toys!  We learned that artist introduced a social reform with toys.  Many toys were adopted by the schools during the 18th century and are still used today.  The Toy Guarda wanted to change the way children were viewed.  This brought about the idea of "Childhood".  I also enjoyed learning about the creation of children's books.  What themes do most primary stories have?  Think about it before reading on.  Themes that you and I have grown accustom to had to be thought up by someone.  Artist, together with psychologist asked children to tell them a story.  From those stories they generated themes such as; reaching your dreams, being the hero, having someone to care for you, and of coarse included should be characters that are identifiable or animals!  

 

Beginning of the Arabian Palace.  Malaga was under Arabian domination for 800 years.  The influences can be seen throughout the architecture and delicious dishes.

The palace's name is Alcazaba, which means it is a walled fortification in a city.  This structure is among the oldest.

Part of the palace

The Arabian Palace is split into two sections.  The top section held royalty.  The lower section was used for protection and defense.  This section was built as a maze, making it difficult to navigate.  And for some reason I doubt intruders were given a map upon entering. 

Arabian gardens

View of the city from the top!

The aqueduct ran throughout the structure.

The ocean and mountains

Colosseum

Simply beautiful

The large church that reaches higher then the rest is where Antonio Banderas was baptized.  He was born in Malaga and is currently a "Good Will Ambassador" in the fight against poverty.  Mr. Banderas is very popular here!

We are still in the palace.  The trip up was painstaking.  It was a long walk with an incline that was fierce.  Once we reached the peak, Josh and I were so embarrassed that we struggled so much when we noticed quite a few elderly at the top.  We later learned that they took a bus, which made a feel much better.

The city at night.

Cheers to you!

And you!



Next up: My parents visit, trip to Prague with Erin, and Josh and I going home for Christmas!