Travel
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In a Ronda-bout fashion…
In the first chapter of his Tales of the Alhambra, Washington Irving captures the essence of the Andalusian countryside. Many are apt to picture Spain to their imaginations as a soft southern region, decked out with all the luxuriant charms of voluptuous Italy. On the contrary, though there are exceptions in some of the maritime… Continue reading
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A vision of Jannah…
Jannah (“Paradise” in Arabic), the equivalent of Heaven in the Christian tradition, is beautifully captured in Surah (“Chapter”) 55 of the holy book of Islam, the Quran. The recurring themes are clearly water, nature, and repose. Continue reading
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A tale of The Alhambra…
I am hard pressed to describe the magnificence of The Alhambra. It is my romantic dream of Arabia come to life. The right words still allude me even after having read “Tales of the Alhambra” by American writer Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) before our trip in… Continue reading
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The last stronghold…
It may be best to start at the end. 1492. The year Columbus sailed the ocean blue. The year the last Muslim ruler surrendered Al-Andalus (Romanized to Andalusia) to the Spanish monarchs; the very same rulers who had sponsored the expedition to the New World. The year the last Arab stronghold of Granada fell. While… Continue reading
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Say What (Portugal Portuguese)?
Bom Dia – Good Morning Boa Tarde – Good Afternoon Boa Noite – Goodnight Por Favor – Please Sim – Yes Não – No Obrigado (Male) – Thank You Obrigada (Female) – Thank You Adeus – Goodbye Fala inglês? – Do you speak English? Desculpe – I’m sorry Casa de banho – Bathroom A Conta,… Continue reading
