Helen's Home World: Magical and Mysterious

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Magical and Mysterious

My work took me to a wondrous place last month, Granada, Spain. I had never heard of it before, it is a city at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains; in winter, it is quite a ski destination but that isn't what makes it so magical and mysterious.

It is renowned for an Arab fortress and palace called the Alhambra. While we studied European history in school, there was very little if any that I recall about the Arab Empire. This area of Spain was under Moorish control since 711 AD.; it was't until 1492 that Christians took over the area. It was from Alhambra that Christopher Columbus requested royal endorsement from Queen Isabella. Alhambra is a World UNESCO Heritage site.

Two of my sisters joined me on this trip. We arrived on Saturday morning, my workshop didn't start until Monday morning so we had the rest of the weekend to look around. We didn't actually go to Alhambra until the following Saturday as even though we booked a couple weeks in advance that was the only time we could get tickets to the palace at the same time.

That first afternoon we just walked up to the tourist information office at city hall so my sisters could get their Welcome to Granada cards. Then on the advice of the agent we walked some of the small market streets.

The weather was quite unsettled with a few thunder storms rolling through so we decided to stop and have a meal and a drink to avoid the rain. We quickly learned to ask if they had tapas rather than to ask for the menu. If they had tapas, all you had to do was order a drink and food would come with it.

The weather was a little better on Sunday and we spent the day walking around, this time up to the old Moorish area of the historical city centre. During our walk, we found some tourist apartments that invited you to come in and see the view of Alhambra from the terrace; which we did, the picture below is from that terrace. Great advertising; we looked up those apartments online, they would make a perfect base for a visit to Granada. Since on Sunday it turned out that many attractions are free, we were able to visit a monastery and the archaeological Arab baths.

View of Alhambra

Monastery

Old Arab baths

Arab baths

River Darro

Monday morning, I had to head off to my workshop but my sisters enjoyed another day of strolling around as their cards didn't start until the Tuesday. Tuesday evening, we had a workshop dinner. It was held outdoors on a beautiful patio. The weather that evening was very nice, even perhaps a tad warm.

Going up to dinner

The next day the workshop was only a half day for those of us that had decided not to do the tour of General Dynamics Land Systems. The previous evening had also been one of my sister's birthday, we had surprised her with a reservations at an actual hammam, an Arab bath so we enjoyed the baths and a massage that afternoon.

Side street location of the hammam

Entrance to the Hammam

It was quite an experience, warm, cold and hot pools, a sauna, mint tea, music, all followed by a massage. The whole place was beautifully tiled. It was my first massage.

Our workshop ended on Friday at noon, so I was able to play tourist again with my sisters. They had kept a few places to go that were near by to our hotel. We also planned to go to see Alhambra lit up at night. They say sunsets are spectacular but unfortunately for us unsettled weather and clouds had rolled in again.

We visited another archaeological site and another monastery before heading up to find a place for dinner. We had planned to walk but a gentleman told us it was very steep and we had better take a bus. That was a good idea, it was steep. How those bus drivers manage those tiny streets I'll never know.

Granada at night

Panoramic view

The restaurant was rather expensive but it was better than sitting on the wall in Plaza San Nicolas for nearly two hours. We only ordered a bottle of white wine and a plate to share so it wasn't too bad. Had they come and asked us if we wanted anything else they probably would have made some other sales.

The next day, Saturday was our last day in Granada. Our tickets for the Nazrid Palaces were not until 6:30 pm so we had a little time to sleep in and pack before heading out for lunch and then up to Alhambra, first to see the gardens and the fortress.

But you know this post is getting long, I'm going to leave our visit to Alhambra for another post.

2 comments:

DukeOctober 3, 2018 at 5:44 AM
Absolutely gorgeous! What a fun experience!
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Lassiter Chase and BenjaminOctober 3, 2018 at 8:25 PM
The pictures of the place look pawsome. Looks like it was a nice getaway.
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother