Alicia de Larrocha passed away several days ago. Being in transit, I only learned of this sad fact last evening. A friend sent me some YouTube links of her in concert. Here’s one for those interested in seeing a great pianist making it look easy.

Even with those small hands, Sra. de Larrocha could play with ease, the true sign of a master. She will be missed not only in Spain, but the world over, for her beautiful music and legendary performances. As a side note, consider the magnificent tone of that Steinway in the video. Also a treat.

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain is worth all the hype. While planning another visit to Spain, I came across this video on YouTube, which shows many of the highlights of the palace/fortress in a computer generated animation.

The American writer Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra is a great primer for anyone considering a visit. Irving is given credit for initiating the historical preservation movement thanks to this account of his travels to Spain and the Alhambra specifically. When I first toured the Alhambra, my guide made special note of Irving and went so far as to thank him for making his job possible. This sounded a bit over the top until I did some more research and discovered into what sorry shape sites such as this had deteriorated.

In earlier posts I also mentioned H.V. Morton’s A Stranger in Spain. He touches lightly on Granada but his insights into Spain in general are well worth your time. Like Irving, his account is first hand. Both of them interacted extensively with the local populace, experienced the authentic culture, and are capable writers.

Good research ahead of a trip makes it much more enjoyable and fulfilling. I’ll post more on that soon.

Previous posts here at The Bent Page mentioned a few castles in Spain. In the process of planning my next stay, I rediscovered a book called Castillos con encanto, which I had purchased in Spain. This book is one of a series of books published with the con encanto tag.

This book provides plenty of useful information, not to mention dozens of great photographs. There is also a map section, which works well when doing general trip planning. You will need Spanish skills as the book is written entirely in that language. However, it is an opportunity to further your involvement in the culture as you work out your plans.

Saludos!

La Tienda is a web-based supplier of many things Spanish. I mean, they can supply you with everything from foodstuffs to crockery, all of it from Spain. If you enjoy Spanish food and culture the way I do, I recommend you follow this link: http://www.tienda.com/

You won’t be disappointed in the products and services at La Tienda as they have sources directly in Spain where the real stuff can be procured. I can’t wait to get back across the ocean to the Iberian Peninsula. During all my trips to Spain, I’ve never had anything other than an exceptional experience. Things have changed over the years but mostly for the better. And if you can’t make the journey, try the recipes on La Tienda’s site. It’ll give you a literal taste of Spain that is hard to match.

In Spain, just across the border from Gibraltar, you’ll find the Andalucia Diner. Take a look at this most incongruous element in a Spanish town.

It was quite startling to come across an American style diner in Spain. Of course, I couldn’t resist taking a look. This place might have been found along any rural highway in the United States. So, taking advantage of such a locale, I promptly sat down and got some writing done. As I’ve said before, one of the joys of travel is coming upon the unexpected. You just never know what’s around the next corner: more of the same, or something completely different. (There was also a McDonald’s there but there’s plenty of them around Spain so we’ll ignore that.)

When I think of Madrid, Spain, I rarely think of snow. This past Friday they had a major snowfall. Check out this video.

Absolutely beautiful, if you like snow. The Royal Palace and the surrounding parks are a great place to visit by the way. Plenty of relics of bygone ages on display.

Anyway, I’m glad to be in Aruba where nothing is cold but the ice in my drink.

The Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain is currently hosting an exhibition of Rembrandt’s work. Of course, he has to be one of the most famous Dutchmen the world has ever known. And he deserves it. His paintings are nothing short of spectacular. I remember studying them while in film school. Much can be learned about story telling from his work. Here is a video showing some of the paintings on display. (Spanish speakers will enjoy the commentary.)

Sadly, the exhibition ends on 6 January 2009. The good news is that you can find a few Rembrandt’s in most great museums. If not, there are excellent books which render the images true to the originals. Every respectable home library should have a book like this on the shelf.

Who is your favorite painter?

Spain has a fair number of webcams available to the public. Regular readers of this blog know that Spain is among my favorite places, (probably number one on the list). There is a great message board called Madridman.com. On it you’ll find very good information from people who live, travel to, and know the details about Spain. This includes travel information, favorite places, great restaurants, cultural info, and so forth. As I said, much of it is first hand information, the best kind there is.

What I like most, however, is taking a peek at the webcam shots every now and then, especially when I’m between visits. Here is a direct link to Madridman’s page that has a list of webcams from all over Spain: http://www.madridman.com/spaincams.html. Some of my favorites are the Segovia Aqueduct, the Plaza Santa Ana, and the different cathedrals.

There are many ways to travel in this modern world. Sometimes you have to put one foot in front of the other; other times you can do it from your computer. Sure, it’s not the real thing. But in a pinch, it’ll suffice. It may even help you work out your itinerary or enable you to communicate with people you might otherwise never meet. Try it. It doesn’t hurt a bit.

Spain, A Culinary Road Trip by Mario Batali (with Gwyneth Paltrow) is, quite simply, a wonderful book. I received it as a gift and immediately plunged in, seeking out those Spanish culinary delights that I’ve come to love during my annual treks. Much to my delight, I encountered numerous items that I normally wouldn’t try. However, given the interesting descriptions, I’ve decided the next time I’m in Spain I’ll be expanding my palate.

The book itself may seem like your typical coffee table tome. Don’t be fooled. Sure, the book contains many photographs but they are handsomely integrated with the recipes and text. Batali and Paltrow put the food into cultural context, one of the things I appreciate most about this book. Furthermore, the photos show a bunch of people having a great time. The enthusiasm and love for the people and food of Spain literally leaps off the page. You’ll meet ordinary people as well as famous chefs courtesy of this duo.

Of course, I’m an easy sell in this department. During my many trips to Spain, I’ve come to love the culture. Still, I’ve seen my share of travel, history, and cooking books. This one is among the best. In some ways it brings to life portions of H.V. Morton’s A Stranger in Spain. If you are even remotely interested in the subject, don’t hesitate to plunk down your cash. You will not be disappointed.

When visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, one of the must-see items is the lion fountain.

I first became aware of the Alhambra when I read Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra. Many people don’t know that Irving was responsible for one of the earliest conservation efforts of historical sites. He traveled to Spain, rode from Seville to Granada, and found the Alhambra in a sorry state of disrepair. His book was a huge seller during his time, igniting the imaginations of people in various countries. One of the most amazing things is how his writings remain relevant more than a hundred and fifty years later. His discussion of the Spanish character, the context in which the Alhambra exists, and his interpretation of the sight ring true. It is interesting to read how travel was conducted all those years ago. It certainly makes me appreciate all the conveniences available in the current age.