Paris may be my favorite city, but Spain is my favorite country. Again and again each time I visit, it pulls at my heart. Perhaps it is because, I know somewhere in my family lineage I am Spanish. Spain invaded the Philippines centuries ago, and some of the cultural aspects I feel I have inherited. There is a sense of familiarity I have each time I visit, regardless the city or island. Flan, ensamadas, and empanadas are all cuisine that I use to eat with my family in our gatherings. The brightness of clothing the locals wear matches the pop of colors my maternal lineage embraced. And the language is easier than French, I can actually pass for speaking it. I took Spanish for several years in high school and college, therefore I feel comfortable enough to get around. Understanding Tagalog assisted with the ease of Spanish language embedding into my bones. The California-esque terrain and eternal sunshine warms my heart.
Previously there was a Spanish tourism advertisement, whose slogan was « Smile you are in Spain. » And I couldn’t agree more. I know Americans are mesmerized with France and Italy, but Spain may have it beat. The euro stretches far, the siestas are tranquilo, the atmospheres are lively, the people are friendly, the tapas, and the flamenco ! Visiting Spain seems to give you that extra boost of Vitamin D you didn’t know you were lacking.
Espana is the hidden gem. Last week, was able to have a brief sibling vacation to Mallorca. I was open to visiting and had visited this Balearic island years ago, but mostly stayed in the capital of Palma and the confines of my all inclusive hotel resort. I was curious what the fascination was with this place, but I realized what was to be discovered with the independence of a rental car. The island has 300 beaches to visit, and numerous villages to wander around in. On this occassion, I did not visit the capital Palma. Therefore what was interesting, was I felt i was stepping back in time, when we drove the rural landscape. Throughout our time there, the only stoplights we encountered were linked as warnings for railroad tracks. Nature surrounded us in every corner. The vastness of the large mountains, the rural dessert like atmosphere in the center of the island, the village towns that existed up the mountains, the beauty of the cool blue water. My brother poignantly said, « Americans talk about freedom, but this is freedom. » This trip did taste like freedom, but it did not relate to a politcal party, or being in the U.S.A., or the amount of money we had. It was the luxury of time and the ability to explore vast terrain without boundaries. If you have the opportunity, visit. Any location in Spain will do. This is freedom, and you will say to yourself « smile you are in spain. »
‘Any reasonable, sentient person who looks at Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they’re going to fall in love. Otherwise, there’s something deeply wrong with you. This is the dream of all the world.’ – Anthony Bourdain
It Only Takes A Smile 