Lilly in the world

Spain has many things to offer and if you like being left speechless, I definitely recommend visiting Andalucía! I spent only three days there but I already feel like coming back. If I included every detail of this wonderful journey in this post, you would be probably bored (and me, too) so these are only few of my observations, insights and experiences.

Córdoba.

Beautiful sunrise in Córdoba and the warm air is a subtle hint of the 26° we had later as well as prediction of my sunburnt nose. The first thing on our list is to visit the Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita de Córdoba): one of the most important monuments of Western Islamic world. I get lost. Firstly, metaphorically: the way two religions (because the Christians basically built a cathedral within the mosque) can meet in a fusion and coexist side by side (obviously, Christians and Muslims may view the situation in a radically different way). Secondly, I get lost literally: because of the Mosque's hugeness you need to focus a bit when looking for the same exit you came in... Afterwards we roam a little bit through the city centre with its antiquity, oranges, palm trees, white houses and patios.  

Sevilla.

Sevilla has many surprises in stock, all ready for you to discover. We go to the Catedral de Sevilla, Torre del oro, Reales Alcázares and Plaza de España. We head for Spanish flamenco, too: I've never seen so many emotions in such a little time! Many beautiful things happen in Sevilla! We taste paella, get lost in the magnificent gardens of Reales Alcázares where we see a peacock, try to decipher all the mosaics, conquer the tower of the cathedral to enjoy a splendid overview of the city, look at the miniatures of Christopher Columbus' ships, and take tons of pictures at Plaza de España (and selfies, too :) ). Let the pictures speak for themselves:

Granada. 

Alhambra is huge. I am all at once overwhelmed by it's size as well as beauty - the details of the superb craftsmanship which survived all these centuries take my breath away. Moreover, Sierra Nevada mountains: I could totally get used to a view like that! You know, my grandmother has this guidebook I used to browse through as a kid, full of castles, monuments, cities, landscapes and wonders all around the world. One thing is to read about Alhambra in a book or watch it on television and it's something completely different to see it with your own eyes. Honestly, seeing Alhambra is one of my personal victories and it means much to me. I feel so empowered as I could travel anywhere now! I can do anything!

Best moment: sitting in front of Alhambra view, "disfrutar" (enjoy) the sun and archive the moment to your memory. For these ten seconds everything else disappears: all the worries of your though and demanding life back home are just not here. Next day we visit the cathedral and freely walk through the city in a relaxed atmosphere of newly-found friendships, trying on sombreros, eating ice cream, buying postcards and chatting.  

People.

Meeting so many new people, so many nationalities! Guatemala, Turkey, US, Mexico, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, France, England... (still no Slovak people though). But, more importantly, for the first time since I arrived to Spain someone knows at least something about my country! Marek Hamšík, thanks for playing football in Italy and despite the fact that the Italian boys mispronounce your name badly, at least finally someone recognises our petty tiny-winy country. 

And, finally, the lesson learned from Andalucía regarding people I met: every person you meet can make you better in one sense or another. No matter what situation you find yourself in, there is experience in everything and that's what really matters. If you come across a bad-tempered public nuisance, take it easy and don't let them spoil your adventure! You're there to enjoy the trip in the first place regardless of all things (or irritating people) screwed up (and I'm really sorry to say that there were many things from the organisational point of view that went completely wrong). At least you can see the way it feels like for the others when you are grumpy and so now you know you don't want to be like that ever again... If, on the other hand, you feel a unique bond with a person you've hardly met, it's a sign that beauty of life has many shapes and forms. For example, a girl from Turkey Pinar - yes, objectively, I barely know her - and yet, I feel something special about our meeting. Benign smile and warm-hearted looks: I literally said to her out of the blue: "I like you so much, I don't know why, I just do." I met a bunch of other nice girls and boys, too! I had so much fun :) On these trips, it's definitely better to stay open-minded, honest and socialise a lot. Each of us has a story to tell and it's only up to make the best of it.

And another lesson learned: I finally remember: "Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro" :D