Natalie Vartanian's Blog

Spain Travel Journal

Saturday, April 1, 2006, 11:00 AM

We are an about an hour from landing in London. I still cannot believe we are actually going to Spain. I think the hardest part to believe about our trip is not where are going but how much time we have off. Two whole weeks; twelve full days since you really do lose a day traveling each way. Still, it is difficult to adjust to the mindset of free time – no commitments, no schedules.
So the plan is four days in Barcelona then two to the three days in the following cities: Seville, Madrid and Granada. The last day I did not plan so we may end up in Nerja or Ronda depending on our mood.
In some ways I feel this is my first real adventure. It is true that Australia was my first big adventure, because it was my first overseas trip and I went by myself, however this is my first trip where I do not know anyone on the other end. It is just Doris and I, staying in hotels and relying solely on a guide book for activity and direction!
So exciting because everything is bound to be an adventure.
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Thursday, April 6, 2006, 7:30 PM

God, it just hit me how grown up I feel; In an airplane, flying over Spain with just my best friend, on a trip I totally planned in a country where we knew no one. Even from our first day here to now, only five days later, I feel I am a different person: more confident, daring and worldly. My penchant for wanting to learn leads me to having the most interesting and memorable conversations with people. If I could pick one thing that I love about myself, it is that. I can have a conversation with anyone (even a wall as my brother once said).
I love hearing people’s stories and I know they feel important because someone actually cares and is eager to hear them.
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Friday, April 7, 2006, 2:30 PM

In a train from Malaga to Seville and the view is absolutely gorgeous. We are going past (and even through) hills and mountains, trees, rock, grass everywhere. I just saw some rock climbers off to one side.
This train ride is such a welcomed break from our crazy traveling the past day or two. Relaxing, yet food for the soul. I just love train rides. It reminds me of my trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, and our trip from Albany to Manhattan with Rose along the Hudson River.
I think we were reaching breaking points as far as being tired and fed up – Doris with the lack of food options and people’s rudeness, and me with being tired and wanting to stay put! But then you get on a train and it is all worthwhile.
As we were talking about earlier, we have to go on, we have no choice. This trip, I guess every trip, pushes your boundaries in ways you never considered before.
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Saturday, April 8, 2006, 2:30 AM

Despite the initial negative impression I got from Seville, (the hotel wanted to charge us even though we did not make it here until a day later), I am growing fond of it. Instead of comparing it to the States as we did in Barcelona, I am comparing it to Barcelona! As if I am seeing how the cities within Spain are different. We are coming to realize that it is funny how you can get attached to a place so fast, we both kind of fell in love with Barcelona.
The hotel did not end up charging us which was very sweet, especially considering the state we were in when we finally made it to the hotel. The taxi drivers decided to go on strike today, so we had to take a bus to El Centro and then walk to our Hotel. The streets are tiny, barely enough room for a sidewalk at times and you can easily get lost in the maze. Seville is extremely beautiful though with all of its historic buildings.
I went to look for an Internet café by myself first and ended up instead listening to this Orchestra band playing in front of the Cathedral. It brought tears to my eyes. We are so lucky to be so close these ancient monuments.
On the walk back from the Internet café we found later, we passed by some of the Castles, Plazas and the Cathedral. They are so haunting and beautiful at night. Makes the city so romantic.
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Saturday, April 8, 2006, 12:00 PM

Today we do our walking tour of Seville. Soak in the history and take pictures. As I sit in the hotel, I hear a band playing again. It is wonderful, so festive. I know it is mostly due to Semana Santa (Holy Week) coming up, so they are preparing for the party.
The grandiose impression of their Cathedral and Castles is very overwhelming when we come from a place of such varied religions and of ideologies. It is admirable in the way there is a devotion and a pride here that is very evident. But then how could it not be when the literal reminders, i.e. churches everywhere, are so prevalent.
If I were to live here, I think my favorite thing to do would be to walk around the Alcazar and Cathedral area during the nights. Muy romantico.
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Sunday, April 9, 2006, 11:15 PM

Taking the night train back to Seville is a total other experience. Usually they are low lit and you can sleep, but this one is bright and loud.
Earlier we were talking about love, romance and hypotheticals, which it is hard not to when everywhere you look there are couples: holding hands, kissing or in an embrace. Everyone is paired off. Seeing a lot of couples traveling together also reaffirmed for me that that is how I want my relationship to look. That is why he has to be very open-minded and flexible like myself.
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Monday, April 10, 2006, 4:30 PM

Four more days before our flight back. It is going to be hard to adjust back to the American way of life … yes there are things I miss, but definitely some I do not. Aahhh … Espana has won my heart like I knew it would, especially Barcelona.
Riding on the train, I realize what I having been feeling about Spain this whole time. Like I am home. I cannot describe it any other way, maybe it is because I kind of look Spanish and have felt accepted by most people, but it is a comfortable feeling, as if I have been here before. Maybe in one of my past lives. I feel I could adapt to this way of life so easily, aside from the religion thing, because I have that mentality already. Okay, the religion and the meat thing would be a bit difficult.
So far though, Spain it is as far as calling another country my home.
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Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 3:40 PM

Now I am feeling a bid sad to be leaving. I feel like I just found my home here in Granada and can only stay for a bittersweet couple of days. It is also the same sadness I felt leaving Barcelona. The pace here seems even slower than Barcelona and I can see myself here even more. Maybe it is the international feel here, maybe it is because I literally look like I would fit in, both from looking Spanish and Middle-Eastern.
I absolutely love it here. Even sitting in a Plaza with a fountain in the middle, listening to an accordion playing in the distance – It is so European. Plus, it just FEELS like me.
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Monday, April 13, 2006, 1:30 PM

Last night, after a couple of hours of resting in the room, we decided to tackle the Alhambra. I wanted to wait until later in the day so there would not be as many tourists and it paid off. We did go closer to closing time but it was okay. I just wanted to walk around, be up there among the ghosts and the walls. Since it is on a hill top, it is a bit of a hike to get up there. It was breezy and beautiful though, with gorgeous views of the city.
I loved it. We ran in to some Americans from Cleveland this morning and he could not have said it any better: “There is so much history here.”
After our trip to La Alhambra, we got dressed and went out for drinks and food before the Flamenco show. We ended up eating outside in the Plaza which allowed us to have a perfect view of the Semana Santa processional.
It was a weird experience for me since I am not really that religious anymore, but it still brings up feelings you cannot explain. Feelings from the past, when I was a devoted Christian maybe? I do not know. But either way, I can appreciate the beauty, the devotion and the magnificence, even if it is a somber event.
Our last adventure of the night was going to see a Flamenco show. A little shady looking bar down the street from the hotel. It was awkward at first, but once we all piled in to the underground cave-like room and the music started, the place felt transformed. It was beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes and made me want to get up and dance.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2006, 2:00 PM

It’s already a bumpy ride home. A lot of turbulence on our Malaga to London flight (which makes it harder to write).
I’m having mixed emotions about going back to the States. Glad to be going home, yet sad to be leaving Spain. I can’t help but compare my last two trips in the same way women compare lovers. My first trip, going to Sydney is like your first time. You never forget it, it seems like you’ll never love another like it, and it’s devastating when it’s over. I was lovesick for weeks after my return from Australia.
My trip to Spain I feel is on a whole other level. Maybe since I’m a year older and a bit wiser, but if feels a bit more real, and solid. It’s that quiet love that touches you to the core and feels like home, like you found your other half.
I described it before as the feeling of already being here; even Doris thought that about Granada, “Maybe we met here in another life.” Barcelona and Granada, our first and last stops on our trip, felt the most like home. When I say home, I do not mean like the United States that I have called my home this whole time. I mean, somewhere I may have in a past life or in the future of this life call my home.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2006, 11:00 PM

My head is in this weird blank space; my thoughts are not of where I just was nor where I am going. Maybe it is the fact that any major voyage causes you to question your goals and your intentions.
It will be awkward to go back to work and be a full timer, but I do not feel I have missed much. These two weeks were almost like time stood still. Thankfully I was in a transition period anyway of ending my time with one company and going back to full time with another company.
Another adjustment that will be hard is how I view men – it was so great to see how enamored the men are with their girlfriends, etc. in Spain. You can tell they love them and they are not ashamed to cater to them.
I really wish it could be that equal in the States. I am not very hopeful I will find anyone back home and it is sad. I joked that once I am ready to settle down, I will come back to Spain and find me a husband. Maybe if I put it out there, it will happen.
I need to find my partner in crime so that we can start the revolution together! Soon I hope …

posted by Natalie Vartanian @ 1:51 PM