uncommonly feeble and random thoughts

This rant goes earlier ... day 3?    I wish that I had consulted a map during the trip far more frequently than I did. It was so visually stimulating (not to mention the positive social dynamics and gastronomical  delights) that I literally forgot to do so. It may also have had something to do with sleep deprivation and jet lag. Circadian crunch. This omission came back to startle me as I assembled this blog. When I finally pulled up maps at home, my brain went "whoa, THAT'S where Marbella is? And Seville?", and so on.   Thus,  I now see where Marbella was a welcome breather... a pause in the onslaught of visual, cultural, and social input that honestly was sort of overwhelming. So. Marbella. In Spain. So my decades-old understanding of the language served me well. Mar = sea,   bella  = beautiful. Beautiful sea:  Capture at 8:02 a.m. I'd been monitoring the moon (extreme upper left) for quite some time, and the gull happened by, and, wel...

The next stop on our tour was Granada, home to the Alhambra Palace. We stayed close by at the Alhambra Palace Hotel, high above Granada, but not quite to the altitude of the Palace itself. Our stunning hotel entryway:   Before we go to the Palace, a note that I lean  heavily  on Google Lens to reference what I shoot. I have enough on my plate framing and editing the photos, and in no way could do the deep research to describe what I shoot. My niece, however, could easily describe, explain, and expound upon any of my images.  So the first item of business was accessing the Alhambra Palace... let's try this little gate. It's actually the Puerta de la Justicia. It was completed in 1348 and served as a defensive gateway, and later a sort of courtroom from which justice was meted out:       The keystone at the top of the archway has a hand carved into it, the five fingers representing the five pillars of Islam. Here's a closeup: The Palace of Charles V, Hol...

The view of Granada from the Alhambra Palace is, well, amazing:       The Palacio del Partal sits inside the Palace wall, and includes the Torre de las Damas  (the Ladies' Tower)   A second view of the Palacio del Parto, with the reflecting pool. It is the oldest surviving palatial structure in the Alhambra, built in the early 14th century.   Why yes. of course there are pomegranates at the Palace...     The terraced gardens and water elements reflect medieval Moorish ideals of peace, order, and paradise.    Imagine strolling down this garden path...    Patio de la Acequia, Court of the Water Channel - the summer palace at Alhambra.     Ruins of the Palacio de los Abencerrajes, a noble family, showing rooms, courtyards, and thick defensive walls running along the perimeter of the Alhambra - some context for how private residences existed alongside the main ceremonial halls.    A wide view meant to share the ...

Next stop, Córdoba... the Mosque-Cathedral, and the Roman Bridge of Córdoba:  We just might have a shot or two from that edifice. As is becoming customary on this blog, a view of the pipe organ:    And as might be "not the first time", a capture of the choir stall: Allow me to quote '"the Google" from the 'ask' function on my phone for this picture (ah technology):   This striking choir stall is located in the heart of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a truly unique place where Moorish architecture seamlessly blends with Christian elements.  The choir stall itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque art. It was primarily created in the 17th and 18th centuries, replacing an earlier Gothic choir stall. The intricate wood carvings you see depict various religious scenes and figures, showcasing the incredible skill of artists like Pedro Duque Cornejo, who was a major contributor to its detailed design. Its grandeur is meant to reflect the importance ...