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Writer's pictureLaila Fanusie

Heaven in Hispana

Toreo- the Spanish word for bullfighting. Which is one of the things Spain is most known for. Spain is a land of many things. Spain’s culture has so many different things, I couldn’t name all of them. From Spain’s exquisite food to their castles that are centuries old. Spain has so, so many cool things. Traditional old ways like bullfighting, or Spain’s abundance of old castles. Including the Alhambra, one of the most important Muslim remnant that is still standing today. I’m talking from a first-hand experience of Spain’s wonders. So get ready, cause prepare to learn a lot about Spain! Soak up all the amazing things and hop on for the ride. Remember, everything is an adventure!

Out of all the things about Spain, one of the things that fascinate me greatly is the history. Spanish history goes so so far back, and is so interesting. From the ancient times when Spain was just Hispana. Hispana was the name Spain had, centuries ago, before it as a country. One fascinating thind is that Muslims ruled Spain for aproxomatly 800 years. Then in 1492, the Christian Kingdoms of Castle and Aragon conqured it, ending the Muslim’s rule.

Did you know that when Muslims were being prosecuted in Spain people would come and check to see if you were Muslim? They would go from door to door. A trick the Muslims did was that they would hang a dead pig on the front of their houses when the people came to check. That way they would think ”Oh Muslims dont eat pork, this must be a Christian’s house.“ With that they would move on, and the Muslims would be safe.

Flowers in the Alhambra’s Gardens!

As I mentioned earlier, The Alhambra is one of the only Muslim castles still here today. That is why its so important in Islamic history. Located in Granada, Spain the Alhambra is a truly beautiful place. With intricate islamic art tiles, and arabic written on the walls. One of the best things about the Alhambra ( in my opinon) is its beautiful gardens. The Alhambra’s gardens have austonding flowers, mazes, and fountains to add to the natural beauty. The Alhambra’s gardens have beautiful walkwyas, under arches. The cobblestone paths, and watre trinkling in the background from the fountains, makes everything so majestic. I remember walking through the paths, and stopping to smell the flowers lined up on each side.

One of the best things about every

culture (in my opinion), is food. Spain’s food is delicious. One thing are Spanish tapas, which are like little appitizers. Sometimes a tapa will just be a cheese late, or it could be something like tortilla de patatas,( tor-tee-a day- pa-ta-ta). Or in englsih a Spanish omelete. Its egg, onions and potatoes, You just scramble eggs in a pan, then you add the sliced up potatoes and onions. After one side is cooked you slide it onto a plate. Then you flip it onto the pan again, but this time the non-cooked side is cooking, and the cooked side if facing up. Once the other side is cooked you are done! Now voila! You are done! Another Spanish dish is Spain’s traditonal dish, paella. (pa-eh-ya). It is a seafood dish with rice, and an assorment of vegetables, shellfish, and other seafood. If you’re a seafood lover, this is the dish for you! Maybe you won’t get to try it from an authentic resturaunt in Spain like I did, but still it’ll be worth it!


Spanish Men playing classical Music on the streets of Madrid

Next on the Spainish exploration train is…… Music!!!! Spainish music is amazing. From classical Spanish orchstra to opera, and Flamenco dancing. In Spain, the first music I heard was a guy on the street singing Spanish opera. Nope, I’m not kidding. He was singing on the streets of Madrid. He had a microphone on a stand and a hat with some bills in it. I stared in awe, and tossed a €5 ( 5 euro bill) in his hat. That wans’t the only time I saw musicains on the Street of Madrid. Another time was when there were some men playing classical Spanish music. They each had a cello, and composed something so beautiful. The thing about Madrid, Spain ( Spain’s capitol) is that it never sleeps. I would wake up at three am to the sound of Spain music blasting and partying. Spanish music though, was truly magical.

Another aspect of Spanish culture falling in the category of music is Flamenco dancing. Flamenco dancing is the traditional dance in Spain. Flamenco danicng began between the 9th and 14th centuries, in Spain. Flamenco is kind of like different folk dancing. The dancers wear tap shoes, so when they dance, their feet beat to the rythum. That, mixed with Spanish singing, twirls, and dancing is so, so beautiful. Not only is it great to hear, but fun to watch. Flamenco is engaging and has you following the dancers every twirl, spin and leap.

Since I’m talking about Spain there is omething I can’t leave out. Even though it’s not the best thing, but it is a traditonal event in Spain that people love to watch. Have you guesed it yet? Well, it’s bullfighting. I don’t like bulfighting particuarly. The thought of doing that to bulls, that makes me shudder. I recall walking around the huge thing,inspecting the board that had marks fofrm bull’s horns. The hot sun would beat down on me as I sat in the seating at the very top of the arena. Inside of the arena building though is a diffferent story. There are pictures of famous bullfighters, and traditional uniforms. There are models of bulls and little doll size figures of the arena. It’s so cool. You can walk through the different rooms, seeing everything. There was a gate to where the bulls are kept, though visitors aren’t allowed in there. This is an example of how, a culture that fascinates me so much, I don’t like all of it. I mean bullfighitng isn't really on my top list of Spain’s great qualities.

Something about Spain that I do like is their clothing. the traditonal veil ladies wear on their wedding in spain is called a mantilla. A peinta, a comb used to hold up the mantilla, is very pretty and decorative. Another thing is the gilet. Fun fact: the word gilet comes from spanish word jilleco, which comes from arabic word yalik! Anyways, back to the gilet. The gilet, a sleeveless vest are worn outside, when it is cold. In historical times, it as ffitted and embroidered. Now they dont do that anymore.

Overall, I think kit’s safe to say Spain’s culture is fascinating. Thinking about all the different aspects of culture, like music, clothing, traditons, and history, it is really amazing. I love Spain so much and it doesnt fail to impress. From afternoon tapas, to late nights on the streets of Madrid, it is so fun. Well until next time, thats it for world cultures! Adios amigos!





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