Monday, 12 May

In 2018, Dolora and I experienced Italy through a Rick Steves “My Way” tour. These tours provide lodging and transportation, with a tour guide offering town insights on the bus and assistance with recommendations, reservations, and any problems during daily “office hours.” A key benefit of the “My Way” tour is staying in small, locally owned hotels centrally located within each town. Limited to under 25 participants, the tours allow for a personalized pace, offering the flexibility to be as engaged or relaxed as desired and to socialize with fellow travelers. We also enjoyed a guide-led Rick Steves tour of Greece in 2023. Both tour styles provide excellent travel experiences. Spain seems like the perfect destination for another “My Way” tour.

Preparing for this trip, I read María Rosa Menocal’s book, “The Ornament of the World,” which explores the cultural tolerance that flourished in medieval Spain under Muslim rule. Following Roman and then Visigothic Christian control, Muslims from North Africa arrived in the late 700s, bringing Arab culture. They permitted Christians and Jews to remain and practice their faiths. This period of coexistence, lasting until 1492, despite facing challenges from less tolerant Muslims and ultimately ending with the Christian Spanish Inquisition, fostered a unique cultural fusion. This intermingling is evident in Spain’s architectural wonders, where Roman temples became Christian churches, then mosques, and finally Christian churches, each leaving traces of previous cultures. The remarkable nature of many Spanish sites stems from these diverse influences.

The tour begins officially on Thursday, but arriving a couple of days early is recommended to adapt to the six-hour time difference. Our flight departed Dulles at 6 pm and arrived at 8 am local time, which was 2 am on our internal clocks. We’ve learned that maximizing sleep on the plane and staying up as late as possible on the first night are the most effective strategies for adjusting to the new time zone.

A big thanks to our “Uber” driver Joel who picked Dolora and I up and dropped us off at Dulles. There was a Lego model of the main terminal in front of the security entrance. Impressive! We breezed through security, which was a first for Dolora in a long time. Lately she has been a magnet for extra security scans at the airport. Our plane left on time,