I always think that nature is the greatest artist of all, and when combined with man’s beautiful creations, they produce scenes that look like works of art.
For nearly two weeks, I’ve had a special guest staying with me, a cousin of my mother’s whom I’d never met before and who, after forty years, was reunited with my mother. But anyone who reads my blog regularly will already know this.
I haven’t been to any art galleries these past few days, but I have been out for plenty of walks, with the aim of showing my cousin a bit of the city. It’s a short trip, because the idea isn’t to explore Spain, but rather the reunion itself, to get to know one another and learn more about ourselves.
But amongst visits to the historic centre, parks, the beach and the city’s iconic landmarks, I simply couldn’t miss out on a place that’s very special to me, as it’s where the most beautiful landscapes are sketched and painted though it’s true that the whole city is lovely, this place in particular has something the others don’t: so many wonderful memories.
I’d mapped out an itinerary: exploring a park, strolling along the seafront promenade, heading up to the Paseo de la Farola and waiting there for nightfall, savouring the passing of time and watching the marvellous colours the sky takes on at this time of year.
The first part of the itinerary wasn’t possible; the exhaustion from the previous days threw a spanner in the works, but we did manage to do the second part. My cousin isn’t used to long walks, so much of what I’d planned for his trip couldn’t be done, but the important thing was being together and getting to know each other.
The weather didn’t help either, as the high humidity really got to him, coming as he did from a cold, dry climate. They were challenging days, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to show him the wonder of the otherworldly landscapes that form along the seafront promenade as dusk gives way to night.
We walked along the promenade lined with palm trees, surrounded by crowds of tourists, but to be honest, I wasn’t paying them any attention. There was a pleasant chat between my cousin, my mum and me, which made the walk lovely.
From the seafront promenade, where all the restaurants, the lights, the palm trees and the ‘giants’, as I call the yachts and cruise ships, are, we made our way up to the ‘Paseo de la Farola’, a beautiful and very special spot, as I said before.
I always remember when my aunt and uncle visited me several years ago and, upon seeing these views from this very spot, where I took most of the photographs I’m sharing with you today, they fell in love with this place and the city, and even talked about moving here and living here. But as life would have it, my aunt is no longer with us and that dream has not come to fruition.
I think I’ve been thinking of her a lot these past few days, because I showed them round the city just as I’m doing now with my cousin. So many memories come flooding back, and the views I’m sharing with you are still there, ensuring I’ll never forget the beauty of the experiences I’ve had.
This is one of the most magical spots in the city; I think it’s a work of art where nature and human creation come together, a boundary between the sea, the greenery, the boats, the castles in the background and the dreamlike sunsets. It was one of the first places I saw when I arrived, over eight years ago.
Thank you very much for joining me today; I wish you all a wonderful Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.