Much of what follows may sound naive and overly simplistic. After all, staying at a luxury resort for a month does not really put one in touch with the pulse of a country. Having said that, here are some of my takeaways.
1) The world seems much smaller to me now. Travelling across the pond in less than 8 hours was remarkable and certainly makes me more understanding of the term 'global community.'
2) The Spaniards are a very trusting people; they must be they way they built so many of their towns on steep mountainsides or at the edge of breathtaking precipices.
3) Costa del Sol is a harmonious land. Here in Toronto, it often feels like life is an "us vs. them" proposition whether it be on the roads or in the marketplace. I never had that feeling on holiday.
4) Teens in Spain do not have cell phones glued to their hands. If anything, it's a soccer ball not far from their feet.
5) From taking afternoon siestas to having wine with meals, from eating local fresh produce to shunning the 24 /7 news cycle, life in Spain seems to flow to a rhythm that is at one with the natural beauty and rich history of their land. It's as if we, as North Americans, are always listening to the AM band with news, traffic reports and talk radio. The Spaniards, on the other hand, prefer the easy listening of the FM band.
Indeed, I think Spain has it so right.
2) The Spaniards are a very trusting people; they must be they way they built so many of their towns on steep mountainsides or at the edge of breathtaking precipices.
3) Costa del Sol is a harmonious land. Here in Toronto, it often feels like life is an "us vs. them" proposition whether it be on the roads or in the marketplace. I never had that feeling on holiday.
4) Teens in Spain do not have cell phones glued to their hands. If anything, it's a soccer ball not far from their feet.
5) From taking afternoon siestas to having wine with meals, from eating local fresh produce to shunning the 24 /7 news cycle, life in Spain seems to flow to a rhythm that is at one with the natural beauty and rich history of their land. It's as if we, as North Americans, are always listening to the AM band with news, traffic reports and talk radio. The Spaniards, on the other hand, prefer the easy listening of the FM band.
Indeed, I think Spain has it so right.
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