It had been twenty five years since I’d last visited Toledo. I was a student and had just wrapped up the best six months I’d ever had. I had learned to converse in Spanish which was a great boost for my academic ego and had a lot of fun on top of it. I had…… Continue reading Trip to Toledo Spain
Tag: Spain
Posts from our about Spain. I studied in Toledo, Spain in 1998.
The Spanish West – Time Life Books
The more I travel and learn the more I realize people of every nation do not know their own history. It is not necessarily their own fault but that of the elementary and secondary schools which teach a ‘happy’ and patriotic version while diminishing or completely ignoring anything which could paint the country in a…… Continue reading The Spanish West – Time Life Books
Racial unrest and other news
It is 8:49 AM on Sunday May 31st, 2020. I have asked myself many times this year if things could get any worse. I quit asking myself that question months ago yet things continue to get worse. At this point I’m wondering if we will see a bottom for a while or if things will…… Continue reading Racial unrest and other news
Renaissance Man
I’ve always wanted to be a renaissance man. This idea came about in college when I started studying languages. I was so enraptured by my study abroad in Toledo, Spain that it changed the course of my life. The history, the culture, a new language were things I had never experienced before and here I…… Continue reading Renaissance Man
Travels in Asia and Africa – 1325-1354 – Ibn Battúa
I heard about this book from Reddit and knew right away that I wanted to read it. I love history and traveling and here is a first hand account from a well traveled (for the times) man from over 600 years ago. This is unlike a history book. History books are the past seen through…… Continue reading Travels in Asia and Africa – 1325-1354 – Ibn Battúa
The Alchemist
I read the Alchemist for the first time around 1996, almost a decade after it was originally published. Like many books I’ve read long ago I had forgotten most of it. It was a chance encounter seeing it featured as a book to digitally borrow from my library app and I listened to it during…… Continue reading The Alchemist
Capetian Dynasty
I’ve always been completely fascinated by the Capetian dynasty. A family whose rule started in 987, dominated for five centuries and still has royals to this day in Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and on the throne with King Felipe VI of Spain. In the USA, when royalty is mentioned it is something that belongs…… Continue reading Capetian Dynasty
Interconnection – Muslims, Mexicans, California and Conquistadors
A story from the Spanish Reconquista, to La Malinche and Mexico, and the discovery of California. The importance of understanding history along with my personal experiences.