Our next stop, Italy, was a short trip that we had added into the journey for the desire to experience the most scrumptious pizza of our life in Naples, as well as experience the beauty and serenity of the Amalfi Coast. Both of these desires of ours came true. Pressing into the firm dough in the tiny kitchen of a famous pizzeria in Italy, and creating my own authentic pizza, was one of the most rewarding instances of my life. Not to mention the taste. The blend of flavors and textures as the fresh mozzarella, even fresher sauce, and the crust slowly filled up my belly and my heart. And the gelato. I can never forget the gelato. So creamy, so thick, and the wholesome end to every day in Italy. As we approached our last destination, Spain, all I could think was how Italy had given me a strong appreciation for food. A burning desire to travel everywhere to experience the most authentic and incredible cuisines. And the country showed me the beautiful and valuable lesson that, no matter how long and hard a day can be, one scoop of coffee-flavored gelato at night, shared with the people you love, can bring incredible laughter and happiness.
The last country on our list, and a country that since I had been 11 years old, I had always desired to travel to, was Spain. We arrived at Madrid, and already I felt at home. The Spanish spoken and written around me, brought me back to the language that I had loved, and the culture I had studied all through grade and high school. Our first full day in Madrid, we took a day trip to Toledo, and I will forever say that this city is magic. Toledo is an ancient city in Spain, that has had religious influence from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. As we entered the city, we felt the holy aura of the people, the architecture, and the history. The city had beautiful areas designated for the incredible churches and monasteries, the magnificent alcazar, and the stunning synagogues. As I walked along the cobblestone streets, soaking in the the roots of all these religions, and how they so peacefully intertwined in this great city. I was slowly grasping the concept that to their core, all religions are teaching us the same intrinsic values: to love God, and to strive always to be a good human being. As I ran my hands on the mosaic tiles on the outside of the Alcazar, all I could do was pray. Pray that in this life, I learn what it means to imbibe devotion and service.
After the spiritually rejuvenating experience of Toledo, viewing the beauty and history of Madrid, and eating the most tasty paella we had ever had in our lives, Pooja and I began our train ride to the city of Sevilla, Spain. Sevilla was unlike any other city we had stayed in Spain. It had the rich spiritual and cultural history that Toledo had to offer, through its famous Alcazar and Cathedral; and it also had the authentic feel of Spain as well, without the bustle of large cities and commercialized buildings. The streets were full of young kids running around playing games and shouting in Spanish, the open markets smelled of rich spices and sweets, and the narrow alleyways full of quiet food stands and tiny stores made the entire city feel like the background of a beautiful fairytale. It was here in Sevilla, I felt re-vitalized. Energized by what life had to offer, and feeling purposeful of what my dharma was shaping into.
After Sevilla, our final stop on the trip was Barcelona. By this far into the trip, my Spanish which had come out broken and embarrassing, was beginning to take shape, and I felt slowly removed from being a tourist to feeling more native. Barcelona, from its bustle and tourists felt very similar to Madrid. However, it was one building, or should I say, one person, that changed the entire city for me, and this entire trip, and that was, Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí was a famous architect that lived in Barcelona. He was considered a relatively contemporary architect, and his buildings are famous all through Spain, but specifically in Barcelona. We walked by some of his work and they immediately spoke out to me. I have no study in art or architect, but I immediately knew I was seeing the work of someone who was so skilled in both. The buildings were designed like I had never seen before. However, one building in particular captured my heart, and helped me find so many answers to my personal journey, and that was the Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia is Gaudí's life-long work. As a young architect commissioned to work on the church by the devotees of Joseph, he was supposed to continue the work of the previous architect by creating a traditional gothic cathedral. However, Gaudí was more than just an architect. He was a pious and great devotee of the lord. And he was a revolutionist. He understood that the vision of Sagrada Familia was the vision of the future. Gaudí designed the cathedral with so much innovation, creativity, art, symbolism, taking in the use of geometry and nature, light and sound, and made it so that it was more than just a building, it was a force, the emblem of what religion was supposed to be. Held down in the core values and structure that should always remain constant, but innovated and customized to be relevant to the times. Gaudí, as a powerful devotee, understood that religion needed to be represented in its strong teachings and values, but also adapt and innovate to newer eras. Gaudí had the vision of making the Sagrada Familia the church for the people, by the people, and created it as his great service and devotion to God.
As I walked through the church, I felt waves of emotion hitting me. I could feel the passion, the determination, and the vision of Gaudí in every inch of the building. I could also envision slowly what Gaudí wanted us to understand; that when you hold something so dearly to your life, you dedicate everything to it. You become the embodiment of what you create. For Gaudí, this church was his offering and service to God. He selflessly and tirelessly put in all his strength, all his mind, his ability, his love, into it. He inspired so many others, that once he passed away, the vision of the church continued, and to this day, construction is going on to bring Gaudí's greatest service to completion.
All I can do, as I write this post is pray that one day I find the determination, the love, the passion that Gaudí had, and no matter what my offering may be to God, I can give even half the sacrifice that he gave.
The last country on our list, and a country that since I had been 11 years old, I had always desired to travel to, was Spain. We arrived at Madrid, and already I felt at home. The Spanish spoken and written around me, brought me back to the language that I had loved, and the culture I had studied all through grade and high school. Our first full day in Madrid, we took a day trip to Toledo, and I will forever say that this city is magic. Toledo is an ancient city in Spain, that has had religious influence from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. As we entered the city, we felt the holy aura of the people, the architecture, and the history. The city had beautiful areas designated for the incredible churches and monasteries, the magnificent alcazar, and the stunning synagogues. As I walked along the cobblestone streets, soaking in the the roots of all these religions, and how they so peacefully intertwined in this great city. I was slowly grasping the concept that to their core, all religions are teaching us the same intrinsic values: to love God, and to strive always to be a good human being. As I ran my hands on the mosaic tiles on the outside of the Alcazar, all I could do was pray. Pray that in this life, I learn what it means to imbibe devotion and service.
After the spiritually rejuvenating experience of Toledo, viewing the beauty and history of Madrid, and eating the most tasty paella we had ever had in our lives, Pooja and I began our train ride to the city of Sevilla, Spain. Sevilla was unlike any other city we had stayed in Spain. It had the rich spiritual and cultural history that Toledo had to offer, through its famous Alcazar and Cathedral; and it also had the authentic feel of Spain as well, without the bustle of large cities and commercialized buildings. The streets were full of young kids running around playing games and shouting in Spanish, the open markets smelled of rich spices and sweets, and the narrow alleyways full of quiet food stands and tiny stores made the entire city feel like the background of a beautiful fairytale. It was here in Sevilla, I felt re-vitalized. Energized by what life had to offer, and feeling purposeful of what my dharma was shaping into.
After Sevilla, our final stop on the trip was Barcelona. By this far into the trip, my Spanish which had come out broken and embarrassing, was beginning to take shape, and I felt slowly removed from being a tourist to feeling more native. Barcelona, from its bustle and tourists felt very similar to Madrid. However, it was one building, or should I say, one person, that changed the entire city for me, and this entire trip, and that was, Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí was a famous architect that lived in Barcelona. He was considered a relatively contemporary architect, and his buildings are famous all through Spain, but specifically in Barcelona. We walked by some of his work and they immediately spoke out to me. I have no study in art or architect, but I immediately knew I was seeing the work of someone who was so skilled in both. The buildings were designed like I had never seen before. However, one building in particular captured my heart, and helped me find so many answers to my personal journey, and that was the Sagrada Familia.
The Sagrada Familia is Gaudí's life-long work. As a young architect commissioned to work on the church by the devotees of Joseph, he was supposed to continue the work of the previous architect by creating a traditional gothic cathedral. However, Gaudí was more than just an architect. He was a pious and great devotee of the lord. And he was a revolutionist. He understood that the vision of Sagrada Familia was the vision of the future. Gaudí designed the cathedral with so much innovation, creativity, art, symbolism, taking in the use of geometry and nature, light and sound, and made it so that it was more than just a building, it was a force, the emblem of what religion was supposed to be. Held down in the core values and structure that should always remain constant, but innovated and customized to be relevant to the times. Gaudí, as a powerful devotee, understood that religion needed to be represented in its strong teachings and values, but also adapt and innovate to newer eras. Gaudí had the vision of making the Sagrada Familia the church for the people, by the people, and created it as his great service and devotion to God.
As I walked through the church, I felt waves of emotion hitting me. I could feel the passion, the determination, and the vision of Gaudí in every inch of the building. I could also envision slowly what Gaudí wanted us to understand; that when you hold something so dearly to your life, you dedicate everything to it. You become the embodiment of what you create. For Gaudí, this church was his offering and service to God. He selflessly and tirelessly put in all his strength, all his mind, his ability, his love, into it. He inspired so many others, that once he passed away, the vision of the church continued, and to this day, construction is going on to bring Gaudí's greatest service to completion.
All I can do, as I write this post is pray that one day I find the determination, the love, the passion that Gaudí had, and no matter what my offering may be to God, I can give even half the sacrifice that he gave.
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