Bill, Brook and I just returned from a magical 10 day trip to Portugal and Spain. We experienced a wide range of tradition and culture during this trip. One of the highlights being that we were able to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve in Seville. The cathedral where the service was held was massive and well attended. The air was filled with fragrant incense which mingled well with the European sounds (the entire service was conducted in Latin and Spanish, punctuated with organ music).
The next day for Christmas our family enjoyed a quiet dinner together at an ancient Moorish bathhouse that was converted into a rustic yet elegant restaurant. I remember feeling especially peaceful and content that evening…being in the company of my Bill and Brook in such a beautiful and amazing place. My heart was warm with love, as my fingertips were warmed by the comforting glow of the candle on our table. After our meal I felt full and satisfied in all ways.
In contrast to our quiet Christmas dinner together, on our last day in Seville we took in a lively flamenco show with soulful singing and guitar playing. The flamenco dancing itself was incredible…so intense and full of emotion. Brook was so moved by it all that afterwards she was literally speechless…I don’t remember this ever happening to her before. I suppose that the passionate music and dancing awakened some part of her that she might not have known existed.
This trip was the perfect way to close 2013. I’ll most likely share some more of my experiences in the next post (there was a lot of inspiration that I’m sure will influence future art projects).
Wishing you all good glow and lots of happy dancing into 2014!
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Wow, looks like an awesome trip. So nice to do it with the ones you love the most!
I wish for you a wonderful new year filled with good times and things you love to do.
January 1st, 2014
Becky,
Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip, this certainly whet our appetite! Glad you had such a lovely trip
Wishing you every blessing of love, contentment, peace and boundless creativity in the New Year!
Hugs,
Jeanette
January 1st, 2014
Happy New Year!!! wow, what a wonderful way to end a year on a joyous note with your family. our neighbours love Portugal. would love to experience Flamenco in person. life experiences can change us in ways we don’t even recognize. so glad your trip was a big success.
midnight mass on Christmas Eve would have been a beautiful experience too. treasures for you and your family.
hugs and peace to you for the new year.
January 1st, 2014
Sounds like a lovely trip and experience. One year I hope that my family can travel somewhere spectacular for the Christmas holidays, but for now, home’s the best place to be. How else would Santa find us? 😉
January 1st, 2014
I love that Becky – “Happy Dancing in 2014” – what a wonderful thought that is. Peace, joy, prosperity and health are all great things to wish for people, but dancing, the ability to move and the joy that comes from it is a great gift as well.
I am so glad you had a magical holiday… I imagine spending Christmas Eve in that huge cathedral must have been something to behold…
January 2nd, 2014
Sounds like you all enjoyed a very special holiday. I LOVE the churches and cathedrals in Europe -and have been known to tear up quite a few times in them-they simply fill me with awe. I’ll be looking forward to seeing more photos-and of course art inspired by your holiday. Happy New Year and may all the love and light that shines through your loving thoughts and art keep you enveloped in light and love as well.
January 2nd, 2014
Hi Ladies, It’s good to be back, and to hear from you again. Your energy is always so kind and warm, thank you.
January 3rd, 2014
sounds like a wonderful adventure, Becky – I really love the photo you´ve taken of that church … such lovely shades and lights! happy new year!
January 3rd, 2014
Oh how I understand the joy and peace of Seville. We had a magical visit there a few years ago. The flamenco dancing is alive with vim and vigor. Your trip was a wonderful way to end 2013. Happy New Year Dear…
January 7th, 2014
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