The Meaning Of Spain For Me
When people think of Spain, they think of flamenco, bullfights, or soccer. When I think of Spain, I simply think of my family. My relationship with my parents and brother not as close as I would want. However, this past summer, my cousins from Spain visited my hometown for the first time in ten years. It was refreshing and exciting to talk to people my age and finally have that bond I longed for. Which is why, if someone were to hand me a ticket to anywhere in the world, I would visit Spain to be with family and learn more about our history.
Wherever I travel to, I incorporate a piece of that place I visited within myself. Spain is full of culture and festivals that I can’t get exposed to regularly in my hometown. Visiting Spain would mean that I can know more about myself and my background. Although we live so close to Mexico, I’ve never fully experienced my heritage so present in the city around me. The only way I feel my culture is evident is through a small festival the city hosts once a year called “The Sister Cities Festival.” I want to know more about my culture and how my family from Spain that are so similar to me, still be so different. I’m always eager to learn and visiting a place where culture is so rich and lively is the perfect opportunity for me to do so. There are endless opportunities and places to see in Spain. When my cousins visited, they described different festivals and places to visit where they live. The festival that stood out the most to me was Feria de Valencia. In their hometown, a festival is held that brings together Valencian life into what major event. The performing arts, are a major contributor to the festival which includes jazz, opera, theater, film, and concerts. Attending this festival will give me the opportunity to discover different music and theater from what I’m usually exposed to. I would also want to visit historical sites to learn about my heritage and Spain’s history.
One of the places I would want to visit with my cousins is La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange). La Lonja de la Seda is a building in Valencia that perfectly captures late Gothic architecture. It was built during the 15th Century and served for the Crown of Aragon during Valencia's economic and cultural peak. The building overlooks the historic Plaza del Mercado that was used by tradesmen and merchants in medieval times. Visiting this historical site gives me a chance to learn about Valencia’s history and the history of my family.
Spain has different definitions for people, but for mean, I think of my family. Although I was with my cousins for a short time, it felt as if we had been best friends since childhood. I want to go to Spain to be with them, learn about their history and mine. I wish to discover a different culture, and overall explore a new world.
