Being surrounded by forested green slopes in that state, it was once referred to by poets as 'A pearl among emeralds'. The name of the Alhambra comes from the Arabic word 'al-hamra', which means 'the red one', alluding to the reddish pink color of the clay coating the walls and towers, although they were at one time white washed. I am so glad I make the conscious effort to get out in to the world on a regular basis to experience places like this. When you consider the endeavor with knowledge of its manifestation, you realize how astonishing this place is on a whole different level. Traveling in Morocco has made it possible for me to see how the work by artisans (the fairy hands) is actually done so that when I look at it now I understand better how it was actually built.

Last year I was able to return for the third time to the stunning city of Granada and see the Alhambra and the adjacent Generalife with more time, and a far greater knowledge and understanding of what I was seeing. This glimpse of such an earthly realm made me want to visit the Alhambra perhaps more than any other place on Earth. This place was built to be extraordinarily beautiful, melding man, nature, and art in to a heavenly abode. That presentation showed me that it is possible to create places that allude to the concept of Paradise. While studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Oregon, the professor Ron Lovinger gave a lecture on this iconic citadel in Andalusia.

The very light falls tenderly from above, through the lantern of a dome tinted and wrought as if by fairy hands.' Washington Irving, Tales of the AlhambraĢ5 years ago I made my first pilgrimage to Spain, and that was largely due to my desire to visit the Alhambra. 'Everything here appears calculated to inspire kind and happy feelings, for everything is delicate and beautiful. Students loan consolidation interest rates.

Rip van winkle nostalgia quotes