This time map (pop-ups to be allowed) shows how many ways / routes existed when going from one side to the other ; an evolution from the Roman Empire, Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, Sir Aurel Stein (?), Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo, Anthony Jenkinson, Benedict Goës,… Only European explorers were mentioned - what about Asians ? There must have certainly been some (Genghis Khan ?).. Arabs used as well to extensively travel the world. (A pity the only information taught in (Belgian) school is mainly about “national progress for humanity”, forgetting the foreign ones. When history is about politics…)

From a cultural point of view, the same organization (ECAI Berkeley) made up a similar map concerning music instruments… very interesting

When you give a closer look to the map, you can notice the importance of Persia (currently Iran) in this global transportation network : a compulsory gate controlling two seas,… I can just imagine the cultural heritage 2500 years+ of caravans must have left to this country.

For other related Loca Lingo Middle East articles…

The interesting point is these Catholic Kings decided to not destroy this fine piece of art, but instead let it intact, sometimes adapting it (mosks were of course transformed into churches, sometimes destroyed, sometimes rebuilt).

Charles V, the Flemish Spanish King (he was born in Ghent (Flanders - Belgium), and mainly lived there - a global Spanish dinasty who could be similar to a multinational company) even built in this Alhambra fortress a huge palace (very strange one, squarish building containing a roundish court). A sign maybe of the new order, and to show the strength of his policy : integrating and accepting the various local cultures, but within a Catholic style. Spain was a huge power at that time, successfully present in various lands with different languages.

Nowadays, I believe this specific Gibraltar detroit’s dual cohabitation still exists… meeting quite a few Moroccans during this (short) trip. To be honest, I had more exchanges with them than with the local Spaniards (my level of oral Spanish is pretty low). I can’t tell though if these two communities live together, or separetely. The Moroccans obviously speak Spanish (English and French), the other way round is of course not applicable (like in many European countries). The typical Islamic arch became an icon in the region. I should digg more into this Spanish Moroccan society… is it straightly descending from the 15th Century, or is it only about new immigrants ?

On a different level, Grenada itself is a pretty fine city where you can enjoy nice food, without being annoyed by hords of fatty German / English belly beer drinkers, usually occupying Andalucia’s shores (Malaga, you’re ugly). For these new appartment owners, apart from the service industry, I am not sure there are deep “cross-cultural” exchanges either.

Should Alhambra be part of the new 7 wonders of the world ?
Despite their lobbying efforts, even if this is a very nice piece of architecture, I would say NO. I have seen much more impressive / fine pieces of artwork in other locations, especially when regarding the available range for a “3 hours flight, 2 hours Bus drive” you could get access to from Brussels.

300 people (gardeners, guards, guides,…) directly live thanks to this monument, making it attractive enough (sometimes too much restauration) to the 10€ ticket 2 000 000 yearly visitors (5000 / 6000 per day - a quota has been fixed). Juicy business (think about restaurants, hotels…). Personnally, from a touristic service point of view, even if these Walt Disney style employees were clearly drilled, the quality of it was pretty average. I tried the 3€ audioguide to enjoy the visit as much as possible, and honestly it was a waste of money (asking even for reimbursement) - do you think it is interesting to get a close description of what you are currently watching, without any details from a historical and function point of view ?