“Journeys bestow both information and amusement, enriching life with threads of knowledge and of joy. This voyage, I move in the company of my kin, is bound for the Kingdom of Spain, a realm steeped in history, culture, and a vibrant spirit that dances to the tunes of its storied past.”
“Just as reading moulds individuals into people of character, my Spanish voyage is a historic journey through the very veins of human civilization. It’s a sojourn that meanders through the arteries of culture, tradition, and history, allowing one to imbibe the essence of humanity in its most authentic form.”
“We reached the airport in time. London’s vast Heathrow Airport gleamed like a constellation of stars, radiating an allure that was immensely captivating, a spectacle akin to the celestial twinkling of the night sky. Its upper levels were adorned with doors that stood ajar, each revealing a chamber of beauty, a symbol of architectural finesse and aesthetic refinement that characterized the place.”
“In the narrow alleys, beautiful doorwith intricate designs stand open, revealing not just artistic forms but also lively eateries. Everywhere, the vibrant colors of the attire worn by the beautiful women was glittering and their laughter echoing like the sound of raindrops in the gentle breeze. The doors themselves are the canvases of beauty, filled with the fragrance of perfumes, and young women exuding the intoxicating waves of youth eagerly await visitors. Their radiance and bodily grace attract anyone.“When we reached the front of one shop, Simmi, my daughter turned her eyes towards the inside. I too looked towards the lady standing there. The fragrance emanating from her was inviting the people there. Anyone can enjoy it. Is it me whom a beautiful woman, nodded with affection, was she inviting me? Her bare midriff and naked abdomen were tempting. I was in confusion. A well built young man walked towards her gave me assurance it was not for me. Fortunately my wife Omana who was following us was a little away and couldnt see this. The fragrance from a young woman who came out from one shop filled the air with aroma.”
“We moved ahead. Sunshine was fading outside. In a myriad of sizes, both small and large airplanes could be seen there.“We boarded our flight and waited. After a while, Aiberian plane IB 3160 soared into the fluffy wings of nimbus and flew to Madrid.”
“Drifting through the dark clouds, The memories of many wars that Spain waged on this earth flashed vividly in my mind. Like in Britain, Spain is governed by parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Currently, the reigning king is King Felipe VI. The boundaries of Spain to the east lies the Mediterranean Sea, to the north France and Andorra, to the northwest Portugal, and to the northeast the Atlantic Ocean with the Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands, Spain is second only to France in the European Union in terms of area, with a land area of 504033 square kilometers. Beyond being known as the country of bullfighting and football, in the sixteenth century, Spain was a major power in Europe. The Spanish colonial influences had pervaded countries in the continents of Latin America and Africa. It was the British who captured most of their colonies. Snoring noise from the next seat woke me from the flurry of thoughts.”
“Whenever the wings of mist, that fluttered in the still sky kissed the nose of the plane, felt a slight tremor massaging our posture. As I gazed ahead, saw two young lovers sitting in the front seat who were enjoying the flight, their lips parted like ripened fruits, leaned in and kissed each other. It seemed to me that the two of them were in a good place, being the only ones in the double seat.In the midst of the azure clouds, their romance blossomed.”
“The refreshment carts arrived with food and beverages to cater for those who wanted to eat or drink. Nothing comes for free; if you give money, you can buy something. Snack bars that suck the travelers dry even in the sky! Though I was hungry, I was against to buy something for an exorbitant price. The plane that was flying above the sea, is now flying over hills, rivers, farmlands, and giant buildings.”
“The pilot informed that the aircraft shall touchdown Madrid within ten minutes. In a gradual dance of motion, the airplane’s speed gracefully waned. Sky was gleaming with the radiance of the heavens. When gazed down through the glass, behold a city standing adorned. We landed safely. London to Madrid in just two hours. There wasn’t any immigration check. I didn’t feel like being in an airport. Through the long corridor, walked towards the exit. A cold wind blew out. On the other side of the road I saw a restaurant and we dropped in. The aroma of food wafting on air was enticing. There was a large crowd inside the shop. Many people buy food from there, pack it, and take it away. Simi bought food for us. We three ate together. Due to my intense hunger, I devoured my meal voraciously.“The others were dining leisurely, engaging in conversation between each morsel. All those present there were Europeans. Some were observing us with keen eyes. A few women were looking at us with smiles that were reassuring to me. I caught the melodious strains of a street singer’s beautiful song from afar.”
Stepping out from the dining hall, We proceeded ahead. The beautifully laid cobblestone pathways were shining like a mirror. There were no signs of dirt or debris. I pondered upon the pathways of India. If one observes the filth in the alleys there, it appears to be the basic rights of the people to litter. Though vehicles were running, there was an eternal silence ruling the roads. No noise from the vehicles even!.Startled by the roar, a horse-drawn carriage passed by swiftly. The clatter of its hooves reverberated in the ears. A middle-aged European lady, accompanied by her pet dog and a five-year-old girl was walking through the footpath, the little girl stumbled on the path due to a misplaced step. The lady, preoccupied with the dog, did not notice it. Hearing the child’s cry, my wife picked her up, knowing she had tripped, brushed off the dirt from the child’s knees and consoled her.
The middle aged lady expressed gratitude with affection. We also went near her.
India or Sri Lanka? Asked the woman.
Omana confirmed that we are Indians and asked
Is she your granddaughter?
Joy radiated from the woman’s face. With pride, she said, “This is my daughter I had at the age of forty six her name is Anna Mariam. I got married at the age of 40.
For a moment, I gazed silently at her face. How glad she is to have a baby at that age!
Madam wished us a comfortable journey and walked away peacefully.“Watching the lady who walked away silently for a moment, my mind whispered.
Western family values even without a long term partner stand strong! Here, the dowry is the woman herself. If a woman is prepared, she catches any big fish in her net. She wanders freely without any fear or apprehension.
They can live as they wish. Parents have no right to intervene in the personal life of their children.
Madrid is the crowded capital of Spain, which captivates anyone who visits it.
In Spain in 2022, the population was 46,783,380. A good percentage of women get married between the ages of 30 and 40. In terms of the statistics of the Spanish National Institute, Spain is considered one of the countries in Europe with the lowest birth rates. Population growth is not the only thing that needs to be protected for the safety of humanity. In countries where children survive extreme poverty without adequate food, clothing, or shelter, the higher population itself creates a terrifying condition. It is not known whether Western countries rely on a new lifestyle to experience happiness and live securely without many children.“Simmy summoned a Uber taxi to go to “Hotel Convention D’Odonal” and we started. Not alone for the Madrid city, but also the roads and buildings in various architectural styles possess special romanticism. Due to it being summer, there is an influx of tourists here. One of the cultural heritage views of Europe that can be observed and described is people eating in sidewalk cafes. I have seen this at Indoor of Madhya Pradesh in India. I wonder, in Kerala, why we don’t have a restaurant in the European style.?
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