Ooh…That Feeling of Spain!

Believe it or not, there was a time in my life when I wasn’t aware of Spain. I can’t imagine now what that was like, because for years now it feels like such a deep part of me. I’ve been pondering this allure of Spain more this week, as I think about my mother returning here after months being in the US. It takes me back to how I felt about Spain when I couldn’t be here. Do you know what I mean? That sweet, substantial pull, like a gravity all its own, tugging at your heart-strings to return…ooh…what is that feeling of Spain?

I first paid more attention to Spain when it became of personal interest to me. Family history interest, that is. During my early twenties I started learning more about my family history that originates in Asturias, one of the verdant northern regions of Spain. When the opportunity came about to obtain my own Spanish Nationality and have dual citizenship, I dove headlong into the process, and along with that more family research.

Above Image – My mother performing for a documentary.

My mom has since conducted a lot of family research, providing an invaluable and fascinating treasure trove for me and my brothers. She had her own love affair with Spain, coming for her first time in 2011 on a one-way ticket to Barcelona. Good thing it was one-way, because she never did need that return flight! She stayed and fell in love with an Extremeño, and for years now has been living with him in the peaceful, charming village of Higuera la Real in rural Extremadura.

She’s got her lovely artist studio he built her in their house doblao (like an attic, but way nicer) and they renovated his home together. It’s so cozy, charming, and authentically Spanish. A beautiful space that feels wonderful inside and out.

My mother feels connected to Spain through her father who was from Tuña in Asturias. They were very close so I am understanding more and more how strong the pull of this land must feel for her.

Above Image – Tuña in the region of Asturias, where my Spanish family was from.

Over the years, I made three more trips to Spain, and one of them lasted 5 months. With each trip I felt more and more enchanted with this country and more drawn to connect with my family history. After each of those visits, I would feel Spain so deeply when I was not there. I wanted so much to return and live in Spain as my home base for traveling the world.

Now here I am, living in Spain. It will be two years in June and I am so happy and grateful that I am at home in Spain. What has happened to the feel of Spain? Oh, it’s still with me. It’s simply evolved. It’s one of the most wonderful feelings of fulfillment and delight I have experienced in this life so far. Each day, I get to feel Spain; be with her and see her, walk with her and learn from her. I get to travel Spain, discover, enjoy and get to know her more.

Above Image – A mural in Tuña, Asturias, telling the story of General Rafael Del Riego.

We hear about how things can run in our blood… I never paid much attention to that saying before. Yet it is true for me, because I’ve come to discover with Spain, that she runs in my blood. There is truly a deep connection for me with this country and my family ancestry. Their connection with Spain must have been so deep for its energy to have passed down to me now; to have drawn me back. Turns out, that generations of my family were very intertwined with Spain. We’re talking historic novel / amazing movie-line stuff here! As a writer, I’ve got a lot of incredible content to work with.

I do feel Spain. I feel Spain in my blood; in the deepest parts of me. There’s no question as to the fact that we’re part of each other. Even though I wasn’t born here, I feel like being here is a return to Spain. I don’t expect it to be the same Spain of my ancestors or to owe me anything. Spain is my heritage and I’m glad to be changing and growing, carrying on with her.