Red is one of the colours of the Spanish flag and is said to be descriptive of the Spanish personality, conjuring up visions of passion, blood and love.
Below is a sampling of some of my scanned images from sunny Espana that are my interpretations for two of Ailsa’s travel themes: Curves & Red!
Before you proceed, be advised that some of you might find the bullfight scene at the end disturbing. I debated its inclusion, but this blog is about our experiences from our travels, and the bullfight was an unforgettable experience, even if it was gutwrenchingly sad. A reminder that bad things happen, around the world, to animals and to people.
Red for royalty – Statue of King Ferdinand III in The Alcatraz gardens, Cordoba
Red in architecture – Iconic striped arches of the Mezquita Cathedral, Cordoba. I so regret not having nicer pictures of this exquisite structure
Red in architecture – Plaza Mayor, Madrid
Sensous red – Flamenco dancer, Sevilla. A must do if you are ever in Sevilla.
Romantic red – Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is the oldest bullring in Spain with an interesting museum onsite.
Red for excitement – the electric atmosphere in the Madrid bullring before the start of a fight
Red for blood sport – The not so brave Matador facing a tortured and weakened, but still magnificent bull! We walked out at this point.
You can see other interpretations of red here and curves here.
Until next time……happy travels no matter where life takes you.
Great images for the theme, Madhu. I know that I also couldn’t watch a bullfight. The Flamenco dancer is stunning. I love to watch Spanish dancing.
Thank you AD. We find most touristy shows tacky and disappointing, but the Flamenco show in Seville was an exception.
your pics are always amazing – the world is an astonishing place. Glad you walked out of teh bullfight. I’m sure, long ago, it served a purpose – like the one that tests agilitiy – getting rings off the bulls horns – without hurting the bulls at all. Red – the colour of spilled life in that instance.
Thank you Keira. I think they do still have those kind of contests in some places in Spain.
the agility ones? Where they take the ring from the horns? I always thought they were in France, but maybe it’s that part of France bordering Spain.
It is good with some red energy. For some reason I don’t know the red king captured me most. And I am glad I don’t have to attend a bull fight…
Magnificent isn’t he? There is some doubt about whether this is Saint Ferdinand or his son Alfonso the Wise!
fabulous post and pictures,,,;)
Thank you Gerry
Striking images for the color red Madhu!
Thank you Luann!
Hi Madhu,
Simply superb collection as always. Your caution about the last picture in fact only fuelled great memories of the final closing scenes from ” Zindagi na milegi dobara”
Thank you.
Shakti
Thank you and I enjoyed that movie Shakti
That last scene was the bull running in Pamplona though and not a bull fight. The bulls are terrified of course, but not tortured like in a traditional fight.
Thank you for the warning, and I’m so glad you left when you did it would be a horrid image for you to carry.
Yes Gilly, It was sad as it is.
This was a great post, Madhu, all the more so because you did not flinch from something which is part of the culture there. Startling, arresting, bold. Thank you.
Thank you Kate. I worry about hurting sensibilities, but not talking about my experiences in a blog purporting to do just that, seems wrong as well.
Wonderful photos. I went to many bullfights in Mexico when I was young, not too traumatized. I just hated the kill.
Thank you.
I have read books – Dominique La pierres autographed “Or I’ll dress you in Mourning” in particular- and always wanted to experience one Angeline. But this was a bit more than I could handle!
I love your interpretation of this theme. I haven’t been to a bullfight in Spain, nor do I plan to. But I did go to the Mezquita in Córdoba, and it’s incredibly beautiful and fascinating.
Oh yes i wished I could have stayed there longer. Andalusia is too out of the way to make a second trip, but I would be happy to return.Thanks Jessica
I like how you blended the curves and the red. They work well together, even the flamenco dancer with her raised arm curved in an arc ready to swirl that red dress around. I believe I could watch a bullfight, but like you, there is a point when one realizes it’s over…no need to see the rest. Reminds me of those attracted to dog fights, cock fights…the world over…I shudder at these games of chance at the animal’s expense.
I noticed the curved lines in the bull fight scene afer I published this post!
We have several versions of bullraces and cockfights and other blood sport here that are being banned one by one. But in India, banning by law doesn’t necessarily mean you have seen the last of it
Wonderful images of red and curves. Life is what it is. Thanks for sharing your photos.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Yes Francine, it is. We can only record what we see and hope for change. Thank you for your comments.
Wonderful pictures Madhu; red is my favorite color. I have not been to a bullfight in more than 30 years; they were common in Panama when I was growing up. Not sure if the practice continues these days.
I know Barcelona has banned it.
Thank you for stopping by Marcia. Have missed seeing you
Thanks; I am glad to be back, missed a lot while slouching. LOL
Gorgeous selection for red! The bullflight was hard to watch, but that’s their long- time tradition…
Thank you Amy. Can you believe, I used to be fascinated by stories of bullfights and Matadors and always wanted to watch one!
Red connotes passion, and, yes, dying and death. Your photos do capture this eloquently, Madhu.
And Spain seemed the ideal choice, even though I needed to scan my images.
Great photos! I have also been to Spain and have some similar photos. I have photos from a bullfight in Madrid that I have decided not to post, but I’m not disturbed at all that you posted them. However, I won’t ever attend another bull fight, though.
Me neither Fergie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Powerful images, Madhu. Last year, my husband and I also attended a bullfight; we also chose to leave the event early.
Thank you Tricia. This shattered the romantic image of a fight that I had carried with mefor all those years. I doubt I would be able to watch boxing matches either.
Wonderful photos Madhu.
I agree with you about the bullfighting. Very much a part of tradition here. Sadly.
When it is tradition, we look beyond the sadness. In India animal sacrifice was routine for the longest time, till it was banned and the ban seriously enforced (which takes several more years!)
I’m glad you “gathered the courage” to post these photos. The post theme came very handy haha.
Unfortunately, there are terrible examples of animal torturing in many countries, being bullfighting one of the most visible.
I’ve never been able to watch a “corrida”. It makes me sad.
Best wishes
Yes!
I decided a standalone post would have been a bit much for most of my readers, although i would have no problem reading and discussing it on another’s. And i agree about animal torture being routine in a lot of places. This is no judgment on a culture, just an account of how we felt. Thanks for stopping by Adwoa
An irresistible array of reds from passion to a thrilling excitement of danger. Awesome post!
Thank you island Traveller
amazing images!
Rather old and grainy, but I guess they pass muster. Thanks Ashok
I have similar regrets about the Mezquita. It was beautiful beyond belief, Madhu.
Wasn’t it? In fact all of Cordoba was beautiful and less touristy than the rest of Andalusia!
Funny, we said it was our favourite too.
Wonderful examples Madhu
Thank you Paula
That is a Cool Statue
DJ-
I like it too
Ow, couldn’t handle the gruesome-ness and cruelty… It’s quite understandable. Not many can’t or won’t.
I love the Plaza de Torro. I don’t knw what it is about it, but it’s so memorable to me. I’m afraid, more memorable than La Giralda itself.
Lovely lovely awesome images you have here.
Me too Rommel, and the museum was beautiful too. But we went there before we saw a fight, so perhaps it would have felt less romantic if it had been the other way around! Thank you
Perfect
Ah, thank you
dear Madhu,
you’ve composed a great tribute to Spain!
Yes, in gratitude for the good time we had there
Thank you Frizz!
The Spanish dancer is my favorite. I love the dress. It is so RED. It is a wonderful dance the flamenco. All of the photos are fabulous but that one stood out for me. I guess it must be my love of dancing. ~~~~~ : – )
Thank you Isadora.
We usually detest dance shows laid out for gullible tourists. Believe me the dances in even the best 5 star hotels in India are of the lowest standards. But we really enjoyed the Flamenco show and would recommend it to anyone visiting Seville.
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That first pic was incredibly cool!
Thank you Hook! Hope your book reviews are going well
Great photos, all, Madhu. I agree with your sentiments regarding bullfighting.
Thank you Naomi
Wonderful reds, Madhu, and I would have been right there with you walking away from the bullfight. Horrid.
Thanks you Ailsa! Is it time for the next challenge already?
You walked out of your bull fight at the same we walked out of ours. Enough was enouogh.
Love the great colors though not bullfighting…
Thank you Eliz
It’s alright to include the bullfight. I will not watch it myself – but once upon a time (or is it until today), bullfight is the national past time in Spain. It was a part of its history and character. Inclusion of the photo gives a more complete picture of Spain. That aside from the fact that watching it was a part of your experience.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you posted the last shot…it’s such a part of Spain and much as I disagree with it in practice, it does add a depth and richness to the overall post…I love seeing things through your lens