GC

This scene is of Columbus and queen Isabella signing the contract for the expedition that discovered the Americas, a cost similar to that of the Apollo project.
For years CC had tried to secure funding, and the crown, who were prevented from establishing colonies in Africa by papal decree (in favour of rivals Portugal) were strapped for cash by their recent wars to unify all of Spain and expel the almohads.
So they suggested that the loot from sacking Granada would pay for it, hence CC camped out in the siege town of santa Fe. For two years!
When the moors gave up the town it was found to be broke.
The crown owed a fortune to the Jews for the recent wars, so.... They just decided to stiff them and expelled them too. (See the post of the expulsion of the Jews I made earlier. That painting was set in the same room as this statue: in the Alhambra).
To save themselves, the Jews offered to finance the expedition. CC was to get no money, just 10% of any trade
Of course when it was discovered just how rich the new lands were, the crown stiffed Columbus too.
He died in penury, ignorant that he had found the new world rather than a sea route to Asia.

The Islamic conception of paradise is of a garden that delights all of the senses, and they try to replicate that in their earthly Riads and parks.
For sight:colour, light and shadow
For Scent: competing bouquets of flowers and herbs
For Touch: various textures in walls and gravel or sand pathways
Taste: mirriad of fruits in the trees
And for sound: always the peaceful trickle of water running through fountains and ponds.

Settled into Granada, Spain at my new digs. After the fail at Seville, it's great to be back in the thick of city life.
Carlo has provided me with a map, so I can get lost further from home, and pointed out the various quarters of the city, along with some good eating spots.
I chatted with a guy at the bar around the corner and he out me into a restaurant where people meet to learn foreign languages.
I'll check it out tomorrow night.

Streets of old Cadiz

Painted by the female artist Angeles Santos when she was only 18 this 1929 surrealist painting (at the time called Magic Realism) shows women guarding the world

I think the caption translates as "we bring you the gifts of 'Sin' and smallpox, and you give me a wooden mask?"

The first map of the world to indicate the location of the Americas
1500