Daniela Alvarez-Sierra is a second-year student at Florida International University currently majoring in Finance on a pre-law track. Daniela was born in Lansing, Michigan to Cuban immigrant parents and moved to Miami, Florida at 6 years old, allowing her to connect more to her Cuban heritage.
Encounter as Text
Upon arriving to España, I had finally felt a weight lifted off my shoulder; all my nerves from traveling alone and taking transportation to get to the hotel were finally gone. It wasn’t over yet though, I now had to take the metro to the Banco de España stop. We had visited the surrounding areas of my stop during a class lecture, so I had seen the area, but exiting the stop takes you right next to el Banco de España, a large and prominent building right next to Plaza de Cibeles and the large Post Office. When walking, the surrounding areas were equally as beautiful, with the Metropolis Building and Instituto Cervantes nearby. About half a mile away is Gran Vía, a beautiful area full of luxurious and definitely not locally owned shops. This reminds me of Miami; important landmarks, large architecturally scenic buildings, and expensive stores are usually always nearby in Miami, and not scattered. I think about Lincoln Road in Miami Brach and Brickell (specifically near the City Center) where there are many tall buildings, luxury stores, and expensive restaurants in one area.
One difference was that Miami does not have parks near these buildings unlike España, where El Retiro park was about one block away from the designated metro stop. España has successfully been able to integrate a typical “city lifestyle” while preserving nature and allowing citizens to enjoy being outside while not being surrounded by buildings because of this park. Unfortunately, the Banco de España was closed, and I was unable to go inside. As a finance major, my end goal after university is to work in a corporate financial setting, and while the Banco de España is technically still a bank, working at a bank as important and monumental as that is something I would love to experience, and being able to see inside and the processes between bank tellers and clients alike would have been interesting, I will definitely be visiting my metro stop again to try and get in.
While my metro stop was beautiful, one also has to recognize that not all of España looks like this. Yes, the area surrounding the stop has multiple landmarks that people who have not visited the country see in photographs, myself included, but these photographs do not show exactly how Madrid looks like and what it has to offer. There were even homeless people sleeping on sidewalks while I was walking around my metro stop, something else you are not shown in pictures. About half a mile north, there is a city with local boutiques, restaurant, and markets employed by the people of España that just need to get by and work in order to survive and provide for their families. I personally believe that the food and service in those areas is much better (and cheaper) than near my metro stop, and people who visit Madrid just to stay in the nicer areas are missing out on introducing themselves to other experiences, and they will never truly see España the way it really is, if they do not venture out.
Madrid as Text
Everything about Madrid has been astonishing so far. There are beautiful buildings that are rare in Miami, and someone who would stay there and not venture out can only dream of seeing monuments like the ones in Madrid. Out of everywhere we’ve visited as a class though, the most amazing place I’ve been has been the Palacio Real. It is located on top of the old Alcazár of Madrid, which was destroyed in a fire, and rebuilt to what we see now as a palace for the royals of Spain. Although the current King does not reside in the palace as it is now a museum, There is so much history surrounding this Palace, including the legend that the old Alcazár was intentionally burned down in order for the new one to resemble a French architectural style, since Felipe V, the monarch at the time, was of French origin.
The exterior of the palace is grand, but it is nothing compared to how it looks inside. I was in awe when entering the first staircase that led to the rooms. I was aware that renaissance art included grand pieces on ceiling of important buildings, but I had never seen it with my own eyes, so when the tour guide told us to look up, my jaw almost dropped. The combination of gold framework and design along with the depictions of religion in a grand way was present in many of the rooms visited, but not once did I get used to what I was looking at. These paintings were definitely the most memorable parts of the Palacio Real visit to me. On the other hand, I noticed that most of the rooms lacked grand furniture. I’m sure that all the furnishings were expensive regardless, but I would have imagined a King’s palace and private quarters to be full of large extravagant couches, tables, beds, etc. This does not apply to all the rooms, as the dining room had hundreds of seats for guests and the room where the King and Queen sat had their grand chairs and the lions as décor, not to mention the collection of clocks that were each unique and throughout multiple rooms.
One criticism of the tour that I have was the lack of recognition of what Spain has done wrong in history. In some of the paintings on the ceilings there were darker people representing America and the indigenous people that were colonized and forced into Catholicism, but the guide brushed it off and did not really mention that. Obviously since the Palacio Real is a government building, they will not admit their wrongs, but I believe it is important to recognize all of these aspects for people to be educated and understand history the way it really was, and not just believe what a government is saying.
Overall, even with the criticisms, the Palacio Real was an amazing experience, and I had never seen anything like it, and I am not sure I will in this lifetime.
Segovia as Text
Going to Segovia, I was not sure what to expect. It was our first day trip, and I was under the assumption that the entire day was going to be full of hiking, something I was not looking forward to; while I consider myself in shape and have a good amount of physical strength and stamina, one of my weaknesses is that I am lazy, and if we were going to be hiking all day, I knew at one point I would want to give up. However, I did not expect to have a guided tour by a knowledgeable local, and how much I would enjoy learning about a city I had no idea existed until this class.
When you think of Roman aqueducts, one would expect them to all be located in Italy, at least I did because of the connection I think of with the Romans and the city of Rome, but I forget that the Roman Empire used to be massive, and parts of Spain belonged to the empire. Upon getting to Segovia, we were greeted by an almost 2000-year-old aqueduct, perfectly preserved, even though it is not supported by any mortar, just stones stacked together. That was the moment I knew the city may have more value than I previously thought. I have never been to an “ancient city”, since the only places I had travelled to have been in North America which is so young compared to Europe. The architecture was evident of this, as the buildings were mostly made of stone, and looked to be straight of of movies and TV shows I had seen from this period; I was in awe to be seeing it in person. Additionally, visiting the Cathedral of Segovia was my first time visiting a cathedral, and it was overwhelming to see how beautiful it was and its extravagant décor. Of course, with everything in history, the good comes with bad though, and of course this Cathedral was only for the rich, while the poor people would have to stand in the back, not being able to see and barely being able to hear. One of the most shocking things I have realized is how classist places used to be, to the point where if you didn’t have a title, it was like you weren’t even a respectable person.
Moving on to the hike, which was more like a walk, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it; doing this with my peers was a big motivation to reach the top of the hill we were going up to see the castle and views of the city, and it was one of the moments which I felt most connected to my class.
Overall, while there was indeed a lot of walking, visiting Segovia was amazing, and being able to visit such a historically rich city where even Isabel was made queen was an experience of a lifetime. I am always grateful for moments like this, because for most places I’ve visited during this trip, I know it is very unlikely I’ll return.
Andalucía as Text
As someone living in the United States in a Post-9/11 age, there are many stereotypes I have heard against Islamic people, that makes others fear them for no reason, and reject the culture without educating themselves about it. Growing up Cuban, and in Miami where Latinos dominate the demographic, I have been unable to immerse myself in Islamic culture and architecture, but visiting Andalucía was probably one of the greatest introductions I could have to it. I had never even researched how Mosques looked or how intricate their décor and the specifics of the architecture is, so everything I experienced in Córdoba, Sevilla, and Granada was my first impression to the masterpieces that are Islamic architecture.
My first thoughts were to compare Catholic cathedrals and churches we have visited and the mosques and Real Alcazar, and my first observation was how the Islamic culture does not include pictures of Allah, or any other divine figures in their mosques, while in Catholicism, their places of prayer are flooded with images of Jesus Christ and the many Saints and other spiritual beings that are important to the religion. Instead, mosques and palaces have different carvings that are more geometric, with an abundance of stares, and square spirals that make a dome look circular. This was interesting to me, because I would have thought all cultures would have art of their God in their places of worship and homes, but it was not the case. The carvings and tiles were so detailed, it was hard for me to believe people actually made this by hand hundreds of years ago, without all the resources we have today. To me it seems like these decorations were just dropped onto the Earth, instead of being handmade.
Of course, what I have seen in the Real Alcazar and the Alhambra of Granada were mudejar, meaning that while it was of Islamic influence, it was mostly made by Christians, and it did not give me the amazement I would feel if these structures were truly made by Muslims, as everything I have been seeing in Spain has been made by Christians. This is also something that bothers me; Christians had the audacity and power to expel Jews and Muslims from Spain, yet take their art and make it into something they could consider their own. This was most evident to me in Córdoba, as the mosque was taken over Catholics and made into a church, having the architecture Muslims used to make their own place of worship was taken and used for the benefit of other people, with images of Catholic figures spread throughout the mosque, something Muslims never included in theirs.
My introduction to Islamic architecture opened my eyes to something I had never seen before, and never thought I would see. It was nice to take a break from the traditional Cathedrals I was seeing almost every day, and experience different designs and sights that are not typically present in Spain. Andalucía is truly a unique region, and I wish I had more time to visit and experience everything else it has to offer.
Sitges as Text
Upon visiting the Deering Estate and Vizcaya in the Spring semester, I was able to identify how unique it was to the area, and how it does not look like anything else in the area of Miami. Being able to see what inspired the Deering Estate and Vizcaya (more so the Deering Estate) in Sitges helped me identify what Charles Deering took from his home in Sitges and implemented in Miami. The use of arches was a similarity in both structures, as well as its location by the sea, and how both were able to display the views from inside the home, something that was also evident at Vizcaya. These open structures and larger windows have been able to open up the space and make it look much larger than it is.
Sitges is also the LGBTQ capital of Spain, and while it would be an amazing connection is Miami were the LGBTQ capital of the U.S., Miami still has a high LGBTQ population like Sitges. Sitges has pride flags lining their streets, and there was no better time to visit than pride month. As someone who is apart of the LGBTQ community, I felt great joy walking the streets knowing that so many people were open-minded in that sense. In Miami, while people display the same open-mindedness, unless you are in the area of South Beach, you also find yourself surrounded by traditional conservative people who have opposing views more often than not. It was refreshing to visit Sitges and Spain in general where the more liberal view was how the majority felt, and people were proud to display pride flags next to the Spanish flag.
In Charles Deering’s home, the artistic displays and works added an academic appreciation to my experience, as looking at people’s art collections is able to educate the viewers on art they have never seen, and it is able to show the collector’s personality and their preferences as well. This was extremely evident in the old home of Santiago Rusiñol, right next to the Deering residence. I have never seen a home with so many works of art, ranging from china to paintings and sculptures. I was able to see what Rusiñol liked, and how the majority of the works were linked with Catholicism. Being able to see works by El Greco and Picasso so casually displayed also surprised me, as I would assume all works by them would be in “finer” museums, and this made me realize how many works these artists have and how so many people are able to appreciate different works in different places.
Overall, while being much smaller, I saw many similarities to Miami in Sitges. I never would have thought a small town would make me feel so connected to home, something I’ve been craving since getting to Europe and accepting I would not be home for a month and a half. The beach, the art, and the people all reminded me of the place I call home.
Barcelona as Text
The only person I know who is from Barcelona is Rosalía. Even then, I just listened to her music and just knew she was Spanish. What I didn’t know was that Barcelona and Catalunya is general is extremely different to the rest of Spain. I was always aware that in Barcelona people mainly spoke Catalán, but my assumption was that it was extremely similar to Spanish, and that it was the only was Barcelona was different to the rest of Spain.
Upon my arrival, and the way I could not understand when people spoke Catalán, I knew my assumptions were wrong. To start, I also noticed a different flag displayed that was not the Spanish flag, but the Catalán flag that people displayed more than the Spanish one. I was able to learn that the flag originated when King Louis put his fingers in Wilfred the Hairy’s open wound and smeared it on a gold shield, creating his coat of arms and the yellow and red striped flag I would see on the streets. I quickly realized that Catalunya felt separate to Spain, and learning that they have been fighting for independence made sense. France banned Catalán from being spoken, crushing the spirits and identity of Catalán citizens, creating a greater need to become independent from the people.
This need for independence reminds me of all the wars fought through Latin America in order for countries to gain independence from Spain. I think of these wars and am confused on how Catalunya still hasn’t been able to gain independence, but the difference is that Latin America is across the World, and if the Spanish lose Catalunya, they become smaller, just as they did when having their territories become independent.
Coming from Cuban parents, I realize that our culture and country would be very different if we were still part of Spain, and I understand why Catalunya still wants to be independent after all these years; the people have been the minority in Spain and oppressed by their “leaders”, unable to truly embrace the identity and culture they’ve created to the fullest extent.
I have been able to learn a lot about Catalán culture during my visit to Barcelona, but the most surprising thing I learned is the difference between the two versions of the Catalán flag. First, the initial flag with the stripes, but then there is another version with a star. I did not know this was taken from the Cuban flag, but it is funny because when I first saw that version of the flag it was the first thing I thought of. This version with the star represents independence, and people who display this flag are showing their support for Catalunya’s independence.
I am excited to go back to visit Barcelona with my parents, and with them I know I can learn more about the culture, since we will be visiting a friend of my mother’s that moved to Barcelona when I was young, and while I have gained a lot of insight, I am excited to know more.
Vuelta as Text
The first thing both my parents told me when I landed in Spain was that I was finally in out motherland. Was I? I hadn’t considered Spain as anything in relation to me or my culture, much less the motherland where my family originated, I considered that to be Cuba. Throughout the duration of class I would hear Professor Bailly speak about Spanish culture in relation to Latin American and Hispanic culture, and to be honest in the beginning I would think it was ridiculous to speak about Spanish influence and my culture in the same sentence. I would tell my mom about these statements and how I personally thought that they were bold statements to make, but she wouldn’t agree with me like I thought. She would agree with Professor Bailly, and say that it’s true how many traditions Latin Americans and Hispanics have are because of the Spanish in one way or another. I remember being in Kilometer Zero in Madrid when Professor Bailly explained that the 12-grapes while counting down the New Year tradition began in Spain in which people bet that they couldn’t eat twelve grapes before the clock hit midnight. I whole-heartedly believed that traditions such as these originated in Latin America, as I have never heard of a Spaniard participating in it. This is the moment I realized I might have Spanish influence in my culture, and in myself.
Throughout this class, and visiting prominent catholic and Spanish monuments and places, I have been able to learn a out Spanish culture and it’s rich history that dates all the way back to before Cuba and the New World was even a thought in Christopher Columbus’ head. With this, I have seen how Catholic traditions shape my country, with things as little as how churches and cathedrals are set up are similar to churches in Cuba or Miami. This isn’t technically Spanish, but seeing it in Spain and knowing how Spain was able to colonize Hispanic countries, one sees the correlation between the two. The language Cubans speak, the history they are taught, and much more is all due to Spain’s influence. My mother even told me that in Cuba, the Spanish are acknowledged that they started everything in the country, yet still spoken negatively about.
In the context of Miami where I currently reside, I do not see as much Spanish influence on a day to day. I think that a lot of Miami culture is influenced by Latinos and Hispanics, who couldn’t help if their traditions came from Spain. So is Miami full of Spanish culture? No. Miami is a melting pot of many different cultures of Spanish descent, but this mixture has been able to create a unique identity in Miami that is like no other, and most certainly nothing like Spain.
For me, I still consider myself to be Cuban, and while I can acknowledge that my culture is of Spanish influence, something I used to be ignorant towards (for lack of a better word), I know Cubans have been able to create their own identity, for example their unique accent that is so easily identifiable that people would ask me if I was Cuban from an initial greeting in Spain, to the implications of different religions throughout the Caribbean such as Santería.
The Spanish have been able to keep their identity while still being changed by America. While visiting the Palacio Real in Madrid, I noticed this for the first time, as there were paintings of indigenous American people on the ceilings, yet it was overlooked by our tour guide, and instead used to explain that the Monarchy was very generous in including these depictions. It seems to me like the Spanish do not want to acknowledge the wrongdoings of their ancestors in enslaving these people, and use them as trophies to show they were the first people in the New World, or at least most of them because Arrancha, our tour guide in Segovia and others I have encountered have been able to address what the Spanish have done wrong in history.
In this Transatlantic Exchange, I just see myself as the present product of everything that has happened in history to get cultures and territories to where they are today. I am able to embrace my Cuban culture and my American culture, and acknowledge that without the Spanish, my life would be very different. I know there is so much left of the future, and things may change. Will Latin Americans continue to follow the twelve grapes tradition? Will Cubans continue to speak poorly about Spanish conquistadors or will they begin to embrace their influence on their culture instead of just acknowledging? For reasons like these, I cannot predict how this discussion may differ or stay the same in a few years time.
Miami in Miami 