The Path Before Us

In 2004, we went to Spain and visited the incredible cities of Madrid and Barcelona. It was an interesting time in my life.  Many things were changing for me.  I was in a new relationship.  Terrorism was very present in our lives.  And I began "settling down" with the eventual purchase of our home. 

A city filled with charm and mystery.  And at the time....sorrow.  During our visit, the Atocha Station in Madrid was bombed killing 191 people.  And while in Madrid, thousands of people came to the center of the capital protesting terrorism across the world.  I remember standing in the crowd overwhelmed by everything going on around me.  The hatred for Former President Bush, Anti American sentiments, Bin Laden, and al-Queda made me think about my own life back home. I couldn't control these actions.  They were out of my hands.  I didn't vote for that President.  I didn't bomb that station.  But I was American and it hurt. The world seemed to be spinning out of control. What if I had been at that metro station the day before?  Everything wonderful that has happened in my life would continue, but not for those 191 people. It was also incredibly moving to see 10's of thousands of people come together for world peace....and it gave me hope. The tragic events would change our world even more.  Not only would 9/11 in the US be remembered but so would 3/11 in Spain.  These memorials in the color of the Spanish flag were set up.  I snapped the shots as people cried and prayed after the tragedy around the thousands of candles.

I remember the overwhelming feeling of sadness. Today a memorial has been set up to remember the dead victims and 1800 people wounded. On June 10th 2004, a somber and minimalist Atocha station memorial was dedicated for the victims of the attack. The monument includes a virtual shrine. Visitors to the attacked stations can leave a hand silhouette and a message through special-purpose consoles. A second monument to this event, known as 11-M in Spain, is the Bosque del Recuerdo ("the Forest of Remembrance") in the Parque del Buen Retiro near Atocha. This monument is made up of 192 olive and cypress trees, one for each person who died on that day, with a tree also planted in remembrance of the police officer who died on April 3rd, 2004, along with seven of the perpetrators whose capture was underway.  The Forest Of Remembrance is surrounded by a stream, with water as the symbol of life. 

I will never understand the need for humans to justify hurting, killing, and stealing from one another.  And this particular trip changed me.  Sometimes I wish I could be that young man from happier times, but we live with these experiences that change us all forever. And the biggest lesson?  Things will happen as they happen.  Live life to the fullest.  There are no guarantees. 

Atocha Station

Lately, I've been extrememly busy with things and I apologize for not reading more posts because it's one of my favorite things to do.  I keep documenting and reporting during this busy "spring" season because there is a lot to report.  Unfortuneatly, I have also had to deal with the recent death of a former student. The funeral is tomorrow and I have a very sad heart. It's also my 7 year anniversary and we're going to Cafe Poca Cosa(my favorite Mexican restaurant! in Tucson).  Can tomorrow be any more conflicting in the emotion department? Things also have been busy with other matters related to school, family, and visits. If it's one thing I don't have a lack of, it's the work! Taking a break from projects and plant series, I thought I'd share with you a beautiful garden place in the metropolitan city of Madrid, Spain.

I took this from a second story balcony

On one of my adventures to Spain, I remembered stopping at a subway station known as the Atocha Station.  A lot of metro stations can be humdrum when it comes to design, but this place did not disappoint!  It's a major hub in Madrid for intercity travel, dining, and now a place to go dancing.  But who cares about all of that!!  What's cool about this place is that there is a huge tropical garden containing such plants as Jacaranda, large Birds of Paradise, and oh so much more inside the station..

We were on our way to a peace demonstration after the bombing at the Atocha station in 2004.  Over 150 people were killed and thousands came from all over Madrid where they held a peace rally. Below is a pic at the station with red candles symbolizing the color of Spain and the lost lives.

Meanwhile above ground, the tropical garden held a calmness and stability. It was a whole other world from the sadness outside the station.

I love it when you accidentally stumble upon a place and discover something beautiful. Next time I go, I want to eat at one of the local restaurants below.

May you find magic and form in your own landscapes.