Have you heard of perfect pitch? It’s when a person can identify a note just by hearing it and tell you whether it’s sharp or flat. There are some people who view musical notes as colors in their minds, so when they hear a note they can tell you its name because they associate it with the color that flashes through their brains. The rhythm and melody of Spain is distinct, but also made up of a variation of notes. I've assigned a color to all of the cities I’ve visited in Spain to demonstrate that this culture is not black and white.
Madrid: Red
The capital of Spain is a vibrant, deep red, because it is the heart of the country. The highways act like arteries and veins and people come from all over to work and then return to their hometowns. There is always something to do at whatever hour, and those that live there move with the Spanish spirit, which is one part tradition and two parts modern.
Toledo: Purple
Toledo is the old capital of Castillo, as well as that of the Visigoth Empire that moved into the area during the medieval era. It is a charming city that seems to be straight out of the Enchanted Forest, and was also a backdrop for various scenes in the Game of Thrones HBO series. The city feels like it is asleep, because there is not an overabundance of things to see, but walking the streets of Toledo the magic is tangible. Purple is the color of royalty and magic.
Salamanca: Brown
Brown is the color of old buildings and book covers with pages that have dusted over and yellowed, which is fitting for the oldest university town in Spain! Go find the frog on the Cathedral if you want to graduate college with exceptional grades; that’s what the legend says!
Valencia: Orange
It’s a bright color, just like the rich colors worn by los matadors that won their fame in the bullfighting arena. It’s the color of the sun rising on the Mediterranean, as well as the color of clown fish which you can see in Oceanographic, the aquarium in the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s an important flavor in the Agua de Valencia alcoholic beverage. Go check out the orange plants, flowers, and cats in the Botanical Garden of Valencia as well.
Segovia: Yellow
I might be thinking of Belle’s dress in Beauty and the Beast, simply because the Alcazar helped to inspire the iconic Disney castle logo, but it is not to say that Segovia is the #1 city of Spain. It is definitely beautiful but I consider it yellow for the way the sun lights the monuments in this city in the late afternoon. It reminds me a bit of a treasure hoard--and how could it not, when it’s home to the remains of the Roman aqueduct?
Barcelona - Pink
Barcelona is a cultural center, similar to Madrid, but the local Catalunyan culture is also prominent here. This crossroad, which tastes a little of France, is a fabulous place to fall in love with Spain and/or someone else. It has a different type of heart, so let’s make it pink.
San Sebastian - Cerulean
This is the name of that rich sea blue that isn’t your typical azul. That’s because this sea town isn’t typically Spanish. It, too, has its own rhythm, that of Basque country, complete with its own language which resembles none of the languages that surround the province. Powerful waves crash along the shore here and you feel overcome with the majesty of the ocean.
Alicante: Green
Alicante is like the kid brother of Valencia, and it will keep you young and smiling. For a place with very little green in terms of plant life, this color comes to mind because green means go, and as far as adventures go, well, Alicante is where all of mine started.
Granada: Dark Blue
The way the mountains appear under a bright blue sky. The color of the night when you can see the stars and the Alhambra lit up. The color of tears when you are emotionally overwhelmed by a flamenco performance. The color of my tea cup in an Arabic tea house. The color of the Genie in Aladdin who comes to mind a lot, especially if you go to a souvenir shop that sells loose pants.
Lisboa, Portugal: Black
“That’s beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.”- Mufasa
…Just kidding but I never had the chance to visit, though I do actually recommend it!
