In Morocco I visited Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh, etc. Wild
reign of exotics, especially Marrakesh. But
unfortunately for two days in Marrakesh I got sick
with diarrhea and could not venture too far from the
hotel. Enjoyed the capital Rabat even more -- though
enough of exotics, but here it is kind of sanitized
and measured -- so you can comprehend it better.
Casablanca has the huge modern mosque -- the third
largest religious building in the world. Tangier is
also fascinating -- enough exotics and impressive
looking from the cliff across the Strait of Gibraltar
to Europe.
And after the crossing I was standing on the top of
the Rock of Gibraltar looking towards Africa. So both
Pillars of Hercules have seen Leo Falk.
From there I stopped at Huelva, Spain next to which is
situated Palos de la Frontera -- now the minor
insignificant port, but in 15th century, before the
river has brought too much sediments, it was much more
important. My good friend Chris Columbus started from
there with his three caravels. He commanded Santa
Maria, but two other boats Pinta and Nina were
captained by brothers Pinzon. All the sailors on the
caravels (40+30+20) were also from Palos. Pinzon
house has survived as well as the nearby Rabida
monastery, whose abbot helped Columbus to obtain
audience with the queen.
So I could not miss this place on my way to Portugal
to pay homage to the Prince Henry the Navigator, whose
School of Navigation at Sarges started the great
explorations of this planet. So all the explorers
(Gil Eanes, who passed Cape of Bojador, Bartolomeus
Dias, who rounded the Cape of Good Hope, Christopher
Columbus, who was lost on his way to India, Vasco da
Gama, who did reach India, and Leo Falk, who overdid
all of them) owe something to Henry. When I was
standing on the seashore in Sagres and Cape St.
Vincent watching the waves battering the cliffs and
looking across the Atlantic to America I felt your
support for my further explorations.
So after seeing Lisbon and a little bit more of
Portugal I spent 2 days in Madrid (mainly in the
museums), one day in Zaragoza (only the churches, as
the museum were closed on Monday) and just in time for
the next flight arrived to Girona -- lovely ancient
Catalan town, which had one of the most important
Jewish communities in the middle ages. Though after
1391 pogroms very few Jews were left in Aragon the
last remnants were expelled in 1492. Jewish quarter
has been reconstructed and the former synagogue houses
now the Jewish museum. Girona airport is one or the
bases for cheap flights, so I was there already twice
and will be again.
Now I came to the Canary Islands -- 2 days on
Tenerife, more on Gran Canaria, and will depart from
Fuerteventura. So here the sun is shining, the beach
season is going on -- no troubles.
So the only concern now is with my New York secretary,
who checks my mail and other affairs -- and now is
threatening to go on strike.
But I hope for the best.
Many people ask for my picture. Specially for that I
went to the Galleria del Academia in Florence, where
the original Michelangeloinal portrait -- you
have to live with the poor current copies, two of
which are attached ...Me at Cape St. Vincent.
Ciao,
Leo
