Córdoba, Spain

Once upon a time I had an incredible history teacher called Mr. Ullman, who inspired his Islamic Studies students with his sheer fascination, knowledge and enthusiasm for the eccentricities left behind on the fluctuating frontlines of where east met west. I spent hours doodling the designs projected in that dark classroom including one particularly poignant image of red, striped double arches that haunted my notes for many months. So when I entered Córdoba’s Mezquita, I unexpectedly stepped back in time into Mr. Ullman’s classroom and saw the very real and mind-blowing interior of the Great Mosque with its misplaced cathedral emerging from the heart of that sacred place. And this strange overlap of cultures, religions and architectural styles is a theme that extends through the narrow curled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. I floated around the ancient town and its charming Jewish quarter utterly enchanted by the strange mixture of listening to gypsy flamenco and eating ingredients once brought from the Americas in Arab courtyards filled with colourful geraniums, orange trees and Christian shrines.

I would like to acknowledge the patience of my friend, Alessio and thank him for leaving me to get swept up in the inspiration and magic of the city... and take 1000 photographs.