The Moorish palace known as the Alhambra conjures mental imagery of the exotic. It was described by the American author Washington Irving as "...a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen." Admittedly, when I first laid eyes upon the palace, seated high above the city of Granada, I too felt in awe of its grandeur. This feeling was further reinforced upon entering the grand palace and spending a day walking about its grounds. The size of the palace is quite impressive when one begins to explore its many gardens and buildings.

For me, this glimpse into a culture so uniquely different from the western civilization from which my roots spring, it was a truly a fascinating experience. The Arabesque style of decoration and architecture that permeates the structures was amazing. Its beauty highlights the sophistication of the Moorish culture from which it sprang.