After Valencia, I felt I needed to get away from progress and development
From bigger and brighter and better
I wanted to experience the rural traditions Valencia was losing.
So I decided to visit Cuenca, the home of Alberto Cuesta senior,
father of Alberto Junior, my Valenican interview.
In his spare time, Alberto senior maintains a garden and orchid.
I asked him what benefit he got from this hobby
It is foremost, for the feeling sensation of
the proximity to nature that it is offered.
Here is where we create conscience,
acquire awareness of the artificial conventions of living
a more easy and comfortable life style,
but, which is also subjected to needs of other kind.
Then, it is a different way of appreciating the change of things.
To find the rhythm of the Seasons.
To feel real in part and in-tuned with nature,
to live more with nature than with the artificial Industrial creations.
Ah, I felt better already, surrounded by nature,
in a place best explored with the rhythms of the feet
Cuenca has an amazing history, so much so,
it has been awarded Unesco World Heritage status.
The old town is nestled on a hilltop gorge
overlooking two rivers.
Founded as a Moorish fort,
captured by the Christians,
so effective was it’s defenses,
it took nearly a year for the Christian Soldiers
to starve out their Moorish counterparts.
Like it’s hanging houses reaching higher and higher towards the sky,
Cuenca is layered in history,
North African founders,
a centre for various religious orders,
the barefooted Carmelites,
the warrior knights of Santiago
and a seat of infamous inquisition.
During Franco’s reign,
Cuenca became the refuge of many artists,
their abstract creations
disguising their disdain for the dictator.
In this artistic tradition, Antonio Perez found Cuenca,
believe or not, by following a river.
He befriended many of the local artists,
and set up the Antonio Perez Foundation,
a contemporary art museum
As for me in reality, I started as a poet, first, in literature.
I started drawing when I was very young,
but, the moment I met such great artists,
I decided to dedicate myself to the study of Art.
I abandoned all my pretentions of becoming a paint artist
and dedicated instead in the study of Art.
For me, the art of painting has been the most important thing in the world
and the knowledge of the artists.
Then, I continued with my collection ending-up with about
2000 master pieces, a collection that is here in this location.
In such an environment it is hard not to be receptive to art,
to start seeing patterns and beauty in the natural surrounds.
As I sat in my cheap hotel room,
Eating a simple meal and
watching an old Western dubbed into Spanish.
The battle of one culture over another.
I decided I would make it my job, to explore this vast world
To meet locals of all colors and creeds and tell their stories.
As the Indians prepared for their final battle with the cowboys.
So to my journeys in Spain have come to end
Adios Pilgrims, may the road offer friendship