Orange and Olive

Olive and Orange From the years of 650 and onwards Andalusia Was a tolerant Arabic province, which even tolerated the Jewish tradesmen pushing their handcarts on cobble stones and the Christians with their infernal bells ringing on Sunday mornings. The three religions lived side my side in relative harmony, one can say the following 300 years Andalusia and part of Algarve was an oasis of peace. The Arab architecture is still there and in music one can still hear the Arabic influence not to forget the poetry inspired in beautiful gardens with running water and cooling shade, where love was made and in Yasmin scented afternoons. Nothing lasts forever the Christian horde came with their swords -the ISIS of the time- heads rolled in the sand Andalusia became a Catholic nation, yet the echo of more a contemplative time lingers on. This story was told to me by the oldest olive tree in the world that lives in a valley of orange trees.