re: #3 researchok

You aren’t missing much.

I refuse to watch the spectacle.

LOL—same old same old, I figure.

I must say, the ancient carvings and blocks really threw me.

One usually associates that kind of art with later, Islamic period art- which is just spectacular. If you haven’t been to Alhambra in Spain or visited the mosques in Turkey, make it a point to go. The colors, vibrancy, architecture, etc are just incredible.

I was surprised too. Perhaps it’s the familiarity that so captivated me. That, and the the idea of the Star of David being modeled on a flower. If true, there should be a really interesting story behind it (unfortunately, one we’ll probably never know).

Plus, anything to do with King Solomon is always good (we have lots of stories about him): master of the jinn & controller of the wind, able to understand the language of ants & birds, then there’s the women disputing over the baby, and who can ignore the love story with the Yemenite Sheba!

I would sooo love to visit the Alhambra. *sigh* I hope I get to do so before I have to leave this world.