Traveling with South Hull Residents

Mariannah Harding Travels to Spain

to visit Horticulture Sites

with Auburn Study Abroad Group

Ms. Harding, 18, is set to graduate from Auburn University with a Masters’ in Horticulture in August. She is the daughter of Kip and Mona Lisa Harding on Fairview Ave in South Hull.

by Mariannah Harding 

At the beginning of May, I had the opportunity to tour Southern Spain for a study abroad trip. I am currently a graduate student at Auburn University studying Horticulture with a certificate in Public Horticulture. As a graduate student in the Public Horticulture program I had the opportunity to be a part of this year's Henry Orr study abroad trip that is offered to students in the Horticulture department. On this trip, eight students and four faculty members toured five cities in Spain over the course of ten days. We visited Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada and Almeria. We spent one to two days in each city, which was ample time to enjoy what each had to offer.

After flying into Madrid on a red-eye flight, we spent the day walking and exploring all of the architecture, shops, and restaurants. The next day, we went to Toledo, toured the Toledo Cathedral, explored the city, and enjoyed the view of the city from across the Tagus river. This study abroad experience was unique in that we toured tourist destinations as well as horticulture-related places. On our way to Córdoba, we toured Picualia, a large olive oil producer in Bailen, Spain, and participated in an olive oil tasting!

We were so fortunate to be in Córdoba during the annual Patio Festival. Every year, local residents open their patios and courtyard gardens for others to enjoy and explore and compete for the title of the best patio. This tradition of decorating one's patio space began in 1918 with the intent of making hidden treasures available to the public. It was a visual feast of colorful flowers, stone mosaics, and striking water features. It was such a treat for Horticulture students. In Cordoba we also visited the Mezquita Belltower, which gives you a wonderful view of the sea of white and tan colored houses and we toured the Great Mosque of Córdoba. In Granada we toured the Alhambra, which was one of my favorite parts of the trip. This palace, fortress, and citadel built in the 8th century contains Islamic architecture and notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. It is said to be one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. The guided tour we took taught us about its rich history while we enjoyed the incredible views of the city of Granada and terraced courtyard and gardens. Our flamenco dance experience in a cave in Cordoba was another highlight of the trip; a beautiful showcase of the culture.

In Almeria we toured tomato and squash producing greenhouses that are a part of what is known as the “Plastic sea” due to the nearly 100,000 acres of greenhouses that cover the coast. It was fascinating to learn about the current state of fruit and vegetable production in Spain, especially as the country faces a drought. Spending the day at the beach in Almeria at the playa de monsul, where “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was filmed, was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. I think my classmates would agree! We climbed up a steep sand dome that overlooked the ocean and its rocky terrain, with an incredible view of the mountains behind us. It was well worth it.

By far, one of the most unique experiences was spending one of our last days in an excluded rented house in the mountains near the town of Guadalest, Spain. The view was magnificent on the drive up the rocky mountains and the house we stayed in had wide windows and an outdoor patio overlooking the view. Our tour guide Alvaro made authentic Paella (a classic Spanish rice dish made with vegetables, seafood, and a variety of meat) and we all enjoyed playing cards, board games, foosball, and each other’s company for the evening. One foosball match got pretty competitive and ended with two people jumping in the pool that night while it was 50 degrees! The next morning we packed up to head to Alzira for our citrus farm tour. On our tour, we got to try fresh oranges straight from the tree, fresh squeezed orange juice, an array of rare types of oranges, and orange marmalade.

Our final day in Spain was spent in Madrid, which we all enjoyed much more than our first time there because we were better adapted to the time change and not fresh off the plane. We enjoyed shopping for souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home and enjoying more authentic Spanish food. We also visited the El Retiro Rose Garden which had the most beautiful roses that I have ever seen, and witnessed peacocks roaming in Retiro park. The narrow streets, old buildings, numerous shops, and authentic food that characterize Spain made it such an unforgettably picturesque environment.

Overall, our trip was a wonderful mix of tourist destinations, horticulture-related tours, and unique experiences that you would never have unless you were from Spain, thanks to our native tour guide, Alvaro. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this study abroad trip, and I will never forget it. I cannot wait to visit Spain again!