Obama holidays in Spain
Obama Itinerary:
Wednesday, Day 1: Michelle Obama and daughter ,security and friends stroll along the cobbled streets of old town Marbella stopping and shopping at small shops.
Thursday, Day 2: Michelle and Sasha’s in Granada. They walked and visited the Alhambra Palace in Albaicin. The 16th century cathedral which is famous for its small squares and narrow winding streets. Afterwards the Obamas grabbed an ice cream from a parlor on Gran Via. That evening Mrs. Obama saw a Flamenco show in the Old Sacromonte.
Friday, Day 3: Villa Padierna Hotel, security closes off a section of public beach so Sasha and her friends could enjoy a little sun and fun.
Saturday, Day 4: The Obamas and party travel to the town of Ronda, including a visit to the ruins of a Moorish King.
Sunday Day 5: Michelle Obama and her daughter, Sasha, end their Iberian trip with a visit to Mallorca to meet and have lunch with Spain’s Royal family.
Covering allot of ground:
Obama’s itinerary ran the gambit, from visiting a Christian Cathedral first...
To a 11th Century Moorish (Muslim) palace in Granda...
The Obamas also made their way to a city amongst the cliffs, Ronda...
The cave homes (Granada) of Gypsies, where traditional local music has been performed for centuries...
The trip culminated with a visit and lunch with the Royal family in their summer retreat Marivent Palace, Mallorca.
What does the trip mean?
If any American traveling abroad modestly serves as an informal cultural ambassador, than the First Family’s visit certainly had a planned and direct impact beyond fun.
In April 2004 Spain withdrew troops from the Coalition forces in the middle east amidst an overwhelming wave of anti-American, anti-war feeling in Spain.
The presence of Mrs. Obama and her daughter, the US first family, in Spain and Europe served to reaffirm and direct sentiment back in a positive direction toward America.
The constant, at times overdone news reports about the Obama visit in Spanish media also carried a underlying and powerful message between the lines: Americans come in all colors, interests, and backgrounds.
As Americans struggle to accept and understand their our multi-ethic heritage, maybe it can show us how to value our own minorities and marginalized cultural segments here in Spain.
But back to the business of state. It is certainly worth a few nights in a five-star hotel, lunch at a palace or even missing her husband’s 49th birthday dinner one year, to reinforce stronger alliances, scaffold stained relations, create good-will and entice customers back to the American way of life.
