I should have been sultan

My husband and I are on vacation in Spain for two weeks. Our first stop is Granada. The first day was spent exploring the neighborhoods near our hostel, shopping and trying to not look like tourists.
Yesterday we went to the alhambra palace. This palace was the center of the moorish government when they occupied medieval Spain. Situated on the highest point in the city, la Alhambra is very impressive. Many have stated that the nasrid palaces - the royal residences - were the highlight of their visit. Oh, they were beautiful, no question and we enjoyed touring them. But the highlight of our visit, without a doubt, was the Generalife.
The generalife (hen-air-all-LEAF-ay) is a gardening and landscaping wonder. The sultan would come to this retreat after a long day of decisions, decrees and discussions to lose himself in the beauty of the countless gardens and courtyards.
Perfectly manicured hedges with perfectly sculpted arched doorways create a miriad of rooms, each with differently themed gardens. The arches and doors open to views the length of the garden or to sweeping vistas of la Alhambra, sometimes windowed in a hedge arch.
The ancient moors were masters of the water feature. Coming from a land where no water meant certain death and possessing abundant water displayed one's wealth, water was of immense importance. The moors employed the Roman aqueducts to bring water to the countless pools, fountains, rills and bubbling things throughout the complex. The sight and sound of water is everywhere. The most creative use of water is the water stairs. A long flight of stairs has a rill cascading down where the handrail should have been, carving out pools in the stone on landings before it tumbles down again.
As I wandered this oasis, I imagined the sultan wandering also, his head full of important royal thoughts, trying to find some peace from his stressful day. Perhaps he strolled down the arched colanade along a pool with happily splashing fountains while he confided his troubles in a trusted friend or sought counsel from his loyal vizir. All the while the soothing sound of water surrounds everything.
Oh yes, a person could get used to this.
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