Evening star., 1952-05-25
Pnoto.


upon changing the tempo of a
country that is in restful contrast
to our tension and strain.
Although certain items are still
|rationed among the people, trav-
|elers get excellent food, and ho-
tells in the larger cities, such as
the Alfonso III or the Madrid
in Seville, Madrid's Ritz and the
Finisterre in Coruna, as we'll as
Granada's Alhambra Palace, are
unsurpassed anywhere in luxury
of appointments and service.
The Corbett sisters speak with
enthusiasm Of the excellent bus
system operated by the Spanish
Tourist Bureau and of the gov
ernment owned hostels that are
the last word in comfort and con-
venience. This combination makes
touring Spain a memorable ex-
perience because in this way it is
possible to get both close and q
panoramic picture of a country
whose cities still bear traces of
many ancient peoples. The inn
print of the Phoenicians and
Julius Caesar in Cadiz, the
Basques in the Pyrenees, the
Moors in Granada and the reigns
of Charles v and Philip II, when
Spain was at the maximum of
her power, are laid before the keen
observer.
Exchonee in Our Favor
The rate Of exchange is now in
our favor. The Spanish govern
ment imposes a luxury tax Of 10
per cent and there is q service
charge in most hotels and hostels
as well as in restaurants, in addi-
ton to a cover charge for dinners.
Taxicabs are cheap by the
meter, but scarce and old, so that
once you secure one it is easier
to keep 1t on waiting time, which
It's about so cents an hour In our
money, rather than to depend on
getting another when the need
arises. This the drivers are quite
willing to agree to as the daily
ration Of petrol is strictly appor-
toned.
Holy Week Visit
Arrange your visit to Spain so
that you can be there for holy
week. If you can." Kitty and Ella
Corbett emphasize. The celebra-
ton takes on great drama, in ad-
dition to being a historical
pageant. Often the images of
Christ and the Virgin Mary
carried in the professions are by
famous sculptors. Many of the
holiday banners hanging from the
galleries Of the ancient houses are
gorgeous family tapestries, whose
luster and beauty seem undimmed
by sun or rain. Penitents in In
|Quistion-like hoods and mantles
walk on to the sound OF drums
and trumpets. their progress in
terrupted by impromptu ''saetas, 2
songs Of repentance. In Seville,
whose roses bloom the year
around. all Is bright with bees
wax candles and heavy with the
scent Of flowers. Make your reser-
|vations ahead" says the Corbetts,
for the Spaniards themselves
|often make their own two years
in advance. and the rates are
usually doubled since the Feria,
an evolution of a. cattle fair in the
tradition of the long ago follows
upon the heels of holy week. "
This is a time when the oranges
are as sweet as honey, the al
|monds large and of epicurean
|delicacy, olives are served in more
ways than the initiated have ever
dreamed and music and dancing
are all a part Of the gaiety and
color Of the cafes. where young
and old join in the holiday spirit.
Beyond all of the pageantry and
color and picturesqueness OF
Spain, Kitty Corbett, with her Ma
tional Geographic Society back
ground, was fascinated by the fact
that leading American and French
magazines and newspapers are on
sale in many of the Spanish shops,
and find eager readers among
the people. Here" she says, sis
an example of how the Spain OF
today is keeping UP on trends else
where in the family of nations. y