Heroes Not Zombies

I’m visiting Segovia in Spain again for a few days. Ever since I first came here I’ve had a sense that it’s a special place.

I’m sure you’ve had that kind of experience where within minutes, maybe even seconds, of arriving somewhere new to you, you might have a strong feeling about it. That strong feeling might be a sort of belonging. I had that in Marrakesh which completely surprised me. I’d never had a strong desire to go there but I deeply felt that I belonged, or more that I had lived there before. Weird.

It might be a bad feeling. I once visited a small town in France which had been a centre for tanneries. I don’t think I knew that before I got out of the car and within minutes we all decided we didn’t want to be there and left. It was only after that, that we read about the history of the town and learned about the stinking tanneries.

But then other places instantly feel just right. For me, Segovia is one such place.

There’s no doubting the power of the Roman aqueduct here. I mean you really couldn’t miss it, could you? It’s astonishing in its size, construction, beauty. Gradually, metre by metre, it allows water to flow naturally downwards from the countryside to the town, and it worked for centuries. A testament to human creativity, to Will, determination and strength.

I think it’s the main influence for me in making this town such a special, attractive place.

What towns have had the biggest instant effects on you? Which villages, towns or cities feel special to you?