Ybor’s Sunset Sensations

Let your attention be guided by the natural colors of the sunset? What do you feel most?

“A sunset will color your dreams.” (Anthony Hincks)

Last week, I absorbed a heavy dose of authentic Spanish culture on our excursion to historic Ybor City near downtown Tampa, Florida.With flashy feathered roosters crowing proudly to greet my presence, my tour first followed a cobblestone pathway  to a semicircular floral courtyard. Along the way, I’d noticed interesting combinations of red, orange, yellow, and brown painted on columns, doors, walls.

I next made a brief visit to the Ybor City Museum State Park, filled with flashy hue displays of posters, flags, and other rare cultural artifacts. I took a particular interest then in Cuba’s  cigar influence from Tampa’s industrial past. Such sensory overload continued for me at lunchtime as I indulged in a crispy Cuban sandwich and table prepared mixed salad in decorative elegance at the historic Columbia Restaurant. Gazing around indoors and outdoors during this unique dining experience, I pictured a glowing radiance of gold, silver, and other riches as manifested in the Spanish conquistador tradition. With good luck on a future visit to Columbia, I look forward to experiencing the multicolored passion of Flamenco dance performances in the dining area at my leisure.

So I’d found plenty to like about the Ybor City on our latest travel jaunt. For in absorbing its full spectrum of sunset colors around town, the exotic blend of Latin American aromas, sights, and sounds came alive for me on this day.  

Related You Tube Links:

https://youtu.be/f3lGO7VbPsw?si=1apIg3IuZYtUKSdy

https://youtu.be/T-QmLa5_4QQ?si=JApEc1pA8q-_dKbJ