A word under the sun

Over the past year, my mind has been struggling to find a suitable definition—or even a synonym—that could capture the feelings my country evokes from afar. Rather than listing the best and worst that Spain has to offer, I sought a word that rose above it all—something anyone could connect to, use to nourish memories, and perhaps, even bridge our differences.

Perhaps pintoresco/a is the best combination of letters to reflect what I have in mind. I haven’t found a similar word, translation, or approximation in any other language—at least not in the sense that I see it. Possibly because few places in the world truly deserve such an adjective. Don’t get me wrong—this doesn’t mean the land of the Spaniards to be the best place on Earth, but rather points to the compendium of contrasts that make it such a curious and unique territory.

It’s during my motorcycle trips through the countryside—into the rural areas of Navarra and Huesca—where the meaning of pintoresco gains new strength for me. Narrow gorges and abrupt sierras of bare limestone; the engine’s rumble echoes between canyon walls, the river’s flow quickens as I gain elevation, and villages vanish behind each curve. In the distance, bell towers guide the eye, just as they once inspired the novels of Ernest Hemingway or Benito Pérez Galdós.

The air conditions shift constantly throughout the journey. Under the heat of the road and the midday sun, even a shirt feels like too much to bear in the height of summer. It becomes necessary to stop at one of the many riverbeds that still hold rainwater from the last storms, seeking refuge in the shade beneath tall elms and poplars.

Gravel roads intersect with national highways, leaving many stretches in a questionable state. In the most secluded spots, Romanesque bridges still support the crossing, wrapped in the same skin as their surroundings—now little more than silent reminders of a time when they served travelers and locals alike.

This forces me to downshift to a pace more suited to my small bike, whose age has begun to take its toll on power. And so, a more contemplative vision takes hold—observing the landscape shift from rocky terrain to open cereal fields, and soothing the spirit with their warm, golden tones.

Hidden culture, deep history, shifting weather, sensory landscapes… pintoresco. All these elements gathered in the definition of a single word—one that will keep evolving in my mind and serve as a reminder until the next ride.

Thanks for reading.