Interview with Tour Guide Tooraj Fooladi
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| A European by choice, Tooraj is passionate about Spain, soccer, and (sorry, Husky fans) the U of O Ducks. |
The name may not sound European, but that's where his heart is. Tooraj Fooladi has lived the United States, Iran — and in Europe, where he's guided many of Rick Steves' Best of Spain & Portugal tours for the past 10 years.
How does a nice Iranian boy like you end up falling in love with Europe and living in Spain.
I left Iran for the U.S. in 1973, stopping for a few days in Amsterdam on the way. It was around Christmastime, and the streets were decorated and illuminated with such a festive mood in the air. As a young boy traveling alone, I was so excited and fascinated by everything around me, even the street musicians. That was the beginning of my long contact with Europe.
My American life experience took root during my years at the University of Oregon. At the same time, I managed to go back to Europe every couple of years to visit relatives. During one of those trips I visited the vibrant city of Barcelona, and that was the beginning of my love affair with Spain. I was drawn to the warmth and passion of the people there — in their personal relationships, attachment to their village roots, and celebrating life in general.
Now I live in sunny Valencia, where I have the luck and privilege of seeing the Mediterranean every day from my balcony. In appreciation for the city I've called home for the past decade, I have written a guidebook chapter about Valencia that you can find, free on Rick's website.
How does your background help you explain Spain's history on our tours?
Spain and Persia (Iran) were invaded by Muslim forces almost at the same time (around the 8th century). Both countries lived under foreign occupation for centuries without losing their languages, as opposed to North African countries (such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco) that converted to Islam at the cost of losing their identities. I've been studying this common history since grade school and later as a guide, learning from different perspectives. It's rewarding for me to be able to read and understand the Arabic writings on the walls of Alhambra during our visit there. Our local guide, Margarita, always asks me to pronounce the Moorish phrase that repeats 9000 times all over the palace: "There is no victor but God."
What do you like best about living in Spain?
Anyone can feel welcome here. Spain is the second most visited country in the world, with about 57 million visitors annually. It has a tradition of attracting foreign residents, from Hannibal to Hemingway (who once said, "I was not born in Spain — but that wasn't my fault!").
What keeps me in Spain is the Spaniards' passion for life and celebrating it regardless of income...the richness of a culture that's been a bridge between continents for most of its history...the richness of the art and architecture...fantastic weather...you name it! And can anyone think of a country that has more fiestas that Spain?
At the same time, Spain is changing for the better. For example, public transportation has moved from the slowest to the fastest in Europe. My tour members are fascinated by the speed and comfort of the AVE trains we take between Barcelona and Madrid, especially when the monitor shows they are traveling at a smooth 312 kph (190 miles per hour)...and still accelerating!
Where do you most enjoy taking people in Spain?
There are so many beautiful stops on our Spain-Portugal tour. Places like Granada, Arcos and our lunch in La Mancha are always special for me. This tour has been designed to have just the right balance between big cities and small villages. It's important to experience the sophistication and art of cities like Barcelona and Madrid, as well as the simplicity of small towns and villages. By adding the San Sebastián & Basque Countryside tour, we are covering even more of the region's diversity.
Okay, now you can talk about soccer.
I've been playing soccer since I could walk. These days I play with a group of over-35's once a week and it feels good.
In Europe the game is followed in every country with passion, from chilly Sweden to sizzling Spain. From August to June, a traveler can run into one of the many competitions throughout Europe, from amateur to professional levels (not to mention the European Championship and World Cup tournaments every four years). It's an organic part of Europe. If you all of a sudden see fireworks and celebration on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday or Wednesday, chances are that a "Champions League" game had just finished with the local team winning.
Normally, regional ties in Spain are stronger than the national loyalty — it's nearly a divided country — but this year soccer achieved something that politics couldn't. Last month Spain won the European Championship, and it was interesting to see how people forgot their regional differences and celebrated this victory with pride in all four corners of the country.
For more information, check out our best-selling Rick Steves Spain or Rick Steves Portugal guidebooks — or join us on one of our free-spirited Best of Spain & Portugal , Barcelona-Madrid, or San Sebastián & Basque Countryside tours!