Photo: September 2019 – Presenting commercial space to attendees at the Sutus International Conference, Marbella, Spain.
Spring 1994, Ireland to Spain
As you’re read earlier, my first visit to Spain was a few fleeting days in Port Bou, Catalonia. I can’t say that it formed a lasting impression with me, more a case of survival. If nothing, during the 1980’s and ‘90’s, short vacations principally along the Mediterranean coast loomed large on my wish list for welcome winter sunshine. As a family, we also spent short vacations in several of the Canary islands – Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, as well as the Balearic Islands. Spain’s islands are typically regarded as one of the few locations in Europe where one ‘might’ experience warm winter sunshine. However, my desire to return there, never diminished and was not driven solely by the heat of the sun.
In spring 1994, alongside my wife Maureen and off-springs Brendan and Elizabeth, (while waiting for our U.S. Permanent Residence Cards to arrive), we decided to go live in Spain for three months. Why not we thought? With assistance from Maureen’s sister Liz, (who lived at that time in Madrid), we rented the top floor of a house in what might easily be called one of the most remote and reputedly the highest village in mainland Spain. Resting at an altitude of almost 5,000 feet, that village is Trevélez.
Located in the southern province of Andalucia,Trevélez is famous for the quality of its air-cured hams. It’s a speciality throughout the Alpujarras but particularly associated with Trevélez. The dry climate and the altitude makes ideal conditions for storing. Upon our arrival there, we learned that the entire basement of our rental was packed to the brim, with ham, and of course the persistent aroma of ham! During those three months, one of our favorite outdoor activities was taking treks to La Piedra Ventana and the summit of Mulhacén, the highest mountain in mainland Spain, (11,400 feet+). From its summit, one has a truly unique and stunning view of northern Morocco.
For no apparent reason that we were aware of, word quickly spread amongst our family and friends, especially those living in Ireland, U.S. and the U.K., that the Gannon’s needed company in Spain. Not true of course, but they – our visitors, were on their way anyhow, supposedly to our rescue… In their minds,Trevélez was irresistibly charming and quaint and therefore, should not to be missed. I conclude therefore that long before today’s modern technology and the internet, that we invented airbnb. Each week, of necessity, my persistent bilingual catchline to the family descended into the familiar;
“Who’s joining us this week, and do we have enough vino local y leña? Siempre, no hay”.
September 2019, Return to Andalucia
“But why would anyone want to listen to me in Spain”, I asked Jordi Boada, the Executive Director of Extenda Miami. Officially called the Agencia Andaluza de Promoción Exterior, International Trade and Development. Extenda is headquartered in Seville, Andalucia, Spain.
Jordi continued. “There are over two-hundred persons registered to attend, with lots of media too. Tony, this two-day SUTUS Summit in Marbella, – Space Florida must be in attendance. We want you to be one of our keynote speakers, and to inform everyone about the U.S. space program. With your Spanish, you will wow the attendees”.
I did some initial research on the Province of Andalucia. The Andalucian Aerospace Cluster I learned was much bigger than I could have imagined. The company membership alone, has a register in excess of over one hundred and sixty-two Spanish companies!
As Oscar Wilde is oft quoted, “I can resist anything except temptation”.
As always, the Spanish are a gracious nation. After dinner one evening in the company of our Andalucian hosts, my wife Maureen and I reminisced about our 1994 Trevélez expedition. I inquired of our waiter of a favorite drink of ours in Trevélez –
“A la gente de Marbella, le gusta tinto de verano?
One of our hosts must have overheard me… Within minutes of my inquiry, the first of several jugs of that deliciously flavored wine arrived on our table. Que viva España.