A word I found myself frequently using during my visit to the Canary Islands (referred to by local Spaniards as las Islas Canarias) this spring was “exotic.” Another word I used even more frequently was “wow.” There aren’t too many places in the world, after all, where ranges of mountains, some of them volcanic, and endless blue seas can be viewed at the same time. There are also few places where palm trees and cactus appear near each other.
But that’s just part of the allure of the Canary Islands.
Las Islas Canarias has a fascinating history and culture. Contrary to what many people may believe, the islands’ name is not derived from birds, but rather, from the presence of large dogs that early settlers observed. A species of birds on the island were subsequently referred to as canaries.
The Canary Islands are believed to have been visited by many ancient civilizations, including the Romans, before Spaniards claimed most of it under their rule in the 15th century. Spain was able to repulse attacks from rival empires as well as pirates and other invaders for hundreds of years. After the failure of an independence movement in the mid-1970s, the Canary Islands remain a largely autonomous Spanish province today. Its people, architecture, and food are largely similar to those of Spain, but in an exotic tropical island setting near the northwest coast of Africa. Wow!
Of particular interest to me during my visit to the Tenerife and Gran Canaria isles was the large presence of Cuban immigrants. I got to practice my Spanish language skills with taxi drivers, waitresses, and other locals in Costa Adeje, Las Palmas and neighboring areas who said they immigrated to the Canary Islands from Cuba during the past 5-20 years. The irony is that their families originally left the Canary Islands for Cuba approximately 70-100 years earlier for economic opportunities, and then returned to the Canary Islands for mostly the same reason. Some told me that other relatives chose to leave Cuba for Florida and New Jersey instead.
On a personal level, it was wonderful for me to spend time in the Canary Islands since many of my distant ancestors are highly likely to have emigrated from there to Cuba, according to my 23andMe report. Some relatives have also told me this. I’m grateful my wife, our sons and their wives and granddaughter were able to enjoy being in such a special place with me. It was the best vacation I’ve ever had.
I was informed in advance by the only other American I know to have visited the Canary Islands that people from the United States are considered “exotic” by locals. He was right. One of the tour guides even asked if our boat got lost on its way from New York. She pointed out some of the many sights in the Canary Islands that made me say, “wow.”
I encourage more Americans to visit the Canary Islands. I certainly look forward to returning!
To see a few more of the pictures I took while in the Canary Islands, click on the following of my Instagram posts:
