It was hot. Well over 100 degrees (at least according to my rudimentary calculation skills. The temperature said 37 degrees Celsius, which I converted to 104 Fahrenheit in my head — the old, double it and add 30 trick I learned in 7th grade science), we were walking around Barcelona, towards dinner. We entered this plaza where laughter filled the air and I looked at a fountain, of which there are many in Spain. This comes from centuries of Moorish (though in my mind I kept thinking, Moops…) inhabitants and their connection to water. Water, in the Qu’ran, fills the universe with life:

“We have made every living thing out of water.” (Sura 21 The Prophets, ayat 30).

And has purifying properties (which, perhaps like the Jews, saved lives during the Black Plague, as Muslims and Jews were in favor of washing their hands before meals. Unlike the Middle Age Christians who chose to not bathe — they believed that the luxury of baths [and the act of bathing, which was seen as a self-indulgence] were offensive. Imagine if the Middle Age Christians simply washed their hands…). But water is also fun. 

These kids were filling up water balloons, as kids with time, imagination and an endless stream of wetness can do.