I visited the Glass and Crystal Museum of Malaga and got the unexpected.   I didn’t read about the details of the museum in advance, just wandered into it, a 2 story house off a narrow street.  The ticket taker noted that “the English speaking tour has just started”,  so I added myself to a group of 6 Brits.  I didn’t realize that you could ONLY view the museum with a guide – it was a home.  Lucky timing!  Back to the tour: Mmmmm,   I said to myself.  This doesn’t sound like English.  I let my eyes wander around the room, half paying attention.  Mmmmm, to myself again.  There are SOME English words coming from this man.  Edging closer to the guide, I found that if I concentrated and watched him speak, I could make out about 75% of what he was saying.  He didn’t have a heavy accent, and he had total control of the language, he just talked quickly and didn’t enunciate fully.   What I learned in that hour plus tour was that this man, Gonzalo Fernandez-Pietro,  is the owner of the collection and the home.  It sounded like he came from some old money, has family all over Europe, and several homes (London, Paris, etc).  He  called himself a historian, but having to be a businessman to support the hobby he started as a child.  I’d guess he is in his early 60’s, being that he’s a  self-proclaimed hippy,  and his passion for collecting top quality glass obvious.  The stories he told, connecting the glass to times and people, his knowledge of glass making techniques and history, and his sharp sense of humor brought the collection to life.  If allowed to wander the home without a guide, one would have  seen some beautiful glass, but learned nothing.   His talk left me wanting to learn more about glass – he repeatedly told of the mysteries that glass hold.  It also left me examining my own life, and how there is certainly room for more passion in it.

I took many photos, but am only posting this one.  Looking up through  the courtyard ceiling Gonzalo noted that he, the dog, really ran the house.  He didn’t miss a move.

To have a peek into the museum, this link gives a nice overview.  If you have 12 minutes, this YouTube  glides you through the collection and home on some wonderful period music.  I hope it’s enjoyable viewing and you feel Gonzalo’s passion even without having seen the collection. – Laura