Segovia

Day 2 Salamanca to Segovia

We were woken up around 9:00 by the noise of kids playing in the soccer field behind the hotel so I got up to check the weather. I was really surprised when a complete whiteout greeted me upon raising the shutter because bright light was showing through the shutter. Visibility was only a couple of feet from the window. Took a shower, finished packing and brought the luggage to the car. Had breakfast at the hotel which was included in the price and it was quite excellent.

The fog was very thick on the way out but cleared up about 20 minutes into the trip. The sky was a deep, dark blue with no clouds at all and the snow-capped mountains near Segovia were very visible. The trip is about two and a half hours long and we passed an accident along the way. It was a one-car accident and the front end was completely smashed in after running head-on into the exit barrier. The EMT's were wheeling in a covered gurney into the ambulance as we passed by.

Segovia is situated in high ground so the cathedral and the Alcazar can be seen clearly as you approach the city. Turning into the Plaza del Azoguejo which is the entrance to the historic quarter, we were greeted by the majestic structure of the Roman Aqueduct. It was such an astonishing sight to behold especially with the sun shining behind it. As usual, parking was a problem so we continued driving around the city walls until we found a couple of scenic spots to stop and take pictures. Took pictures of the Alcazar and the cathedral from the roadside and then returned to the plaza.

Parked at the foot of the aqueduct and stayed in the car since it is a no-parking zone while Mom went to the Tourist Office to get some hand-outs. When she returned, I climbed the stairs to the wall to take some pictures while she stayed to watch the car.

I was able to take a lot of pictures including the view of the distant mountains still covered with snow but then had to run down quickly when I saw a cop walking towards the car. He was quite helpful though and directed us to a private parking area across the plaza after I explained our situation in my limited Spanish vocabulary. He even gave us directions to the cathedral saying it was only a 5-minute walk when I asked him about the sightseeing bus schedule.

Did some souvenir shopping on the way to the cathedral and took pictures of the Iglesia de San Martín, Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad and the Casa de los Picos. Also took pictures of a 'happy pig family' and a stuffed lamb in one of the restaurants' display windows. Continued on up the alley until we saw a glimpse of the beautiful cathedral domes.

This is an enclosed balcony or 'galeria' (left) which added space and beauty to the living area and allowed the occupants to view the scenery even in winter time; Casa de los Picos (right).

The street finally opened up to the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) where we viewed the cathedral in its magnificence. It was very beautiful inside; the lighting was just right which completed the natural light shining through the stained-glass windows. It is the only one that we have visited in Spain that is well-maintained down to the shiny and smooth marble floors. Too bad picture-taking wasn't allowed.

The 'happy pig family' display in one of the restaurant windows offering the local especialty 'cochinillos'; an outdoor menu advertising the day's special.

The front quarter with the itty bitty foot and ear; usually served with 'patatas fritas'.

Tower of the Iglesia de Santisima Trinidad and a souvenir stall along the way to the cathedral.

The cathedral viewed from the 'esquina' and the Plaza Mayor.

Cathedral close-up shot and the main tower viewed from the courtyard.

Plaza Mayor viewed from the Cathedral's entrance; a 'kiosko' named 'adelantado'.

Restaurante Candido, located right next to the aqueduct and the oldest in Segovia; picture at the main square in front of the Oficina de Turismo before leaving for Avila.

Salamanca

Day 1 El Puerto - Salamanca

We left home around 7:00 am and headed towards Salamanca which is about a six hour drive. Had the GPS Garmin model again so I made sure that the settings were correct before setting out. Fog was very thick in the Medina and Caceres areas so we had to slow down a little bit due to the low visibility. The highway was mainly flat though so it wasn't as dangerous. Made one stop at a restaurant called 'El Caldero' for snacks and gas (should have taken a picture of the pot over the doorway).

Arrived around 1:30 pm and the GPS guided us around the town so we thought that we were being 'misguided' again. Found out later that the area around the old town is actually for pedestrians only. Checked in at the hotel and had just entered our room when we received Carol's call that she's at the train station already. Told her that we'll just walk to meet her and then proceed to the old town from there.

It was a cold 15 minute walk from the hotel with the fog rolling in but we found our way to the train station. Didn't see Carol right away so I called her up but she was dialing at the same time too so we both had busy signals. We saw her just when she was going out of the station to get a better signal. After hugs and 'beso-beso', we proceeded on to the Plaza Mayor and had a late lunch. It was nice seeing Carol again since the last time we saw each other was in Japan about five or six years ago when she was on company assignment.

Salamanca is called the University City of Spain and the University of Salamanca is considered as one of Europe's premier research universities. We went to see the historic sites afterwards and visited the old and new cathedral, Roman bridge, Casa de las Conchas and the Patio of the Holy Ghost. We were also able to view the facade of the University of Salamanca and walk along the surrounding alleys.

The cathedral viewed from the side. This is actually a 2-in-1 cathedral: the left side with the dome is the 'nuevo' and the right side with the spire is the 'viejo'.

Side entrance (left) and main entrance (right) to the old cathedral.

The organ in the 'viejo' and the inside of the dome of the 'nuevo'.

University buildings viewed from the front of the cathedral; a close-up shot of the dome.

Pedestrian walkway to the Roman bridge; a souvenir shop selling sweets made by Benidictine

monks.

Building for the General Archives of the Spanish Civil War along the walkway and a close-up shot of the facade.

The Roman bridge which mainly serves as a pedestrian walkway.

Carol and Marites posing for a shot on the bridge with the cathedral in the background. The surface had been repaved though the structure is still the original.

The river spanned by the bridge and another picture of the cathedral from the bridge.

One of the intricately designed buildings along the street; window shopping.

Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells,left) which also serves as the public library and information office and the facade of the 'La Clerecia' (right) which was once a church and college of the Ecclesiastic Order of the Society of Jesus.

Since it was getting darker and colder, Carol suggested drinks and snacks at one of the bar/cafe establishments. She had us try a 'cajarillo' which is a mixture of brandy and coffee along with some pastries and it surely didn't take long to get us warmed up. Took some more pictures of the illuminated buildings and Plaza Mayor and then had to run to the train station to make her trip back to Madrid which she made with a couple of minutes to spare.

There was a big crowd in the lobby and we found out that a Wii demo booth was set up and people were lined up to play. Everyone was having fun and cheering the players on. I think Wii is just making it here and making a big hit.

The walk back to the hotel was long and cold and the fog was really thick. Tried to take a picture of a bull pushing a wheelchair in front of the Red Cross building but the flash reflected back on the fog.