Salamanca

Hey all,

I know it has been a while. This weekend I went to Salamanca. While(Temple won the A-10 championship and I got two screaming phone calls to celebrate both, my parents and Evan). So anyway, Salamanca, is a university city housing the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. The entire city is built of sandstone buildings which seem to glow at night as dusk comes. Salamanca is located on the side of the Tormes river (Lazarillo de Tormes (Spanish literature) the fictional character was born in the Tormes River).

The big highlights were first off the Cathedral. There is an old part that is more of a medieval style and the new cathedral which is gothic style. Mary and I got the chance to walk to the top and see the whole city from above as well as peak into both churches from the top section and have a better view of the murals on the ceilings. Also the cathedral was restored and cleaned back in 1998, during that time for some reason a astronaut was included into the facade. Very strange but everyone flocks to find it.

The plaza mayor of Salamanca is considered by many one of the most beautiful. I now understand why. It is a huge square where an abundance of activity goes on at all hours of the day and night. I sat with the girls at a café and saw a crazy clown juggle fire in the square!

The university itself has many buildings but the original has a facade covered in all sorts of objects. Old legend has it if you can find the skull with the frog on it you will have many sorts of luck. So of course we all stood there with the rest of the tourists looking to find it. Sure enough I did! Luck for me!

Sunday in the 75 degree weather we decided on having a picnic on the side of the Rio Tormes. It was a beautiful week with around 75 degree temperatures the entire time! I could not ask for better weather!

A week of classes and then off to Amsterdam for the weekend!

Enjoy the photos!