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DAY 23 SATURDAY 28 MAY 2nd DAY IN SALAMANCA

Saturday started off sunny and bright with quite a few having breakfast at the Las Claras Hotel cold scrambled eggs and a flaky toaster that does NOT toast!!! There really are a lot of people in the hotels! They are not all tourists, lots of Spanish taking advantage of the weekend.

Casa de las Conchas


We needed a target to fill up this day, after a late start we decided to walk to the 3 cathedral collection of OLD, not as old and Older than the new cathedrals in town or numbers 9, 10, 11 on the tourist map.  #9 is the oldest on which they have added small sculptures around the entrance doors of an astronaut. Obviously, they would not have been included by the masons of 1400 or so. Jane can explain how she got lost in church even though God tried to show her the way. LOL! Paul is not as enamored as I am of ancient buildings, so I knew I was on my own as far as exploring Cathedrals. You all know why they fascinate me, but until today I don’t think I realized the impact the Catholic church had on Spain. Call me naïve or whatever but the whole way of life in Spain was dictated by the Church. For many centuries Jews, Muslims and Christians lived in harmony. Now, the Christians were in the majority, and as is normal with the majority, they ran most things but nonetheless, there was harmony. I find it incredibly interesting how the countries of Europe developed according to religion.

Salamanca

Not getting into that right now. I am exploring the Cathedrals of Salamanca. There are three in a row. Paul will probably sit outside and wait for me. I turned around and he was gone…I know not where! So, I sent him a text and told him I was heading into the Catedral Nueva. I had said I would only explore one. I entered paid my 6Euros and discovered that I was now exploring 2 cathedrals! They did not demolish the old one but tacked the new one in front! The difference in the two was incredible.  I tried to pull up the information on my iPad but it, or the connection are playing silly buggers! Anyway, I left the Catedral Viejo and found myself …I knew not where! After wandering a bit aimlessly for a few minutes I met a couple who were also lost( they were Spanish) we laughed and went on, new friends! Eventually I ask a young man where the front of the Cathedral was. I sent Paul a text that I was lost and my new cute friend directed me. It is good to speak Spanish! I rounded a corner to the front of the building, and there he was, frantically texting and patiently waiting!

We  wandered off to find a lunch place  which was luckily next to the one we had eaten at on Thursday. While I was in the new (I use the term loosely) building, the organist had burst forth with the Wedding March! I looked around frantically and saw a wedding finish up! The bride and groom left and I quicky texted Paul. Bride coming out!  But they didn’t come out the front but left through another door, which I found(because of the rose petals) when I was lost LOL. However, we reconnected and marched off for a later than planned lunch. Remember we are booked for 830 this evening.

Catedral Viejo

By 3:00 we were tuckered out from the sight seeing and lunch was needed. Jane had gambas a la plancha, Paul had slow roasted leg of lamb.   Taxi back for our afternoon siesta and for blogging.

Saturday night we had booked a meal at 830PM on the terrazzo at VinoDiario restaurant where we had eaten upon arrival Thursday afternoon and met the owner Fernando who let us try their homemade cheesecake. His kitchen staff is some 6-8 people each with some chef training and they all contribute to their eclectic menu. An unusual weather system is forecasted to roll through this evening starting at about 8:00PM or so. We had to switch to an inside table and soon the place was packed with light sprinkles outside. We decided to order Spanish style to share each selection together.

Salamanca Ornate chain display

§  Wrinkled potatoes with pesto sauce( ordered because of the intriguing name…don’t bother!)

§  Local white asparagus with sauces

§  Jasmine Thai rice with gambas

§  Cheesecake , decaf coffee

§  Sweet dessert wine

It was lightly sprinkling on our way back to the hotel at 1015 meal complete and the travelers were tired and satisfied. A very good day. I do have to say Salamanca is a fascinating city. Loved it.


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