Stop 2: Salamanca!!
I woke up yet again to find us in a new city, Salamanca. After throwing our bags into our hotel rooms and putting my face on (my new expression after how horrendous I started to look on this trip- bus trips never made anyone look good) we wandered around the city before meeting up with the group for lunch and a tour.
I have found that I truly enjoy wandering around cities; more so than official tours with guides and what not. Don't get me wrong, I do want to learn about the sites, but I find that wandering will uncover so many hidden gems and you can truly feel what it's like to be a traveler in the city rather than a tourist. Never be a tourist, always be a traveler.
With our tour guide, our first stop was to the Universidad de Salamanca. If only Bucknell had buildings like this...
Granted La Universidad de Salamanca is the third oldest university in Europe, it wouldn't hurt if Bucknell took some notes.
One of the coolest things about this university, besides the buildings, is this tradition of "Victor". Back in the day, when students received their PhD's from the university, they would have this 3 day party where they would all write their name and their own version of the word VICTOR on the university buildings...in bulls blood! So all over the university, the term "victor" is written.
Eventually, more and more students received their PhD so the tradition was changed. Now, whoever contributes something to the city of Salamanca (something big...no I did not get the chance to do my own Victor sign) they put their name, the victor sign and a quote. The best one I saw was this one...
I was even able to convince my friend Tyler to get the Victor tattoo when we got back to the states. I suggested waiting until he got his MD (he's the future of medicine) but once the idea was placed, he said he could not wait that long.
Next, as usual, was the Cathedral. La Catedral of Salamanca is very similar to the ones in Sevilla and Segovia, of course I could not understand the exact reason why. I really need to get a move on with this whole concept of learning Spanish....
The front of the church was redone recently and the artists who made the carvings had complete artistic freedom. And of course, one of the artist deemed it necessary to carve an astronaut. I don't know about you but that's the first thing that comes to mind when I visit cathedrals...
"One of these things is not like the other, one of these things is not the same"
- am I the only one who remembers this song from Sesame Street?
Half of the church burned down quite some time ago and the architects decided to build a new one, and fuse the 2 to create one enormous church. The best part? They have weddings!!!
There's one bell on the top of the church, that I believe is the highest point in the city. Here, once a year, a man climbs up to the top of the bell and plays the guitar for everyone hear. What would you sing if you were up there? Personally, I think I would do a rendition of anything by the Supremes, and if there was room to dance? Shewolf or Single Ladies
After our official tour, we got to roam some more and grab our own dinner. We decided to hit up the Plaza and have some sandwiches (I'm bringing Jamón y queso bocadillos back with me to the states). I was exhausted by this point, but my friends hit up the bars where they discovered a Michael Jackson Tribute Bar, "Jacko's" (now I'm pissed I didn't go out) and a chupiteria which served one shot containing Absinthe and Cannabis for one euro... a few of my friends were not feeling so hot the next morning... regardless, ONTO MADRID!!!
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