Let the Excursion Begin! (Finally)

Thanks to my trusty journal I'm able to recount my adventures across Spain with you! About 2 weeks ago, our Bucknell group went on an excursion through Spain. First stop: Segovia

Buses we're never my favorite mode of transportation, but when Bucknell deemed it necessary that our group of 8 get a bus that can sit 50+ people, I couldn't complain. Grace Cottington said never fall asleep in the car, because what you pass is inspiration. Unfortunately, at 8 am, I am in no mood for inspiration. Upon our arrival to Segovia, I woke up and we put our bags in the hotel and headed immediately to the church. I absolutely love the outside of this church. Of course as well as the inside...

Now I didn't take pictures of it, but every church we seem to go into on this excursion has these massive gates blocking off the altar and rooms around the church. You can see it a bit at the bottom of this picture above. I still haven't received an exact answer as to why they do this, but I'm going to keep asking until I can understand someone's response.

Next was the Alcazár of Segovia. Basically it is a castle that looks over the whole city...

and then some...

Royalty changed where they lived throughout history, and obviously, this was the home to Spanish Kings and Queens. More specifically, King Ferdinand III, King Alfonso X, King Juan II and King Enrique IV. Also, In 1474, in this palace, Isabel was proclaimed Queen of Castile, and Carlos III erected the Royal Artillery College.

I always find that the ceilings of all the castles and churches are the most amazing. It's so interesting that they spent the most time on a part of the room that normally goes unnoticed. Taking notes to change up my room at home...

To make it even cooler? There's a moat! No alligators but it's not often you see a real moat around a castle. Well it's not often I see castles either...

These adorable kids are two of my professors. Aedan, Emma and Ian (not pictured) traveled with us everywhere, and compared to what my siblings and I were like, they are angels.

It's rumored that this Alcazar was the inspiration for the Cinderella Castle (although I heard the one in Germany is) and has some amazing views. Climbing the stairs of these castles to the top I would say is a sufficient enough workout for me on this trip. By the time I got to the top, I was in a full sweat.

Next was the aqueducts! This site is the most famous in Segovia, as well as one of the most popular sites in Spain

This is actually one of the coolest things I have ever seen (amongst a million other cool things in Spain). The romans built these between the first and second century and they are one of the most well preserved pieces of Roman architecture. The most insane part? Nothing is holding these things up! No glue, no cement, nothing! The aqueduct was so well built, they simply placed the rocks one on top of another and these things haven't budged since!

After checking the aqueducts out we had some free time to roam around the city before dinner.Of course, we found an amazing chocolate shop first and managed to negate all those stairs from the Alcazár. When in Segovia...