Day 3

Sunday we had a buffet breakfast similar to the one at the last hotel. We took one more tour of the town, stopping to see the souvenirs (painted plates, crystal from a crystal factory in the town, and jars). Then we loaded up the car and hit the road. We stopped for about an hour and a half in Segovia.

There were beautiful red clay roofs - they´re everywhere - and cobblestone streets. We saw the famous aquaduct there - one of the oldest and most complete left over from the Romans - and the fort and cathedral (Gothic with a bit of Roman and Arab influence). Later we had some cold drinks at an open air restaurant, and then headed back to the car.

After some more driving (and a nap) we stopped one last time in Burgos, not too far from Vitoria.
We entered into the main part through the beautiful Burgos cathedral, and shared some pork and patatas bravas (fried potato squares) with bread for a lunchtime snack. I´m loving the mineral water in glass bottles (usually blue) served with every meal. So much better than tap water.

After rebuilding our energy a bit, we took some pictures with a statue of a ´Pelegrino´or pilgrim. The Burgos cathedral was one of the stops along the ancient prilgrimage route called the Camino de Santiago (de Compostela). When devout Christians had completed the route (starting in France and ending in the north-west corner of Spain), they received a certificate of sorts granting them religious blessings or pardons.

We walked the streets - almost everything was closed because it was Sunday - and saw statue after statue, one in particular of del Cid, a medieval military hero who triumphed against the invading Moors.
You can tell I love history. ; ) Nuria´s dad has been telling me the stories of the places we visit.

After finishing our visit with a walk under the willow trees along the river, we drove up to Vitoria-Gasteiz.
It´s a very modern, very green city, especially compared to the little pueblos (towns) and fields and mountains we´ve passed. Even though all of Basque Country speaks the ancient Basque language in addition to Spanish, most of the signs have both on them and most people speak Spanish. Basque is mostly spoken in schools to reinforce the preservation and continuation of the language.

We took our bags up to the 12th and last floor of the apartment building where Nuria´s family lives. After settling in, we ordered some pizza. And now I´m blogging. : )

I´m writing down every new Spanish word I´m hearing, and trying to incorporate them into my vocabulary (although I´m getting annoyed that I can´t seem to substitute "vale" for "ok"!)