The Old and the New

Salamanca has two cathedrals the old (1400s) and the new (1600s to 1800s).  You get to the old thru the new.   They built the New when they believed the Old was too small for the city. They thought they would tear it down, but the new construction took too long (thank goodness).

I know I have a million pictures of churches, but they never seize to amaze.  Starting with the architecture to the artistic details found when you step inside.  Each a treasure in their own right.

The Old

The New

Ode to the Pig

I took some shots this evening of our tapas hopping at the bite of Salamanca.  We ordered the speciality of the house which in all cases was some variation of pork.  Can't say I had a favorite or that I know which particular area of the pig was the best.  I will admit though I did steer clear of the blood sausage even multiple glasses of wine didn't get me to try that bite!

Salamanca a college town

Salamanca is home to the oldest University in Spain.  No college game day here though.  The Plaza Mayor is one of the largest in all of Spain and with festival going on they are having concerts twice a day.  It's really lovelly.

The Plaza at night

Hola from the Bite of Salamanca

Driving from Madrid to Salamanca was allot like traversing across Washington on I90.  We climbed and went thru some mountains and then hit the plains.  Wheat fields turned to corn fields reminding me of the Palouse.

We arrived in Salamanca to find out it is the Ferias y Fiestas, we call it the bite of Salamanca. Imagine all of the restaurants here bring their best food (tapa) and set up a stand in one of the plazas.  There are close to twenty areas each having around four plus places each.  A half glass of wine with a pincho (tapa bite) for two dollars.  We hit the jackpot and enjoyed stumbling our way from one to the next.  What a way to discover the city!

What started as a photo of the pigs foot with our wine, lead to carving my own...

Yes I got to keep the hat!!!  Night one was one for the memory books.