Avila and Futbol

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Yesterday....
I left Salamanca on the 12:45 train to Avila. After a ten minute walk the group and I arrived within the walls of the old towne. The castle-like walls called "La Muralla" surround the entire city. Visitors can climb the stone steps and walk on the top of the wall for a panoramic picture of Avila and the countryside of Castile y Leon.
We visited the Cathedral of Avila which was ornate but not very well kept up. The Church of St.Theresa was much better and I got to see the room where Saint Theresa was born, though I doubt there was as much gold there in her time.
Avila is known for their special dessert called "Yemas of Avila." They are pretty much consist of egg yolk and lots of sugar that has been whisked until it form a semi-solid consistency - then you eat it. I tried one but didn't care for the taste.

Today....
This morning I attended mass at the Cathedral again - nothing new there. Afterwards, I read that there would be a futbol (meaning soccer!) game today with free attendance. I asked my host-mom about it and she gave me directions and told me it would be "a little different," but I didn't know what she meant by that and I didn't ask. My roommate, API neighbor and I left for the one o'clock game. Instead of a grassy field, we found a very modern looking indoor stadium, with one problem - the field was completely made of sand. All the players were barefoot and it was like beach soccer. It was still a lot of fun and Spain beat Portugal 3-1! Now I'll pay attention when my host mom says something is different.

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Photos

In the Convent
There were all sorts of the mirrors placed on the ground so that you could get a good view of the vaulted ceilings without straining your neck (maybe?)

Church of St.Esteban
The entire altar was made of gold and bronze. The church was beautiful - I hope to attend a mass there. The guide said that unfortunately it doesn't get much use because only about 30% of all Catholics in Spain are "practicing" Catholics.

Inside the convent
Very pretty gardens, but I didn't see a single nun, called "hermanas" in Spain.

St. Theresa Confessional
Apparently she came to the Convent in Salamanca to confess in this little room - she also liked to sit there and write her book - looked a little small for me.

Convent Garden
With my new pink bag that I bought for 3e at the Rastro outdoor market.

Fire show
These street entertainers had batons and ropes that they set on fire and danced around with. It was surprisingly good.

Elephants in Salamanca
When walking to the train station we saw this semi-truck parked on the side of the road and when the man opened the back door an elephant walked out - maybe it needed a bathroom break?!

Train for Avila
The three girls on the right are in my group, but they were seated in a different coach. On the train my friend and I met a man that spoke Polish and Spanish - he greeted me in Polish but all I could say back was Babci and Cioci!

"La Muralla"
My roommate and I on top of the Muralla (wall).

Friends in Avila
Allison (my neighbor) and Jenny from the API group

St.Theresa's room
This is the room that St.Theresa was born in - I don't think there was this much gold back then.Interesting fact: She wasn't buried here, only her heart and arm bone are in Avila.

Sitting atop the Muralla
I really liked this fortress wall, or at least I took a lot of pictures

The sundial of Avila
Its placed on top of the Muralla and when we saw it, it just happened to be "The Hour of St.Theresa" - how appropriate.

Modern Building for Dad
It also happens to be the entrance to the stadium and public pools.

Futbol Playa
They played on a sand field in barefeet!

Crowd and Stadium
Pretty good size and crowd since the upperdeck was closed.