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Published: October 3rd 2010
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Before I ever came to Spain, I knew that I wanted to go to Salamanca. It started again with my high school Spanish teacher, Mr. Armstrong, who told us tons about it in class. Since then, I have had lots of friends and met many other people that have spent time there, and insisted that I visit.
So, rather last minute, I saw a perfect window to go for one night and a full day. I was just going to go by myself and meet up with my Santa Clara acquaintance Kim who I met in Lisbon, but the day before I found a traveling partner to go with me, Junting from China. We caught (barley after a mad dash from the metro to the bus) a bus on Friday afternoon that took us to Salamanca in three hours. Our hostel was within walking distance of the bus station, so after getting checked in, we were off to explore as the evening began and catch dinner before meeting up with Kim and her friends for a night out in the university town.
Salamanca is a very ancient city most famous for its university founded in the 1200's (the third
oldest in Europe) and is a great city to explore by foot. I found it small and charming, though still a bit touristy in parts. When away from those places though, it was a very authentic Spain and such a nice change of pace from the crazy city life of Madrid. For us as students, it was especially fun with all the University students there that made it especially good for nightlife.
Junting and I first wandered down to Plaza Mayor, considered one of the most spectacular plaza's in Spain, especially at night. We ran into the famous "tuna", students who dress in medieval costumes and perform fun music in the plaza almost nightly. We enjoyed listening to them and taking pictures in the Plaza.
After a good (and cheap compared to Madrid) dinner a couple streets off the plaza, we met up with Kim back in the plaza. (a quick funny bit about dinner: I was really struggling translating the menu for Junting and I, as Junting is from China and knows very little Spanish. So, we asked for a English menu, and still I didn't even know what the majority of the first plate dishes were and
The Tuna
We ran into the famous "Tuna" when we first walked into the city. They are students who dress up in medieval costumes and perform nightly in Plaza Mayor nor did Junting. The reason being: I didn't know what "antipastas" were... I felt like the most uncultured person ever... Junting though it was the funniest thing that I couldn't figure out what they were. Needless to say, we figured it out once we ordered and our plates of meat and cheeses arrived. I guess I still need to work on my English food and restaurant lingo!)
Once we met up with Kim and a few of her friends, they took us to a few of the student hotspot bars. Her friends were very nice and provided good company. One of the places they took us to was known for their Calimocho's, or wine and coke. A weird sounding combo that was quite tasty. Another place was known for their cider, and another their Euro rum and honey shots. Everywhere we went was packed with University students and it was a very fun atmosphere. Only downside was that Junting and I did not get the memo that Salamanca could run about 15-20 degrees F. cooler than Madrid. We were freezing with our minimal clothes (at least I had pants and long sleeve shirt), and moved very quick between bars.
Casa de las Conchas
The Famous "House of Shells" We parted ways with her friends to go back for a good nights rest rather early so we would be fresh for exploring the city the next morning.
The next was full of sightseeing and exploring with Junting and Kim. We started with a coffee and toast in Plaza Mayor and then went exploring the Old and New Cathedral, the University, the narrow and winding streets, as well as Kim's home stay apartment. The day was a perfect day for lazily strolling from place to place without too much concern for time or anything. I found it funny the random objects that one could look for in the entrances to the New Cathedral (the space man) and the Facade in the University (the frog). The frog I guess is rather famous and lots of the souvenir shops sells things relating to this frog. Kim's home stay apartment was literally the entire top floor of a big apartment complex that had a wrap around deck with incredible views of the city! Her host mom (who had 14 children!) was very nice to allow us to come and see the view.
Junting and I parted ways with Kim, grabbed another
In Front of the New Cathedral
The "new" cathedral took more than 200 years to build and was finished in 1733 and is classified as Gothic, but has lots of styles represented since it was build over such a long time. great cheap lunch (where I could actually read the menu in Spanish) and then headed to the bus station to get back to Madrid by dinner time.
INTERESTING FACT: For the bus ride home, we decided to try the "Express Service". It only cost 6 Euros more and got us back 30 minutes faster than the regular service. But the best part that we didn't even know about was the actual bus itself! The bus had very roomy and comfy leather seats with TONS of arm and leg room (always an issue for me), great headrests that my head actually fit on, and Wi-FI! It was the most comfortable and luxurious bus ride I had every taken... and for only 6 more Euros! It is my new preferred method of bus travel.
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Bob Armstrong
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Por fin, lo viste
Todd Cuanto me encanta que has visto Salamanca por primera vez!!!! Es una maravilla, es lo mas seguro.....As you know I spent over a year there and was actually engaged to a Spanish girl there.....I am loving reading about your adventures in Spain. I will buy you a "tinto" when you come home and we can talk. Senor A