We entered Salamanca yesterday across an old Roman bridge and arrived at the Cathederal
We were extremely lucky in our choice of hotel in that it is literally only a 5 min walk from the Cathedral.
After a much needed shower we took a walk around parts of the old city as a preview and to get our bearings. We dropped into the pilgrims hostel and met a couple, Judy and Mark from London,Ontario who are here volunteering as hoteliers for two wèeks.
We took Sorcha advice, picked a well rated restaurant from TripAdvisor and when we asked for directions it was 3 min from the hotel!
Today we were tourists. This is a beautiful place to visit and I took so many photos I had to recharge the camera at lunch time. It would take me hours to write about all that we saw so I will be doing a very abbreviated tour and will stick in some photos to try to show you what it was like. I will try to select a few that give an idea of the variety of the city.
We were out early and got on the first tour of the Universidad Pontificia which is just up the street from our hotel.
This is a beautiful and enormous building.
It has a beautiful internal courtyard, incredible stairs, church etc.
We climbed to the top of the tower where there were great views of the city
And a young guide showed us that scratching ones name or symbol on the walls, which continues, is not a modern phenomena.
Had to show you this enormous birds nest
Finally the church was beautiful
We took a quick trip into the library across the street where students were selling self published books and pamphlets
The Cathederal here has to be one of the most beautiful that I have seen.
Breda is always saying I never take people. John was camera shy today so I thought I would throw in a self portrait
There is a huge amount of graffiti everywhere. They don’t just do the walls but also doors, shutters etc
Also wall art
And interesting little bars
The main square in the city, Plaza Mayor is pretty spectacular and huge. It is basically one enormous building with the Plaza in the center
I have rushed through this and not done justice to the city but hopefully it gives you a brief view.
This was supposed to be our day of rest but we walked the feet off ourselves to the extent that John commented that sitting in a saddle was starting to look appealing!
Tomorrow we start on part two!
VDLPbyBike 
That bird’s nest is huge!!! and I love the roman bridge into the city…
The city looks beautiful! I am happy to see you had good weather for your break day!
I hope you have a really good rest tonight, and good luck as you start the second half! From this point on there will always be less to go than you have already completed!
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You both have safe flights home!
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Oh, thank you so much for sharing your experience. OMG, was all I could say as I revealed each photo, what an architecular pheonenon each photo as beautiful as the previous.
Looking at the Roman bridge, which is a great build. We think we are so advance with technology, we are only in the halfpenny place. When you realise the resources available to the Roman’s they were far surperior to us in our modern world.
I hope you enjoyed your day off and have recouped your enegry and drive to continue the you second half of your an amazing adventure.
I have have no poetic words to equate the journey your have taken, other then it is amazing and I feel that I must try to acheive something for next year when I and my husband reach 65.
Dermot I don’t know you but both you and John are a great inspiration to us silver surfers.
I hope tomorrow find you fit and in good spirits to conquer your goals. Good luck and may the road rise with you, the wind be at your back and if it should rain may it be cooling and refreshing.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures and evening blog.
Thanks again for your very welcoming blog.
Ann
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The architecture looks beautiful ! I am sure that it is an amazing city. It is so exciting to think that you will be setting out on the second half tomorrow! Good luck and may the road rise with you – oops! in this case, maybe that is not the best wish!
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Salamanca looks like an incredibly interesting place to visit. Loved your pictures, particularly the third one, it was amazing.
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Great that you had such an interesting day in Salamanca and managed to see so many beautiful places. Best of luck as you head off to Zamora tomorrow and into the second half of your journey.
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Thank you for the stunning photos, you should be getting commission from the Salamanca tourist board. All the best for tomorrow. Mary
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Is that bird’s nest for real or just some kind of tourist marketing scam?
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Steve I think you would havery loved this ride!
D
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Con queste foto mi hai fatto veramente venire nostalgia dell’ Europa! Che bella citta’!
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Dermot the photos were just spectacular! Thanks for taking the time to send them. Hope the weather holds for you and the wind is at your back as they say..:-)
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Hi Dermot! I have checked in a few times and am now sharing your voyage with the kids. I think I’ll take them to a documentary that is playing down the street this week called “Walking The Camino” to round out their Spain/Camino education. The pics of Salamanca are stunning!! And your trip is an inspiration. How’s the meniscus holding up? And the rest of your body? Thanks for sharing. Enjoy!
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Hi Kristin
Great to hear from you. Breda and I saw that documentary. It deals with the Camino Frances but is very good.
The body is holding up well, thanks to your treatment. An occasional twinge in the knees but so far nothing to worry about. I do know that we will both need a good working over by the time we finish. I don’t suppose you and Sasha are planning on being in Santiago on 27th!
Dermot
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Oh I wish!! That would be sweet. Have a good ride tomorrow. I’m so envious!
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