ÿþ<html> <head> <style type="text/css"> body { background-color:black; color:white; font-family:bookman old style,times roman; font-size:105%} h1 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} h2 { text-align:center; color:gold; font-family:Monotype Corsiva,times roman} table.big { width:850; font-size:110%} table.left { float:left; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.right { float:right; width:1; font-family:arial; font-size:50%} table.small { float:right; background-color:AA5500; color:black; font-size:60%; font-weight:bold; border:red blank; width:225} tr { vertical-align:top;} td.time { font-weight:bold; width:70} td.odo { font-weight:bold; width:60} p { text-align:left} p.center { text-align:center} p.bottom { text-align:center; font-size:80%} b.gold { color:gold} b.aqua { color:aqua} b.white { color:white; font-weight:bold; font-size:110%} img.v { width:77; border:0} img.h { height:77; border:0} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="d.css" /> <title>Spain -- Day 2</title> </head> <body> <p class="center"> <table class="big"> <tr> <td colspan=2> <h1>Day 2 -- 23rd May</h1> <td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">Time</td> <td><td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">8:30</td> <td> <p> Got up and packed up. It was raining quite heavily. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">9:15</td> <td> <p> After checking out from Hostal Besaya, we took the Metro to ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">9:30</td> <td> <p> <b class="gold">Atocha</b>, the main train station of Madrid. We waited in line at a Renfe (the Spanish Railroad Company) office for 10 minutes. When our turn arrived, we asked for two tickets for Segovia, only to be told that this office (with half a dozen agents) was only for tickets to Toledo, and we had to wait in line at another counter for tickets to Segovia. Fuming about the lack of flexibility (and signages), we stood in line for another 10 minutes; fortunately we were just in time for the next train. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">10:05</td> <td> <p> Train left Atocha ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">12:15</td> <td> <p> And reached ancient Roman town of <b class="gold">Segovia</b>. From the train station, which was quite a distance from the old town, we took the bus to the main attraction of Segovia ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">12:45</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0147.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0147.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P02a.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P02a.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aqueduct of Segovia.</td> </tr> </table> The majestic granite <b class="gold">Acueducto</b> (aqueduct), crossing the valley atop series of 36 double-leveled arches. The Roman built it back in the 2nd century to bring water to the hilltop town of Segovia, and today it brings tourists instead. Luckily, it had stopped raining. After visiting the tourist information center to get a map, we climbed the stairs next to the aqueduct up towards the town. <table class="left"> <tr style="vertical-align:bottom"> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0148.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0148.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0149.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0149.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0150.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0150.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P02c.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P02c.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P02b.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P02b.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Climbing up the hill.</td> <td>Cute Spanish baby.</td> <td>View from the top.</td> </tr> </table> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time"></td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0162.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0162.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0164.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0164.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Segovian Streets.</td> <td>San Martin.</td> </tr> </table> The <b class="gold">Old Town</b> of Segovia perched on the top of the hill. We followed the narrow and winding streets, lined with busy shops and eataries, and passed the 12th-century <b class="gold">Iglesia de San Martin</b> (St. Martin's Church), and finally arrived at ... </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">13:40</td> <td> <p> <a href="http://www.lacasamudejar.com/" target="blank"><b class="gold">Hotel La Casa Mudejar</b></a> (The Moorish House Hotel). It was a small but nice hotel; the porter led us along a long hallway with an incredibly large number of turns and steps (both up and down) to our comfortable room, where we quickly dropped our backpacks and immediately headed out for lunch. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">13:50</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0172.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0172.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lunch at the Plaza.</td> </tr> </table> A few steps from the hotel was <b class="gold">Plaza Mayor</b> (there was one in most every town in Spain, just like every town in Peru had a Plaza de Armas), the heart of Segovia. There were many restaurants at the Plaza, and we had a fulfilling plate at <b>Restaurante Jose</b>. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">14:15</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/P02f.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/P02f.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Inside the Catedral.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0170.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0170.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/P02d.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P02d.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Catedral.</td> <td>Plaza Mayor.</td> </tr> </table> Right next to the Plaza was the <b class="gold">Catedral</b> (Cathedral), with small pointy towers all over the building. Emperor Carlos V started the construction during the heyday of the Spanish Empire in the 16th century, but when it was finally completed two centuries later Spain was no longer a world power. The reversal of fortune! Well, when we entered the Catedral it was only cloudy, but when we exited it was pouring rain. The reversal of fortune! </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">15:00</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/P02e.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/P02e.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> <table class="small" style="width:250"> <tr><td> <b class="white">Castilla</b><br> For this first several days of our journey we were travelling through the <b class="white">Castilla y Leon</b> region of Spain. Castilla, the most powerful state of Spain before reunification, means "The Land of Castles". These castles played an important role in the Christian reconquest of Spain from Moorish rule. </td></tr> </table> We walked through the rain for 10 minutes to the extreme western end of the Segovia. Here, overlooking the surrounding plains, was the impressive <b class="gold">Alcazar</b> (Castle). Supposed to be the model for the Disney Snow White's Castle (really?), it was reached by a drawbridge over a deep moat. After visiting the armory <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0227.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0227.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0198.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0198.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0212.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0212.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Alcazar.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0219.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0219.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0221.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0221.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0222.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0222.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>On the Watchtower.</td> <td>Looking towards the Catedral.</td> <td>And to the west: dark clouds.</td> </tr> </table> and the luxuriously decorated chapels, we climbed the tower to enjoy the spectacular vista. (The rain was kind enough to stop for 10 minutes.) </p> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0205.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0205.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0211.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0211.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Courtyard.</td> <td>Chapel.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0226.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0226.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0230.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0230.JPG"></a></td> </tr> </table> It was raining again when we were about to leave the Castle grounds. We met a very friendly elderly Spanish gentleman, who volunteered to be our tourist consultant. <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/P02g.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/P02g.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Alcazar looking gothic beneath the clouds.</td> </tr> </table> In particular, he provided a detailed analysis of the local dining options. His advice would prove very valuable later. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">16:15</td> <td> <p> Back to the hotel, we realized that we had left our water bottle at the Alcazar. Luckily we still had two other left. CK tried to get a socket adaptor to charge up his camera, but the front desk had not got any. So we returned to our room and took a siesta. After all, we had not slept very soundly for two consecutive nights. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">20:10</td> <td> <p> <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0243.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0243.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Suckling pig.</td> </tr> </table> For dinner, we followed Sr. Alcazar's advice and sought out <a href="http://www.rtejosemaria.com/" target="blank"><b>Restaurante Jose Maria</b></a>. Segovia was famous for its <i>Conchinillo</i> (roasted suckling pig), and Jose Maria was the master of this dish. Obviously the two of us could not finish a whole pig, but the owner was happy to serve us a small portion. And the pig did live up to its reputation: beneath the crispy skin, the meat was so soft and juicy that it literally melted in our mouths. Even to us, who had a lot of experience with suckling pigs in China, this was a very special treat. Adding to the enjoyment was the house wine, made by the restaurant, which went really well with the dish. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">20:45</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0194.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0194.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0244.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0244.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0253.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="v" src="thumbnails/DSCN0253.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>Moorish towers.</td> <td>Plaza San Martin.</td> </tr> </table> It was not yet completely dark when we left Jose Maria's. Most shops were closed, but all the restaurants were open. <table class="right"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0251.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0251.JPG"></a></td> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0258.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0258.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aqueduct at night.</td> <td>Beer!</td> </tr> </table> We walked down to the aqueduct and walked back up to town, hopping in and out of tapa bars on the way. Through sampling, we were gradually coming to the realization that the popularity (i.e., crowdedness) of a tapa bar was a good indicator of the quality of its food. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="time">22:00</td> <td> <p> <table class="left"> <tr> <td><a href="photos/DSCN0262.JPG" target="blank"> <img class="h" src="thumbnails/DSCN0262.JPG"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Plaza Mayor at night.</td> </tr> </table> We returned to the hotel and called it a day. Tomorrow we had an early bus to catch. </p> <p style={text-align:right}><a href="d03.html">next day</a></p> <td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=2> <hr> <p class="bottom"> <form name="nav" method="POST"> <div align="center"> Jump To: <select name="xfer" size="1"> <option value="../../private/index.html">CK's Home Page</option> <option value="index.html">Spain Trip</option> <option value="d01.html">Day 1</option> <option value="d02.html" selected="selected">Day 2</option> <option value="d03.html">Day 3</option> <option value="d04.html">Day 4</option> <option value="d05.html">Day 5</option> <option value="d06.html">Day 6</option> <option value="d07.html">Day 7</option> <option value="d08.html">Day 8</option> <option value="d09.html">Day 9</option> <option value="d10.html">Day 10</option> <option value="d11.html">Day 11</option> <option value="d12.html">Day 12</option> <option value="d13.html">Day 13</option> <option value="d14.html">Day 14</option> <option value="d15.html">Day 15</option> <option value="d16.html">Day 16</option> <option value="d17.html">Day 17</option> <option value="d18.html">Day 18</option> <option value="thoughts.html">Thoughts</option> </select> <input type="button" onclick="location = ''+document.nav.xfer.options[document.nav.xfer.selectedIndex].value;" value="Go!" /> <div style={font-size:75%}> (These pages were developed with Internet Explorer and may not align correctly in other browsers.) </div> </div></form> </p> <p align="center">Created on 21st Jun 2008. 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