Day 5 – On top of the world!

Breakfast this morning would be in the apartment. We ate and planned our day while looking out over Plaza San Justo. Once again, a very chilly morning with temperatures in the low 40s with a breeze.

We headed up to the tourist information office on the Plaza Mayor. Tour groups were forming everywhere in a dozen different languages. The sleepy college town of the 70s is no longer. We discovered it was Museum Day in Salamanca, which meant entry was free to many of the historical sites. We decided to do the Cathedral, hoping to avoid the crowds.

The Cathedral in Salamanca is unique in which there are two in one. The old built in the 12th century and completed in the 14th connects to the new Cathedral. The new having both Gothic and Baroque styles was built in the 16th to 18th century. They stand tall over the city and can be seen for miles.

Our self-guided tour with English headsets began in the new portion of the church. The size and beauty of these edifices is overwhelming.

Each side chapel is a story all to itself.

There was one that brought back many personal memories for both of us.

As the noon hour approached, we completed the new Cathedral and went to Mass in a side chapel. It awoke our Spanish listening, albeit we did not get much of the sermon.

The old Cathedral is really old and nowhere as ornate. However, the panels that make up the main altar are simply beautiful.

We took a quick spin through the adjoining convent and back out into the sunlight. The day had warmed considerably and the streets were packed. It is graduation day for the University and multiple weddings were ongoing. Lots of beautiful dresses and smiling faces were to be seen all over the city.

Lunch was in order and the Calle Rua, which has a long line of outdoor restaurants, was our destination. All were packed at 2:30. The prime lunch hour here seems to be between 3 and 4 o’clock. We found a spot, with no umbrella, and ordered our meal. 

Chicken, tempura vegetables, a mozzarella di bufala salad, and a wonderful wine from Rueda made a great lunch for two hungry pilgrims.

Thinking ahead we stopped at the corner close to our apartment and made dinner reservations. We got the early seating… 8:30. Normally we eat between 7 and 7:30, but by 8:30 we are hungry enough to eat the leg off a goat.

All the museums re-opened at 4 after a two-hour lunch break. A long line was forming in front of the University, so we figured it was something special.

After standing in line for about 10 minutes we asked why were we in line. With a laugh they told us we can climb to the top of the school’s bell tower. We waited in line for almost two hours to walk up 199 narrow wooden steps. The time flew by as we chatted with a father and his two daughters.

The people we have met have been so kind and friendly and very patient with our poor Spanish. We are trying hard to use our Spanish Shelia and Maggie - Promise!

The view from the top was stunning and well worth the wait.

One last quick thing to accomplish for the day. The workmanship in sandstone around the Cathedral doors is ornate and beautiful. In the 90s a restoration was required.

One craftsman had a sense of humor and left an astronaut for future generations.

After successfully navigating down the bell tower and finding the astronaut, it was time to clean up for dinner. Another amazing meal was in our future.

And remember that leg of goat I mentioned.

 It was great!

Instead of dessert we opted to share a Brandy. Knowing almost nothing about Spanish Brandy we relied on the waiter for his recommendation.

Oh my, another taste experience we will not forget. The libations experienced on this trip have exceeded all expectations.

Sleep came quick, but tomorrow will be another adventure.