Spain – Day 9

Today is our final full day here in Spain.  This trip has been the highlight of my year and I am glad to have been able to make the trip!  I love the people, the culture, the history and I am definitely praying that God will continue to use a generation to reach this nation and that He will again be Lord of all here in Spain.

After a good night’s sleep, I was automatically awake at 5:45 am.  I tried to fall back asleep but it was hard, so I laid in bed waiting for the alarm to go off.  We had an early start again today, heading to the city of Segovia.  Today we get to take the train directly from where our hotel is Madrid Chamartin.

The morning train ride.

Our train ride this morning was scheduled for 1/2 hour, just enough time to catch a quick nap.  It was a beautiful morning when we arrived at Segovia; the sun was up and the air brisk.

This place was a little different than where we were yesterday.  The train station was a modern looking building and there was nothing around it.  We had to catch the bus into the city center and to where the ancient city boundaries were.

On the bus.

Segovia is known for its Roman Empire influence and an aqueduct the Roman engineers built for the city.  The is also an amazing Castle that also acted as a fort and artillery academy.  There was a a lot written about this place in our travel book so we didn’t know what to expect but it was a fun experience.

  

Leaving the station, we got to see the first outdoor cows of our trip.

Our first sight of the aqueduct as we got off the bus.  I have never seen an aqueduct before so this is was quite an impressive sight.  The sheer engineering, design and execution is unbelievable.  What’s even more unbelievable is it has been here for over 2000 years!

The stones are held together themselves, even the arches – it is an amazing work of science and math.

(L to R) Pat, Peter & Kris below one of the columns.

Peter’s attempt at scaling the walls of the aqueduct.

Here we go again, walking and scaling lots of stairs.  Ahead of us (both ways) were students doing a morning jog.

Close up on the design of the aqueduct – all pieced together by intelligent engineering.

Being ever the tourist.  The guys have teased me about being the stereotypical Asian tourist; my camera and video camera comes out every opportunity I get.

Another angle of the aqueduct.

Cool architecture.

Don Juan Bravo – an important political dude back in the day.

Roman inspired architecture with the columns.

Cool apartment building and structure.

The main cathedral in Segovia.  This building was built during the Gothic, as seen by the pointed peaks of on each side; however, it was completed in the Renaissance period so the top of the cathedral became a dome instead of a tall tower.

 

Entrance to the cathedral.

Thanks to Gothic architecture, the cathedral is surrounded by gargoyles.  Very interesting for a church building.

Peter checking out the souvenir shops.

Entrance to the castle/alcazar.

The castle from a distance.

A monument to remember the sacrifice of people who protected Madrid and Sevilla.

Outside the castle gates.

Looking down from the bridge leading into the castle.

Royal Seal.

The courtyard.

Peter trying to get Filipe II’s attention.

View up to the guard towers from the courtyard.

One of the ancient cannons that was part of the artillery arsenal here.

One of the coves in the castle looking out.

Great views surrounding the city.

Armor that has been preserved.

“These boots weren’t made for walking…”  Ouch!

These dudes were short - shorter than me!

Every room in this castle had unique ceilings.

The Audience Room.

Another room’s ceiling.

One side view of the city.

A mural that covered the wall.

17th Century Turkish rug, still in amazing condition.

Another ceiling.

17th Century tapestry that adorned each room.

17th Century desk.  Ceramic tiles covered the top.  Unbelievable condition!

Where the royal “magic” happened.

Another room’s ceiling.

An entry way.

The Monarch Room.  A room chronicling the past monarchs.

Another ceiling.

 

A chapel attached to the royal chambers.

Picture of saints.

Ceiling of the chapel.

One wall in the castle.

The Armory

Swords.

A special cross bow with leather straps.

A balcony area outside the armory.

Looking down at a little garden area from the balcony.

End of the balcony with Kris.

Peter went down from the balcony to check on a door that lead to a view post.  The door was screwed shut.

View from that view post door.

There is a deep well on the balcony.  Peter dropping a good luck penny in to see how deep it went.

Columns, cannons and a doorway.

Another courtyard view.

Yet another ceiling.

A painting of a warrior defeating the Moors.

Next up was a climb to the watch tower.  152 steps!  It almost killed us.  I feel sorry for the soldier having to run up and down those tight stair wells to report news and views.

Views from up above.

View of the city and cathedral from the watchtower.

Looking down the stairwell.

Inscriptions dating back to 1797 – still in tact!

This is probably one of the few castles left in Europe that has so much still in tact interiorly.  It was a worth the visit and we had a blast!

Upon heading back into town on our way out of town, we came across this:

Little piggys.  Apparently this is a delicacy here in these parts and I hear they love the tongue which all of the piggys still had.  Right below the piggys was a selection of seafood (lobster, etc).  Quite a strange combo but it is what the people like.

We had a fun day and it was a good way to wrap up the trip.  I know everyone is looking forward to returning home, to loved ones.  We have a long trip back still so it is a chill night, packing and what not.

I’ve had an incredible time here in Spain and look forward to visit again God willing.  Next update will be from back home, until then, blessings.