Spanish Slang, A Roman Aqueduct, Some Soup, Steak....Segovia

SEGOVIA, SPAIN

-I have a lot more photos, you can see when I'm home

Friday we didn't have school, so Pete and I decided that a day trip was necessary while we were out at Dubliners pub Thursday night. We woke up at 10 grabbed our backpacks and took the Metro down to Principe Pio, which is the stop where all the bus companies pick up travelers and take them to other cities. Our round trip ticket to Segovia from Madrid (about 1hr 40 min trip by bus) was 14 euro. So so cheap. Rather than having a set time to return chose the open ticket, which allows you to show up 10 min before the next bus departs and get on.

I remember watching documentaries and programs on this aqueduct with Dad. The Aqueduct of Segovia is a Roman aqueduct constructed in either the 1st or 2nd century, researchers are still unable to date it with certainty. It also is one of the most significant and best-preserved ancient monuments left on the Iberian Peninsula (Thanks Wikipedia).

It was constructed in order to provide water to the Roman castles throughout the empire.

I'm okay Mom ; )...don't worry!

This is just the city center courtyard, the Segovia Cathedral is directly behind me in this picture. You'll see the Cathedral later on in the blog.

I thought this just looked like a picture you would see in a travel agency for Europe or something, so I took a picture. It turned out better than I hoped...I think?

This is the original gate to the Alcazar, which is the castle of Segovia. The castle was ridiculously cool. Oh, one side note...it must have been "Asian students come to Segovia day" because there were like 100 of them. They were really rude to the Spanish people, too. For example, telling the server that this is "bad, bring new", and never saying thank you. So, Pete knowing this kid did not know a lick of Spanish said, "Jode", to one of the disrespectful punks. This is a Spanish slang term we have come to know thanks to our Spanish friends Alex, Enrique, and Rodri. The Spanish people in the restaurant just shook their heads in approval of Pete's statement and smirked.

Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that Pete and I went on this trip with very minimal knowledge of the city we were going to. I had brought a book Senora gave me before I left that had numerous tips about all places in Spain. So, we were walking around and realized we both were hungry, so I said let's eat at the next restaurant we can find. We found one (where we unfortunately met those rude Asians), couldn't tell you what it was called, but I can tell you that we nearly had a problem thanks to Spanish that Americans are taught. We walked in greeted the lady, everything was going great. We sit down she asked what we want, and I said "Podriamos tener dos menus? Por favor." With which she shook her head and walked away, well we came to find out that "menu", which is the correct term for the English word menu, was there three course special for the day. It was one of the best meals I have had here in Spain. 1st course was a soup called sopa castellana, which is a soup mixed with eggs, ham, garlic, and bread, and a large loaf of fresh bread. The 2nd course was a salad with Spanish olive oil and a fat, old steak! Then the last course was homemade Flan. YUMMMM! Take a guess at the cost of the meal in euros?

10. And I got a beer with it.

Uncle Dave ---- I know you put a curse on me before I left when you said, "I hope you come back with a big gut from all the food your getting." Well, at this rate with the food I am consuming your wish may come true.

--I have been doing pushup and situps everyday with the hope of not having a beach ball of a stomach this summer.

Segovia's Cathedral!! It was immense. The cathedral was built in the early 16th century, and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The construction lasted 55 years or so.

Pete checking to see if we can tour the inside.... 

Well we got inside and walked around. This place had 23 different altars, all from different time periods going back as far as the 15th century. This picture (above) is a cloak that the 1st Bishop of Segovia wore in the 1580's.

I thought that all you knitters and sewers would find this picture cool, but it is kind of dark because no flash was allowed.

Here's the cathedral courtyard. With the same well that was originally there when it was first constructed.

The pillars were gigantic. Like 90 feet high or something and then at least 10 wide and probably 24 in circumference.

Here are the pipes, right above the choir.

Pete thinking he's cool apparently.

So cool in fact, that he had to pay the city of Segovia 20 euro cents to go to the bathroom! I feel like that would be a violation of human rights back in the states, but I'm not a lawyer.

This is the Plaza Mayor. They have all kind of little shops to buy anything you could imagine.

My first snow sighting since last winter. Segovia is nestled up in higher altitude than Madrid, so one the trip up we went through a small mountain range, and this is what we saw when we came out of the tunnel. Pete was immediately homesick for Minnesota, while I was counting my blessings that I avoided any such weather while  I was home. 

Grandma Long if you are reading this entry, I want to Skype with Grandpa and you whenever that is possible! When Megan and them come down they can help make that work. I haven't seen you guys in too long and I miss you both! Tell Grandpa I have been keeping up on sports on ESPN.com, no worries. Love you guys!

Alright that's all I got today people. Adios from Madrid.

RIP JoePa!

Naval Museum Tour

MOM!!!! :
I showed Senora, or as she now makes her call her by name Behace, the picture book that Aunt Beth made. She was really excited that I showed her it. She said she had seen it sitting in my room when she made my bed the other day, and was glad I finally showed her it lol. She said our family is very large and beautiful. She also said your grandma Wilson looks like me haha! We shared a good laugh. She's looking forward to getting the chance to hopefully meet you grandma, mom, and dad before she heads out for her spring break vacation.

Yesterday (Sat. January 21), we went to the Naval Museum. Now you're going to ask why was I at a Naval Museum, and the answer to that is that it was extra credit for my oceanography class. I honestly had little interest in going otherwise, but it actually turned out to be an awesome experience. I mean some of the things I saw were from B.C. times.

This is a picture of an astrolabe. It was from the 14th century I believe, honestly cannot remember for sure because it was an information overload.

I thought this next picture was interesting because I dont know the relevance of the Nazi influence in Spain, but this was in the museum.

This was pretty cool, too. Just a bunch of lethal looking weapons behind showcase glass. They look a little sharp huh?

Now this next picture says in Spanish along the side "Game pieces for checkers and chess"

This gun was HUGE! Only a little bigger than the one I shot at Jimmy's....HA

This is the downtown Sol area. It's pretty and the architecture here in Madrid is pretty cool. 

A underground restaurant! Sweet..this was a restaurant at the Madrid Architecture Museum. We didn't go inside, but thought about it.

Pete and I at the Bank of Madrid.

Pete's ugly mug.

I needed a watch, so I thought this would be a good place to start my search! Kidding...

Found out that these watches could pay for a year and a half of my college education!