Avila! The Last Stop
Two Days in Avila
The overnight train from Santiago de Compostela to Avila dropped us at our destination at 6:30am, tired and harried, with lack of sleep, and stress that was catching up to us. A friend of my family was gracious enough to wake up early and receive us for breakfast. My walk mates moved on to Madrid that same day, but I stayed two nights to relax and catch up with my mother’s childhood friend, and to savor Avila. The first day was spent resting up, lounging under the sun by the pool, washing clothing and relaxing in general. The second day included a visit to Carrefour and my last order of bocadillo with chorizo, a fiasco of a visit to a crazy salon lady, and a stop at Avila’s city center within the ancient stone walls of the original settlement. A visit to the cathedral was spectacular, and included art work by El Greco and other opulent items. Lunch was a perfectly tender steak chuleton. That night, a long awaited dip in the pool proved refreshing if not completely ice cold once the temperatures dropped near dusk. Of all, I was sad to leave Avila so soon.
Artisenal food shop
Carrefour (a bit like Walmart in size)
shopping for pimenton de la vera
My last bocadillo con chorizo y queso. :'(
Catching the bus to the old town
Mailboxes outside the post office
Ancient city walls
Newer construction and al fresco dining
Entrance to the cathedral
Incredible quality of sculpture – the three kings? I just loved the expressions
Original 12th century stone and decoration. The iron in the stone causes the red mottling.
El Greco nicely placed.
??? I can’t recall the artist, but LOVED this sculpture and its sister beside it.
A manageable scale model of the cathedral found in the attached museum.
Too big to photograph from outside, so I settled for photos of the model.
A great example of the recycling spots I saw throughout Spain. This one included organic trash (compost).
Chuleton, mashed potato with pimenton, and salad. My favorite dish, and shared with good company!
If only I could have brought this store home with me
Lovely apartment interior
Interior of the original walls
A bit of history. Says that Queen Isabel the Catholic was born in Avila.
The empty and inviting pool from above.