Segovia, Spain

 

 

 

I arrive in Segovia as the town is coming alive for the evening. Parking away from the center of activity, I walk up a gradual steep hill towards the historic part of town.

 

 

At the top of the street I make a right turn and continue to climb with the city’s medieval wall in the background.

 

 

 

This area was once occupied by the Roman's and a good part of their architecture remains.

 

Through curved and narrow cobble stone streets I am making my way to Alcazar Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

Centenano Procesion De Los Pasos (1907-2007)

 

 

I eventually make my way to a former Roman fortress from during the Medieval period.

 

 

 

 

 

Now Alcazar Castle, the fort has changed its appearance many times over the years.

 

                                                                                                                                        Alcazar was a source of inspiration for Walt Disney.

 

 

 

Over the years, Alcazar has also been used as a royal palace. It is here that Queen Isabel promised Columbus financial backing to discover the Americas.

 

From the entrance bridge the remains of a moat can be seen almost a hundred feet below.

 

 

 

 

 

As I tour Alcazar, the setting sun paints the city behind me a beautiful shade of gold before it disappears for the night.

 

The sunset highlights Segovia’s most prominent landmark the 16^th Century Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

I walk towards the cathedral and city square for a close up impressive view.

 

The city square is filled with strollers and diners enjoying  a beautiful night out in this gorgeous city.

 

 

The area is encompassed will all kinds of shops and restaurants.

 

Tonight, I am fortunate to enjoy a cultural program sponsored by Segovia. The show takes place near the remains of the city's medieval wall.

 

 

  Groups from Brazil

 

Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain, South Korea and others are in a delightful singing,dancing and acrobatic entertaining competition.

 

 

My eyes are moist as I watch the Irish perform. Had I continued my lessons, the world would never have known the name Michael Flatley.

Why did I let him talk me out of continuing to pursue my dream?

 

I have seen and done tight rope acts myself  but never blind folded as I witness a Korean performer do so. He takes doing a tight rope act to another level.

 

Fancy footwork is nicely choreographed and enjoyable to watch.

With a few margaritas and shots of Jose Cuervo, I might be able to compete.

 

The show continues until about midnight and I have the pleasure to meet some of the performers afterward.

 

Waiting to board their buses, the Brazilians are still in a playful performing mood.

 

 

 

 

I learn a little about their touring company and various shows they perform.

 

 

 

What a fantastic evening in Segovia, definitely worth the visit.

 

Segovia 16th Century Cathedral

 

Technorati Tags: Segovia,Mexican,Jose Cuervo,Brazilians,Michael Flatley,Brazil,Ireland,Mexico,Spain,South Korea,Queen Isabel,Columbus,Americas,Alcazar Castle,Walt Disney

Road To Segovia, Spain

 

Leaving Pamplona, I am on A-12 southwest bound towards Logrono.

 

Soon I am bypassing roadside vineyards with distant desert and mountain landscape in the background.

 

 

Signs show various wineries along the route that I assume can be visited and toured.

 

As the odometer spins, the road takes on climbs, descents and steep curves to compliment the changing geography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jagged hills and dense green vegetation have me thinking, “Majestad purpura de Montana”.

Purple Mountain Majesty

 

 

 

Next a small town almost hidden in a lush green valley with rolling hills comes into view.

 

 

 

 

A city hall or church steeple that seems to give the town it's unique signature prominently stands out from all the other town buildings.

This portion of the drive is awesome. Occasionally, I have to pull aside to let others that may not feel the same way as I do pass.

 

A roadside stop and I am at “Ermita De La Virgen de los Nogales”. A church from the 1700's.

 

Just across the street from “Ermita De La Virgen de los Nogales” is Hostal Los Nogales.

 

 

 

 

With a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi, Hostal Los Nogales present a good opportunity for an afternoon break.

 

 

 

A cold local beer on a hot afternoon and I settle down with my travel companion, Acer. It is time to get caught up on e-mails and review the rest of my Spain itinerary.

 

From the menu board my first choice of Pollo Grisado is sold out for the day so Calamores Tinta will have to do.

 

 

 

Based on my Calimocho experience in Pamplona I have no trouble figuring out “Tinta”. It has to have something to do with wine which makes it an excellent choice.

 

Served with fresh bread, the calamari takes on a nice flavor in the wine sauce.

Another order of bread is required to prevent any wine from being left behind. A relaxing lunch and it is an hour or two before I am back on the road again.

 

Leaving Hostal Los Nogales, more mountainous terrain as I navigate around a huge lake.

 

 

 

Now on N111 traveling through La Rioja region of Spain, I enter Tunel de Piqueras a very cool mountain tunnel.

 

 

 

 

My driving scenery is transformed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilometers and small towns whiz by and then the road traverses wide open farm lands.

My surroundings become familiar again on N110.

 

I circumnavigate Soria and don’t get too excited when I see signs again for El Burgo de Osma. I now know America’s Most Wanted is not there.

Chasing the sun west, I continue on to Segovia.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Pamplona,Spain,Segovia,Pollo Grisado,Calamores Tinta,Acer,Logrono,Tunel de Piqueras,Ermita De La Virgen de los Nogales,La Rioja,Hostal Los Nogales

Pamplona, After The BS Is Done

 

With my bull running adventure over, I head back to The VW Executive Inn And Suites for an early morning nap.

 

 

Soon I am regretting having a room with an east view of the city. The morning sun is relentless in beating down on my windshield.

 

Without the AC running, I must concede defeat and abandon my morning nap.

It’s time for a trip to the WC located in a nearby park.

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving the WC refreshed, I start a self-guided day tour of Pamplona.

  I begin at Parroquia De San Miguel built in 1940.

 

Mass at Parroquia De San Miguel

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing to see practically an entire city in a festive mood. Even babies and infants are proudly dressed in traditional San Fermin red and white attire.

 

While researching this trip, I read that the city goes to sleep after being up most of the night and watching the running of the bulls.

 

I am happy to report that for the most part this is not the case in 2010.

 

 

 

 

I do spot a few laying around but this is the exception. The city is as alive in the day as it had been the night before. Only some of the characters have changed.

 

It seems like at least one of them would prefer to sit around all day.

 

 

 

 

I am enjoying this 24 hours a day festive mood so much I am thinking about taking up unicycling and joining the local circus.

 

 

 

Free lessons from a local and with a great juggling act,  maybe my plan can work.

 

 

 

 

 

Revisiting the bull running staging area, it has taken on a new life. The barriers and massive early morning crowds are gone but the party has been moved to the streets.

 

With no fear of being trampled until 8:00am tomorrow morning, let’s drink, dance and party until the break of dawn.

All in favor, say “aye”!

 

 

The area is now so popular for locals and visitors, I think I even spot the NBA 2010 Championship MVP Kobe Bryant  in the crowd.

 

 

  Near the daily release point of the bulls, symbols clash while horns,drums and trumpets fills the already happy air with festive notes. 

 

This sends some crowd members spinning.

 

 

 

 

 

And leaves others  “udderly” smiling.

 

 

 

In appreciation of the entertainment, members of the audience place cold beers and drinks on the ground in front of the band.

  Wow, and you thought I had a big head!

 

This is my reaction as I along with others are entertained by “Bobble Heads” waiting for a parade to start.

 

 

 

One little fan is not so happy about the parade delay and she is demanding her Little Fans Of Bobble Head Parade Bill Of Rights.

 

 

Going down one street, I am singled out in front of a crowd by an alien creature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A two euro donation to the Illegal Alien Foundation and I am promised not to be probed anytime soon.

 

Not trusting this illegal alien, I ask for identification and take a Headless Man as my witness.

 

 

Entering another square,  a small procession with huge dancing costumes and a five to six piece marching band is in progress.

 

This becomes common around the city and quite entertaining.

 

In the distance I hear a baby crying and with others I go to investigate. The sound is coming from what seems like an abandoned stroller left near the edge of a building along with a large suitcase.

We are concerned that some parent may have had too many drinks of  “Calimochos”.

Nervously approaching  the stroller, we are  surprised to be confronted with the baby face of a man!

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, a euro or two momentarily keeps this baby from crying.

 

 

 

Then he goes right back to fussing and sticking his tongue out at innocent passerby's.

What a fun loving little big brat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make a brief stop at The Governor’s Residence for an unofficial visit. I express my heartfelt thanks for a wonderful time during my short time in Pamplona.

 

My diplomatic duties done, I pick up stakes and The VW Executive Inn And Suites is on the road again.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Pamplona,Bull Running,San Fermin,Unicycle,Circus,NBA 2010 Championship MVP,Bobble Heads,Bill Of Rights,Alien Creature,Headless Man,Illegal Alien,AlienFoundation,Euro,Calimocho,Governor's Residence,VW,Executive Inn And Suites,Kobe Bryant