Venturing out of Barca: Zaragoza, Spain

     

The Chew		The View
The Four Horsemen aka Death by Chocolate		Stunning Views from La Pilar

~2/19, Zaragoza Bus Station

We were a new clan, deposited in a new land--wind straining against our ears, with only a map in hand. Ok ok, so we had just gotten off a 4-hour bus ride to Zaragoza, and it was a little windy. The map was a little difficult to read at first, but we were in the right direction. And Zaragoza is the 5th most populous city in Spain.

After spending a solid month traipsing around Barcelona and Catalunya (ref: Girona), I felt it was time to explore another province--Aragon. With my new travel buddies Philippe, Rachel, and Kirsty (and some old travel buddies: Kristin & James) in tow, we were set to explore this party city.

But first, hunger pangs. And it was only 5pm. Dios mio, the WORST time to be hungry for dinner.

 

  

Thanks to Philippe's expertise, we were able to haggle a "bocatada," which was essentially a deconstructed bocadillo. Although the chef was frustrated and other patrons may have laughed at our early hunger pangs, which doesn't happen in Europe.

The hostel was amazing, the Albergue Zaragoza Hostel to be precise. I've really started to enjoy going to hostels, despite the "intimate" living in dorm-styles. Perhaps it's the fact that everyone there is on equal playing ground--young people traveling on a shoestring, carrying only a backpack and passport, looking for the next big party.

Lesson #1: Eat dinner before going out on the town. That's all your getting from TraceFace.

The next day was our day of exploration. Despite the fact that Zaragoza is the 5th largest city in Spain, it feels fairly small. And in small cities in Spain, you must ALWAYS respect siesta (hence why we couldn't eat dinner from 4-8pm). 

 Philippe & I takin' over el Pilar

The Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is one of the main sights of Zaragoza, built in honor of Mother Mary. We took a tour inside and found it to be quite a money-maker as well. A church service which marked our entrance was followed by a wedding procession in the back. The candle offerings were actually coin-operated and electric, meaning that there were no actual candles to burn. James claims he saw a coin slot in the confessionals...

But then, the 2 euro elevator to the top was well worth the price. 

 

  

James congratulating the new bride & groom

Next, more food! This time, we were on the right time track (around 1pm), although still a bit early. It was salad for everyone.

 

Queso de cabra (HUNKS OF GOAT CHEESE)

Yes, Spanish cheese is amazing. Never before have I gorged myself on the creamy, lactose-inducing mounds of it as I have here. 

Next stop--the plaza that we left from? And a random fiesta? This city is small and random, but extremely endearing.

Dance in protest--illegal immigrants, I believe?

I'm still thoroughly OBSESSED with plazas in Spain. They are so well-maintained, and my urban-planning nerdy mind loves how they create central spaces that are easy to guide people to. And as I have NO sense of direction, central plazas are like friendly faces in a crowd of hungry wolves (aka those winding streets that throw my sense of direction to hell).

So much walking in circles. Let's eat.

God it does not get much better than this. White chocolate, French milk chocolate, medium chocolate, DARK AS NIGHT chocolate. And the churros were not your typical sugar-encrusted pieces of fried dough. These were similar to a Chinese doughnut (yo tiao), and didn't NEED sugar. I'm a sugarholic. And I can attest to the fact that it was the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. Life was good. 

Siesta time. 

After that, I exerted negative physical KITA (kick in the pants--a highly scientific business model we've learned in my highly scientific Motivation, Values, and Commitment class), and got everyone out of the warm hostel into the cold. Why you ask?

Video game exhibition, Museo del Centro

Is this what it feels like to be old? To have your most cherished, childhood belongings stuck under class, with people muttering, "Wow! That is so OUTDATED!" It's creepy to note that I still have said "relics" and they work quite well, thank you. Not museum material.

No matter, this was en route to the highlight of every day. Dinner!

My local friend Alvaro suggested Estudios Bar, a local joint with local fare. This left me unprepared for the mayhem of a bar where you can opt to sit in a crowded dining room, on kegs, or simply stand and chat as you reach for that third morsel. There were heaping plates of bread with various HUNKS of cheese and meats. You are given a personal cutting board to cut your rations and share with friends. All for around 2.50 euro each.

The rest of the night was fairly tame.

I did go to the tavern under our hostel, which was literally the remnants leftover from a palace that our hostel was built on. It had the sickest local underground scene, which was literally underground. I think listening to Spanish rap is quite an academic venture myself. 

Our final day had us visiting the Aljafería Palace, which dates back to the 9th century (you're 1200 years old? No big. This is Europe!). What initially began as a Muslim holding was subsequently Christianized with the big expulsion of Jews & Muslims in 1492. This made for a tremendous mix of architecture under one palace roof.

 

 

My new obsession with archways--like shark teeth

The ornate details of the ceilings and archways are breathtaking. BWAH if only these photos were panaromic, or interactive, or had touch-vision, or SOMETHING to give you a sense of just how grand and spectular it is to look up and see every inch of wood panel decorated with gold. 

And just when you think your visit to Zaragoza is complete, we get hit with another random fiesta. Does anyone else smell gunpowder?

 

Oddly enough, they look for Brit than Spaniard. Some sort of celebration that ends with gunfire into the audience. Or at least over the turret.

Alas, school work and life has gotten the best of me and my updates. This weekend sees me off to Madrid with Kristin, where I'll be meeting Kelsey, seeing more of Philippe, and hopefully getting a glimpse of my travel gnomies, Luia and Jess.

"El mundo es un pañuelo" - Literally, the world is a scarf. And isn't it a world made up of so many small threads and connections that you can feel wrapped in it's warmth?

Until the last churro is eaten,

The Chew