Episode 13 – Salamanca – the astronaut and the frog

plaza mayor

Salamanca is a small enough town for one to go on foot. Come to think of this, it may be the reason why you do not see too many obese Europeans. They have to travel on foot all the time. The streets are too narrow to allow motor vehicles to go through with ease. The problem with parking is horrendous. The pebble stone streets do hell to the suspension of the cars. Really nothing good comes out of this arrangement. Walking is healthy and it slows down the hectic pace of the daily rhythm. Continue reading →

Episode 12 – Avila and Segovia

Avila and its intact walls

The major cities have their own grandeur and they are stunning and impressive. The surrounding smaller town are not lack of charm and grace. It is a lot easier to settle in a small town and enjoy it to its fullest. Avila is one of these little towns. Continue reading →

Episode 11 – Lisbon – when there is a will, there is a way

Pena garden and castle

When we were in Portugal, we visited the Sintra castle. There are mixed stories about this castle. Some said it was used as a prison for royalties. Some said it was a summer palace. I just followed the crowd and enjoyed the scenery.

This patch of land is the former vacation site for the monarchy. It is full of vegetation, estates and summer palaces. Inside the castle are a lot of circular staircases when eventually made you all confused. We slide through the kitchen, dining room, living room, bed room, conference room, and it was a relief to get out of this maze. Continue reading →

Episode 10 – Lisbon – Columbus, Columbus

The main street of Lisbon

Columbus was one mysterious person. The Spanish claimed he discovered the New Continent under the Spanish flag, whereas the Portuguese claimed Columbus set sail 4 times through sponsorship from the Portuguese crown. I am no historian yet I see the strong influence of sea explorers in Portuguese culture. I was just a normal tourist visiting a new place and looking forward to enjoy its food and people.

A lookout tower, military post

I had never been to Portugal before but the first impression was not a pleasant one. We ventured from Spain to Portugal and we could feel the mood difference right away. It could be compared to Aesop’s fable of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant (Portugal the worrier) prepared himself for the influx of the poor economy whereas the grasshopper (Spain the merrier) kept on enjoying the present day pleasure. Continue reading →