23 January 2009

It’s been almost two months since I came back from Spain. Everytime I breathe, the breeze in Madrid or towns surrounding the capital remains freshly imprinted in my mind.

Nothing beats the chilly weather in the Northern hemisphere with 4 seasons as compared to the all-year summer filled with monsoon rain in Malaysia. At times I do wish there is at least an autumn here. I am not asking for white snow during the winter days. At least there’s a drop in temperature like Hong Kong.

At 4:31pm on 24th November 2008, the temperature in central Spain was about 2.5degrees Celcius only. I’m not asking for 2 degrees in Malaysia.

Give me a temperature of 14degrees in KL and I will stop complaining right now!

Am I asking too much?

Here I am in Avila. Another city under UNESCO world heritage’s list due to its rich culture and history.

Look at the amount of towers surrounding the city. I wonder why the Spaniards build so many towers centuries ago. How long did they take to build them? I do wonder.

My first encounter with 0 degrees Celcius in Spain. This was captured at 5:40pm on 24th November, when I was on my way to Salamanca from Avila.

As I have mentioned previously, this is my virgin trip to Europe and nonetheless, words are beyond my description to describe how exhilarating I felt. Indescribable, uncontainable….

Do you know how badly I yearn to return to Europe?

According to Kevin, this picture reminded him of some ‘Heroes’ promo poster or something similar to that.

What to do? It’s not like we can visit Europe anytime as we wish. We have to take every minute every second given to us to capture as many pictures as we can.

Besides shooting panoramic or scenic views only, we have to be part-time models too.

Here I am in Salamanca. One of the most important moments in Salamanca’s history was the year 1218, when Alfonso IX created the University of Salamanca. Soon it became one of the most significant and prestigious academic centres in Europe.

Salamanca is also known as the Oxford of Spain.

The old Romanesque cathedral was founded in the 12th century. The dome that covers its crossing springs from a double arcade that is daringly pierced with windows, a distant reflection of Hagia Sophia.

House of Seashells is a tourist spot in Salamanca. I was told that there are more than 400 seashells decorated on the walls.

Valley of the Fallen is situated 20 minutes drive from El Escorial, and about one hour’s drive from Madrid.

The most significant moment of the day would be the SNOW!

Yes, it snowed on that day and my heart was jumping with joy! It was my first time watching snow flakes falling from the sky.

Known as the Valle de los Caidos in Spanish, it took more than 15 years to complete. It consists of a concrete cross nearly 150 m (nearly 500 ft) high, built on top of a huge crypt tunneled out of solid granite inside the mountain itself.

The gigantic cross were erected specifically to honor the deaths of people who died ‘for Spain’ during General Franco’s reign.

The Aqueduct of Segovia, typically the most recognized and famous symbol of Segovia, terminates at the entrance of the historic section.

Segovia is situated north of Madrid, and can be reached by bullet train in 35 minutes from Madrid. Another UNESCO World Heritage city which is rich in mixed history of Roman and Moorish rule.

Alright, I get it. You must be bored with the history lessons I am providing here.  I get it. I get it.

Let me say again. I am missing Spain a lot!

I miss the cold weather. I miss the scenic view. I miss the Spanish breeze.

Can someone be a good Samaritan and bring me to Spain again? After all, I have not been to Barcelona….