Spain: Day 5

Our day consisted of driving out of Galicia with its views of livestock zigzagging across green hills and driving into Castilla y Leon with its dry and dusty paths, its flat wheat fields, and clustered pine trees. It's fascinating how a country just a little larger than the state of California can showcase such a spectrum of climates, cultures, and languages, and I am grateful our trip will explore the diversity.

We made a mid-day stop in the city of León. It was our first day of blue skies, and no one took it for granted. Motorcycles and compact cars flowed in and out of narrow streets while locals walked along store windows. This was one of our first encounters taking in an average workday for a Spaniard. What’s shocking about León is the “average” view of locals: a massive cathedral in the city center known for its stained glass. It made me think deeply about how what is extraordinary for us is normal for others, and likely vice versa. I hope our return home not only brings admiration for Spain but the ability to see our own “cathedrals” back home that we pass by each day. After a brief visit inside the cathedral, students spent a few hours eating lunch and walking around in small groups. Jordan listed out a full-on smorgasbord of food he ate including Spanish croquetas (like a hushpuppy).

After about five hours in a bus filled with card games, reading, and lots and lots of sleeping, we rolled our luggage through the cobbled streets of a small town called Simancas and unpacked our physical and mental suitcases to prepare ourselves for the second major section of the trip. 

In addition to a few photos from the day, I am linking photos of travel journals students have been working on the last four days as they capture the people, landscape, and architecture that most speaks to them.

Buenas noches a todos.

(Reflection photos here)