Midterms are this week and everyone at SUMC is excited for spring break. This past weekend, as a trip to get my mind off of midterms, i fulfilled a childhood dream of going to Segovia, Spain to see the Alcazar. Ever since i was in 3rd grade, almost every text book i received, whether it was literature or mathematics, had the iconic picture of Segovia’s Alcazar. Shortly before i came to Spain, i saw the same picture, and realized that it was an easy day-trip from Madrid, i swore right then to visit before i returned home. Saturday morning, a few friends, 2 from SUMC, and another from Paris, and I took the direct bus from Pricipe Pio for around 12 euros round-trip and arrived at Segovia in less than an hour. On the way we saw the mountains covered in snow, and even The Valley of the Fallen under a heavy, swirling mist. A few steps up the road from the bus station and we immediately saw the roman aqueduct. It was only a few minutes’ walk in order to stand under its great girth. A bit of stairs and we were level with the top of the aqueduct, and even with the old town. Between Segovia´s tow extremities, the Alcazar and the Aqueduct, is its Plaza Mayor, and Cathedral. Both were quaint, even in the pouring rain, and there were many shops selling handmade Spanish crafts and pieces of beautiful art. A word of caution, Segovia continues to cling to the traditional Spanish way of long leisure lunches and naps, so if you go in the morning and see an open shop that you fancy, enter, because when you return it will more than likely be closed for an extended siesta. After shopping, the next stop was the Alcazar. Initially, i was excited, though a bit upset, as the iconic image was not visible as the front is on a highs cliff overlooking the countryside. The tour with an audio guide (always recommended) was fantastic and i even paid a bit extra to climb the original medieval tower, a claustrophobic 200 step circular staircase, to an amazing view. As i excited the palace, i could not help but feel drawn to try and see that perfect view of the castle. I saw a set of stairs leading down the ravine that separates the old-town from the countryside, and i just had to descend, not knowing what i was getting into. The steps were pure mud, making the descent almost perilous. The so called stairs went through large sections of dense overgrowth and past gloomy. After 45 minutes of terror i reached the base and began walking on the only road, void of people, trying to get the right view of the castle. Though i finally saw the view, i wanted to get closer, and so ended up taking a dirt path, now mud, up the other side of the ravine. There, again, were no people, and much undergrowth. I finally was able to have the postcard picture of what i remembered as a child and was content. As I stood there, my friends called to say that they were going back to Madrid having finished lunch. As i hung up the phone and looked around me, i realized that i had no idea where i was, or how to get back. I could see the Alcazar but couldn’t get to it. So, i continued along the paths and through more woods and veered onto more dirt paths. I finally found a highway and descended onto it, hoping that it led to the city center, i didn´t and again i was lost and, more importantly, soaking wet. The story does end happily though. I found the Jewish cemetery outside the town and followed a series of markers that led from the cemetery to the Jewish quarter in the old town that i remembered seeing on my way to the Alcazar. I was soon at an outdoor stall buying a terra cotta pig and hurrying to get the next bus back to Madrid. Though i did get the perfect picture, i do not recommend anyone ever wandering in the country by themselves. A small town is much more conducive to exploring, but the countryside, especially alone, is dangerous. But, overall, the day was wonderful. I was finally able to fulfill a childhood dream and was thrilled to see an amazing Spanish city.
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