Hola a todos!
So quick update (I'll try and keep this one short!)
Today we went to the Valley of the Fallen which is a HUGE Basilica dedicated to those that died during the Spanish Civil War less than 100 years ago. It is a giant monument made of stone, carved into the mountain, and topped with a cross so big I can't even describe it. Inside we weren't allowed to take pictures so I'll just write about it. You enter into a cavernous hallway with a vaulted ceiling and tapestries lining either side. On each side there are three versions of the Virgin Mary, each about 20 feet tall and made of alabaster. Each marked the entrance to individual prayer rooms. At the end of the room/hallway (WAY too big for a normal hallway), there is the alter and benches, overlooked by an even taller, domed ceiling. The ceiling was decorated with a mural done with tiny individual tiles in an extravagant depiction of many Catholic symbols. To the left and the right of the alter are rooms that house the tombs of about 50,000 people that died during the war and each has a lowered ceiling with yet more tiled murals of Jesus and the apostles. At the four corners of the alter, against the walls are 4 statues standing about 25 feet tall representing saints (on being the guardian of death, face cloaked, and holding a sword). It was quite a sight to be seen. Pictures from the outside can be seen on facebook.
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After that, we drove to Segovia, Spain. It is about an hour north of Madrid and the temperature was much cooler. We were privileged enough to see something that has been on my bucket list for a while now: the Roman Aqueduct which has been in existence for over 2000 years, running approximately 9 miles (i think) and it is still able to function today. TALK about engineering! If only we made anything even CLOSE to as great as that, America would have something to brag about! I have to say it was one of my favorite sights. It was beautiful, functional, and awe inspiring. I took a lot of pictures of it.
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From the Aqueduct, we walked to the Castle in Segovia. It is the one that inspired Disney to create the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland! I have to say it looks EXACTLY like it but cooler and with less sparkles in the stones :P but the spires were blue, the moat was exactly where the Disney one is (we took a "disney picture" haha) and it was really really cool to see.
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It seems like almost everything here in Spain is either directly influenced by or somehow affected by the Catholic church. The paintings are all Catholic, the tapestries, the stories all center around it (good and bad) and it seems to be a focal point for this culture. It's so interesting to see how it has shaped the past and is still impacting the future. Unfortunately, its perception has fallen since Queen Elizabeth (i think?) and was scarred in the minds of the Spaniards by the dictator that rose as victor from the Civil War.
Speaking of history, today is the climax of Gay Pride week here in Madrid. There was a HUGE parade and people are getting CRAY-ZAY! Mariah and I went to go get McDonalds (I found out they have gluten free buns!) and it was a struggle to get through ANY of the streets!
I had a moment of awe today as a sat at a cafe not even 30 feet away from the Aqueduct. I couldn't believe that this was my life. I keep waiting to wake up to realize that it's all been a dream! Seriously, this place is amazing. The people in my group are fantastic. I am having a great time.
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