Àvila Sept. 28

Views of the city walls of Avila

Just outside the walls I found the albergue, Avila is located on the Camino de Levante, which starts in Alicante

This photo was taken on the bus ride back to Madrid. North of Madrid are the imposing Sierra Guadarrama mountains. These mountains must be crossed on the Camino Madrid, between Madrid and Segovia.

Up at 7 to get ready to go to Avila today, which involved a ride on the Metro subway to the bus station, buy a bus ticket, then just enough time for cafe con leche before the bus left at 8:30. It should have been a 90 minute ride (about 70 miles), but took almost two hours due to stop and go Madrid rush hour traffic. Still there was plenty of time to inspect the best example of preserved and restored fortified city walls in Spain. Of course, the city long ago grew past the walls, but inside is a charming glimpse of how a fortress and city would be built in medieval times. The control of the city changed hands many times in 300 years during the reconquest of Spain by the Christians over the Moors. Avila is also the home base of St. Theresa, who almost beat out Santiago as the patron saint of Spain. The cathedral's back wall is part of the fortress walls. I toured the cathedral again and was not quite as impressed as when we saw it in 2006. It was still worth seeing, though.

For midday meal, I found the restaurant that Kathy and I ate at on that past trip. Kathy had judias verdes con jamón, green beans with ham, that she still talks about. So I did order that along with beef stew and a very good homemade flan for dessert. By then, it was time wander back to the bus station for the 3:15 bus back to Madrid.

I arrived back at my hostal shortly after 5 pm. A few last minute details to take care of including repacking my back pack for the airplane. I will take the Metro early in the morning to the airport. The trip was fun, but I am looking forward to getting home!

I will post lots of photos by this coming weekend.