Although I am eternally grateful for the countless cities and countries that I have been privileged with seeing since I have been in Europe, I felt as though I need a change of scenery. After seeing my millionth cathedral and cobblestone road, I needed some greenery… something that felt like home. I reached out to my program director to see if there were any upcoming opportunities to get out into the country or mountains, and sure enough, there was an upcoming opportunity to go hiking in a small town in Salamanca. And one of the best parts? We would also be visiting a winery!
I felt lucky to have the opportunity to hike around the beautiful hills of Salamanca. I was surrounded by great friends, and even met some very kind new people. In total, we spent over four hours hiking for a total of 12 kilometers. Yes, my feet hurt by the end, but the views were definitely worth it.
Our gracious tour guide, who was a pleasant older gentleman who knew the hiking path like the back of his hand, not only led us, but he also gave a lessons about the path and the things we saw along the way. It was great, because not only did I learn a lot about life in “las sierras” of Salamanca, but we also got a couple hiking breaks while he chatted away.
About halfway through the hike, we stopped for yummy cookies made by local women. We were even treated to a typical alcoholic beverage that was specific to the region. Although it was a special experience, I would prefer not to try that drink ever again… too strong for me! We were also treated to a wine tasting at a local winery, and this time the drinks were more up my alley. We also have a hefty lunch that definitely hit the spot after a long hike.
In all, I got to see beautiful sights, eat yummy food, and be surrounded by wonderful company. I felt so at peace, especially when I stumbled upon a giant rock that was perfect for climbing while laughing about Spongebob and Beyonce. I surely got my nature fix and I am so happy I had other people to share it with. It was well worth the wait!
The Book of Salamanca: Semester in Spain 