Oviedo
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Mac
Apr 28, 2008, 5:31:39 AM4/28/08
to Travel Spain
Saturday afternoon is not the best time to arrive in a Spanish city,
but eventually Oviedo did not let me down. After some time spent
admiring the outside of various grand buildings with aid of a tiny map
torn from a guidebook, the Museo de Bellas Artes eventually opened its
doors. And what a contrast to its counterpart in Santander! A
roomful of El Greco (the twelve Apostles), a couple of instantly
recognisable Goyas, at least one Velasquez, Zurburan, Dalí, Picasso,
and many, many portraits of faces familiar whatever the century, from
seeing them on the streets and in the fields. At first I had the
place almost to myself, and the attendants followed me from room to
room rather more assiduously than usual - probably a combination of
muttering to myself my appreciation, and a rather wild appearance
after a few days in the hills.
Around the corner in the cathedral square a large wedding party
dressed in their finery, with a sprinkling of scruffier tourists,
awaited the emergence of the newlyweds to the ear-splitting
accompaniament of a traditional pipe and drum guard of honour, easily
rivalling our scottish pipes, and much louder than the gentle Galician
variety we heard in Santiago a year ago.. I took the opportunity to
slip into the cathedral, knowing it to be closed next day, and found a
mass in progress, with some rather wild singing for a religeous
service, like gypsy music.
A walk in the cool of Sunday morning up Monte Naranco, where two of
the ancient churches of Asturia stand on their green hill. I could
not believe that the fine details of their carvings have withstood the
weather and upheavals of well over 1000 years, but was assured that
the birds and beasts and flowers, the human figures, the Roman
consular party, are all original. Up here, bells sound faintly from
the city below, and there is a cuckoo.
Thats all, folks. Home today.I only hope that my 'Blimey' boots don't
overstep the hand baggage allowance (I'm travelling light).
Espero volver a los Picos.
Mac
but eventually Oviedo did not let me down. After some time spent
admiring the outside of various grand buildings with aid of a tiny map
torn from a guidebook, the Museo de Bellas Artes eventually opened its
doors. And what a contrast to its counterpart in Santander! A
roomful of El Greco (the twelve Apostles), a couple of instantly
recognisable Goyas, at least one Velasquez, Zurburan, Dalí, Picasso,
and many, many portraits of faces familiar whatever the century, from
seeing them on the streets and in the fields. At first I had the
place almost to myself, and the attendants followed me from room to
room rather more assiduously than usual - probably a combination of
muttering to myself my appreciation, and a rather wild appearance
after a few days in the hills.
Around the corner in the cathedral square a large wedding party
dressed in their finery, with a sprinkling of scruffier tourists,
awaited the emergence of the newlyweds to the ear-splitting
accompaniament of a traditional pipe and drum guard of honour, easily
rivalling our scottish pipes, and much louder than the gentle Galician
variety we heard in Santiago a year ago.. I took the opportunity to
slip into the cathedral, knowing it to be closed next day, and found a
mass in progress, with some rather wild singing for a religeous
service, like gypsy music.
A walk in the cool of Sunday morning up Monte Naranco, where two of
the ancient churches of Asturia stand on their green hill. I could
not believe that the fine details of their carvings have withstood the
weather and upheavals of well over 1000 years, but was assured that
the birds and beasts and flowers, the human figures, the Roman
consular party, are all original. Up here, bells sound faintly from
the city below, and there is a cuckoo.
Thats all, folks. Home today.I only hope that my 'Blimey' boots don't
overstep the hand baggage allowance (I'm travelling light).
Espero volver a los Picos.
Mac
Maria Novales
Apr 28, 2008, 6:58:34 AM4/28/08
to trave...@googlegroups.com
Thank you for sharing your travel experiences, I have enjoyed reading them.
I looked forward to reading your daily postings and will now miss them until
your next trip. Espero que sea pronto.
Gracias,
Maria
I looked forward to reading your daily postings and will now miss them until
your next trip. Espero que sea pronto.
Gracias,
Maria
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