CANTABRIA

Three days after we got back from Italy we were off on another adventure, our final excursion of the Semester to beautiful Cantabria. We left Salamanca startling early at 6:30 am from our favorite plaza Gabriel and Galan, of course.

A couple people in our group decided they would stay out all night and just come to the bus in time to leave. Kelsey, her sister, and Allie stayed out all night, but did not manage to make the bus in time. Kelsey’s parents also happened to be coming on the excursion. I thought it was hilarious that we were waiting for Kelsey while her parents had managed to find the bus on time.

We bused for about three or four hours. It was way too early to even remember what time it was! Anyway our first stop in Cantabria was at las cuevas de Puente Viesgo. These caves had thousands of ancient cave drawings. There was an overwhelming amount of buffalo drawings and about billion different red handprints, which were created using a very primitive form of spray paint. Literally the cavemen would blow paint across their hands to make these drawings, just like spray paint. We took a tour of the cave and the paints with a guide, who was very good at pointing out these ancient works. If it were not for our wonderful guide, I would have no idea about how many different caveman depictions of buffalo there are.

After our tour, Jesus decided to give us some free time. I took a mini-walk with Andrea to explore the path around the cuevas. In the distance we could se snowcapped mountains. We did not know at the time, but our hotel would be situated right at the foothills of the glacial peaks. Everyone ate their bocadillas from their Madres before we got on the bus and headed toward the mountains.

The next leg our journey was through quite possibly the most twisting and winedy roads I have ever been on. At times I felt like Los Tres Pillares was either going to scrape across the mountainside or plummet down a cliff. Most people were sleeping, so they missed the incredible views and the amazing maneuvering skills of bus driver. We arrived at our hotel a little after four. I was absolutely blown away by what lay ahead of us. Towering mountains literally surrounded our hotel/mountain lodge. We had free time when we got to the hotel, so one big group decided to go on a hike. Andrea, Mary and I all decided we wanted to explore the mountains with out the usually group of 30, so we waited until after the rain stopped.

We trudged through a bunch of mud and stumbled through the steep and rocky uphill trail, but it was totally worth it. The hotel had walking sticks in each room so we made good use of them leaping over puddles and such. The view from the top was incredible. Below us we could see our hotel, a tinny Tres Pillares, farms in the distance, and all around us we were surrounded by these misty, snow-capped blue mountains. We hiked for an hour or so making it to waterfall before heading back down. I think we converted Andrea into a nature girl. She is not the typical outdoor adventurer, but she loved every minute of our hike. I think the walking stick made all the difference.

On the way back down we saw the other group in the distance coming down another side of the mountain. We tried to get their attention by making animal calls and opening and closing our umbrellas. Later we found out that they thought we were in need of help, before they realized we were just being goofs. The other group came down on the side of mountain with snow, so instead of walking down they slide down the snow.

We got ready for dinner after we got back from dinner. I had packed all my fancy dresses for this weekend since I was determined to wear them at least once while I was in Spain. I think everyone had the same idea because our group looked so well put together, especially the boys showing up in their ties. I decided I wanted to be a vegetarian that night, so instead of having a kilo of red meat like everyone else I got fish and vegetables with the vegetarians, such a good choice. After dinner I was full and exhausted so I hung out for a little bit and then went to bed. Our hotel in the small town, emphasis on small, of Fuente De did not really have much nightlife to offer. The hotel was equipped with a game room and plenty of salons filled with comfortable, oversized chairs where you could light a fire in the fireplace. The hotel reminded me of being out west. Everything was made of wood, it was decorated with earthy colors and it just felt so relaxing.