Baiona - Spain

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue...... And then he came back to Spain.  On his trip back on the trusty "Pinta" ship, the first city they landed in from the Americas was Baiona, Spain.  This means that the town of Baiona was the first town to hear news of the new world.

Baiona is situated a short bus ride away from Vigo, and some friends and I decided to visit.  It's a gorgeous city located right on the coast.  There is a massive fortress on a small peninsula right close to the water.  The beaches are gorgeous, and there is a towering statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the city, the ocean, and las islas cies. Check out some of my pics from the trip!

This monument was one of the first sights we saw.  It commemorates the meeting of two worlds, the old and the new.  

Typical Galician boat.  Blue.

This is the actual anchor from the Pinta that sailed to America and back.  It is put on display along with the tiled plaque to the right showing Columbus' arrival into the port.  

Port and Mountains.  

Fishing in Galicia.

Monument to Alfonso IX that stands at the entrance to the Monterreal Fort.

Here is part of the Monteferreal Fort with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.  

Siobhan and Zoe having a picnic in Parque de A PALMA. 

This is a Herreo.  It is used as a grain bin or grain storage in the north of Spain.  It is definitely a symbol of Galicia.  For more info.... CLICK HERE!

This monument is called Virgen de la Roca.  It overlooks the town of Baiona

As you can see, her hands and face are made of white marble.

After explore Baiona's sights, we were wandering around town and stumbled upon this church with its doors wide open.

The church is called Santuario de Santa Liberata. 

The inside was gorgeous with gold details as you can see above.

And I'd just thought I'd end this post with my favorite flower =) 

I have fallen a bit behind on my blogging so I hope to get on it this week! Keep checking in to see what else I'm up to!

~Erin

Sunday in Vigo

Well I know I am a little late on posting something new, but last Sunday morning I decided to take a nice refreshing stroll through my new city.  You may or may not know that, a Sunday in Spain is a completely different world than a Sunday in the U.S.  The term "Sunday Drive" has a whole different interpretation here.  I would moreso call it "Sunday Walkers".  The streets are filled with people walking around town enjoying the nice weather.  There are tons of cute old couples taking their time walking down by the water.  The only businesses that are open on Sundays are bakery's and restaurants/cafeterias.  Everything else is closed.  Sunday here really is a day of rest, relaxation, and good eating.  I have to resist the urge to post the 75 photos that I took last Sunday, but here is a little taste of Spain... enjoy!  

This is the street right next to my piso (flat).  It's very narrow, curvy, and "Spain" like.  

A statue that is on display in front of Parque Charlie Rivel.   

View from the top of the hill overlook the Ria de Vigo.  

Down by the water these are some fishing boats docked up.  Apparently fishermen go on a "deadliest catch" type trip to Argentina and back.  They catch a variety of shellfish including lobster, crab, prawn, and barnacles.  

A view of the city where I am teaching across the Ria de Vigo - Tiran.  

I just love these old red roofs! 

Graffiti is a very controversial topic in Spain.  To some it is beautiful art.  To others it is destruction of property.  

No dryers here.  All clothes are line dried.  

This was a too cute of a moment not to take a picture of this cat balancing on the railing.   

The Port of Vigo.  

Anchors on display in front of the Centro Comercial near the Ria.  

More fishing boats! 

I am still trying to find the significance of this.  Very interesting statue in front of the Centro Comercial by the Ria.  

Too good not to post.  I'm hoping you can translate this on your own.  (It also says NARNIA in parenthesis under Hogwarths) 

Fishing nets at the harbor.  

Spectacular view of Moana.

And this statue on display near the porto do sol.