August 7, 2019
Wow hey guys long time no see! I said in my last post how I've been getting a lot of homework from my new program and how I have had barely anytime to relax, and I jinxed it. It got even worse for a little bit because of the long excursions we have been having every week. Which ARE fun, I just have not have time, you surprised?
Since my last post about going to Paris, I have since traveled to Porto, Portugal and London, so stay tuned for those! In the mean time, this trip is from a day trip excursion with my program the first week of class more or less. We took a day trip to Covadonga and Cangas de Onis. These places are both within the Asturias province, so the drive wasn't too bad.
We first went to Cangas de Onis. We visited the ancient Roman bridge and a super old little church that I didn't take a picture of. I didn't really understand what exactly the significance was, because I was super sick this week and could not pay attention for the life of me. The roman bridge was really amazing to see though. We got to walk across it too! The weather throughout the whole day of our excursion was also amazing and hot which was a plus, I just high key felt disgusting and sick.
After visiting Cangas de Onis we headed to Covadonga. It was stunning. Covadonga is a really historically significant place because of the "battle of Covadonga" that took place in 718. It is significant because this was the first Christian victory in the Iberian Peninsula. We visited the Basilica of Santa Maria that is located there but there was a service going on inside, so I didn't go in. Afterwards, we walked over to "La santa cueva de Covadonga". We weren't allowed to take pictures while we were in the cave and at the altar, but I'm sure there are pictures if you look it up. There were so many people taking pictures, but I wasn't about it. Another name for the holy cave is "la cueva de Santa Maria", or the cave of Saint Mary. Santa Maria refers to the Virgin Mary. The cave is also where the bodies of Don Pelayo and King Alfonso I lie. Don Pelayo was the King who founded the Kingdom of Asturias in 718 after winning the battle of Covadonga. King Alfonso I of Asturias, was the third king of Asturias and helped reconquer Galicia and Leon. They are two very important individuals for the Kingdom of Asturias and are therefore in the holy cave of Covadonga.
The cave was increíble I still don't understand how people have the ability to construct buildings, caves, etc. so perfectly. Actually I just don't get how someone builds stuff like that anyways lol. It was so hot outside, but right when I stepped into the cave it was cool and calming. You first walk through the cave and up a few steps before entering the hermitage that is carved into the cave. Right before the altar there was an opening in the wall which was the tomb of Don Pelayo and King Alfonso I. The alter was beautiful but my uneducated ass didn't exactly know what to do at the alter. There was a thin cloth-like fabric that was connected to Mary that people were touching, kissing, etc. I wasn't really sure what to do though so I just didn't do anything 😂.
To exit the cave there were stairs at the side that led you down. At the bottom of the stairs you could see the water underneath the cave and a little fountain of water on the left where you walk up to. It was right underneath the hermitage. The water was so clean and pretty. The fountain (I included the boomerang of it) has a legend to it that says, if you drink out of all 7 of the spouts you will be more likely to have a baby if you're a woman, and if you're a man, you will get married in a year! I'm low key superstitious and not tryna get pregnant right now so I only drank out of one of the spouts, so I'm safe! Thank God! 😂 The water was really good though, I'll say it.
After we finished our tour of Covadonga, we went to Llanes. Llanes is a small beach town in Asturias. It was so pretty, but I wasn't aware that we were going to have two free hours in Llanes to do whatever we wanted, so I didn't bring a swimsuit ha of course. So Melissa, Bianca and I just walked around the town. I also found mint chocolate chip ice cream and it was actually amazing. I've been having issues trying to find mint chocolate chip ice cream in Asturias for some reason. I guess it isn't really a thing here, which is a real shame cuz it's my FAV; at least they have oreo and raspberry though! I know everyone cared to know about my ice cream struggles...
Anyways, get ready for my Porto post soon! Thanks for listening 😉
Embedded Media Details:
1. Photo of the Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onis
2. Covadonga! This is a view of the Basilica from the Santa Cueva
3. A close up photo of the Basilica of Covadonga
4. The Holy Cave of Covadonga
5. A boomerang of the fountain with the magic water 😏
6. Video of the coast of Llanes
7. Llanes, Asturias; a cute building that I love
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