Ávila: The Town of Stones and Saints

^I GOT TO WALK ON THE MURALLAS DE ÁVILA (medieval city walls).

Ávila is a UNESCO site known for how well it has preserved it's city walls. I'd heard Ávila was a great day trip, so, another day trip was called for! I was supposed to go with Erin, Willa and our visiting friend Emily, but Erin forget that she was tutoring that day and Willa decided she wanted to save her money to go visit Bilbao (where she is working next year). I decided to go anyways, as I didn't want to miss out on seeing this city. I am so glad I did. However...my body wasn't pleased with me. The previous day I had gone to play volleyball...and had showed up late (I had forgotten what time it started at because I hadn't been in so long!). So, I jumped in and didn't really get any stretching time before the training began. And unfortunately for my body, it was leg day. I walked 8-10 miles all across and around Ávila and by the end of the day I was limping up and down stairs...slash just across the ground in general. But anyways, back to my actual day there.

Ávila is just a couple hour bus drive away from Madrid. However, it is important to note that a lot of stores and things are closed on Sundays in Ávila. Including grocery stores! I should've learned my lesson from Alcalá de Henares, in addition to my general traveling around Spain, but alas...I didn't think of that. I only had 4-5 hours in Ávila as I had estimated how long I wanted to be there in order to see the sights because I needed to ensure I had a bus ticket back! So, I had planned on buying lunch/dinner at a grocery store instead of stopping at a restaurant as I feared I wouldn't have time to see everything if I did that...well, be warned. If you go to Ávila on a Sunday, leave time for food.

So besides my aching limbs and rumbling stomach, I discovered that Ávila isn't just a wall, but the cutest town filled with SO MANY CHURCHES. I saw (both planned an unplanned) at least 7 churches when I was there. I shouldn't have been surprised, considering it is Spain, I should really be used to it. Just everywhere you turned there were signs for churches. I know I didn't even come close to seeing them all, but I saw so many just by wondering around the city. Here are some of them:

Later, I found out the city is also sometimes referred to as the city of "Stones and Saints". Now I understand why.

My favorite part of my day trip to Ávila was walking on the Muralla (medieval city wall). For a small fee, you can walk around half the city on the wall! The views were amazing, and it was so cool to be able to walk on the walls of a UNESCO site. I feel like so many places wouldn't allow anyone close to historic pieces, even if it is a giant wall. Of course, like I said, half the wall is inaccessible, but I think that is more due to the fact that the wall is no longer stable/safe in those areas. I tried listening to the free audio guide...but the numbers for each section of the wall were oddly enough, hard to find. So I missed most of them despite looking for them...and there really aren't many places to hide on an uncovered stone wall...here are some pictures of the view and the wall:

After walking to the other side of the city on the walls, I descended and realized that I needed to begin to head back to the bus stop. I was in so much pain from walking the wall and the stairs to lookout points...but I still hustled back to the bus stop, ignoring my hunger, telling myself there was an ALDI across the street and it would be worth it. But as I mentioned earlier...it was closed. My disappointment...was great. I ended up getting a gross sandwich from a vending machine. The fact I was so hungry and thought the sandwich didn't taste good means that it really, REALLY was not a good sandwich. But, it got me through the bus ride until I got home to make something!

I enjoyed my day trip to Ávila immensely despite my little difficulties. On the way back to the bus stop, I saw this quote on a wall (above). The quote means "I will not think of leaving Ávila in any manner). I really liked it and I understand why. Ávila is charming and quaint. If I'd given myself more time, I think I could have spent more time there (with a full belly too!). Highly recommend Ávila for anyone who wants to visit, whether for a day trip or for a prolonged stay.