DAY 19 TUESDAY, 13TH
OF NOVEMBER Lleida Spain 2nd DAY
The new Parador had the usual
great buffet spread. The dining room is interesting, as I said before, the
building is very simple and elegant but look up and see the subtle embellishment
in the dome and around the windows. The only thing I did not like was the lighting.
They tried to blend the old with the new and only succeeded in making it look
like thin gold colored scaffolding on the walls. The fixtures themselves were
fine but the way they were mounted was a mistake, in my humble opinion. Once I
saw this it bugged me every time!
Off we went to the museum of Gigantes
and Cabezudos in the old city hall bldg. Some of them dated from the 16th
and 17th centuries and are used in the city fiestas. Next up was the “new” Cathedral( built in 1761!) in the center of
downtown. It replaced La Seu Vella, a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral in a ruined hilltop
fortress. Then we decided to head up to the aforementioned hilltop fortress,
aided by the escalators and elevators. We have some physical constrains right
now, I with the neuropathy in my feet, which feels like walking on rocks,
barefoot and Paul with bad hips, so we are using all the aids we can! We did
not intend to do much exploring as we have been here before but we cannot let
these signs of physical aging get to us, at least I can’t! The history of the
old cathedral and fortress involves the Spanish wars of succession and a lot of
warring and pillaging and is quite fascinating. I soldiered up to the old
cathedral over ancient cobblestones which are not for the faint of heart! I
texted Paul to sit in the sun and I would be back, eventually! However, after
negotiating the hills and cobblestones to the front of the cathedral I
discovered that they sell the last ticket ½ hour before closing! Dammit! I
could use the ticket later, after siesta, but this was not something I wanted
to do again! So, I returned to the hubs who is sitting on a wall wondering
where the hell I am! My feet are killing me!
We hobbled and limped our way down
to the elevators and descended to street level. We sank into chairs on the
sidewalk next to the Hotel Real on the Boulevard next to the river. Great sighs
of relief! Bring me the wine! Menu of
the Day and Plate of the Day Paella Valenciana. (crunchy rice but great flavor)
A decent meal and a rest and off we went back to the Parador for a well-deserved
rest.
Lleida, or Lerida, is a very nice
city and we really enjoy it but the feet are just not up to it. We have had to
curtail a lot of our activities due to physical restraints and it is really
ticking me off!
It was quite late by this time so
we spent the afternoon resting and blogging. Do not judge us, we are knocking
on and rest is greatly underestimated!
We decided to stay in the Parador
for tortilla francesa with cheese and onion. A busy, active day and , sore feet
aside, most enjoyable! Wine makes everything better!
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