I spent the weekend of February 4th-6th in Valladolid, a town north of Madrid in the Castilla y Leon region of Spain (the region my company promotes). At the FITUR convention a few weeks ago I was introduced to a gentleman, Alberto, who works at the company headquarters. After spending the week at the convention, Alberto invited me to spend a weekend with him and his children in Valladolid. (Alberto and his family live in Miami briefly, so they speak pretty good English.)
Friday, February 4th I took the Renfe, Spain's train system, from Chamartin train station in Madrid directly to Valladolid. Alberto picked me up at the train station and from there we went directly to pick up his two children from school.
His son, Sergio, is eleven years old and speaks very good English. He is quite keen on history and is extremely intelligent. He was my primary tour guide throughout the weekend and loved feeding me little facts on Spanish history. Our first discussion was in regards to the United State's involvement in WWII and how he considered the Japanese as cowards for attacking a country that wasn't even active in the war at the time. Too funny!
His daughter, Marina, is eight years old and speaks English; however, not as well as Sergio. She was my comedy for the weekend, doing anything crazy to make me laugh!
Friday night we took a tour of the park and stopped quickly for churros con chocolate before heading back to the apartment for dinner and homework.
Saturday was my guided walking tour of the town. Although quaint, the town has quite an interesting history. I learned many things, from the controversy with King Felipe to the coincidence of Cervantes' death.
At the time of King Felipe's birth, it was a tradition that once the newborn child was taken outside their house, whichever church was closest in the direction the child was facing would be the church they belonged too. Unfortunately for the king and queen, the church closest in the direction of their main entrance was the peasant's church. In preparation for Felipe's ceremony, they had a window constructed that would look out into the side courtyard of the castle, also containing the entrance to the royal family's church. Today this window is now barred shut; however, the story still stays by its side.
Cervantes, the most famous Spanish writer known for his work "Don Quixote", actually died on the exact same day, month and year as the great William Shakespeare. Coincidence?
Saturday evening we went bowling at the request of Sergio and Marina. Although most of Spain is not as modern as back in the states, they did happen to have a glow in the dark bowling alley similar to an outdated Townline.
Sunday was my big surprise! Alberto had arranged a tour of a winery in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The Ribera del Duero region is one of two major wine producing regions of Spain. Ribera del Duero, a short drive from Valladolid, is the large red wine producer, while la Rueda is the white wine producer, located south of Madrid.
We spent the several hours leading up to my departure in Penafiel touring the local area, as well as the famous Protos winery. This winery proudly produces one of the late Pope John Paul II's favorite red wines! After an hour tour of the winery and storage facilities, we had a real tasting! Believe it or not, my cocktail serving definitely paid off because I was actually able to distinguish the tastes within the wine! I was very proud of myself. And need not worry, I purchased a bottle to bring back home! =)
From the winery we headed straight to the train station and I arrived in Madrid three hours later!
PHOTOS:
Spanish Countryside
Winery (my camera died so there aren't a lot of photos from here)
Gates to the winery
Old-fashioned car (for grampy)
Selections at the market: I believe there are pig hooves, a cow nose and tongue.
The famous window of King Felipe
Valladolid town plaza
Catedral de Valladolid
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