Oviedo

This Sunday morning in Oviedo started with great weather, the sun was shining and the temperature was mild, in the high teens. Altogether a very pleasant day for trekking up the Monte Naranco – some 5 – 6 kms from Oviedo’s centre, and to explore pre romantic architecture in that area.

But before I launch in that part of the day, i must share with you all that a famous son of this city is Fernando Alonso, the formula 1 champion driver. There is a racing circuit named in his name close to the centre of the city. I also visited and photographed the Mafalda statue. For those of you who are by now asking who is Mafalda, well i will provide a potted history of this Argentinian cartoon character, created in the early 60s by Quino a famous cartoonist from Buenos Aires. Mafalda is a precocious 6 year old child concerned about environment and human rights. This cartoon reflected the Argentinian middle class values and concerns of the time. For more information see the following link: http://www.thebubble.com/mafalda-the-rundown-on-argentinas-favorite-cartoon-6-year-old/

The trip to see the pre Roman architectural sites involved a short trip and then a 3 km trek uphill to monte Naranco. These ruins are from the 7th and 8th centuries, and extremely well restored. From the top of the Monte the views of the city of Oviedo, down in the Valley, is fabulous. The photos do not do justice to what the eye is able to experience.

On the slope of Monte Naranco I joined a guided tour of the Palace of Santa Maria del Naranco. This palace built in the 800s and is a unique example of Asturian pre Roman architecture. The tour also included a visit to the Iglesia de San Miguel de Lillo, this is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Coming back to Oviedo, i visited the Art gallery – Museo de Bellas Artes – which holds a great collection of painting and sculptures from the 16th to the 21st centuries.

Before lunch- which is late here – after 1.30 pm, I had an opportunity to see the end of a mountain bike – community lead – race, raising funds for a cancer cause. This was a great event with music and other social activities. Also in from of the Ayuntamiento- council building there were another musical event – with an Asturian band as well as a string and wind bands playing there. Many locals dressed in their Sunday’s best.

I decided that a visit to Oviedo needed to include a gastronomic experience, so today’s lunch included a regional dish called fabada Asturiana. This is like a stew made with the large white beans (fabes de la Granja), pork shoulder, morcilla, chorizo, and saffron (azafrán). As an entree i had also a local dish, the paella asturiana; and for postre – dessert I also went with the local speciality, arroz con leche – rice pudding. This was accompanied with sidra -sider and then vino tinto – red wine from the Duero wine growing area. A great meal.

By the time I finished today’s lunch, the weather had turned “Galician””, meaning it was raining again. In fact it was pelting down, ideal weather for an afternoon’s siesta. Who am I to argue with the locals, all of whom close their shops for a siesta. When in Rome do as the romans.

The time after the siesta was taking up between writing this blog, having coffee and a very light dinner, watching some soccer matches on TV – FIFA fever here at present; and getting ready for tomorrow’s trip to the university city of Salamanca, with one of the oldest university in the world.

I have enjoyed a v is it to Oviedo immensely, this is a city with energy, class and one that it focuses on the people and the environment. Its many pedestrian fares enhances the chance of both locals and tourists like me to immerse ourselves in the live of the city, specially the old part of this city. Its people are warm and friendly and seem to have a passion for dancing and music.

I say bye for now Oviedo, hoping to return with Pam one day soon.