The past couple weeks have been just non-stop fun. This year is absolutely flying by and panic is beginning to set in a little, since there's still so much to see and so little time! This panic is definitely part of the reason why me and a few of the other native English teachers here in Tudela decided to book back-to-back weekend trips to explore some of the gems right in our backyard, spending one weekend in Zaragoza and the next one in Pamplona.
I've been to Zaragoza before, once as a day-trip in October (check out
my post about it if you want to refresh your memory), once in January, but only to visit the Puerta Venecia shoping mall on the city outskirts and check out the
rebajas winter sales (I bought socks, a scarf, and contact solution so it wasn't what you would call a particularly succesful trip), plus a couple trips to the Zaragoza Airport. It just wasn't acceptable that in so many trips (I know the Zaragoza train station like the back of my hand at this point), I still had seen so little of the actual city!
After seeing a bit more of Zaragoza, I think it has some of the most interesting architecture in Spain. Famous for its Mudéjar Moorish-inspired churches, it has tons of cool buildings that make you wonder if you´re still in Spain.
 |
| Zaragoza, Mudéjar central. |
 |
| The Pilar Cathedral |
Zaragoza is also home to some recently discovered (like in my lifetime) Roman ruins, and for 5 euros we got a pass for the "Caesar Augustus Route" around the city. We ran out of energy and time before we could complete the circuit but did get to see the Roman forum, port, and the theatre. While they are not well preserved, it was still incredible to see something so old, especially since only 20 or 30 years ago no one knew they existed.
 |
| The Roman Forum |
 |
| Perfectly preserved arch, 2000 years later |
 |
| The world´s a stage. |
 |
| Walking through the ruins |
The rest of the night included the best patatas bravas and burger I´ve had in Spain at Parrilla Albarracin, a surprise since we just stumbled in there after failing to get a seat at any of our other choices, and meeting up after with a coworker to see her boyfriend´s band, Sonic Toys, in concert.
Next up, Pamplona. My Irish friends here in Tudela had a friend visiting the following week and wanted to show him around so the 5 of us road-tripped up to Pamplona for a Friday night, renting an incredible apartment right in the city center. It took maybe 5 seconds for me to fall in love with Pamplona. I would move there in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the weather (Tudela wins hands down on that front!).
Is there another city in Spain that is so iconic? San Fermines and
the famous running of the bulls, the narrow streets packed with white
and red, and of course Hemingway. In addition to that, we happened to be there for pincho week so we were treated to some of Navarra's best eats. The more I see of Navarra, the more I love it.
 |
| The view from our apartment. Perfect location is an understatement. |
 |
| The Plaza del Castillo, just outside our front door |
 |
| Hemingway's favorite haunt, Cafe Iruña |
 |
| The highlight of pincho week. Perfectly cooked beef on a bed of lettuce. |
 |
| It doesn´t get any more Navarran than this. |
My next adventure starts tomorrow. I have three classes in the morning then my Semana Santa officially begins and I´m off to Andalucía for a couple weeks to see the little sister :) Hasta la próxima!
