16/02/08
Yesterday the bus left Alcalá around nine and we arrived in Segovia about noon after taking a few stops for picture opportunities. The first stop for pictures was my favorite because we stopped right beneath the beautiful castle. I felt as if I was in a movie, locked away in the tallest tower awaiting Prince Charming to come slay the dragon and rescue me, sorry we watched Shrek on the bus last night with the Shumway kids. Anyways the castle was just as beautiful on the inside as out. My favorite room had sixty or so figurines of kings and queens in thrones lining the ceiling on a ledge. I have not seen anything quite like that in any other building I’ve been in, so I liked that it was so unique and different. Beneath each royal leader there was a short biography of their reign, which was helpful to figure out where they fit in with all of the history I have been reading. Another very interesting fact about the castle is that it was the location where Christopher Columbus finally got approval for his first westward journey from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. I tried to imagine the situation as I walked through the throne room and I just love that I am actually visiting these historical places where great moments in history took place. I have read several different views and opinions about Columbus in the past month and we have also discussed him in class a few times. Although there are many people who do not give him much credit and criticize him for mistreating the indigenous people of new lands, I feel that he was inspired by God to make his various expeditions and I am grateful for all of his discoveries. Also within the castle was a portrait of Philip the II who we have been reading about in great detail in History 390. It was neat being able to make a concrete connection with him as I was standing in a place that he had once resided. Visiting historical places has greatly increased my appreciation and interest in history.
Another architectural masterpiece in Segovia was the cathedral. The original cathedral was known as Santa Maria and was designed in a Romanesque style; however, during 1521 it was destroyed in the Comuneros War. Four years later Charles V decided to construct a new cathedral in its place and dedicate it to The Ascension of Maria to Heaven and Saint Frutos, who is the Patron Saint of Segovia. Construction began in 1525, but it was not officially consecrated until 1768. Although the exterior of the original cathedral was thoroughly demolished, the contractors were able to use the original choir, cloister, and baptismal font in the newly completed cathedral. I was glad that I knew this fact while viewing the cathedral because it made the building seem more historic and ancient to me. Unlike the original cathedral, the architects designed it in more of a Gothic style and it stands as the last cathedral built with this type of architecture because the influences of the Renaissance were beginning to felt. It was neat walking around the cathedral because there were about twenty small chapels around the exterior and some were full of paintings of Christ. Viewing so many sculptures and paintings of Christ on the cross suffering so much made my heart ache. I know that his sacrifice was essential in the plan of salvation and that without it I would not be able to repent of the things I do wrong, but I prefer to remember Christ in the moments when he was blessing the needy or teaching the people the words of God. In a book that we just finished for History 202, The Samurai, it talked about these Japanese merchants who sailed to Mexico and Spain in order to open up trade routes between Spain and Japan. These men stayed in monasteries throughout their long journey and in each room the main character stayed in there was a figure of Christ on the cross. He had no knowledge of Christianity and he could not understand how so many people worshiped such a weak and “wretched” man as he called him. As I was walking around the cathedral yesterday I could understand the point of view of this Japanese envoy. He did not know of the great miracles Jesus Christ had performed or the important and inspired lessons he taught, all he saw was this beaten man upon the cross. Eventually this Japanese man is taught that because Christ suffered all of these things he can relate to the sorrows, heartaches, and trials of every person who lives, have lived, or who ever will live. That one can turn to him for not only forgiveness, but also comfort and peace. I am so grateful for my Savior and his love that I feel each day. My favorite part about Segovia were the aqueducts, they are massive and they go on for more than 3 miles!! It was just amazing to me that they were built around 20 AD and they still carry water from the mountains today, the only working one in the world!
After we finished walking around Segovia we boarded the bus and went to a small town called Pedraza for dinner. The city was desolate when we got there; there was literally no one anywhere. We found an old castle and played games outside of it for awhile as the sun was setting and then we headed of for dinner. Segovia is famous for their lamb and suckling big, so a big group decided to pay twenty eight euros for this experience. I, and about ten others, was not apart of this group because I’m not the biggest meat fan and I am also pretty stingy when it comes to money. Some girls and I split a big loaf of bread and called that dinner and I was quite content. I heard the dinner was great and probably the best part was that one of the girls in our group ate a lamb’s testicle. Wow, all the power to her… I could not do that! We arrived home around midnight and everyone had a great time.

17/02/08
Yesterday I woke up pretty early and went for a run at the park by my house. It was about eight and the sun was still behind the mountains. The empty field next to the park was very misty and as the sun began to rise I felt as if I was in Pride and Prejudice at the end when Mr. Darcey and Elizabeth find themselves in that field together at dawn. It was just so beautiful; I can’t describe it in words. I was so glad I had woken up early and been able to experience that. Amy and I met a small group at the train station at 10:30 to go to the temple. We set a goal at the train station to talk in Spanish the whole trip. We were successful and it ended up being a fantastic day. The temple was amazing. I felt such peace and comfort while there, I just love being so close with my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. After the temple we ate our bocadillos outside in the sun. Ana had made us bocadillos with tortilla Espanola, and wow my mouth was in heaven! After that we decided to do a required walk for one of our classes, so we walked around a new party of Madrid and saw various buildings with medieval architecture. We ended up in the Plaza Mayor which was full of people. Some were eating in cafes, others were watching the random people dressed up in costumes, and some were just sitting on the ground enjoying the beautiful sunshine. That night Sarah and Erica had a movie night at there house and we watched A Knights Tale to pay our respects to Heath Ledger who recently passed away from an overdose of sleeping pills, very sad. I love that movie and it was fun just hanging out and watching a movie in English.
Today was Stake Conference which was great. It was broadcasted from Madrid and Elder Scott and President Monson spoke. Elder Scott speaks Spanish, which I didn’t know, and so it was neat to hear him and I was able to understand everything because he spoke so clearly. Today was also so special because it was the first time that I have heard President Monson speak since he had become the new prophet. I definitely received a confirmation that he is a prophet of God and I was very thankful for that. Right now I can hear Ana and her sister making lunch, which I am very excited about, so I think I am going to go see if I can help. Adios!