A City or City Rodrigo Vicente?

For: Nacho Melero (text and photos)
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To the southwest of the province of Salamanca, almost on the border with Portugal, on an escarpment of the river Agueda, Rodrigo is City.
I got there after nearly three hours by car from Madrid. To all who arrived by that route we get the current heraldic symbol of the city, formed by three huge columns of a Roman pagan temple destroyed the missing Miróbriga. At that moment I knew I was in one of those places where the cache overflows from every pore of your skin.

My old Ford parked in front of a known supermarket and I entered the historic walled. I found the main square after crossing narrow cobbled streets that only see the sun when it reaches its zenith.

Expected in a bar that served me a latte, when a fellow with wrinkled skin and light eyes showing the heat of a life bregada, Skewer me: "If you have any questions about this place, I can I solve the ".

A leaden gray sky and cold wind added generated by the passage of a front spring, they shouted at my arrival welcome to Ciudad Rodrigo!

I assure you I was not wearing any sign that made me different from the mirobrigenses. Black Sports, blue jeans and worn, brown sweatshirt with an old white shirt peeking out from behind the zipper, and dark raincoat had protected me from the last downpour. I forgot to tell you that besides the three columns, leaden gray skies and cold wind added to the generating step a front spring, they shouted at my arrival welcome to Ciudad Rodrigo!

"Hello my name is Nacho" said, while trying to guess how he sensed the desire that I had to connect with that place. “Hola, and I Vicente "I replied with aplomb. He continued mister nice: "He seen how he looked aquellas photos Antonio, owner, hung. I thought I could help you understand ". I smiled shamelessly, and to so frankly, I delivered. I had just started one of those days that a traveler never forgets, soul because I had accepted my fate. Lucky! I.

The photos were all held. He explained that several generations were united under the cold Carnaval del Toro, largest party in the city where costumes, bands and one of the symbolic animals of Spain, come together to shape the country's oldest carnival, or so affable man told me.

We were ready to wander the city as I described in detail how, Not long ago, had run ahead of those wild beasts over 500 kilos. Neighbors become the Plaza Mayor in a bullring craft and that is where all the action takes place.

Too bad you do not step on these lands Hemingway! protested, hinting deserved fervor that tradition.

"Too bad you do not step on these lands Hemingway!"Protested, hinting deserved fervor that tradition.

If anything I differed from the other villagers was because I had forgotten my camera in the car. Vincent walked me round pick and promptly took me to the street Sepulchre 13.

"I was born here makes 67 years ", I said. To which I replied sarcastically to be careful if there was a cot in the city street, because of die there, force me to spend some great line in his epitaph.

That comment was amused. We were breaking the ice and a huge chemistry had arisen among us.

He told me that the place had been human settlement for more than 6000 years. "From the Bronze Age!"He said in a firm voice.

He told me that the place had been human settlement for more than 6000 years. "From the Bronze Age!"He said in a firm voice. Siega Verde is an archaeological cave, Heritage, it is about 15 km río abajo. Vicente me explain, that that location was no accident, since there remain water pools, even in the period of greatest drought River. "These people know much" expressed with great enthusiasm.

We were on our way to the "House of Culture", building that for many years housed the Vocational School, when I said wistfully that was between those walls where he learned the trade.

Vincent had been working all his life turner, after being valet company Marquesa de Armendáriz during childhood. Successfully studied in the middle school years, but the family need sleep deprived college. Someone with the special light and with a little more preparation would have had no ceiling, thought. The explanation of that personal situation quickly transported me to the social reality of Spain ago 50 years. "The studies were still a luxury and I was a lucky!"Exclaimed.

My new friend invited us to go to the church of San Pedro and San Isidoro where he got married 40 years. He told me that the size of the crucified Jesus there inside is beautiful, and the Brotherhood of Christ of Silence proudly displays his treasure without murmur through the streets of the town during Easter.

The astute Vicente I suggested: "The wall is two steps, Nacho. Do you have a while?”.

Like a good novel had left it were good for the end.

Vincent ended up telling me that some of the Cathedral gargoyles are guns, and are now in sight the "touch" that she left on French gunners during the War of Independence.

"Did you know that Fernando II of León sent to help repopulate build this place with their protection? The monarch appointed episcopal Ciudad Rodrigo. The construction of the Cathedral and the continuous conflict with the Saracens and Portuguese were reason for these streets we walk today, artists were flooded, architects, builders, investors-Traders, nobles, noblemen and other gentlemen emblazoned in search of prestige and qualifications who knows if still orphan "

This place lived innumerable conflicts. Vincent ended up telling me that some of the Cathedral gargoyles are guns, and are now in sight the "touch" that she left on French gunners during the War of Independence. It was the same Lord Wellington, awarded by the Cortes of Cadiz , with the help of the legendary Laurence Churches and the blood of many unsung heroes, Ciudad Rodrigo who liberated the French occupation in what might be a simulator of the subsequent and final battle of Waterloo.

Vincent was an open book and a source of inspiration for stories synthesized. We climbed to the top of the medieval walls and the view over the river, Roman bridge, charras rangelands and the Sierra de Gata are awe. The wind opened and closed windows gray sky letting light shine forth with intensity and from different foci that beautiful stage. Highlight and shadow contrast landscape extolled, while the hues changed the rhythm of the windows bailongas. The gusts shook us and saw the man had revived my delivery tenderly. Las sparks so often vio shaping screws, nuts and other metal utensils are the same as observed in her green eyes that windy afternoon. I could not see mine, I felt the heat but the man offered me at that unforgettable tour.

Thanks Vincent for your trip to the past.

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Comments (12)

  • mayte

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    I love the things you write and accounts… a place leerte Nacho!

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  • Clifford

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    A true delight descriptive , Seasoned as charming personality like Vicente , makes these trips a marvel . Nacho congratulations

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  • Mariasun

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    Ciudad Rodrigo is a sample of that Castilla so full of history that one feels that life is so short to enjoy all these wonderful places Spain. But reading you a bit Nacho supplies this lack. Congratulations

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  • Nacho, the author

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    MAYTE: Thank you very much for your words to heart, think that is a pleasure to read me you really excites me.
    Clifford: Yes, Vincent was a great guy.
    ASUN: It was my mother who taught me to enjoy the whole story.
    THANKS TO ALL

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  • Meli

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    I enjoyed,congratulate the author because it is a phenomenon and Vicente, because'm glad to find people like the. Ciudad Rodrigo enters now in my plans of places to visit.

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  • Mario

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    Wherever you go there is the magic and charm you characterize q. Another great lesson little big Nacho! Congratulations!

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  • Clara

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    That delightful read you, I want to go to Ciudad Rodrigo today!

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  • Juliana

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    Great Article!!! Hopefully Vicente encontráramos one where we were there for the first time! Thanks for sharing it!

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  • Vincent

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    Thank you Nacho! I'm very flattered within my modest contribution to have contributed to the knowledge of my beautiful and beloved city. I hope to see you soon and feel free to find me. You'll know where to find me.
    See you soon!

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  • Nacho, the author

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    You were the architect of that time we spent so nice. Thanks for opening Ciudad Rodrigo wide.
    Until next time!!

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  • Charly

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    Now I feel like I've been there. Although that does not mean you have the same desire to go. Or almost could say back. ☺

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  • JCRS

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    Thanks for your story, Nacho, and discover that anywhere, any corner, has stories to discover. Congratulations!!

    Answer

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