Week 1: The Streets of Oviedo

Today marks my first full week in Spain, and I have to say, it’s been incredible. I’ve already had the opportunity to do some amazing things: I tried my first sip of sidra (a local cider), and my first bite of nocilla (like Nutella, but even better). I met my host family, and I got to know some of the students I’m going to be taking classes with. I navigated my way around four airports in two languages on less than three hours of sleep (on second thought, that one wasn’t so amazing).  But anyway, this week has been the perfect mix of overwhelming and exciting, which I think is appropriate for my first few days abroad!

Because of that, I had a hard time choosing what topic to discuss in this week’s blog. I could have chosen the vast mountains, which never fail to remind me that I’m in a stunningly beautiful country. Or the delicious drinks, from café con leche to cola cao, that have warmed me up after a long walk through the rain. Or I could have talked about the rain itself, because it’s always here and seems to be just as important a part of the Asturian culture as the Spanish language. They’re all good options (ones that I’ll probably use later – stay tuned), but none of them were quite right.

I decided instead to focus on what, for me, has been the best part of Oviedo so far: the sidewalks. It’s not that that they’re newly paved or organized especially well (because, to be honest, looking at a map shows that they’re really not). It’s just that they connect everything – and I do mean everything – in the city.

What I’ve loved so much about Oviedo is that you can see all of the sites, find the best cafés, and even go to class entirely by foot. It’s part of the culture for the entire city to be walking around. Almost every day I’ve seen people in the streets running into old friends, trying new cafés, or even noticing different flowers planted in the park.

Each time someone goes out, it’s an opportunity to see new sights and make incredible memories, and that’s something I can’t wait to be a part of!

Until next time,

Megan

The walk from one of Oviedo’s parks to the University of Oviedo campus

The path from Gascona Street to the Cathedral

The pathway leading up to the Cathedral

The walk from the Cathedral to the Art Museum

A shell on the city streets leading peregrinos (pilgrims) on the Camino de Santiago

A stone walkway leaving the Cathedral

The trail through one of Oviedo’s many small parks

Steps leading from campus into the heart of the city

The University of Oviedo seal leading the way to campus