El Camino de Santiago de Compostela

So far on my journey through northern Spain I have visited the cities of Bilbao, Burgos, and Leon.  Gradually, I am traveling to the city of O Cebreiro where I will officially begin my pilgrimage.  Over the past couple of days I have had the opportunity to to sample some unique Spanish and Basque cuisine, admire beautiful architecture-ranging from Romanesque to Modern, and explore some ancient yet vibrant metropolises.

Bilbao-
Nestled in a valley where the river Nervion snakes through the ancient and modern neighborhoods of the city, Bilbao is a city where old and new take part in a symbiotic relationship both culturally and architecturally.  One of the newest additions to the historic city is Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum.  The museum is home to some fabulous contemporary art and the architecture of the building itself is mind-boggling.  Overall, I found my favorite piece to be a work entitled "La fourmiliere"(the anthill).  While visiting the city I was fortunate enough to be there for the "Cabalgata de los Reyes"(Parade of the Kings)-a festival celebrating the eve of "Dia de Reyes"(Epiphany).  In brief, I found Bilbao to be a city that is culturally inviting, fashionably unique, and architecturally diverse.

Burgos-
While my time in the city of Burgos was short, the time spent touring the Cathedral was humbling and captivating.  The Cathedral de Burgos is a synthesis of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.  It a massive, ornate church filled with detailed religious iconography and symbolism.  From the porticos and tympanums on the outside to the high vaults and sculptures on the inside, it is a church that exemplifies the power and majesty of the Catholic Church.

-AMH