The market I came specifically to see in the main Plaza. It's only on Fridays.
There was a strike of some sort that passed through while I was there. In fact, they circled around the small plaza a few times--in caes you didn't see them the first time. No idea what it was for, though.
He was watching for the best seat in the house.
He caught my eye and smiled, gesturing toward my camera. I was embarrassed for looking like a tourist in the quaint event, but, nonetheless, he proudly lifted the ropes of garlic for me to snap a shot of him between sales and small talk. Earlier that morning I had found out about the weekly market from a local gentleman while I was in the post office. Open-air markets are a European tradition that I adore and have sought-out through my travels. They represent fresh, high-quality products that, in the most romantic sense, were harvested by the man standing before you. In small towns like Ávila they are the gathering place where you catch-up with your neighbors while waiting in line for the best pickled olives. Amidst the strewn about boxes and plastic bags, hands exchange coins for produce and people still make a living under these tents. As I exited the plaza, I looked over my shoulder and smiled back at the garlic merchant who was still smiling at me.
An indoor market. This guy was great.
I don't think he was supposed to be moving around...
Inside this eerie convent for the town's beloved Saint Teresa. Not a soul was in there, yet there were highe SILENCE signs everywhere and the standard gypsie at the entrance.
The famous walls of Avila. This is by the Rastro part.
Just outside the walls was the Iglesia de San Pedro.
One of the most popular entrances-Puera de Alcazar. Too bad the tarp was always in the way.
Iglesia de San Pedro from the walls.
You could climb the walls. That's the back of the Cathedral butting up to the walls on the left with the arches.
Southside of town outside the walls.
Southside from a bit higher up on the wall.
The Cathedral is built into the wall. Note, that's not normal.
Back right of the Cathedral.
I loved all the birds nest on the Cathedral. Some looked like crazy hair on the statues.
Some facts I didn't feel like writing down about the wall.
Modernity in a Medieval town.
Some of the entrances (9 in all) aren't as grand and cars and people pass through freely. No sidewalks, just go!
Basilica de San Vincente. I tried to get in there, but a funeral got in the way...
There were flowers growing out of the roof.
One the west side of the walls--near the end of the second part that you can walk up on.
Tired of looking at walls yet?
I walked up a big hill to get the whole landscape. It's so small. The building that's peaking out in the center is the Cathedral.
Four Posts. Where I was looking to land when I climbed that big hill and ended up seeing it in the distance down below.
