Young and full of tradition

Salamanca. We wanted to leave early this morning to explore the center of Salamanca. However, that did not happen. During our arrival yesterday, we had problems with our motorhome. The clutch pedal got stuck and wouldn’t return to its original position. I had to pull it back up with my foot, which could only be done without a shoe. After the initial shock, it wasn’t difficult, but after consulting our 'auto-remote mechanic' Grandpa Ernie, we looked for a workshop. For the second time on this trip. With a manufacturing year of 2007, our Hymer is not the youngest anymore. One shouldn't be bothered by one or another 'shortcoming.'

However, looking for a workshop was quite a surprise. Following the tip from our campsite operator, we were turned away quite harshly. No appointment, no chance. Our next two attempts fared no better. Only on the fourth try were we able to convince the mechanics to at least check if there was any major damage. They found nothing – probably because the clutch was working perfectly again at that point. 'Just keep driving until it stops working,' said the younger of the two with a smile as he took the slip. Alright. We will do that. What other choice do we have?

In the late afternoon, we headed towards the city center. Since our campsite is a bit outside and the city bus doesn’t allow dogs, we called a taxi. So we had to pay 15 euros for the outgoing trip and 10 euros for the return – for the same distance. But the rides were quite relaxing, allowing us to focus on Salamanca's sights. We had picked out three: the Plaza Mayor, which is said to be the most beautiful in all of Spain, the old cathedral, which consists of two cathedrals, and the university, one of the oldest in Europe. The buildings were – as you might imagine from the photos – simply overwhelming. The size of the cathedral and the lovingly detailed outside walls, the countless old university buildings with their narrow alleys, and pubs and bars on every corner, or the expansive Plaza Mayor filled with many people who were just strolling or delighted about snagging a spot in one of the large, nice cafés. Hard to believe that the square was much larger in its past and was therefore referred to as 'the largest square in Christendom.'

Salamanca will remain in our memory as a charming student city with its own mix of youthful flair, history, tradition – and indifferent car mechanics.

We are moving on tomorrow. Zamora is our next destination.