Another excursion

The language school, which includes all levels of classes for Castilian, Catalan, and English, organized a trip to Tarragona (Tarraco in Latin). The English students and beginning Castilian students were put in a group with a guide who sometimes described things in Castilian, sometimes in English, and sometimes both. I sometimes understood her!

The town is a port city but is most famous for its Roman ruins.

We spent our time at 1, 2, and 3, which were the remains of grand plaza, the circus ("(in ancient Rome a rounded or oval arena lined with tiers of seats, used for equestrian and other sports and games"), and the amphitheater. 

Beginning our tour along the outer walls. I love the river rock patterns.

Minerva Tower

The lower part is about 2200 years old the relief on the left and the inscription below are believed to be the oldest outside the Italian peninsula. There are also remains of gargoyles and loopholes (slits for shooting arrows). The picture does not quite capture it, but it good to see in person.

It was sweltering hot at midday, but I could imagine what it might have been like many years ago.

Old and new. As building crumbled and new ones were built, people took stone from anywhere to put into their houses. As you walk around town you can sometimes see houses with stones that were originally used in other structures.

I like the Tarragona flag, the one with wavy lines on the far left, a lot.

I did not see as many independence flags, maybe because it is on the edge of the region?
Maybe because people from outside of the region have moved to the area?

I got to see a bit of street art, including this mural that depicts different members of the town, including a captain, soldier, and doctor, but also the artist and his family. The open cage on a top terrace represents freedom.

I also got to see some guerrilla art! From what I have
read no one knows who painted these bollards.

 We finished the day with a three-hour lunch to complete the true local experience! I did not have coffee or a cigarette afterward, though!