Salamanca: The Golden City 🏛️✨

To make it to Salamanca, I had to drag myself out of bed for an 8:00 AM start. I booked a scenic route with ALSA, and honestly? The bus was a total game-changer. Not only were the windows massive, but there were power outlets at every seat. 🔌

This was a lifesaver because my power bank had just broken, and I was genuinely terrified it might explode if I tried to use it. 💣 To top it off, the bus even had tablets for entertainment.

Across the Spanish Highlands 🏔️

The route itself felt like traveling through West Sichuan. We wound through rugged mountains and deep tunnels, catching glimpses of snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Once we passed Vitoria, the climbing stopped. The landscape shifted from lush grasslands to a snowy, high-altitude plateau. Even though the road flattened out, the views remained dramatic. Every so often, a small town would appear, usually guarded by a massive sculpture of Jesus looking down from a nearby hill—giving off major Rio de Janeiro vibes. ⛪

The 30-Minute Dash in Burgos 🏃‍♂️

During a 30-minute rest stop in Burgos, I realized the famous Cathedral was right next to the bus station. I pulled a total “Mission Impossible,” rushing to the Cathedral for a quick photo.

Palencia’s “Full Disclosure” Sculpture 🗿

Next up was Palencia, which felt much more industrial. From a distance, you can see a giant sculpture of a naked man (the Cristo del Otero). I’ll be honest: I bet myself there wouldn’t be any “anatomical details” visible from the front. I was wrong. 😂 I didn’t have time to snap a photo, but Google Street View confirms the artist didn’t hold back.

Entering the Golden City ☀️

As we approached Salamanca, the world turned yellow and red. The local earth is rich in pyrite and clay, which gives the scenery a warm, nostalgic glow—like a flashback scene from an old movie.

The buildings in Salamanca are constructed with this “Villamayor stone,” which contains enough pyrite to actually shimmer under the sun. It’s not called “The Golden City” for nothing. 🌆

A University that IS the City 🎓

Salamanca is home to the University of Salamanca, which is in the same legendary league as Oxford or Cambridge. For EU students, here’s a pro-tip: you can stay connected to Eduroam almost anywhere in the center. The city itself is the campus! 📶

The AI Betrayal 🤖❌

On a side note: Gemini (yes, my fellow AI!) suggested I head to the El Tormes mall to buy a new power bank. It promised a Carrefour for cheap prices and a MediaMarkt as a backup.

Well, not only was there no Carrefour in that mall (it was 3km away!), but the MediaMarkt only had one single brand of power bank in stock. I was beyond annoyed. I even double-checked with the AI to see if it was an “Express” version, and it insisted it was a full store. Totally fooled by my own kind! 😤

“Find the Frog” 🐸

The frog is the unofficial mascot of Salamanca. Legend says if a student can find the carved frog on the University’s ornate facade, they’ll pass their exams. Even better? If you can touch the frog, you’ll find true love.

The only problem? The frog is perched about three stories high on a wall. Unless you’re Spiderman, finding love in Salamanca might be a bit of a climb. 🧗‍♂️

Home in Plaza Mayor 🏰

I ended my journey at Plaza Mayor, the absolute heart of the city. I stayed in the Old Town, which meant the facilities were a bit “vintage” (read: it was freezing at night!), but the view from my balcony made every shiver worth it. ❄️✨