I looked forward to being at the Hotel Alameda Palace in Salamanca, and I am not disappointed. It’s beautiful, palacial designs, very elegant, the food is great, and conveniently located close to Plaza Mayor. During the dinner, I find myself obsessing taking pictures of the sangria served at meal. Boy, that is good sangria. And the fruits inside the glass are just so attractive, so there I am, taking every possible picture I can take of the colorful fruits floating and soaked in sangria. This place is probably the best hotel I have been at. It is small and elegant and it has a very homey feeling, unlike some hotels that may give you the feeling of “institution.” It is a pity that we are staying here only for one night.

After an initial exploration within the Grand Square, we start walking to the Chapel of the Madres Isabelitas; the nuns are cloistered and they belong to the Congregation of the Poor Claires, like the ones that are based in the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. The mass is very solemn; Ray talks about the difference between reacting and responding, something to think about for all of us, really. The sisters must really love people visiting them; they even sing an Ave Maria for us. Many of us are touched by that gesture of welcome, and when I talk to the sisters, they seem very warm and kind, and they have this peace in their faces. I am told that it is difficult to live in a convent, but I do not care what goes on inside their cloister; I just know that I can see that they are happier than most people who are outside of the convent. Good for them.

The Grand Square of Salamanca is impressive in the day and in the evening. It is huge and the place is full of life. It is full of people just relaxing, or shopping, or having coffee under the umbrellas set out in some sections of the plaza. In the evening, the place comes alive. It is very well lighted and the other streets sort of lead back to it because its light draws people to gather by it.

I start to feel my foot hurting again. I hope it does not get too serious.

What is striking about Salamanca is how people are so dressed up as they walk for their early evening paseo. I love this aspect of the Spanish culture. People go out early in the evening to “check out” with others in the streets and in the plaza, have a light chitchat, and walk relaxed. The pace is so different, so much more relax than the lifestyle of people in America. There is somethign to really learn about Salamanca, and the whole Spanish concept of the paseo, and siesta. It's very healthy.

To end the day, I spend some personal time in the jacuzzi of the hotel. I had the whole place on my own. The place is nice and very elegant, just like the rest of the hotel. I took pictures to remember this time alone, in this part of the planet, and just soaked in warm water as I contemplated on this truth – I am blessed!

I want to go back to Salamanca again, someday. I have this city checked as a place where I can live.