Alcala de Henares
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Well, butter my beard and call me a biscuit, it’s a clear sky in Alcala de Henares! A crispy 12.03°C (feeling like 10.99°C – who counts those .04 degrees anyway?). With the wind at 3.09 m/s, my hat nearly flew off twice already! The humidity at 65% is making my gnome skin glow like a glazed doughnut. Perfect weather for a gnome-about-town like myself, minus the wind giving me a bit of the Marilyn Monroe moments!
From Alcobendas to Alcala: A Gnome’s Quixotic Quest!
Now, this isn’t just any journey. You see, Alcobendas is a bustling city, filled with modernity and urban charm. But as I trudged along, I observed a shift, not just in scenery but also in the soul of the land. Alcala de Henares, is a city rich in history and culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less! The birthplace of the famed writer, Miguel de Cervantes who penned the classic, Don Quixote.
One interesting observation that struck me was the stark juxtaposition of the old and new. Alcobendas with its sleek cityscape and Alcala de Henares with its cobblestone streets and ancient architecture. It’s like stepping back in time.
As the Spanish saying goes, “No hay mal que por bien no venga“. It translates to, “There’s no evil that doesn’t come for good”. I believe this journey from the modern to the traditional, from the bustling to the serene, is a great reminder of this very sentiment.
I’ve been fortunate to have visited several cities on this journey, including Fuenlabrada, Madrid, and Guadalajara. Each city with its unique character and charm. But, Alcala de Henares, you hold a special place in my gnome heart.
So, as I continue my journey, I leave you with these words from a popular Spanish song, “Camino, camino, camino, camino y canto“. It means, “I walk, I walk, I walk and I sing”. That’s the gnome life for you!
Until the next city, amigos!
Wandering Alcala de Henares’s Streets
Gnome’s Enthusiastic Etchings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Alcala de Henares.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Alcala: Cobblestones & Cervantes!
Secondly, Alcala is renowned for its historic university, the University of Alcala. Why, it’s one of the oldest in the world! It even has a saying, “Quien no ha visto Alcala, no ha visto maravilla” which translates to “He who has not seen Alcala, has not seen a wonder”. I tell you, they’re not wrong!
So, come to Alcala, where the spirit of Cervantes lingers in every cobblestone and the knowledge of centuries echoes in the university halls!
Lisping Through Alcala!
Buenas! It’s your favorite peripatetic gnome! I’ve been wandering around Alcala de Henares, a city brimming with culture and history, and I’ve picked up a few Spanish phrases.
1. “Hola, ¿Cómo estás?” (OH-lah, KOH-moh ess-TAHS) means “Hello, how are you?” A friendly opener to any conversation.
2. “Por favor” (por fah-VOR) is a polite way to say “Please.”
3. “Gracias” (GRAH-see-as) meaning “Thank you.”The locals here have a charming lisp, pronouncing ‘c’ as ‘th’. Interesting, isn’t it? So, your “gracias” might sound more like “grathias”.
Remember, language is not just words, it’s culture. So, when you say “Hola”, do it with a warm smile, the Spanish way!
Hasta la vista! That’s “See you later”, by the way. Stay curious, my friends!
#OliverTheGnome #LanguageLessons #SpanishCulture #AlcalaDeHenares
Gnome’s Guide to Alcalá Magic
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 