Cuenca

Yesterday our art history class took a trip to Cuenca, a small mountain town with a neat modern art museum. The museum is inside las Casas Colgadas, some of the world's first "skyscrapers." The buildings are up to 10 or 11 stories tall and built right into the side of a cliff, so that they appear to be hanging (colgada) over the edge. Since it's on a cliff, though, we got to hike up a small mountain to get there.

The museum was very cool, with lots of examples of modern art from various Spanish painters. The guide was really nice, too, and she actually got me to understand some of the art! Amazing, since I usually think that modern art looks like something that happened by accident. There was also an interesting exhibit about the human retina and colored light. Each white room was lit with an intense color. The color is shocking at first, but after a couple of minutes, the walls appear white again, until you go to the next color.

Ashley and I spent our lunch break exploring the town (all two roads) and eating the BIGGEST bocadillos in the world! Mmmmm...

I want to live in Cuenca when I retire. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. Since it was fall, the trees had all turned a beautiful golden color. The town is flanked by a pair of rivers, the buildings are all old and traditionally Spanish, and there's a great view of everything because it's so high up. I love it!

After the break, we toured Cuenca's cathedral, which is decorated in a very eclectic mix of Gotico, Barroco, and Plataresco styles. It was pretty, and the stained glass was phenomenal. After the visit, though, it was time to get back on the bus. Hasta luego, Cuenca! I'll see you when I'm old!