I've already shown you around Santiago's picturesque core, but what I omitted to show were some of the attractive park-lands embedded in the city and also the parts of the university where my conference was held. You may find both surprising.
On one of my walks I entered the gate of an elderly, but seemingly abandoned, religious institution shown here only to find a landscape of vistas and monuments.
Impressive, eh! I was rather taken by the last of the columns shown and went to read the inscription ... although hardly understanding a word of Spanish. I was taken aback by the reference to Puerto Rico (or rich coast) since that was where I'd be in a little under 2 weeks from the date of the picture. Puerto Rico is, of course, in Central America, sandwiched between Panama and Nicaragua. Apparently this column 'celebrates the centenary of someone's or something's death (centenario da sua morte). Translation anyone?
My conference at the University of Santiago de Compostela commenced the following day and I fronted up expecting to find the usual architecturally sterile accommodation. However, the entrance to the building alerted me to the fact that this place was something special!
I wasn't expecting the grand opening of the conference to be held in something resembling a throne room in a palace! It had a painted ceiling and oil paintings hung around the walls no doubt celebrating famous academics. And look at the plush seating. I might see if a famous artist could paint a picture of me which I'd then donate to the University of New England. Sorry, I'm only joking.
AS
On one of my walks I entered the gate of an elderly, but seemingly abandoned, religious institution shown here only to find a landscape of vistas and monuments.
Impressive, eh! I was rather taken by the last of the columns shown and went to read the inscription ... although hardly understanding a word of Spanish. I was taken aback by the reference to Puerto Rico (or rich coast) since that was where I'd be in a little under 2 weeks from the date of the picture. Puerto Rico is, of course, in Central America, sandwiched between Panama and Nicaragua. Apparently this column 'celebrates the centenary of someone's or something's death (centenario da sua morte). Translation anyone?
My conference at the University of Santiago de Compostela commenced the following day and I fronted up expecting to find the usual architecturally sterile accommodation. However, the entrance to the building alerted me to the fact that this place was something special!
I wasn't expecting the grand opening of the conference to be held in something resembling a throne room in a palace! It had a painted ceiling and oil paintings hung around the walls no doubt celebrating famous academics. And look at the plush seating. I might see if a famous artist could paint a picture of me which I'd then donate to the University of New England. Sorry, I'm only joking.
AS
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