The wall

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  Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Girona dates to 100 AD when the Romans arrived.  Their mission was military and they built a huge wall near the confluence of 4 rivers to protect their world.  Today, the wall is still there, although it has been changed over the centuries to suit less offensive (pun intended) and more residential purposes.  Another feature of note is the massive church.  We toured it for 5€ each and it was well worth it as they provided the personal information players we had used for the Gaudi works.  The church sits high up, an impressive row of steps leading to it.  Fodors says it has the largest nav in the world at 75 feet.  The little players told us otherwise, claiming second place to none other than the Vatican itself.  Becky thinks a directive may have been issued by the Pope to ensure clarification!
Once inside you are blown away by the artwork, artifacts, and majesty of the place, all in wonderful states of preservation as you walk through at your own direction and pace. 
Contruction and renovation continue as it has for over 1000 years.  In the beginning, it was a Muslim church site but was crushed by the Christians, who razed their buildings and began construction on the very same spot. 
The area was also an historic and important settlement for the Jewish, one of the largest in Europe in its time.  Splendid buildings and narrow streets criss cross these places.  Walking and sightseeing are excellent here. 
We finished our day with a late lunch in nearby Bescano at a recommended spot.  I ordered what turned out to be the most bizzare main ever for me.  The Spanish and Catalan translation I received was that it was a Pork Relleno, or some kind of stuffed pork.  It arrived and looked beautiful, if a bit fatty.  My fork confirmed the fatty part so I unfolded the thing and it was nothing but more fat and 3 shrimp stuffed inside!  I called one of the owners over and asked in my broken Mexican Spanish..."Where is the meat?"  They proceeded to explain and please don't read further if you are squeemish!
This dish is apparently considered some kind of local delicasy so I could tell that the owner was proud of it as he discussed it in detail, replete with hand gestures and pointings to my plate.  Clearly, he would be offended if my reaction was not controlled so I sat and listened intently. 
It seems they take the hoof of the animal and remove the bone.  Then they take a hammer or something like that and pound the remains to smitherines.  The resulting mess is slow cooked in a dark sauce and wrapped up in the skin with the stuffing "del dia."  Sadly, despite all this culinary excellence, this dish was not for me and I didn't lay on hand on it.  I didn't dare send it back either, though, and Dan was good enough to peck at it a bit to make it look eaten.
Everyone elses dishes were fine and we returned to the farmhouse for swimming and sun. 

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