More Oviedo Discoveries: Statues, neighborhoods, kanzi apples that spit

After a few days in Oviedo I’ve noticed a lack of murals. That is except for along the railroad tracks, and those are not the studied works of art we have seen along the way of our travel in Europe. They are the type of graffiti we saw a lot of back home in Spokane Washington, the kind I would compare to a dog marking his territory. Predominantly they are on fences and buildings along the railroad tracks into town. Though murals seem scarce, statues are anything but scarce. for that  reason this blog is largely dedicated to statues. There is a series of them, about 20, throughout the city celebrating women. I will write more about that as I find the rest of the statues.

Back to territory and animals, I am in a long lasting phase of often finding new areas of town when I leave the house. Many times this is unintentional. I have a habit of thinking I know more than I do that leads me to try shortcuts and new trails in order to get somewhere. Speaking from experience, I am one of the last people who should have this kind of confidence. I am really good at getting directions twisted in my head. The positive part of that is I probably discover things I would have missed, and it gives me a reason to talk to stranger, or two or three.

I had convinced myself Oviedo was quite compact. After the last two days I realize how wrong that is. As I spend time getting lost then unlost the expanse of the city has unraveled in front of me. The most notable thing to me is that I have yet to stumble upon a rundown bit of city. I do encounter more parks and fountains, streets with shops and eateries, and office and official buildings. The neighborhoods appear to attract people to get out, share a drink, a tapas or to, and each other.  The result is a very inviting city. We are in the midst of an unusually hot 4 day period until Tuesday night. Then, we get to see the other side of Oviedo with rain intermittently for 4 days and temps topping out in the 65-75 range.

I talked of people hanging out together, enjoying each other. It is easy to think of people doing that in Spokane, where we live. But, I do not recall tremendous concentrations of that downtown, Kendall Yards, Perry, Garland or any other neighborhood in Spokane. Another major difference we notice if that the people here are engaged with each other, not with their phones. On the downside, there is more smoking and vaping where we have been in Europe than in the US. Another big difference is less traffic here in Oviedo, and many more people walking in all of the cities we have visited than at home.

Today the market that is officially a Thursday and Saturday event incorporated a flea market in amongst the vendors who seemingly believe the market is a Thursday through Sunday event. The flea market part is overwhelmingly books, trading cards and old tools that have outlived their usefulness. Many of the clothes vendors remained and the prices on clothes are absurdly low, even though the clothes are mostly new.

We have been eating Kanzi apples. Who can blame us. They are firm, sweet and impossible to eat without having the juice squirt out. Sheila has made cookies 2 days in a row with splendid results. The library that has become my office is right in the middle of the market and 5 blocks from home. I can feel the energy building out the windows on what started as a slow sleepy Sunday morning. So, off to the market now to get fresh fish for dinner. Checking out with one last statue, the Fish Monger.