Spain- Vitoria, day 4

Isn't this beautiful? I used to live just a few minutes walking distance from this...& I passed it every day. This catedral was to be a replica of the catedral of Notre Dame, but money ran out & they had to finish short of original plans. Still, isn't it spectacular?
And some close-ups of some of the detail put into the exterior.
I remember initially thinking it was odd that someone would adorn their church with skeletons, devils & demons, but it was later explained to me that it was to symbolize that the world & evil was to be kept outside & holiness within.
La Virgen Blanca.  I lived just across the street from this statue/plaza. I even taught people about Jesus Christ here on a park bench. The statue pictured below is a memorial to a battle fought in Vitoria.
This is just above the plaza.
Part of the original city wall.
Catedral Vieja (it was under construction 10 years ago when I was there too!)
A museum that I can't remember the name of. :)
This is the entrance to my old piso (apartment). We lived above a dentist office, so in the mornings I was able to exercise in our apartment and not worry about the pounding :) I also did some running in place on the little balcony to try and thwart (unsuccessively I might add) weight gain (which I'm sure was from the emotional eating you do as a missionary.  The mission is full of ups & downs. haha).
And speaking of emotional eating...this panadería was just down the road from us. So tempting! Chad and me stocked up on a few things while we were there :)
There's a story to this statue. One day my companion, Adrienne Rumsey, wanted to take a picture at this statue. I was really down that day for some reason & just didn't feel like faking a smile for a picture. "Smile Hermana!", my companion said. "I can't. I don't feel like smiling." And she laughed at me & took the picture anyways. Well, I eventually smiles...and laughed after I saw how ridiculous I looked! Man, I miss that girl!  This picture is partially for her!  Look, I'm smiling this time! :)
Parque de Florida...also just a short walk from our piso.  During Christmas time, they turn this whole park into a mini replica of Bethlehem.  It's pretty cool.  We thought it was comical that included in the city of Bethlehem was a predominant butcher shop that showcased a butcher slaughtering a pig.  Maybe they should brush up on Jewish culture a bit more :)