Being in the fourth month of my time abroad already feels surreal. Back in January I never thought that 5 months would feel short but now it is definitely setting in. As time keeps slipping away I am realizing all the things I want to do before I leave. One of places I really wanted to see in Northern Spain I was finally able to visit with the Rollins group. We first went to Cangas de Onís, which is a small village with a beautiful river and the logo of Asturias hanging over a bridge. We then went to the Picos de Europa, which was a national park with roads that I was holding my breath on every corner nervous the bus would just tip over. You cannot take big tour busses up here, only cars and small buses because the roads are just too narrow. The mountains seemed to go on forever and gave us a view we will never forget.
After climbing up a lot of hill, we saw the amazing view of the Picos and also the lakes of Covadonga surrounding them. The lakes to me were a lot like the lakes in Banff, which is in northern Canada. The color was a bright breathtaking blue, which then leads to the fairytale-like cave. The Covadonga cave and Sanctuary comes with a story that is just as surreal as is appears. At the base of the waterfall there is a water fountain that has 7 spouts and legend is that if you drink out of all 7 in one breath then you will become married in one year. Also, there is a church that is built into the cave that Don Pelayo, the first king of Asturias, built for the Virgen of Covadonga. Don Pelayo’s remains are also in the church in the cave in a tomb next to the images of the Virgen Mary. Some say that the Asturians fled into this cave during the Battle of Covadonga, the origin of the Reconquista. Nonetheless, the cave and falls were breathtaking and one of my favorite sites yet!