Vigo University Campus

 Hello!

 My semester in Galicia was almost over. After my Granma had left Vigo for her flight back to Ireland, my mother and I emptied my room, packed and had one last walk around the beautiful mountain campus. 

 The architecture of the University of Vigo really is remarkable: that way it is so unique and daring, and works with its unusual setting and the nature surrounding it.

 There are walkways between the buildings' roofs, meaning you can cover a lot of the campus in the air. I normally commuted on ground-level, but at night I would sometimes sit on the walkway and look at the very clear stars.

Spot the cat

This building is like a ship sailing through the hills and trees

This reminds me of Chinese architecture

 We walked through one of the glass aerial tunnels that link some of the buildings. They are held high off the ground by the thinnest of poles, and the views are stunning.

 We arrived at my school, the Faculty of Philology and Translation. It consists of a main building with a nice canteen and library, three glass pavilions, and the Isaac Newton Building, in whose computer room I spent a lot of time after my laptop stopped working.  

 The Faculty is surrounded by greenery and flowers, and I would frequently see little birds and lizards darting around. It was lovely, and I knew I was going to miss it.

Inside one of the pavilions. They are so open and airy

 I said goodbye to the Faculty and my mother and I returned to my residence to finish packing. The next day we would get a taxi to the airport, to fly home. I was very grateful to have had the chance to study in such a beautiful and friendly place.

 Thanks for reading.

 Liz x

Goodbye, Vigo

 Hello!

 I had really enjoyed having my mother and grandmother in Vigo with me, but the day came when my Granma had to get the train to Porto, to fly back to Ireland. My mother and I would fly back to the UK from Vigo in a couple of days. 

 The three of us went into central Vigo and had one last wander around. I knew it would probably be my last trip into the city before leaving, and I was determined to make the most of it and commit my favourite things and places to memory.

 We enjoyed our final frozen yogurts. I had mango as well as my signature cookies, and it was divine.

 We saw a sad-looking dragon.

 Finally, we headed to Vigo-Guixar railway station and my Granma caught her train.

 It was strange to be back there. I remembered the night I arrived and met my Erasmus buddy, Esther, on the platform. I don't think I had been in the Guixar station since then - the train I took back from Santiago de Compostela arrived into the other central station, Vigo-Urzáiz.

 My mother and I would be getting a taxi, not a train, to Vigo Airport, as that would be easier from campus. So, this trip to the station felt like a wrapping-up of my story. I had two days to go, but coming back to Guixar signified some kind of ending and meant a lot to me emotionally.

 Thanks for reading.

 Liz x

Return to Pontevedra

 Hello!

 Of the Galician towns and cities I had visited, Pontevedra was quite possibly my favourite. I had spent just one afternoon there as part of a bigger excursion with my Galician class, but I had fallen in love with it and was keen to go back. 

 So, while my mother and grandmother were staying with me, I arranged a trip. We took the bus into Vigo and to the coach station. I am not a big user of coaches - I went to Santiago de Compostela on one, but I normally prefer trains - so navigating the big coach station felt like an achievement.

 Finally, we were on our way. The sea and countryside were gorgeous and the journey was peaceful and passed quickly. We arrived at the coach station on the outskirts of Pontevedra, then had to find our way to the town centre. The walk was nice, although very warm. We saw a lot of fidget spinners.

 We passed a fountain I recognised, and soon we were in town. Pontevedra was as lovely as ever, full of water, flowers, light and laughter.

 We drifted into the backstreets, where it was cooler. The winding alleys were reminiscent of many a Galician town I had visited and the familiarity was quite comforting.

This cat appeared a lot

The famous "Santiago cake"

 We had spotted a crêpe parlour earlier, and now we headed in for a meal. Most of the crêpes - both savoury and sweet - were presented in a deconstructed way, rather than wrapped up. It was a surprise, but I liked it.

 We explored a basket shop.

 In another shop I found wannabe Tamagotchis being sold very cheaply and decided to get one and see what it was like. It was fairly awful. I recommend sticking to the real deal.

 We found the parrot I had met last time and he said "Hello" (literally!).

Cute cars for kids to ride around in

Books about a croquette and a pasty

 We returned to the coach station and to Vigo. I was glad to have spent more time in Pontevedra - it is a special place and I just feel very comfortable there. Who knows, maybe I will live there some day.

 Thanks for reading.

 Liz x