Upon our arrival, our time changed to Central European Time. The story goes like this: In the 1940 Spain’s leader Franco changed the time so that his country could be line with Nazi Germany. The clocks have never changed back. That means sunrise occurs around 8:45 am and sunset about 8:00 pm in Vigo. Pulling into Vigo a little after 11 we could see the morning fog still hanging on, not wanting to surrender to the grey sky above.
Departing the train station, we walked directly to our home for the next few days. The rental car agency is at the train station, but we decided to wait until the next day, Monday, to pick up the car. We rented an Airbnb right in the harbor so our walk paralleled the sea and the sights and sounds of the morning told us great food lie ahead.
We were greeted by Sonia and her daughter Elena to show us the apartment. We immediately were pleased by the accommodations that overlooked the waterfront of Vigo.
Elena was so gracious with her excellent English to make sure we were comfortable and all was right with our home for the next few days.
Luggage was all in place, we quickly freshened up, and headed immediately to the Rua de Pescaderia, also called Rua das Oysters, which was only a block up the hill.
It was Sunday afternoon, family day, and the street was crowded with locals enjoying their Comida. This is the afternoon meal typically served from 2 - 4. The street is packed with fish and seafood restaurants and the best ostreras (oyster shuckers) around. We were quickly seated at Pura & Concha. We sat and enjoyed the sights of a Sunday afternoon with an Albariño, oysters, octopus, and mussels.
The shells of the oysters are razor thin and they tasted of salt from the sea. The grilled octopus was heavenly and the mussels went quickly. All in all, the meal was delightful and we were anxious to see what our next few days would bring.
Walking off our meal around town it was easy to see this was Sunday. The stores were closed and the streets were quiet. However, the walk was needed to burn off our “la comidia”, which is the largest meal of the day served midday. Vigo is not a town that is known as a tourist destination. The sky was gloomy and very few were seen out and about.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria had a 7pm Mass so off to church we went. The church is in the Ensanche district, near many shops and only one level above Rua de Pescaderia where we had enjoyed lunch. We arrived only a few minutes before the scheduled Mass time, but the doors were closed. Everyone stood outside as it began to drizzle.
The bells rang and the doors opened – It was showtime! Tom wondered if the Mass would be in English… back in Virginia the late afternoon Mass is always in Spanish. The Mass was in Spanish and not sure we understood many words, but hey, we went to church.
Back down the hill to settle in and it was off to bed!
Spain exploration officially begins tomorrow!
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