Sunday, January 16, 2011

Exploring Toledo

Hey All,
So sorry I didn't get a chance to blog last night before I went to bed but I have good news! I don't have to use the horrible (because it always goes in and out)  free wireless internet anymore because I got the password for the internet in the house yay! Woohoo! Besides that, my day yesterday was great but I am still trying to get used to everything in Spain. Early in the morning my host mom drove me from Poligono (the city which my host family lives in) to Toledo (where my classes are), luckily the drive isn't far at all. Once I got to school I started my day with placement testing in grammar, writing, and speaking. Those went pretty well and while at school I met some new friends which was great! When 1o'clock rolled around my friends and I ate at school (I only wish I remember the names of the food because for it being school food, it was great, but then again I am in Spain what food wouldn't taste good hhaha). After eating we set out to explore Toledo, and when I say explore I mean EXPLORE! We walked through the winding cobble stoned streets, observed everyday life, got a glimpse of the fashion, checked out what seemed like a never ending beautiful river with scenery and landscaping you would only see in magazines, and of course got a whiff of the amazing food that surrounded us. In all, my friends and I were probably walking for 3-4 hours up and down and up and down the streets and very steep stairs (especially those that led to the river). While on our journey we went to the Museum of Santa Cruz, which contained paintings to sculptures to very very large portraits and all these forms of art represented Toledo in its fullest from religion to the the mix of cultures that have had a great influence on this ancient city (Christian, Jewish, Muslim cultures). The impact of these cultures can be seen in the  structure of the buildings and throughout the entire history of Toledo. On another note, when I was strolling through the town I was surprised to find a McDonalds right in the middle of the city (of all the places to eat haha). And while we're on this food rant I found that Mazapan was a very popular dessert in Toledo because every pastry shop that I passed by served it. Because all the streets in Toledo look the same I had to find some way to memorize my way to class so one of my land marks was a fish market (yes thats right they have a fish market with fresh fish and all you have to do is tell the workers how much you want and there's your dinner all you have to do is cook it at home)! Once I smell the fish I know I'm headed in the right direction hahha! After wandering around for that long we had another orientation for general information and finally afterwards the school threw all of us students a small welcoming party, with again, lots and LOTS of food hahha (I feel like they're trying to fatten me up here lol)! And before I was about to leave at the end of the night my friends and I spotted the dessert table and of course we made a pit stop (who wouldn't want flan, coconut cake, and another cake covered powdered chocolate). After the welcoming dinner and getting to know some people I took the bus home and made it safe and sound after a little detour (cough cough I got a little lost...give me a brake, at that time I was only here for two days hahaha needless to say I will never forget my way home again lol). To my surprise I woke up at 11AM this morning with the rest of my host family hahhaa (I guess that exploration of Toledo took more of a toll on me than I thought lol)! Alright stay tuned because there will definitely be more to come :D

2 comments:

  1. seems like you spent more time in exploring than school...jk! glad you are slowly getting used to the place. My friend said the stores have siesta hour. They actually close the store to go home and take a nap or do something, hence, the word siesta. Let me know if it applies in Toledo.
    much love and be safe,
    TCel

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  2. Yea that definitely applies in Toledo! I forgot to add the siesta part in my blog hahha! So while my friends and I were walking around we were wondering why some stores were closed but the restaurants were open and then we heard some people talking about the siesta and then we remembered that there are siestas in Toledo.

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