¡Toledo!

Toledo, you are so very beautiful.

 

When we drove into Toledo we picked up our tour guide and drove around the city for a little while. These pictures are the views from the bus and an overlook we stopped at to take pictures. The river pictured surrounds every side of the city except the north side. In earlier times it acted as a moat for the town. Rio Tajo flows west and eventually pours into the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Portugal.

 

San Juan de Los Reyes. In the second and fourth pictures you can see the shackles that “decorate” the wall of the building. It was built in the 14th century and is now home to Franciscan monks. Here are some pictures from the inside.

 

The pictures do not do this architecture justice. I took a video of the inside, but found out while uploading my media that I have to upgrade my plan for my blog to post videos. Sooo, sorry but there will not be any videos posted. My favorite form of art is architecture and I especially love gothic cathedrals so this work was right up my alley and there will be more to come in this post.

 

I also had a video of this synagogue 😦 so here are two subpar pictures. Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca. A synagogue turned church built by the Moors. How cool is that? when this was built the Jews and the Catholics were not yet trained to be the builders and carpenters they eventually became so the Jewish people had the Muslim people build their synagogue.

 

The city hall where we witnessed a newlywed’s kiss. It was so sweet and everyone was cheering. This city hall is maybe one step up from Cobden’s.

So our group is walking through the streets and all of sudden we turn a corner and see this:

Jaw, meet Floor.

 

Can I live here? Is that allowed?

 

Okay I need a higher quality camera.

 

The choir area. The seats and two of the organs.

The altar.

 

Your typical ceiling nook statues.

 

The room where the priest gets dressed for mass. In the first picture, the artist painted Toledo on the ceiling.

 

I am pretty sure our tour guide said there are over 700 stained glass windows here.

Amazed by not only the beauty but also the length of time it had to take to create this.

 

Just your typical neighborhood stroll.

 

Carcamusas and paella. Carcamusas is a plate common to Toledo. It had a good flavor but the meat was a little too slimy for me. It makes me laugh that so many dishes are served with French fries here. Paella is a Spanish meal. Rice and meat for most part. This was the best paella I had so far. This meal was another menu del dia so Summer and I had our two courses, una cope de cerveza, and I had flan while Summer had ice cream. Also, all of this was 10 euros.

 

Oh look, it’s me. Honestly, it does not even seem real that I am in Spain and have been here for almost a week. I think it is because I have not yet started classes. I am having so much fun with my friends and my host family is great! ISA took us on an excursion last night that I will post about when I get a chance. Until next time!

♥ Annie