Spanish Time
Although I have been in Spain for 4 months (exactly tomorrow !!!!), the one thing I continually forget is Spanish time is fake time. When they say, "we will be home by 10pm," what they really mean is, "we will leave at 10pm and be home hopefully around 3-4am!!!"
Disregarding the time mistakes, Toledo was beautiful. Rich with history and delicious food!! After 10 hours there, I would recommend it to everyone; however you don't need 10 hours there, (or at least I didn't.) It was once the capitol of Spain and is located 50 min southwest of Madrid and 3 and a half hours from Valencia (4 and a half hours on a bus!!). It was a gorgeous, I really didn't know much other than it used to be the capitol and is known as the City of Three Cultures.
It is crazy that three religions, Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish, all coexisted in this city for centuries!! The Gothic Architecture of the Cathedral, that is built over a Moorish Mosque was amazing. It continues to blow my mind each time I see the details in these Cathedrals and buildings and all of it was done by hand!! The people constructing these exquisite buildings put so much effort and time into everything. Toledo also had stunning views from all the tops of their hills.
Fun Fact: Hospitals are closed in Toledo on Saturdays, so
We hit the oldest standing synagogue in Europe. The San Juan de Los Reyes has chains and manacles hung up on one of the exterior walls. They are referring to the Christian prisoners that were released Ferdinand and Isabella drove the Moors out of Granada - a sign of freedom. (The wait time to get married in this church is three years, so set a date and then find a husband is what is suggested.)
After an exhausting day, we spent a good three hours writing on napkins in a local café and figuring out life opportunities. A perfect end to a very long day. Highly recommend Toledo, but definitely recommend not driving there from Valencia and back in one day. But worth a 4 and a half hour bus ride that had us home at 4am and then a 15 minute bike ride in the rain that had me finally home home at 4:30am.
Disregarding the time mistakes, Toledo was beautiful. Rich with history and delicious food!! After 10 hours there, I would recommend it to everyone; however you don't need 10 hours there, (or at least I didn't.) It was once the capitol of Spain and is located 50 min southwest of Madrid and 3 and a half hours from Valencia (4 and a half hours on a bus!!). It was a gorgeous, I really didn't know much other than it used to be the capitol and is known as the City of Three Cultures.
Fun Fact: Hospitals are closed in Toledo on Saturdays, so
"You can die on Saturday, but don't get hurt on Saturday" - wise words from Enrique, our tour guide
After searching for a place to eat a huge lunch, we finally found the perfect spot to eat!!! Migas, turo, croquettes, red wine, and a brownie later, we were ready to continue exploring.
We hit the oldest standing synagogue in Europe. The San Juan de Los Reyes has chains and manacles hung up on one of the exterior walls. They are referring to the Christian prisoners that were released Ferdinand and Isabella drove the Moors out of Granada - a sign of freedom. (The wait time to get married in this church is three years, so set a date and then find a husband is what is suggested.)
After an exhausting day, we spent a good three hours writing on napkins in a local café and figuring out life opportunities. A perfect end to a very long day. Highly recommend Toledo, but definitely recommend not driving there from Valencia and back in one day. But worth a 4 and a half hour bus ride that had us home at 4am and then a 15 minute bike ride in the rain that had me finally home home at 4:30am.
Wonderful memories for an amazing young lady.
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