Tue. July 14 Madrid- road trip to Toledo

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Hi Well since I am on vacation I guess it comes as no surprise that I thought Monday was the 14th.
Tuesday we decided to finally get organized for a day trip out of Madrid to Toledo - a half hour train trip on an Avant train (that is basically a train that just goes back and forth between two cities). It took longer to buy the tickets at the train station than the trip took. While we were waiting for the train at the Atocha train station we checked out their huge internal tropical garden and pool ful of turtles. Very impressive. Atocha is a very large train station and is modern and convenient once you figure out where things are. the train left on time to the second and arrived a few minutes early. Via rail could learn lots from the Spanish. The trian station is down in the river valley and the old town is a walled city on top of a hill- walking is not an option so we hopped the ToledoTourist tour bus- our second tourist bus this trip. It was a deal as for 5 Euros (about $7.00) each we got a tour around the outside of town with commentary and a lift to and from the train station. They actually make their times to be convenient for the train schedule from Madrid.

Toledo is Know as the “city of the three cultures”, because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together there for centuries, behind its walls. So there is lots to see and it is really interesting and fun esp. if you are part mountain goat or very fit. There is a lot of up and down hill walking through narrow cobble stone streets and passageways. I would hate to have to drive in this town.

The town is known for Marzipan in 'figuritas' (fruit and animal shapes) or 'monerías' (special shapes like a crescent). There are at least 3 convents where the Nuns support themselves by making these and selling them. They seemed expensive - about $30.00 a kilo. I bought two pieces and still have one left so I was not that impressed.

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Photos

Turtles at the Atocha train station
There were 100s of them and they seemed to like to sleep on top of each other

Toledo
The old town is on top of a hill and the buildings are all stone and brick. It is very hot and dry.

Does this look safe?
Because all the old buildings are stone when they were wired for electricity it was just run along the outside of the building and hun across the streets! Good thing the buildings are stone and resistent to fire.

Marzipan
These are the shapes of marzipan cookies the Nuns make

Comments

[Brenda]

wiring
The wiring in my basment looked a bit like that before I had it redone

[Brenda Allan]

Marzipan
I am not a big fan of marzipan unless it is on fruit cake.