Blogs from Castile-La Mancha, Spain, Europe - page 10

Walking back in time Oh my. Toledo is the real deal. I can now see where the amusement parks get the idea of Old Europe! I started my day at 830, having slept through my 730 alarm because I didn´t fall asleep until, I don´t know 4AM!!! I went to bed around 830 pm, and around 1045 some wonderful human beings staying at my hostal decided it would be fun to scream and slam doors before they went out for the evening. Since i was so wonderfully awaken, the bustling of late night Madrid came right through my window, so nice when you are going to jet lag and trying to get rid of it :). (Mama, bring earplugs just in case!) Around 330am i decided to just open my windows to get the breeze, and ... read more

Today we made our way to Toledo in air conditioned comfort, which was short lived as the temperature reached 36C today. Despite the heat, it was a most enjoyable and interesting day touring this medieval town that is a UNESCO heritage site. As we approached the city, walking from the station, we saw the remains of the town's walls and gates. We made our way to Tolede Cathedral, and spent the next two hours exploring its many wonders. We could have spend much longer there to appreciate its beauty and history. We even say the processional monstrance, the largest in Christendom, made of silver and gold, containing the smaller monstrance that belonged to Isabella the Catholic. They also had a Corpus Christi procession on the day of the festival. We then explored many of the small ... read more

Decided yesterday to eat decadent. Did it in the resto Nina in Madrid. The young waiter, 165 cm at the most, with heavy beard and pink shoes was 21 years old. We had some cultural and language problems. Ordered when I entered a beer, a water, manzanilla and red wine to be sure he could handle the logistic in the right way. Further a meditarian salad and an iberian pig, with french fries. The problems started: Can I ask you what country you come from asked the ayotolla. I told him north of western europe but not too north. Why? He never met somebody ordering manzanilla tea with his salad. I told him we are in Spain. Manzanilla is sherry. Oh that manzanilla. Than he poured one finger manzanilla in my glass. I asked him why ... read more

SO it has been a million days since I last updated and I am Soooo sorry for that! Just thought I would catch everyone up a bit on what is going on right now... Right now I have a week off from school for Semana Santa-Holy week. My friend Katie and I spent the last five days in a small beach town call Nerja on the Mediterranean with absolutely perfect weather...which meant five solid days on the beach. As of today, we are in Malaga-a big city on the coast also- where we are hoping to see Easter processions and whatnot! All in all we have been having a great time. We have survived mainly off of pb&j's, apples, and peanuts with the expeption of a dinner at an italian restaurant and an English breakfast on ... read more

viernes 27 febrero 2009- I met the other CIEE students at the Hotel at 9 and after a five hour bus ride, we arrived in Madrid. I did manage to sleep and read a little on the bus, but seeing that I’m 6’4” and the bus seats are smaller here, it wasn’t the all that much fun. This whole weekend was paid for by my program and included two nights at a very nice hotel (Hotel Paso del Art), entrance to two art museums and the royal palace, two guided tours and 30 Euros to help pay for our lunch and dinners. At the hotel, I roomed with Dan, who is also doing the Camino de Santiago with me, so it was nice to get to know him better. After dropping off my bag, (I’ve learned ... read more