Toledo

Took the bullet train to Toledo, which is about 30 minutes away from Madrid. The Spanish countryside is very dry, a lot like New Mexico or Colorado, but they are green with seemingly endless olive orchards. The city of Toledo was so different from anything I have seen before! It is atop a large hill, so you have to climb many stairs to get to the city. Good walking shoes are necessary. Breakfast was churros with hot chocolate so thick it was like a sauce, but it was by far the best hot chocolate I have ever had.

The city streets of Toledo are a complete tangle with a network of twisting alleyways that at times are so narrow only one person at a time can navigate through them. All the doors are elaborate, old, and unique, which delighted me. As did the excitement of discovery in the mysterious alleyways. I visited my first cathedral, and the high arched ceilings and stained glass were so beautiful they left me breathless. I had paella, the national dish of Spain, for lunch. After thoroughly exploring the city we went down to some ruins by the river and did some exploring closer to caving. It was creepy and pigeon infested.

Back in Madrid, we visited the Sorolla museum, a Spanish artist famous for his beautiful beach paintings. The museum was actually in his house, which was cool because you could see how he lived, his actual brushes and palette, and his garden. Finally found a really good (and inexpensive) tapas restaurant near Sol, and wandered over to the palace afterwards. It is appropriately elaborate, complete with giant fountain. I love the colors and architecture of Spain, each building is its own work of art!