Toledo ...

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
(Pat separated this into multiple footprints, to allow for a bunch of photos for all 3 stops of the tour)

LAURIE'S VIEW (modified by Pat):
We had an EARLY start- fixed coffee and some bread, then took the bus on this rainy morning to the "Ventas" Metro station- our meeting place to join the day's tour. What to our wondering eyes should appear, but the Plaza de Toros (Bullring)! There was a statue dedicated to a bullfighter who apparently ended up on the wrong side of the bull in 1985.
We encountered some other travelers who were scheduled for the same tour. Our guide, Luís, gathered us up and herded us to the bus.
The tour was in both Spanish and English, and they put us on different buses. We were "White Chaos." Yep- Chaos is the name of the bus company. Our first destination was Toledo, about an hour south of Madrid. We were given some historical information along the way, with repeated recommendations to use the toilet at our stops. (reminding us of Dad's advice- "Never pass up an opportunity.")

After a quick stop to take photos from a spot that was clearly an inspiration for El Greco's "Vista de Toledo", we were dropped off at the city's Plaza Mayor, a square with "many coffee shops." Being still quite early, there was really only one, Mazapán al Foro, unless you counted McDonald's and Burger King. We had café con leche (served with a small marzipan) and shared a cookie. We discovered as we were leaving that it was a local specialty called a "toledana," partially dipped in chocolate.

We had a walking tour of the city, including a view of El Greco's house and the old Jewish Quarter. There was a factory/shop where we saw a demonstration of sword forging and delicate hand fusing of gold and silver in jewelry. (We resisted some beautiful items in the gift shop.)

There were chains hanging on the side that were from Christians who had been imprisoned. And there was a statue outside that looked curiously like Jesus with a hula hoop. (this last observation was included under the Segovia part, but was actually in Toledo at the monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, so I moved it - Pat)

The views were amazing, and it was easy to see where El Greco got his inspiration.Leer más