While most of the weekend was spent in Madrid, the majoirty of our Saturday was spent in La Mancha, walking the cobblestoned streets of Toledo. The city, built upon a very tall, mountain-like hill, looms powerful over you as one approached from the train station (thanks to a modern train system, it is 20 minutes from Madrid to Toledo). Hometown (but NOT birthplace) of EL Greco, his works loomed large in the city, filling catherdrals.
One of his most famous images, a painting of his city, mirrored our walk up to the town. A drizzly and over cast day, the ancient fortress of a town seemed to be exactly like that of his paints. The city, of lurid browns and shaded grays, was a puzzle of a town, a map that seemed like a joke, its history was crushed into the little space within its medieval walls. A history of cultural blending, Jews living amongst nuns, moorish powers looming in the walls, some how mangaed to create the most unique Spanish city I have visited yet.
It was expensive, over priced if you ask me, a tourist trap of 2 euro coffees and little Don Quixote statues, but nonetheless, it was beautiful . I love Toledo, a town apparently famous for its marzipan (mazapan in espanol), it had its own unique personality, one that inspired one of Spain most famous artists, el Greco, and one that inspired me to learn to love Spain once more.
3 comments:
after reading your posts, i would love to return to spain, wouldn't you one day ? papskis
Privet zaika
I showed our pictures to papa today in the morning and he saw the El Greco you are talking about on the wall of that Toledo place where we ate an ultimate Spanish meal of tortilla and paella. He said it looks like a lot of food, and it was.
Although this is my second day at work after my return home, part of my mind is still in Spain with you. The trip was so much fun! Seeing you felt sooo good after all this time, and returning to all these places (papa recognized that Madrid cafe/bar right away - before I even pointed it out), and seeing again that unmistakable land dotted with olive trees, and finally going to Prado and having so much fun there with you, and walking the streets of Granada (which is really one of a kind kind of city with its crazy cultural/religious/esthetic mix) and the list goes on....
When I was showing pictures to papa I kept reminiscing about all these things - it was really as much fun as it ever gets. And I am starting to understand why papa wants to return to places he's already been to. It somehow helps you develop this connection that is a bit deeper than your regular touristy experiences. It helps you internalize and personalize your experience, it makes you feel like this place becomes your place and you want to show it off to other people. And I don't like to think that I am never going back to Spain, or Granada for that matter. I will.
Thank you for all this fun! Your presence, guidance and interpreting help definitely made all the difference.
Love you and miss you so much!
Hey zaika
i know you are busy with your finals and have no time for blogs, but I just wanted to check in for the day and say "hi" and "good luck with your finals".
Love you, miss you, can't wait to see you!!!!!
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