Apr 6, 2010: Toledo

We slept in until 9:30 today. We've both been really tired lately--probably because we've been skipping our siestas! It's most likely better that way...we don't really need naps. I just like them. Plus my bed is warm and comfy.

We had a nice, quiet breakfast today. Then we hopped on the metro and went to the bus station. It's really easy now that we've figured out the metro. We made the 11:00 am bus. The ride was only about 45 minutes, which wasn't bad. Plus I charged my iPod yesterday, so I had great music! Lucas was waiting for us at the bus station. He led us around town, and showed us the sights. He also magically pulled some chocolate pastries out of his bag, and they were delicious. It was a great start to my day--plus the weather was gorgeous...sunny and mid-70's!

We saw another castle, and some pretty churches. Apparently Toledo is known for its sword-making. It's where swords are made for movies, like Lord of the Rings, 300, Gladiator, etc. They were pretty cool--I looked at them in one of the shop windows. Swords aren't really my thing, but it was interesting.

We mostly walked around, shopped etc. I keep finding cute stuff that I want to buy, but there's no room in my luggage, I'm sure. I'll be luck if I can get everything home--back to Bangor, that is. I have no doubt it'll all make it home--I've found that my backpack is like a magical suitcase, and things somehow all fit into it. I feel a little bit like Mary Poppins.

One of the first things we did in Toledo was go to a market. Toledo has a market every Tuesday, where all these vendors set up in the park. Yesterday I broke my sunglasses, so I needed to buy new ones. For 5 euro, I got a really cute pair. They're GUGGI...like GUCCI, but now. It made me laugh, and I knew my family would love it too.

Then we had paella for lunch (traditional Spanish food, finally). Paella is a rice dish--we didn't have regular paella. That was seafood, and in every picture I've seen, the crawfish still have eyes and everything. Definitely not something I would want to eat. We had paella with vegetables, and paella with meat. I may have eaten rabbit today...not entirely sure.

After lunch, Lucas had to go to class. Melisa and I sat outside in a park, and eventually hopped back on a bus to Madrid. While on our way, Melisa got a text message from Kat--Kat and Lauren are in Madrid! We met them at the Reina Sofia, but it was closed (we'll be meeting them there in the morning). We took them to get delicious pastries--they also loved the pastries. Then we had to take Kat to the doctor. She thinks she may have Tonsilitis again--she got that in Rome. We waited quite a while, and the doctor was not helpful. She told Kat it was just allergies, and wrote 2 prescriptions...one for ibuprofen, and one for tylenol. Kat was not pleased. She does have allergies, to nearly everything it seems. But she's had them for years, so she knows the difference between allergies and sickness...

When we were done at the doctor, it was 9 pm, and time for dinner. We went to Pans & Co, where we got delicious sandwiches. They also have the best Fanta--it's better on tap than in a bottle or can. We were able to share stories and catch up, which is always great. Finally, we split up to return to our hostels.

Now, there are a TON of teenagers here at our hostel. There is a big concert in Madrid soon (actually a series of them, I think), and we think that's why all the teenagers are here. They are annoying, and they hog the computers. Teenagers in any country are not exactly my favorite. Anyway, seeing as I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm off to bed. I'll be exploring museums tomorrow!