I couldn't sleep so.. two hours after I fell asleep I was awoken by a bright and shiney, fast moving Eli… I wanted to kill him. Then I just wanted to shower, so I did, shower that is. I took a foolishly long shower and then ate a bite and we took off for the renfe. The renfe is a bit difficult to navigate but we were determined to learn it and determined to avoid walking. Basically we took the bus to the renfe to the atocha station to the long trip renfe train to the station in Toledo! We did have a interesting excursion in Madrid because we had an hour to kill before the next train left and so we went to some really weird stores and I bought a bag and some postcards.
At Toledo we finally felt like we were true adventurers. We left the station and passed a store selling maps. Shamwam! I said, Maps are for women and the blind! and we marched off in disgust. A few moments later we regretted our lack of map and were forced to rely on a picture we took of a map instead… it was difficult. I wish I could tell you about all the amazing things we saw in Toledo. I guess the most important part about my time there was I started to remember how much I love incredible works of art and the smell or wet dirt and must that accompanies these amazing old monasteries and churches. I loved just getting an inch away from an amazing painting or tapestry and noticing the details and thinking about how they made these things. I'm definitely bringing a sketch pad next time.
I love the narrow streets and the old books and how there are Catholic and Jewish and Islamic Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques; all right in the same city, sometimes in the same building. The symbolism everywhere is breathtakingly layered.
Eli and I were so involved in exploring and getting photos before nightfall that we didn't eat all day, and so when we finally sat down and ordered we were bouncing up and down and barking like ravenous zebra. We had chorizo and spanish tortilla sandwiches and potatas bravas (fried potatoes covered in paprika and tomato sauce). Afterward we went shopping a bit and then ventured to the other side of the city to visit a castle we had seen. It was closed. So we broke in / climbed fences, and peed off the side of the cliff from the castle. Then we took off and almost right into an active military base before we notice all the signs warning us that we will be peppered with bullets upon entry.
As we were finally walking back to the renfe, I walked into a bar and challenged all patrons to a duel on the ole foosball table. It was the oldest table I've ever seen. Elijah was the only taker.. I beat him 10 to 1.
It took us about two hours to meander all the way home and the best part about it was I fell asleep 4 times and we only walked from bus stop to bus stop.
The end.
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