(Holy) Toledo~

The school I am studying at planned a trip to Toledo, Spain this last Saturday! Bright and early at 8:30AM! (Because waking up for school Monday through Friday at 7AM isn’t hard enough... everyone obviously slept the whole way there.) Upon arrival I was so excited to see all of Toledo's cultural diversity.

Our first stop was the Mezquita Cristo de la Luz. This mosque was a perfect way to start our trip. It was just so different. Everything in the US looks so new and well maintained and here it’s obviously old and has had its better years. Next to the mosque was this cute little garden but it was elevated so you could see all of Toledo from it! 

We then had a little break to grab a little breakfast and wander around some of the local shops at Plaza de Zocodover. Right by the place we ate there was this adorable building with the archway with another spectacular view of Toledo. I wish our break was longer so I could have explored more.

My FAVORITE part of Toledo was exploring the Iglesia de Santo Tome. Not only is it a cathedral so I was interested in learning more about the beliefs I grew up on and the beliefs that the majority of Spain lives by but also the architecture, it was phenomenal. As it should since it took 200 years to be built! I could have spent a whole day here. Every piece of art and each artifact is so detailed that I couldn’t help but take over 100 pictures. (Don’t worry I only put up my favorites!) Sheil Sheil, I know you would love it here! 

After seeing the cathedral I knew it was going to be all downhill from there. What could really outshine that place?? Next, we went to Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca, which was beautiful and full of all of its own history. I like going to synagogues because I think the Jews have some amazing stories about their journey as a religion.

We had another little break where I was finally able to eat lunch and I had my FIRST EVER paella! They are everywhere in Madrid but we usually go out and eat tapas (snacks) instead of a real meal. But after walking around Toledo all day I was starving! After our meal we still had an hour before our last stop and my friend and I were dying to see their river (Rio Tajo)! It was fortunately just a short walk away and it was totally worth it! I am just so obsessed with natures beauty.

Our last stop was Sinagoga del Transito. This was my favorite synagogue out of two because this one had multiple rooms and tons of artifacts. Lucky me, I made a friend who is Jewish so he told me all about the artifacts and how they are used in their religious ceremonies and such. We did have a tour guide for all of our destinations but she was speaking Spanish... which means I wasn’t listening and if I was listening I wasn’t understanding. Typical... 

I overall enjoyed the beauty of Toledo. However I wish I could have seen more than just the religious buildings because I know there was much much more to see that is just as important. Maybe next time?

Travel on,

Jes

Museo del Prado~

The school I am going to planned a museum trip to Museo del Prado Friday after school. I was really excited because this was my first museum I have been to here! A teacher from school was our tour guide, but I didn’t understand anything she was talking about because she only spoke in Spanish. I have gotten to the point where I can understand a lot but I lack in vocabulary words about history and other more complicated things. I pretty much just wandered around and read the plaques about each art piece (YAY for English!). 

The museum was also really strict about no one taking pictures inside the museum, so I of course didn’t. But luckily another UF student did so you can get a glimpse on how outstanding this place was. I wish I could have learned more but seeing the paintings and sculptures was pretty cool too!

Museo del Prado Lobby

Travel on,

Jes

Kalúa~

I have fallen in love in Madrid <3 Kalúa’s helado knows the way to my heart. This place has the BEST ice cream I have ever had. I may or may not have gone there 3 days in a row... They just have so many choices that look so rich and satisfying! I have tried dulce de leche, white chocolate, and brownie. Saying these flavors are SO good is an understatement. 

 My goal is to try every flavor in the next 2 months, how could anyone with a sweet tooth resist these mounds of joy?!

Travel on,

Jes

La Escuela~

I have completed 2 days of school already! Yay! However, it is definitely overwhelming. I am only in a beginner class and yet the profesoras speak only en español. It is quite challenging. And to make things worse we have class from 8:30AM-1PM... I haven’t had class for that amount of time 5 days a week since I was in high school!

One thing I find most interesting is how different the Spanish is here compared to Mexico. Here their c’s are pronounced like “th” so for example gracias is pronounced grathias. Changing the way I have said a word since 1st grade isn’t as easy as it looks!

Is it Friday yet?

Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

Travel On,

Jes

La Latina y Retiro~

I started my day Sunday at 2pm Madrid time. Yay for jet lag! We wandered over to our school so we could figure out how to get there for Monday without getting lost! After a group of us traveled down to La Latina for some tapas and exploration.

Surprise! Madrid is obsessed with ham, it is in almost every food option on menus. I have not eaten ham in about 5 years but when there is one or no “pollo” options I had to find something else to eat. I must say... the ham here is amazing. I now understand why they have ham flavored potato chips and the Museo del Jamòn (museum of ham).

Jamòn y Queso Croquettes

 After lunch we headed to south La Latina where we came across this beautiful cathedral. I LOVE how there is cathedrals all over Spain. The US should really consider investing more into their churches’ architecture. The inside had magnificent art on the walls and the ceiling. However there was a mass going on at the time so pictures were not allowed. I honestly don’t think pictures would have done it justice.

San Francisco el Grande

 Directly to the left of the church was a beautiful garden and the back overlooked valleys and mountains. I tried to find more information online and found nothing about it or the statue below. The view just made us all speechless. All of the greenery with the mountains and valleys was amazing.

 Next we hopped on the Metro and headed towards Parque del Retiro to watch the sunset. First off, watching a sunset in Madrid is close to impossible. All of the buildings are so tall so watching from the ground just isn’t the same as watching a sunset on Fort Myers Beach. BUT it was super cool because the park was set up so when the sunsets the sunlight goes directly through a long walkway between trees and hits this fountain perfectly giving it its orangish tint. To the right of fountain there is a lake that you can rent little boats during the day to go around in. This park had SO much more to see. I am excited to go back and see it all!

Galàgapos Fountain

Estanque del Retiro with Alfonso XII Monument

 Right outside one of many entrances to Retiro park is this roundabout (Mom, I know you would have a lot of fun going around and around looking at this). I have some pictures from during the day but the way they have the lights on it at night are just so perfect! This is really quite the hotspot with tons of little restaurants and bars all around it.

Plaza de la Independencia

It is safe to say I am falling in love with Madrid.

Travel On,

Jes

First Day~

I can’t believe I am actually in Europe, let alone studying in Spain for the next 2.5 months! My first day has been long yet so exciting! I started off with a 3 hour flight to Philadelphia and then my 7 hour flight to Madrid. I was fortunate enough to have two seats to myself so yes I did lay down and sleep the whole time. I was able to watch the sunset and the sunrise from my window seat. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Sunrise on the coast of Spain

 I am still not use to the gas grill, no air conditioning, and different electric outlets in my apartment but I guess I just need some time! The weather here is so perfect so air conditioning is almost unnecessary... lets hope it doesn’t get any warmer!

 Upon arrival I unpacked immediately! And right after taking the picture below of my finished product I passed out for a 2 hour siesta (nap time is time well spent). 

My five star bedroom

Luckily my roommate woke me up from my nap so we could go meet up with some people to explore and eat. One thing I already LOVE about Spain is that the people here are not in a rush. A group of about 10 of us were able to sit for about two hours at lunch without feeling any pressure to leave. In fact, here you have to ask for the check! I got some delicious herb organic chicken with homemade fries. Is anyone else surprised that they literally gave me a chicken?

Chika Restrante

Once we decided it was time to move on with our day we decided to explore Madrid! What a beautiful city I am living in! First stop was literally 25 steps from our lunch and that is the famous Plaza Mayor. There is tons of shops and restaurants as well as cartoon characters like Puss n boots and Winnie the Pooh that you can take pictures with (but only if you pay)!

Plaza Mayor statute

 We then headed south where we came across this beautiful cathedral. There was some kind of ceremony going on and they were all taking pictures in the front. I was definitely jealous of their event location. Maybe a possible wedding destination??? A girl can dream...

Cathedral

 Our last destination was the Real Madrid Stadium. There was a game going on today and we won 4-2! We watched the end of the game at a bar to the right of this picture. (Fun fact~ We took the Metro to here!)

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

To say the least, it was a great day in Madrid. I am so excited to see what tomorrow and the rest of this trip has in store! Maybe tomorrow I will go to  some museums and see the University I will be attending??

Travel On,

Jes